There is no shortage of reasons to (re)visit Chicago , a metropolis of 2.7 million inhabitants. We've listed 10 reasons to land in the city of iconic skyscrapers. Starting with a helicopter flight, going through an NBA game and ending with the story of how jazz ended up on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Here's why Chicago shouldn't be left off your list of upcoming trips:

1) Above skyscrapers, by helicopter

It's from above that you understand Chicago. It's when you climb the wall of iconic skyscrapers of North American architecture on the horizon, with the infinite blue carpet of Lake Michigan right behind, that the eye becomes enchanted and loses focus. This view appears as soon as the helicopter gains altitude, after taking off from Vertiport Heliport, and approaching the center of one of the most beloved cities in the United States via the South Loop. It turns left as we fly over Soldier Field, a stadium opened in 1924, now home to the Chicago Bears, with a capacity for 61,500 people (the smallest and oldest stadium in the NFL – National Football League), and which has this year in honor to soldiers killed in the First World War.

From there, we follow the shore of the lake, leaving on the left the sea of ​​buildings – headed by the largest in the metropolis, the Willis Tower (442 meters, from 1973) – and the geometry of Grant and Millennium Park – now the nickname makes sense “Beans” for Cloud Gate, Chicago’s main post office. After passing another landmark, Navy Pier, the helicopter heads further north and turns left again – suddenly, the two giants are in the same frame: the John Hancock Center (4th tallest in the Windy City, with 344 meters, from 1969) and Willis in the background. The sunset paints the wall of buildings orange and the scenery becomes a landscape of a thousand-piece puzzle – a metal photo taken forever. After a more than smooth landing, you continue to smile and barely understand why. It's Chicago through and through.

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United Airlines and Archer Announce First Commercial Electric Air Taxi Route in Chicago

March 23, 2023

United Airlines and Archer have selected O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Vertiport Chicago as the next point to point route in which the two companies will utilize Archer’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft as part of their urban air mobility (UAM) network buildout.

Chicago has a long-standing reputation as a major transportation center and leader in mobility innovation and, with ORD being United’s largest operations hub, it provides an ideal location for United and Archer to ramp their UAM operations.

This announcement is an important step forward as United and Archer work with partners, like the City of Chicago, Chicago Department of Aviation, World Business Chicago, the State of Illinois, ComEd, and Vertiport Chicago to ensure the appropriate infrastructure is in place around the Chicago Metropolitan Area to support the safe integrating of eVTOL aircraft operations into the City’s transportation ecosystem in 2025.

Chicago, IL, and Santa Clara, CA, March 23, 2023 – Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR) and United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAL) today announced plans to launch the first air taxi route in Chicago, between O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Vertiport Chicago. Vertiport Chicago, North America’s largest vertical aircraft take off and landing facility, is located in the Illinois Medical District near the Chicago Loop. This site was selected as the takeoff and landing site for this airport to city center route because of its unparalleled convenience, access and service. From there, passengers will be able to travel to and from ORD via Archer’s Midnight aircraft in approximately 10 minutes. A similar trip by car can take upwards of an hour or more during rush hour traffic.

United and Archer’s goal for its UAM network is to provide residents and visitors in the Chicago Metropolitan Area with a safe, sustainable, low noise, and cost-competitive alternative to ground transportation beginning in 2025. Chicago is the third most populous city in the United States, a center for business, innovation and investment, and home to United’s headquarters. This makes it a unique city for Archer and United to build out. The early launch routes will focus in on airport to city center transportation service, which are referred to as “trunk” routes. Once the trunk routes have been established, the next step will be to build out “branch” routes to connect to surrounding communities.

“Both Archer and United are committed to decarbonizing air travel and leveraging innovative technologies to deliver on the promise of the electrification of the aviation industry,” said Michael Leskinen, President of United Airlines Ventures. “Once operational, we’re excited to offer our customers a more sustainable, convenient and cost-effective mode of transportation during their commutes to the airport.”

“Technological innovation thrives here in Chicago, and this venture between Archer and United is yet another example of this strength,” said Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. “This exciting new technology will further decarbonize our means of transportation, taking us another step forward in our fight against climate change. I’m pleased that Chicago residents will be among the first in the nation to experience this innovative, convenient form of travel.”

