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Southwest Strikes Deal With Archer for Electric Air Taxi Service

The airline signed an agreement with the manufacturer that will see the partners develop air taxi routes connecting Southwest terminals in California.

Friday, July 12, 2024 at 02:28 PM ET

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The agreement with Southwest Airlines sets the stage for Archer’s flagship Midnight air taxi to serve airports across California. [Courtesy: Archer Aviation]

Key Takeaways:

Southwest Airlines has partnered with Archer Aviation to develop an electric air taxi (eVTOL) service, becoming the third major U.S. airline to enter this market.
The initial plan focuses on connecting Southwest terminals at airports across California using Archer's Midnight eVTOL aircraft.
Archer's Midnight eVTOLs are designed for short-distance flights (20-50 miles) carrying up to four passengers and a pilot, aiming to be cost-competitive with ground rideshares by a target launch around 2025.
This initiative supports California's clean transportation goals and positions Southwest in the emerging eVTOL market, where Archer faces significant competition from other manufacturers like Joby Aviation.

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Southwest Airlines is set to become the third major U.S. commercial airline to offer air taxi services using an unusual new design.

On Friday, Southwest and Archer Aviation, manufacturer of the Midnight electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop a network of routes connecting Southwest terminals at California airports.

Jack Daleo

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.