Billionaire Stephen Ross backs $200 flying taxi rides that reach speeds of 150 mph to beat Miami traffic hell

Core Insights - Stephen Ross, a billionaire real estate mogul and owner of the Miami Dolphins, is financially supporting Archer Aviation, a flying taxi company that plans to charge $200 for a 30-minute ride from Miami to West Palm Beach [1][4] - Archer Aviation aims to launch commuter flights in South Florida, with potential service to local airports including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach as early as next year [2][4] - The company has already conducted test flights in San Jose, California, and plans to expand its air taxi networks to cities like Abu Dhabi, New York City, and Los Angeles [5] Company Overview - Archer's flagship aircraft, the Midnight, is a piloted four-passenger eVTOL designed for short trips between 20 and 50 miles, capable of reaching speeds up to 150 mph and carrying over 1,000 pounds [7][8] - The eVTOL is expected to significantly reduce travel time, with flights taking between 10 and 20 minutes compared to traditional car commutes that can exceed an hour [9] Market Context - South Florida's population has surged due to strong international migration, making it an ideal market for eVTOL flights [11][14] - The region is experiencing severe traffic congestion, with major highways like I-95 and Florida's Turnpike carrying peak daily volumes exceeding 200,000 vehicles, leading to extreme peak-hour delays [15][16]