United Airlines and Archer Aviation, a California-based startup, have unveiled plans to launch flying cars to transport passengers between Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and a “vertiport” located just minutes from downtown. Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot expressed his satisfaction and noted that city dwellers will be the first to experience this innovative and convenient travel experience.
The current challenge for megacities like Chicago is their growing population. With approximately 9.6 million residents today, Chicago is the third-largest metropolitan area in the United States, and experts predict that the population will exceed 10.6 million by 2050.
This rapid growth has led to significant congestion problems, especially in the main airport area and downtown routes that can take an hour or more to navigate. Population growth may exacerbate these travel difficulties. In response, Archer Aviation believes that its electric flying car currently under development, called the Midnight, could be part of the solution to alleviate congestion not only in Chicago, but in other cities as well.
Midnight’s unique feature is that it can take off and land vertically like a helicopter. This means that it can transport passengers across the city directly from the roof without the need for a runway. It will reduce the use of roads for commuting. This approach not only reduces traffic congestion but also contributes to environmental sustainability. Especially if car batteries are charged using clean energy.
United Airlines took a significant step toward making the project a reality by placing a $1 billion order for Archer’s flying car in February 2021. In November 2022, the two companies announced their intention to establish a flight route to New York City. A helipad facility located just minutes away from downtown is also available.