Archer Aviation plans to launch a Los Angeles air mobility network. The goal is for passengers to be able to go to a nearby vertiport, or vertical take off and landing location, and then fly 10-20 minutes in Archer's Midnight aircraft to their destination of choice within the network, saving hours versus sitting in traffic. The planned network includes vertiports at key locations such as Los Angeles International airport, Orange County, Santa Monica, Hollywood Burbank, Long Beach and Van Nuys. The goal is to begin LA network operations by as early as 2026.

As part of its network planning, Archer is coordinating with the Los Angeles Rams American football team to collaborate on potential exclusive vertiports at Woodland Hills and at Hollywood Park, the near 300 acre district centred around the 3.1million square foot SoFi Stadium.

The University of Southern California is also engaged to be part of Archer's planned LA network. Over the next two years, Archer and USC will develop plans for converting USC's existing heliports for the Midnight and other VTOL aircraft. USC's ultimate goal is to offer visitors an easy, quick and sustainable way to get to and from its campus, sports facilities and hospitals in the future.

“This is a big moment for Archer. Establishing our LA network ahead of the global events that are coming to the region over the next four years is a milestone that will put Midnight on display for the whole world to see,” says CEO Adam Goldstein. “LA is known for its horrendous traffic; our goal is to offer a safer, faster and sustainable alternative travel option.”

The Midnight, Archer's piloted, four-passenger electric aircraft, will play a crucial role in this network. It is designed to offer passengers a sustainable, low-noise and safe alternative to ground transportation:

- Travels at speeds up to 150mph, turning hour-long ground commutes into minutes in the air

- Designed for back-to-back flights of 20-50 miles with minimal charge time in between

- 100 times quieter than a helicopter at cruising altitudes

- Redundant systems across the aircraft allowing Archer to target similar levels of safety as commercial airliners

- Designed to carry a pilot, up to four passengers and carry-on luggage

Governor of California Gavin Newsom comments: “California is showing the world what's possible when you embrace innovation, entrepreneurship and clean energy to help solve your biggest challenges. Homegrown companies like Archer Aviation are pioneering the next generation of zero-emission transportation that will help California cut pollution, clean our air and reduce traffic.”

“We are excited about the opportunity to bring Archer's game-changing technology to Hollywood Park,” says Los Angeles Rams president Kevin Demoff. “This underscores our commitment to enhancing the guest experience as we continue to build this transformative global destination for sports and entertainment.”

The move complements Archer's planned network in the San Francisco Bay Area as well as its recently announced relationships with Southwest Airlines and United Airlines. It also comes on the heels of major milestones in the form of a successful transition flight, certification to begin operating as a commercial airline and rapid progress on its manufacturing plant in Covington, Georgia.