Search Travel Market Report

mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
  • News
  • Packaged Travel
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Niche & