eVTOL Archer Midnight Sets Records and Secures Firm Contracts
- Published on 25/10/2025 10:59
- Modified on 25/10/2025 11:05
Archer sees its eVTOL capable of reaching 7000 feet and 120 mph, and will launch its first commercial routes in 2026.
The electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) project from Archer Aviation is entering a critical phase. In recent weeks, the American company has made numerous announcements: new altitude and distance records for its prototype Midnight, strategic partnerships with Korean Air and the city of Los Angeles, and increased international visibility ahead of major global sporting events.
From its testing site in Salinas, California, Archer achieved a key flight in September as part of the Midnight validation program. The aircraft reached a record altitude of 7,000 feet (2,130 meters), well beyond the usual 1,500 to 4,000 feet planned for urban eVTOL operations.
This 45-mile (72 km) flight at over 120 mph (193 km/h) is part of a series of tests aimed at expanding the aircraft’s flight envelope—that is, testing its limits in altitude, speed, and endurance. It follows a previous record flight in August, during which Midnight covered 55 miles in 31 minutes at an average of 126 mph.
Midnight, an urban mobility air taxi
Midnight is a piloted aircraft designed to carry four passengers on 10 to 20-minute trips, with minimal recharging time between flights. The goal: replace 60 to 90-minute road trips with quiet, electric, cost-competitive flights.
While Archer positions its Midnight as a revolution in urban mobility, this is because the eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) differs significantly from traditional helicopters. Fully electric, it eliminates local CO₂ emissions and greatly reduces noise pollution. Whereas a helicopter often exceeds 85 decibels in flight, Midnight is limited to about 65 dB during approach, comparable to urban traffic noise levels.
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Towards FAA certification and first commercial deployment
These developments confirm the maturity of the Midnight program as Archer approaches FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) certification in the United States. The company aims to begin commercial operations by 2026, with rapid expansion into other markets.
An important partnership supports this international expansion: Korean Air has signed an agreement to acquire up to 100 aircraft. This collaboration will facilitate Archer’s eVTOLs entry into the South Korean market, initially for government applications before broader deployment.
Archer has also been designated as the exclusive “Air Taxi Partner” for the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission (LASEC). In this role, the company will become an official partner of Super Bowl LXI and the 2026 World Cup in Los Angeles, ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games. This strategic partnership will allow Archer to demonstrate its electric aircraft service in the Californian metropolis, one of the most congested markets in the world. The company plans to deploy a network of vertiports connecting key transportation hubs by 2028.
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This page is translated from the original post "L’eVTOL Archer Midnight signe des records et des contrats fermes" in French.
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