Archer Aviation just took a huge step toward bringing air taxis to Los Angeles in time for the 2028 Olympics. The company spent $126 million on a long-term ground lease at Hawthorne Municipal Airport, which sits just a few miles from major Olympic venues like SoFi Stadium and the Kia Forum. Archer is still waiting for full FAA approval, but it hopes its electric air-taxi, the “Midnight,” will be certified by 2026. If that happens, the company plans to shuttle people around the city during the Games, offering flights that replace the city’s famously slow traffic.
The Midnight is basically a quiet, electric helicopter-like aircraft that can carry four passengers and a pilot. Test flights are already showing promising results, with speeds over 150 mph and 30-minute flight times. The Olympics would serve as the aircraft’s first big public test, and if all goes well, Archer says the service could eventually expand across L.A. to help cut traffic long-term. With the location secured, strong FAA cooperation, and a tight timeline lined up, it could be likely that Los Angeles will have functioning air taxis in time for the 2028 Olympics.
