Archer Aviation Partners with Starlink to Bring Satellite Internet to eVTOL Air Taxis

Summary

Archer Aviation has announced an "industry-first collaboration" with SpaceX's Starlink to integrate high-speed satellite internet into its Midnight eVTOL air taxis. The partnership will see Starlink's low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite constellation provide consistent, high-bandwidth connectivity to Archer's four-passenger aircraft, which are designed to operate at approximately 1,500 feet altitude. Unlike traditional aircraft internet that relies on ground towers or geostationary satellites, Starlink's LEO network is engineered to reach aircraft at low flight altitudes where air taxis operate.

According to Archer founder and CEO Adam Goldstein, connectivity is a "must-have feature" for the Midnight aircraft. Beyond providing passengers with in-flight internet access, the company plans to use Starlink for critical communications between the aircraft, pilots, and ground-based engineering teams. This connectivity infrastructure will support Archer's planned air taxi network, which includes planned hubs on both US coasts in cities like Miami.

Perhaps most significantly, Archer and Starlink indicated they will collaborate on developing connectivity solutions to support future autonomous aircraft technology. While the company emphasized focusing on piloted eVTOL operations first, the partnership lays groundwork for potential autonomous air taxi services. The agreement represents a notable step in addressing the connectivity challenges facing the emerging urban air mobility industry, though Archer has yet to announce specific timelines for commercial air taxi service launch.

• Archer and Starlink plan to develop connectivity solutions for future autonomous aircraft technology, though piloted operations remain the immediate focus