Vertical’s Valo eVTOL aircraft (Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Archer Aviation sues rival Vertical, alleging air taxi design patent infringement

Archer Aviation alleged that Vertical’s Valo aircraft “mimics” its own Midnight aircraft.

2/24/26 12:35PM

Archer Aviation on Monday filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Vertical Aerospace, alleging that its UK rival illegally copied the design of its Midnight air taxi.

Archer alleges that Vertical infringed on “at least” two design patents and one utility patent.

“Vertical has knowingly, willfully, and in reckless disregard leveraged and exploited the substantial goodwill and reputation associated with Archer’s patented designs,” the lawsuit reads. “Vertical’s infringement is readily apparent from a visual comparison of the overall appearance of the Valo to Archer’s patented designs.”

Archer included the following image comparison in its complaint:

Archer and Vertical’s rivalry has heated up in recent months. Vertical last week announced that it’s targeting an air taxi network in Florida, which would overlap with Archer’s planned Miami network. Earlier this year, Vertical also announced plans for an NYC network, mirroring Archer’s plans in the city.

Last week, Archer announced that Bristol, England, will be home to its UK engineering hub. Vertical is also based in Bristol.

Archer is involved in a legal battle with air taxi rival Joby Aviation as well. Joby sued the company in November last year, alleging Archer stole its trade secrets and used them to undercut a partnership deal. Archer has moved to have the lawsuit dismissed.

Update, February 24, 5:20 p.m. ET: A Vertical spokesperson issued the following statement to Sherwood News:

“Archer’s recent claims are without merit, and Vertical intends to defend those claims vigorously. Vertical has developed a robust aircraft design with a clear path to certification, underpinned by Vertical’s proprietary and market-leading technology and international IP portfolio. Archer’s claims are merely an attempt to distract from Archer’s challenges competing in the marketplace.”

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American Airlines joins the flock, hiking bag fees amid higher jet fuel prices

American Airlines on Thursday announced that it, too, will be hiking the fees it charges customers to check luggage.

With the move, all four of the major US airlines, which together control about 80% of the US market, have now hiked their baggage fees in recent days amid surging jet fuel prices.

The change will go into effect on tickets bought on or after Thursday, the same day Southwest’s hike begins.

Since late March, JetBlue, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Canada’s WestJet, and Southwest have hiked their fees. Experts expect more major carriers to follow, and to potentially tweak the pricing of other ancillary revenue sources like seat assignments and carry-on luggage.

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The change will go into effect on tickets bought on or after Thursday, the same day Southwest’s hike begins.

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Less than a year after implementing them, Southwest is also hiking its bag fees

Southwest Airlines has joined the growing list of airlines opting to hike their bag fees amid sustained higher jet fuel costs.

Starting today, the first checked bag at the carrier — which implemented bag fees less than a year ago — will jump from $35 to $45, and the second from $45 to $55. Southwest quietly disclosed the change Tuesday.

Southwest assigned the decision to “part of an ongoing analysis of the business and against the evolving global backdrop.”

As of Wednesday, jet fuel prices dropped to $4.16 a gallon, per the Argus US Jet Fuel Index, down from $4.81 on Tuesday following President Trump’s ceasefire announcement, which sent travel stocks soaring. Major airlines have shed some of those gains in premarket trading Thursday.

With the move to hike bag fees, Southwest joins JetBlue, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Canada’s WestJet, all of which also boosted fees this month. Experts expect more major carriers to follow, and to potentially tweak the pricing of other ancillary revenue sources like seat assignments and carry-on luggage.