Air taxis to make Olympic debut at 2028 Los Angeles Games

Fans attending the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will be able to fly to venues by air taxi, marking the first time the technology will be used at an Olympic Games.

U.S.-based electric air taxi company Archer Aviation has been named the official air mobility partner for the LA28 Olympics, Paralympics, and Team USA, according to tech site IoT World Today.

Under the partnership, Archer will deploy its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, Midnight, to shuttle passengers between key locations across Los Angeles.

"We want to transform the way people get around Los Angeles and leave a legacy that shapes the future of transportation in America," Archer founder and CEO Adam Goldstein, said. "There’s no better time to do that than during the LA28 Games."

Each piloted vehicle can carry four passengers and small luggage on trips ranging from 20 to 50 miles (32–80 km), with flight durations of around 10 to 20 minutes, The Washington Post reported.

The Midnight can reach speeds of up to 150 mph (241 km/h) and recharge in just 10 minutes.

It is equipped with 12 engines and propellers, featuring redundant safety systems designed to meet Federal Aviation Administration certification standards comparable to those of commercial airliners.

"Our vision is to fundamentally reimagine the Olympic and Paralympic Games experience," LA28 chairperson and president Casey Wasserman said.

"This partnership represents an incredible opportunity to deliver something unprecedented."

In addition to transporting fans and VIPs, Archer will support emergency services and security operations throughout the event.