United Wagers $15 Million On Air Taxis’ Future

United Airlines has placed a $15 million wager on the electric flying taxi market by placing a conditional order for 200 electric vertical take-offs and landing (eVTOL) aircraft from Eve, with options to acquire an additional 200.

In 2026, Eve plans to launch a commercial operation with their four-person flying taxi. Up to a 125-mile-per-hour, top speed and a range of up to 60 miles (96 kilometres) are planned (201 kilometres per hour).

Michael Leskinen, President of United Airlines Ventures, claimed that “United is making history again” by investing in two eVTOL start-ups. ” We are confident in the urban air mobility industry, and this agreement with Eve is a significant step towards our aim of reaching nett zero carbon emissions by the year 2050 without resorting to the use of traditional offsets.”  The partnership with Eve makes United the first airline worldwide to make public investments in two eVTOL start-ups.

Archer Aviation, a competing flying taxi service, got a $10 million deposit for 100 eVTOLs in August 2022.

With the potential to revolutionise urban transportation, eVTOLs—aircraft that take off and land vertically—hold great promise for the future.

Recent years have seen a meteoric expansion in the eVTOL industry. By the middle of the next decade, a dozen other eVTOL firms had announced plans to begin production of electric air taxis.

It should come as no surprise that experts anticipate much faster expansion. According to a Markets and Markets report, there will be a $30.8 billion market for eVTOL aircraft worldwide by 2030. The increased desire for environmentally friendly energy sources, quieter aeroplanes, and new transportation options will propel this trend.