O’Hare International Airport is expected to serve as an ideal location for United and Archer to advance their UAM operations. Credit: Archer Aviation Inc.

Archer Aviation, an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft maker, and United Airlines have unveiled plans for their first air taxi route in Chicago.

The duo finalised O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Vertiport Chicago as the next point-to-point route as part of their urban air mobility (UAM) network development.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Go deeper with GlobalData

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

Located in the Illinois Medical District, Vertiport Chicago is claimed to be the largest vertical aircraft take-off and landing facility in North America, while United’s largest operations hub, ORD is expected to serve as a suitable location for United and Archer to advance their UAM operations.

Archer Aviation founder and CEO Adam Goldstein said: “We’re thrilled to add Chicago to our growing list of initial launch cities as we continue to solidify our UAM network plans.

“We’re looking forward to working with state and city leaders to bring an innovative transportation solution to the City of Chicago and its surrounding communities.”

The finalisation marks an important step for United and Archer, as they are working with various organisations to ensure that a proper infrastructure is in place around the Chicago Metropolitan Area to support eVTOL aircraft operations integration into the City’s transportation ecosystem.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Through their UAM network, Archer and United aim to offer people in Chicago Metropolitan Area a ‘cost-competitive’ and green alternative to ground transport by 2025.

United Airlines Ventures president Michael Leskinen said: “Both Archer and United are committed to decarbonising air travel and leveraging innovative technologies to deliver on the promise of the electrification of the aviation industry.

“Once operational, we’re excited to offer our customers a more sustainable, convenient and cost-effective mode of transportation during their commutes to the airport.”

Airport Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Airport Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
OPS1 by TADERA has won the 2025 Product Launch Award in the Safety and Efficiency category for transforming how airports manage operations and safety. Learn how this integrated, GIS driven platform simplifies inspections, maintenance, and SMS compliance while turning operational data into real time, actionable intelligence.

Discover the Impact