United Airlines invests $15 million in electric aviation startup, orders 200 air taxis

United Airlines

United Airlines is investing in Eve Air Mobility. Eve's electric air taxis, which can seat four passengers and take off and land vertically, will be purchased by United.

This is the second major investment from United in the world of electric air mobility, the first being an undisclosed amount of money in Archer. The companies want to develop small, electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft that can fly from rooftop to rooftop in a dense city as a taxi service. Federal aviation regulators have not cleared any flights to fly passengers.

Eve may have to meet certain criteria before it is able to fulfill its order with United. The United did not say what the conditions were. Eve's first aircraft is expected to be delivered in 2026.

The investment will come from United's venture arm, United Airlines Ventures, which the airline is using to further its goal to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

United said that it is investing in Eve due to the fact that it can get access to parts and supplies for its air taxi service. Prior to the sale of its e VTOL division to another startup, Embraer said it would make flying taxis forUber.

Eve received United's stamp of approval. The airline said it would purchase 15 supersonic aircraft from Boom Supersonic with an option to increase that order to 50 jets.