Los Angeles 2028 Olympics: Will spectators ride in flying taxis?

The aircraft can carry up to four people and operates similarly to a helicopter during takeoff and landing.

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Illustration, Photo: Shutterstock
Illustration, Photo: Shutterstock
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

Sports fans could fly through the skies of Los Angeles and avoid the city's traffic jams during the 2028 Olympic Games.

LA28, the committee in charge of planning the third Summer Olympic Games, announced a partnership with the airline Archer aviation to provide a flying taxi service during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The company plans to use planes to transport audiences to and from the venue, LA28 reported on Thursday.

Flying taxis have been a long-standing dream.

They were scheduled to appear at the 2024 Paris Olympics, but they did not receive certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency in time.

Similarly, the company Archer aviation has not yet received certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration, which means their aircraft are not yet ready for commercial use.

Its founder and CEO said he hopes to receive approval from aviation regulators this year confirming they meet design and safety standards.

If that happens, the flying taxis would offer 10- to 20-minute flights to residents and visitors and would fly between select destinations, including several major Olympic venues.

It's not clear how much each trip would cost, but Adam Goldstein, founder and CEO Archer aviation-a, said he wants prices to be similar to the more exclusive Uber, writes The New York Times.

Like the popular ride-hailing service, customers could schedule an air taxi through an app.

The aircraft can carry up to four people and functions similarly to a helicopter during takeoff and landing.

The "Midnight" aircraft (Midnight) is part of a family of vehicles called "eVTOLs" - short for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.

Archer, Backed by Boeing and United Airlines, it is one of several eVTOL manufacturers offering short-haul flights due to congestion in urban areas.

The industry has faced many hurdles, including battery problems, and none of the aircraft have yet been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration.

The "Ponoć" aircraft has 12 engines and propellers and produces "less noise than a traditional helicopter," according to LA28.

"We want to transform the way people get around Los Angeles and shape the future of transportation in America," Goldstein said in a statement.

"There's no better time to do it than during the Olympics," he added.

Safety, regulations, and investment have proven to be major obstacles for companies trying to introduce flying taxis.

Despite the delays and setbacks, many still believe they could be the future of transportation.

From the company Archer aviation remain confident that their aircraft can buck recent trends and see the 2028 Olympics as a way to showcase them to the world.

In 2024, the UK government published the "Future of Flying" action plan, predicting that the first flying taxi could take off in the UK by 2026 and become a regular sight in the skies.

Los Angeles previously hosted the Olympic Games in 1984 and 1932.

This is the third time the city has hosted the Summer Olympics.

The city announced that no cars will be allowed during the 2028 Games, which is a big deal, especially after plans to expand public transportation in the area were canceled.

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