Air Taxi in Chicago: Your Guide to Urban Air Mobility
Chicago is part of the FAA's eIPP (Electric Innovative Propulsion Program) demonstration program, positioning it as a leading U.S. city for urban air mobility. O'Hare International Airport is located 25 km from the Loop, making the airport-to-downtown corridor one of the most compelling eVTOL routes in the country. The city's sprawling metro area and heavy traffic congestion create strong demand for point-to-point air travel.
Chicago Air Taxi Overview
Chicago is preparing for the launch of commercial eVTOL air taxi services. Here are the key facts about urban air mobility in Chicago.
Population
Planned Vertiports
Expected Launch
Operator
Book a Flight
Air Taxi Routes in Chicago
Explore the planned air taxi routes in Chicago. These high-demand corridors will be among the first to launch, offering dramatically faster travel times compared to ground transportation.
| From | To | Distance | Flight Time | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O'Hare International Airport (ORD) | The Loop (Downtown Chicago) | 25 km | 10 min | $65–$110 |
| Midway Airport (MDW) | Magnificent Mile | 15 km | 7 min | $45–$75 |
| O'Hare Airport (ORD) | Evanston | 30 km | 12 min | $75–$120 |
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Vertiport Locations in Chicago
Chicago is planning 3 vertiport locations to support air taxi operations. These landing facilities will be strategically placed at airports, business districts, and major urban hubs.
3 Planned Vertiports
Vertiport locations in Chicago are being selected based on passenger demand forecasts, proximity to transportation hubs, and regulatory approvals. View the full vertiport network across all cities.
Explore Vertiport LocationsOperators in Chicago
Archer Aviation is the leading eVTOL operator planning to serve Chicago.
Archer Aviation
Archer Aviation is developing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for commercial air taxi operations in Chicago and other major cities worldwide.
View in MarketplaceExpected Launch Timeline
Air taxi services in Chicago are expected to launch around 2028+. Here is the anticipated timeline for eVTOL operations in the city.
Phase 1: Infrastructure & Regulatory
Vertiport site selection, construction, and regulatory framework development are underway for Chicago. 3 vertiport locations have been identified for initial operations.
Phase 2: Test Flights & Certification
Archer Aviation is advancing through type certification and demonstration flight programs to ensure safety and regulatory compliance for operations in Chicago.
Phase 3: Limited Commercial Service — 2028+
Initial commercial air taxi operations are targeted to begin in Chicago around 2028+, serving 3 key routes with limited capacity as the service ramps up.
Phase 4: Full Commercial Operations
Expanded route network, increased flight frequency, and additional vertiport locations across Chicago as demand grows and the operational framework matures.
Cost of Air Taxi in Chicago
Air taxi pricing in Chicago will vary by route distance and demand. Here are the estimated costs for popular routes during initial operations.
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
to The Loop (Downtown Chicago)
Estimated fare during initial operations
Midway Airport (MDW)
to Magnificent Mile
Estimated fare during initial operations
O'Hare Airport (ORD)
to Evanston
Estimated fare during initial operations
How to Book an Air Taxi in Chicago
Booking an air taxi in Chicago is designed to be as simple as ordering a ride-share. Follow these steps to plan your trip.
Compare Options
View available operators, compare pricing, and check flight schedules for your chosen route.
Book & Fly
Confirm your booking and receive your boarding pass. Head to the vertiport and enjoy your flight.
Don't Miss the Launch
Be the first to know when air taxi service begins in Chicago. Book your flight for early access and exclusive pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about air taxi services in Chicago.
When will air taxis be available in Chicago?
Commercial air taxi services in Chicago are expected to launch around 2028+. Operators including Archer Aviation are preparing to begin eVTOL operations, starting with airport-to-city-center routes and expanding across the metropolitan area.
How much will an air taxi ride cost in Chicago?
Air taxi fares in Chicago are expected to range from $3 to $6 per mile during initial operations, comparable to premium ride-sharing services. For example, O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to The Loop (Downtown Chicago) is estimated at $65–$110. Prices are projected to decrease as the industry scales.
What air taxi routes will be available in Chicago?
Initial air taxi routes in Chicago will focus on high-demand corridors such as O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to The Loop (Downtown Chicago) (25 km, 10 min); Midway Airport (MDW) to Magnificent Mile (15 km, 7 min); O'Hare Airport (ORD) to Evanston (30 km, 12 min). Additional routes will be added as the vertiport network expands.
How many vertiports will Chicago have?
Chicago is planning to launch with approximately 3 vertiport locations. These vertiports will be strategically placed at airports, business districts, and key urban hubs to maximize coverage and convenience for passengers.
Which air taxi operators will serve Chicago?
Archer Aviation is the primary eVTOL operator planning to serve Chicago. These companies are developing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft designed for safe, quiet, and emission-free urban air travel.
How do I book an air taxi in Chicago?
You can plan your air taxi trip in Chicago today using the eVTOL.Travel route planner. Once commercial operations launch around 2028+, you will be able to book flights directly through our platform. Book your flight now to be among the first to fly when services go live.
Ready to Fly in Chicago?
Be among the first to experience air taxi services when they launch in Chicago around 2028+. Book your flight or start planning your route today.
Explore Other Cities
Air taxi services are launching across the globe. Explore urban air mobility guides for other major cities.
Dubai
UAE
Late 2026
New York
USA
2027+
Los Angeles
USA
2026
Miami
USA
2027+
London
UK
2028+
Tokyo
Japan
2028–2030
Singapore
Singapore
2028+
Abu Dhabi
UAE
Q3 2026
Osaka
Japan
2028
Seoul
South Korea
2028+
Paris
France
2027
Shenzhen
China
Operational Now
São Paulo
Brazil
2028+
Sydney
Australia
2028+
Munich
Germany
2028+
Rome
Italy
2027+
Riyadh
Saudi Arabia
2027+
Bangkok
Thailand
2029+
Mexico City
Mexico
2029+
Bangalore
India
2029+
San Francisco
USA
2027+
Dallas
USA
2028+
Toronto
Canada
2028+
Jakarta
Indonesia
2030+
Istanbul
Turkey
2029+
Shanghai
China
2027+
Delhi/NCR
India
2030+
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
2029+
Cairo
Egypt
2030+
San Diego
USA
2028+
Boston
USA
2028+
Atlanta
USA
2028+
Seattle
USA
2028+
Denver
USA
2028+
Houston
USA
2028+
Las Vegas
USA
2027+
Orlando
USA
2027+
Washington DC
USA
2028+
Doha
Qatar
2027+
Hong Kong
China
2028+
Zurich
Switzerland
2028+
Amsterdam
Netherlands
2028+
Mumbai
India
2029+
Tel Aviv
Israel
2028+
Melbourne
Australia
2028+
Cape Town
South Africa
2029+
Dublin
Ireland
2029+
Lima
Peru
2029+
Vienna
Austria
2028+
Nairobi
Kenya
2030+
Taipei
Taiwan
2029+
Lisbon
Portugal
2028+