Advanced Air Mobility Modern Flying

Archer Flies Midnight Air Taxi Over San Francisco Bay

Electric prototype made three conventional takeoff and landing flights in the area last week.

Monday, October 19, 2026 at 12:30 PM ET

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Archer’s Midnight prototype, N703AX, conducts an out-and-back flight over the San Francisco Bay. [Credit: Archer Aviation]

Key Takeaways:

Archer Aviation recently conducted demonstration flights of its Midnight eVTOL air taxi over the San Francisco Bay, showcasing its potential to drastically cut urban travel times.
These flights are part of Archer's "No Roads" demonstration campaign, with future plans to expand to Los Angeles, aiming for commercial service by the 2028 Olympic Games, and later to Texas and Florida.
The current Midnight prototype (N703AX) has not yet demonstrated the crucial vertical-to-forward flight transition, a defining eVTOL capability already achieved by competitor Joby Aviation.
Both Archer and Joby Aviation possess FAA Part 135 certification but still require type certification for their eVTOL designs before commencing commercial passenger flights.

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Electric vertical takeoff and landing air taxi manufacturer Archer Aviation on Thursday conducted demonstration flights over the San Francisco Bay as the company lays the groundwork for future commercial service in the region.

According to FlightAware, Archer’s aircraft registered N703AX made three flights over the bay, each lasting about 20 minutes. Archer said it demonstrated that a trip on its Midnight air taxi to San Francisco’s Marina District could take about 10 minutes versus more than one hour by a car in traffic. The prototype did not land in the Marina District, instead taking off and landing using the runway at Oakland International Airport (KOAK).

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.