For the first time in Olympic history, electric air taxis will be used to transport fans, VIPs, and support personnel during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Archer Aviation’s innovative eVTOL aircraft, known as Midnight, will offer a fast, low-emission alternative to road transport during the global event. These air taxis will provide flights between specially designed vertiports at major Olympic venues and popular locations across Los Angeles, enabling travel times of just 10 to 20 minutes between destinations.
Archer Aviation has announced plans to build a network of vertiports to support this groundbreaking initiative. Key locations include SoFi Stadium in Inglewood and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which are set to host the opening and closing ceremonies. Other vertiport sites are planned for Los Angeles International Airport, Hollywood, Santa Monica, and parts of Orange County. The network aims to ease traffic congestion and redefine the experience of moving across the sprawling city during one of the world’s largest sporting events.
Each Midnight air taxi will be piloted and capable of carrying up to four passengers. The aircraft has been engineered with 12 engines and propellers and incorporates a range of redundant and fault-tolerant systems. Archer is working closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to meet rigorous safety standards comparable to those of commercial airlines. The aircraft, produced at Archer's manufacturing plants in San Jose, California, and Covington, Georgia, also promise significantly less noise and lower emissions than traditional helicopters, making them an environmentally friendly transportation option for the games.
As an official transportation provider for the LA 2028 Olympics, Paralympics, and Team USA, Archer Aviation is not only committed to shuttling fans and high-profile guests, but will also support emergency services and security operations with its fleet. This aligns with the broader mission of organizers to offer a smarter, more sustainable and efficient Olympics that reflects the technological advancements of modern urban mobility.
Archer CEO and founder Adam Goldstein emphasized the long-term impact of this project, stating that the company hopes to create a lasting legacy by transforming how people move around cities like Los Angeles. He believes that the Olympic Games are the perfect platform to showcase the potential of air mobility and set the stage for a transportation revolution in the United States.
The vision for the LA 2028 Games goes beyond athletic performance; it’s about offering a next-generation experience for all participants. Casey Wasserman, chairperson and president of the LA Olympic committee, said that this partnership with Archer represents a unique opportunity to deliver something previously unimaginable for Olympic spectators and city residents alike.
With the countdown to the 2028 Olympics already underway, the introduction of electric air taxis marks a major leap forward in how host cities can tackle infrastructure challenges and enhance the overall experience for attendees. As Archer Aviation continues toward FAA certification and further development of its vertiport network, all eyes will be on Los Angeles as it prepares to showcase this futuristic mode of transportation to the world.
