The 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles could mark the first time in history that electric air taxis are part of the official transportation plan. Organizers say it’s a move that could change how people get around L.A.—not just during the Games, but long after.
San José–based startup Archer Aviation is leading the charge. According to the Los Angeles Times, the company aims to deploy a fleet of battery-powered aircraft designed to shuttle passengers through the skies above some of the city’s most traffic-clogged corridors.
“We want to transform the way people get around Los Angeles and leave a legacy that shapes the future of transportation in America,” Archer Aviation Founder and CEO Adam Goldstein said in a statement. “There’s no better time to do that than during the LA28 Games.”
The aircraft—dubbed “Midnight”—is fully electric, carries up to four passengers plus a pilot, and is designed for short urban hops, not long-distance travel. Archer says the aircraft is quieter than a helicopter and generates zero emissions at the point of use.
Nikhil Goel, the company’s chief commercial officer, told Axios that Archer plans to build vertiports (basically mini-airports for vertical takeoff and landing) at major Olympic sites, including SoFi Stadium and the L.A. Coliseum—along with hubs at nearby airports.
“We plan to make a meaningful dent in some of the transport woes L.A. is going to face,” Goel said.
While fans and VIPs are expected to be the first passengers, the taxis could also play a role in security and emergency operations during the Games, according to Archer. The company also believes the vehicles will help cut down on traffic and carbon emissions.
But there’s still a major hurdle: the Federal Aviation Administration hasn’t cleared the vehicles for commercial use yet. Archer isn’t the only player trying to get airborne in time—California-based rival Joby Aviation is also racing to launch its own air taxi service in L.A.
Still, if the FAA signs off, this could be one of the most futuristic Olympic moments yet. Think Blade Runner—minus the smog.
