United Airlines is taking a big gamble on futuristic planes.
The Chicago-based carrier announced a $15 million investment for 200 of Eve Air Mobility’s electric take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft earlier in September. Eve is a subsidiary of Brazilian planemaker Embraer.
EVTOLs are urban air mobility vehicles that are designed to be low or zero-emission transport options in populated areas. They are ideal for short hops from city centers to airports to avoid congested roadway traffic.
According to the carrier, United is the only major airline to invest in two eVTOL companies. The airline put down $10 million in mid-August for eVTOLs being developed by California-based Archer Aviation. United, in partnership with regional carrier Mesa Airlines, ordered 200 of the flying taxis in February 2021.