“…In an aim to solidify its commitment to purchasing Archer Aviation’s eVTOL aircraft, United Airlines has placed a US$10 million pre-delivery payment for 100 of the startup’s initial production vehicles.

Archer calls the down payment a “watershed moment for the eVTOL industry, validating confidence in the commercialization of eVTOL aircraft.” The company believes this is among the first of its kind for the nascent sector where nearly all provisional sales of eVTOL aircraft lack cash deposits or a formal payment schedule.

“To receive a cash deposit is validation of Archer’s achievements to date, not only with flight testing and product development, but also a great signal of confidence in our roadmap to commercialization,” said Adam Goldstein, Archer’s CEO, in a press release. “We’re thankful to United for their continued partnership as we usher in this new era in air travel…”