Southwest Airlines and Archer Aviation have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop operational plans for electric air taxi networks utilizing Archer’s eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft at California airports where Southwest operates. Archer Aviation is a manufacturer of eVTOL aircraft and Southwest Airlines operates from 14 airports across California.
Archer Midnight aircraft is designed to transform urban travel, replacing 60- to 90-minute commutes by car with estimated 10- to 20-minute electric air taxi flights. The goal of Archer’s aircraft is to offer a safe, low-noise, cost-competitive transportation option with no direct emissions.
Southwest and Archer intend to collaborate on a concept of operations that lays the foundation for integrated electric air taxi networks that would support California airports and the surrounding communities that Southwest serves. This collaboration will include partnering with Southwest employees and respective unions, including Southwest Airlines Pilots Association, to maintain and improve efficient operations. This is a key step toward potentially offering Southwest customers an airport transport service that saves time by streamlining the door-to-door passenger journey.
“With Archer’s Midnight aircraft, passengers will be able to fly above traffic to get to the airport faster,” said Nikhil Goel, chief commercial officer at Archer. “By putting together Southwest’s impressive network of airports in California and their frequent intrastate flights with our planned network, Southwest Customers could someday complete door-to-door trips like Santa Monica to Napa in less than three hours.”
Archer and Southwest plan to collaborate over the next few years as eVTOLs take flight.
For more information, visit www.southwest.com and www.archer.com.
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