Archer flies piloted Midnight eVTOL demonstrator over San Francisco Bay area

Archer Aviation has finished a run of piloted flights over the San Francisco Bay area with its Midnight eVTOL prototype, the company announced on October 19, 2026. The flights took place over the preceding weeks.

The aircraft flew from Archer's base in Salinas, California, roughly 100 miles (160 km) south of Oakland, with stops at Hollister, San Martin, San Jose, Mountain View and Hayward before finishing at Oakland International Airport, where the tour began and ended. Archer called the effort its "No Roads" tour.

According to the company, the demonstrator flew in progressively more complex airspace as the tour went on. Archer said the main aim was to show the Midnight could operate in a dense urban area with busy air corridors, including the airspace around three international airports: San Francisco International, San José International and Oakland International.

The company also said it expected the flights to give local residents a look at the mobility benefits eVTOL aircraft could offer in congested areas such as the Bay Area.

Archer's rival Joby Aviation carried out a similar set of demonstration flights over the Bay Area in March 2026.