Airborne Taxi Services at LA 2028 Olympics: Offering Traffic-Avoidance for Sports Viewers
In the not-so-distant future, the skies above Los Angeles could be a bustling avenue during the 2028 Olympics, thanks to the game-changing partnership between LA28 and Archer Aviation. Yes, you heard it right – a fleet of futuristic flying taxis is set to whisk spectators and VIPs across the city, leaving the traumatic LA traffic far behind.
The brainchild of Archer Aviation, the Midnight eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) air taxi promises journeys around the Los Angeles area in a jiffy. Picture this: 10 to 20-minute rides from Hollywood to Santa Monica, or dashing from Long Beach to LAX in no time.
But the magic doesn't stop there. Archer's planned network of vertiports will ensconce key locations like LAX, Orange County, Hollywood Burbank, and more. This network rigorously supports LA28's ambition for a nearly 'car-free' Olympics, alleviating traffic congestion and ensuring a smoother experience for athletes, spectators, and officials alike.
The Midnight eVTOL aircraft, slated for unveiling during the summer games leading up to the Olympics, is designed with safety in mind. With redundant safety systems, 12 engines, and propellers aplenty, this marvel of engineering aims to secure FAA certification that equals commercial aircraft standards.
While they're yet to get the green light from the FAA, Archer is optimistically anticipating LA network operations by 2026. To call an air taxi, you'd simply whip out your phone, fire up the Archer app, and voila – a jet-piloted taxi cab will await your arrival! As for pricing, Archer's target is to keep costs competitive, perhaps following in the footsteps of Uber's helicopter services in New York and other cities.
The idea of flying taxis at an international sporting event isn't entirely novel. Similar plans were afoot for the Paris Olympics 2024. However, Europe's air safety agency declined to certify those flying taxis for commercial use. Here's hoping that Archer Aviation proudly avoids the same fate and makes history with its electric air taxi service for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and Paralympics.
Sources:
- Archer Aviation, "Archer Selected as Exclusive Air Taxi Provider for Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games," May 15, 2025.
- WebWire, "Archer Aviation Announces Urban Air Mobility Network Plan for Los Angeles," May 17, 2025.
- The Drive, "Archer Aviation Unveils Urban Air Mobility Plans for LA," May 20, 2025.
- TechCrunch, "LA28 Taps Archer Aviation as Exclusive Air Taxi Provider," May 21, 2025.
- Bloomberg, "LA to Get Its Own Flying Taxi Service for 2028 Olympics," May 22, 2025.
The partnership between LA28 and Archer Aviation is set to revolutionize not only transportation during the 2028 Olympics but also Los Angeles' daily commute, as the Midnight eVTOL air taxi promises to bridge distance in the fields of finance, sports, and technology, attending to the needs of spectators, VIPs, athletes, and officials. This venture, aiming for FAA certification, showcases the intersection of the finance and technology industries with the sports and transportation sectors, potentially setting a new standard for urban mobility around the globe.
