Archer Aviation has completed several days of piloted flights with its all-electric Midnight aircraft across the San Francisco Bay Area, covering more than 200 miles and visiting seven cities over three days as part of its “No Roads” flight tour.
The flights included multiple trips over San Francisco Bay, with takeoffs and landings at Oakland International Airport. The aircraft’s journey began in Salinas and continued through Hollister, San Martin, San Jose, Mountain View and Hayward before reaching Oakland.
Archer said the flights were intended to demonstrate Midnight’s ability to operate in complex urban airspace near three major regional airports: San Francisco International Airport, Oakland International Airport and San Jose Mineta International Airport.
Flights Test Operations in Busy Airspace
During the tour, Midnight reached a reported top speed of 131 mph. One flight from Oakland International Airport to San Francisco’s Marina District took approximately 10 minutes, compared with a drive that Archer said can take more than an hour in traffic.
The demonstrations were conducted in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and state and local partners. Archer said the flights provide a basis for further demonstrations in major urban areas, although they do not by themselves establish commercial operating approval.
Archer founder and CEO Adam Goldstein said the flights were intended to show how electric aircraft could provide an alternative to road travel in congested metropolitan areas.
“The Bay Area is the innovation center of the world, but even here Americans lose multiple weeks a year sitting in traffic on bridges and highways,” Goldstein said. “Flying Midnight across multiple cities in Northern California shows we can connect communities with no roads, no traffic, and no emissions in minutes instead of hours. That’s the future we’re working towards bringing to the Bay Area, Los Angeles and cities across the country.”
Archer Plans Further Demonstrations in Los Angeles
Archer said it plans to conduct flights in Los Angeles as it prepares to participate in the White House’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP). The company has not provided a specific date for the next demonstration in the city.
The eIPP is intended to support the integration of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft into the US aviation system. Archer’s upcoming activities will depend on coordination with relevant authorities and partners.
Part of the “No Roads” Flight Tour
The Northern California flights follow earlier demonstrations in the same tour. On September 22, Midnight conducted piloted flights at the 2026 California International Airshow, according to Archer. The tour also included round-trip flights connecting Salinas with Monterey and Hollister.
Archer designed Midnight for urban air mobility, with a focus on short trips and repeated flights. The company says the aircraft is intended to provide low-noise, all-electric transportation with zero operating emissions during flight.
The latest demonstrations show the aircraft operating across multiple locations, but commercial passenger services will require the applicable regulatory approvals, operating arrangements and infrastructure. Archer has not announced a confirmed launch date for commercial air taxi services in the Bay Area.