Archer lays plans for NY air taxi service

How it works: Customers would purchase the air taxi trip as an "add-on" to a traditional flight.

• Archer has said it plans to operate similar networks in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Yes, but: Like its competitor, Joby Aviation, Archer still needs approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.

• In the meantime, both companies plan to launch their first commercial flights in the United Arab Emirates, likely by the end of the year.

Between the lines: Archer's planned service will feature its Midnight electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, which the company says it is starting to produce in California and Georgia.

• By next year, Archer will have produced "tens" of aircraft, Nikhil Goel, chief commercial officer, tells Axios.

The planned network will initially use existing airports and helipads in the New York metropolitan area, with plans to open vertiports in the following locations:

• Major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport
• NYC helipads: East 34th Street Heliport, Downtown Skyport, West 30th Street Heliport
• Regional airports: Westchester County Airport, New Jersey's Teterboro Airport and Long Island's Republic Airport

The bottom line: Electric air taxis could transform urban travel, but they will start slowly and until FAA approval is granted, their first stop is likely to be in the Middle East.