United ponies up $10M in flying taxis

ShareBy Cate Chapman, Editor at LinkedIn News

Updated 43 minutes ago

United Airlines is jumping on the flying-taxi, er, bandwagon, placing a $10 million deposit for 100 of the electric vehicles. The taxis, which take off and land vertically, allow for tight maneuvering in cities on the way to and from airports while reducing carbon emissions. United has ordered its fleet from Archer Aviation, becoming the Bay Area-based company's “launch customer” — when the taxis are approved by regulators. The Federal Aviation Administration is developing pilot requirements and expects to certify the vehicles as early as 2024.

• Prices will be similar to Uber Black service, with a trip from Manhattan to a New York airport will cost from $110 to $120.