New York City, known for its 24/7 convenience, may soon add another feather to its cap with the introduction of air taxis. Archer Aviation, an electric aircraft startup, has unveiled its proposed air taxi network for the city, promising to whisk passengers from Manhattan to nearby airports in just 5-15 minutes.

The startup has partnered with United Airlines to offer this service, which would allow passengers to add an Archer ride to their traditional airline purchase. According to Archer's co-founder and CEO, Adam Goldstein, the network will consist of nine core nodes, including three major international airports (JFK, La Guardia, and Newark), three heliports, and three regional airports.

The proposed network is not Archer's first foray into air taxi services. The company has shared similar visions for cities like Los Angeles. However, before it can begin testing its routes, Archer needs to secure Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for its aircraft, a five-seat eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle) dubbed Midnight.

Archer is still awaiting FAA certification, and its competitors, Joby Aviation and Beta Technologies, have already conducted piloted flights. Goldstein expressed hope that Archer would achieve the necessary certifications by 2026 and promised an update on piloted flights at the company's next earnings call.

In the meantime, Archer is focusing on setting up infrastructure and operations. Partnerships are crucial to this effort, and the company has teamed up with United Airlines, fixed-base operators, and other stakeholders to establish vertiports (landing pads for eVTOLs) at airports and set up aircraft charging infrastructure.

New York City's existing helicopter commuting infrastructure makes it an attractive market for Archer. According to Nikhil Goel, Archer's chief commercial officer, the city's established routes and air traffic management systems will make it easier to integrate Archer's air taxis into the existing ecosystem.

Archer plans to start small, introducing up to five aircraft in NYC and other cities to test its routes before scaling up. The company's long-term goal is to operate hundreds of aircraft across several cities, with plans to launch in San Francisco and Miami in the future.

Aside from the US, Archer is also planning to launch an air taxi service in Abu Dhabi, where regulations are less strict, later this year. The NYC proposed network is expected to give people a tangible vision of what Archer's air taxi service can offer.

With its proposed air taxi network, Archer Aviation is poised to revolutionize the way people travel in New York City. If successful, this service could reduce travel times, increase convenience, and provide a more sustainable alternative to traditional transportation methods.