United pays San Francisco firm $10m for first fleet of air taxis

United Airlines this week revealed its purchase of 100 air taxis in what the airline company called an "inflection point" of next-gen transportation technology. 

San Francisco-based Archer Aviation Inc. said in a press release that it had received "a $10 million pre-delivery payment from United Airlines for 100 of the company’s initial production eVTOL aircraft."

That payment "represents a watershed moment for the eVTOL industry, validating confidence in the commercialization of eVTOL aircraft and Archer’s leadership," the company said. 

The company touts its all-electric passenger aircraft as being able to fly 150 miles per hour at low noise levels in what Archer claims will be "an aerial ridesharing experience with unprecedented comfort."

United, meanwhile, said in the announcement that the purchase "marks a new important phase in our relationship with Archer, and our commitment to EVTOL technology."

"We are witnessing an inflection point where consumers, businesses, and policymakers are all aligned to prioritize technology that reduces the impact of climate change,” Michael Leskinen, , the president of United Airlines Ventures, said in the statement.