If you've ever cursed LA traffic while watching the minutes of your life tick away in gridlock, here's some Olympic-worthy news: at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, you might just soar over the mess in a flying taxi.
That's not sci-fi—it's an official plan. For the first time in Olympic history, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft will be part of the transportation playbook, giving fans, athletes, and media a chance to literally rise above the chaos. The LA28 organizing committee has partnered with Archer Aviation, a California-based eVTOL company, to make it happen.
Here's your quick, sky-high briefing on how this bold leap into the future is unfolding and what it means for how we move, not just during the Olympics but well beyond them.
The Olympic Commute Just Got a Major Upgrade
Archer Aviation has been officially named the "Official Air Taxi Provider" for the LA 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. That means they're in charge of getting people from point A to point B—where point B might be SoFi Stadium, Dodger Stadium, the Coliseum, LAX, or any number of other Olympic venues.
And unlike helicopters, which scream "007 villain getaway," these eVTOLs are designed for daily use: quieter, cleaner, electric, and app-bookable. Anyone can hop aboard. You won't need a VIP badge, just a smartphone and a destination.
According to Fast Company, this isn't just about Olympic convenience. It's a test case for bringing flying taxis to the masses, shifting LA's mobility model, and potentially rewriting how Americans get around cities.
The Air Taxi You'll Want to Commute In
The aircraft Archer is deploying is called Midnight, and it's giving sci-fi a serious run for its money. Here's the quick spec sheet:
- Capacity: 4 passengers + 1 pilot
- Top feature: 12 rotors for vertical lift and safe landing
- Noise level: Way quieter than a helicopter—think high-end dishwasher, not rock concert
- Eco-friendliness: 100% electric = zero emissions in flight
- Flight time: 10 to 20 minutes between vertiports
Midnight is currently undergoing FAA certification, aiming to be commercially approved and safety-rated well before the Olympic flame.
LA's Newest "Parking Lots"
Forget parking garages. In 2028, you'll be looking for vertiports, special landing hubs for flying taxis being developed across strategic LA locations, think Santa Monica, Hollywood, LAX, Orange County, and Olympic venues. These stations will act as mini-airports for eVTOL takeoffs and landings, all seamlessly integrated with ground transport options.
Want to get from LAX to SoFi in under 15 minutes? Tap your app—no rental car, no 405 nightmare, just a rooftop launch and a smooth descent minutes later.
Sure, the whole "electric air taxi" idea sounds flashy—and it is—but the implications go deeper. LA28 and Archer are using the Olympics to prototype a transportation future that's sustainable, scalable, and inclusive. As costs are expected to match rideshare prices in the future, this isn't just for the elite.
Archer CEO Adam Goldstein sees this as pivotal: "We want to transform the way people move around Los Angeles and leave behind a legacy that shapes the future of U.S. transportation."
The LA28 Olympics
This third-time host city isn't just bringing back the Olympics; it's reimagining them. LA previously hosted the Games in 1932 and 1984. This time, it'll also host the Paralympic Games for the first time, and that spirit of accessibility is baked into every aspect of planning, including transportation.
The Games kick off with the Olympic Opening Ceremony on July 14, 2028, followed by the Paralympic Games on August 15. Between now and then, LA28 is rolling out community programs for kids, education initiatives across the city, and a lineup of volunteers and board members that includes big names like Katie Ledecky and Jessica Alba.
Flying taxis may sound like the kind of thing you daydream about while stuck on the 10 freeway, but in 2028, they'll be a reality. And LA's infamous gridlock? For a lucky few, it'll be nothing more than a view from 1,500 feet above.