“Here in Illinois, we are taking bold steps to lead the clean revolution—paving the way for a more sustainable future for our state, our nation, and our world,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I can’t think of a better team than Archer and United to partner with as we work to ensure our existing aviation infrastructure can support this new and exciting form of transportation. This partnership is just another way that we will achieve our goal of transitioning to 100% clean energy by 2050—all while saving Illinoisans money and creating thousands of good paying jobs in the process.”

“We’re thrilled to add Chicago to our growing list of initial launch cities as we continue to solidify our UAM network plans,” said Adam Goldstein, Archer’s Founder and CEO. “We’re looking forward to working with state and city leaders to bring an innovative transportation solution to the City of Chicago and its surrounding communities.”

“Vertiport Chicago is delighted to participate alongside United Airlines and Archer in revolutionizing intra-city travel in Chicago,” said Daniel Mojica, the Executive Director of Vertiport Chicago. “This partnership will inspire other cities to plan for cutting-edge transportation solutions.”

ComEd, the Midwest’s largest utility company, will work with United and Archer to establish the power infrastructure necessary to support eVTOL aircraft operations in and around the Chicago Metropolitan Area.

About Archer

Archer is designing and developing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for use in urban air mobility networks. Archer’s mission is to unlock the skies, freeing everyone to reimagine how they move and spend time. Archer’s team is based in Santa Clara, CA. To learn more, visit www.archer.com.

About United

United’s shared purpose is “Connecting People. Uniting the World.” From our U.S. hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark/New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., United operates the most comprehensive global route network among North American carriers. United is bringing back our customers’ favorite destinations and adding new ones on its way to becoming the world’s best airline. For more about how to join the United team, please visit www.united.com/careers and more information about the company is at www.united.com. United Airlines Holdings, Inc., the parent company of United Airlines, Inc., is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol “UAL”.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward looking statements regarding Archer’s future business plans and product roadmaps, including statements regarding the development, commercialization, and timelines of its aircraft certification and UAM network buildout. These forward looking statements

are only predictions and may differ materially from actual results due to a variety of factors. The risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from the results predicted are more fully detailed under the caption “Risk Factors” in Archer’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2022, and other documents filed by Archer from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. In addition, please note that any forward looking statements contained herein are based on assumptions that Archer believes to be reasonable as of the date of this press release. Archer undertakes no obligation to update these statements as a result of new information or future events.

Vertiport Chicago to Host Fundraiser in Support of Rare Diseases

July 26, 2022

On October 29, Vertiport will host a fundraiser in partnership with Illuminate Chicago. The event will take place 9:00pm-2:00am.

The fundraiser aims to support the research for cures that will help patients of rare diseases, such as Retinal Vasculopathy with Cerebral Leukodystrophy (RVCL), among other diseases.

To learn more about this fundraiser event, please visit the Illuminate Chicago website.

Vertiport Chicago | Featured FBO | Phillips 66 Aviation

July 26, 2022

Created to serve the medical community, Vertiport Chicago is Chicago’s only downtown heliport

As North America’s largest helicopter landing facility, Vertiport Chicago spans ten acres in the heart of the Illinois Medical District and serves as Chicago’s only downtown heliport.

Vertiport Chicago, a Phillips 66® Aviation branded FBO, is a state-of-the-art FBO that offers more than fuel. Services include tours of the city, executive charters, SkyShare capabilities and more. However, the bulk of Vertiport Chicago’s services, including 70% of fuel sales, is with the hundreds of EMS helicopter landings that rely solely on Vertiport Chicago to provide streamlined and efficient EMS transportation, allowing medical professionals to focus on the patient’s needs.

To read the complete article, please visit Phillips 66®.

“Vertiport Chicago Primed for eVTOL future” – AIN Online

September 1, 2021

Vertiport Chicago (43IL) is poised for an eVTOL future. So says Daniel Mojica, the 10-acre facility’s executive director. “Almost all organizations entering the eVTOL space have visited us. They realize that there is so much to consider when building and designing infrastructure,” said Mojica, who added that Vertiport Chicago was designed with expansion in mind. “While we would have to make additions to the facility for eVTOL, we certainly have the space.”

“Our founders were paradigm shifters when they thought about this space 15 years ago,” Mojica said. “There was always an understanding for an addition to the infrastructure. We are pre-approved to build a second hangar. It would be 25,000 sq ft, roughly the same size as the 30,000-sq-ft hangar we have now. And we can add a second office building to our site. We knew that power could be added in the future and there is certainly enough space to build that.”

To read more from this article, please visit AIN Online.