Electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft are facing a challenging phase, but the LA 2028 announcement offers a rare sense of certainty.
Olympic spotlight to shine on electric air taxis despite industry turbulence
Will flying cabs finally take off at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics? With three years to go, Archer Aviation, a U.S.-based pioneer in electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL), is set to be the official air mobility partner of the Games. The company plans to transport guests with its air taxi service during the event. For Archer, LA 2028 represents a global stage and a crucial opportunity—one that Paris 2024 was unable to deliver.
A new form of airborne transport
The star of this initiative is Midnight, Archer’s cutting-edge electric air taxi. Designed to carry four passengers plus a pilot, it features 12 redundant rotors and fault-tolerant systems that aim to match the reliability of commercial airliners. The aircraft will be assembled at Archer’s facilities in San Jose, California, and Covington, Georgia.
Flying cabs will play a central role in shuttling VIPs, fans, and stakeholders between key locations across the city. These include Inglewood’s stadiums, the iconic Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Orange County. The short flights—estimated at 10 to 20 minutes—offer a fast, efficient alternative to LA’s famously congested roads, making it easier to reach event venues.
A revolution on the horizon?
Founded in 2018 with the mission to transform urban mobility, Archer Aviation has secured major strategic partnerships. Stellantis serves as both a key manufacturing partner and a major investor. United Airlines has also expressed interest in incorporating Archer’s eVTOL aircraft into its service offering.
A cornerstone of this vision is the development of a network of vertiports—dedicated take-off and landing hubs located throughout the city. Archer is working closely with the LA28 organizing committee to electrify and prepare these infrastructures.
A difficult past and an uncertain future
Looking beyond the Games, the goal is to establish a permanent urban air mobility network, providing Los Angeles with a cutting-edge transportation legacy. Midnight will also take part in NBCUniversal’s Olympic media coverage, delivering stunning aerial shots and iconic footage during events such as the opening and closing ceremonies.
Still, despite the high-profile announcement, the eVTOL industry faces major hurdles. Several companies have recently suffered funding losses or filed for bankruptcy. Meanwhile, Archer is working to expand its air taxi services to new markets, including the United Arab Emirates and Japan.
