Uber will offer helicopter service between Lower Manhattan and New York JFK starting this summer.
The ride-sharing service plans to take on BLADE, which currently offers helicopter service between all three New York airports (JFK, LGA, and EWR) and Manhattan for as low as $120 one-way.
In the case of JFK, a helicopter cuts the commute time from as much as one-hour to eight minutes.
New Uber Copter Service
Here are some key details about the new Uber Copter Service:
- Target pricing will begin at $200 one-way, though fares will be dynamic
- Service will initially only be offered on weekday afternoons
- Weight limit will be 40 pounds (BLADE only allows 20 pounds per passenger)
- Uber car service to/from final destination will be included
- Only Uber Platinum and Diamond members will have access to this service
- You need to spend about $850/year on Uber to earn Platinum status
Uber Copter vs. BLADE
I flew BLADE in 2017 from the West Midtown Heliport to Newark and had an amazing trip. An Air Traffic Control delay kept us in the air an extra eight-minutes, but I was happy for the double flight time. You can read my full report with pictures here.
> Read More: BLADE Helicopter from Manhattan to Newark Airport Review
Sadly, the same helicopter I journeyed on crashed in the Hudson River last year.
> Read More: “My” Helicopter Crashed into East River in NYC
I expect that Uber will subcontract out to some of the same helicopter companies as BLADE.
CONCLUSION
While I won’t be rushing to New York City to try this, I appreciate the innovation. More competition leads to lower prices for consumers and I’d love to see a price war between Uber and BLADE.
image: Uber
Guess Uber wants some bad PR. These helicopters always crash!
While this has a cool factor, it’s still kind of sad that there isn’t a viable and affordable rapid transit option in the largest and perhaps most iconic city in the U.S.
While it’s neither seamless nor marketed to be user-friendly, LIRR from Penn Station to Jamaica AirTrain is definitely viable and affordable. And not really too different from any other world city’s center-to-airport link.
The crash reminds me of 2 things.
1. The flights are Blade or Uber. Until they crash. Then the companies say “it was not us, but XYZ Aviation”
2. The recent crash has discouraged me from taking the helicopter flights unless I need the speed and time savings, but not for a joy ride. I have taken helicopter flights so this shows I am not a total naysayer.
Not things says ‘baller’ like riding in on an R44… oh wait, that’s like saying you’re coming in a limo but you actually show up in a VW Golf… lmao