Archer’s Midnight Air Taxi Reaches New Heights

Company’s electric air taxi prototype hits an altitude of 7,000 feet during a recent test flight.

Jack Daleo

Monday, September 22, 2025 at 03:00 PM ET

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Jack Daleo

Archer test pilots flew the Midnight air taxi to about 7,000 feet, marking the aircraft’s highest altitude to date. [Courtesy: Archer Aviation]

Key Takeaways:

Archer Aviation's Midnight eVTOL air taxi achieved a record 7,000-foot altitude during piloted test flights, expanding its operational envelope for urban air mobility.
The Midnight aircraft is progressing through crewed testing, completing a 55-mile flight and nearing its intended cruise speed, though a piloted hover-to-forward flight transition is still pending.
Archer aims for early commercial launch in the UAE next year, followed by the U.S. (targeting the 2028 LA Olympics), and is actively pursuing FAA certification while participating in programs to inform future eVTOL regulations.

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Archer Aviation’s prototype electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi has reached record heights during its piloted flight test campaign.

Archer on Monday announced that its Midnight aircraft climbed to 7,000 feet during a recent test flight, marking a new milestone as the company works to expand the envelope. Midnight began crewed testing in June and last month achieved a 55-mile flight—its longest yet.