CHICAGO – United Airlines is stepping into the development of an electric aircraft, which should be able to fly between the centres of major cities and important airports from 2024 onwards. The American airline wants to buy 200 aircraft in the long run.

The six-engine eVTOL aircraft by Archer, which will be officially presented later this year, offers room for four passengers and flies fully electric. United supports the project with expertise and wants to purchase a large number of aircraft.

“The plane has the potential to change the way people travel between major cities worldwide,” said United chief executive Scott Kirby.

According to its creators, the aircraft is suitable for distances of about 100 kilometres, and can reach a speed of about 240 kilometres per hour at a cruising altitude of 600 metres. The plane can take off and land perpendicularly, but produces no emissions on the spot and is 100 times quieter than a helicopter, according to Archer. Initially there will be a pilot on board, but from 2028 the aircraft must be certified to fly autonomously.

The electrically powered aircraft is intended to be an alternative to cars, taxis and shared transport. According to the manufacturer, Archer’s plane is equal in terms of operating costs to, for example, UberX, while it does not suffer from heavy road traffic.

United Airlines wants to use the plane to transport passengers from Los Angeles to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), among other things.