Southwest Airlines and Archer Aviation have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop operational plans for electric air taxi networks utilizing Archer’s eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft at California airports where Southwest operates.

Southwest is California’s largest air carrier, operating at 14 airports across the state, according to an announcement. Archer Midnight aircraft are designed to transform urban travel, replacing 60-to-90-minute commutes by car with estimated 10-to-20-minute electric air taxi flights. The goal of Archer’s aircraft is to offer a safe, low-noise, cost-competitive transportation option with no direct emissions.

Southwest and Archer intend to collaborate on a concept of operations that lays the foundation for integrated electric air taxi networks that would support California airports and the surrounding communities that Southwest serves. This collaboration will include partnering with Southwest employees and respective unions to maintain and improve efficient operations. This is a key step toward potentially offering Southwest customers an airport transport service that saves time by streamlining the door-to-door passenger journey, according to the announcement.

Paul Cullen, vice president real estate at Southwest, said the carrier “is eager to explore the convenience Archer’s air taxis could provide customers flying Southwest at airports in busy urban areas.”

Nikhil Goel, chief commercial officer at Archer, said that with Archer’s Midnight aircraft, passengers “will be able to fly above traffic to get to the airport faster.” By putting together Southwest’s network of airports in California and their frequent intrastate flights with the planned network, he said, “Southwest customers could someday complete door-to-door trips like Santa Monica to Napa in less than three hours.”

Archer and Southwest plan to collaborate over the next few years as eVTOLs take flight.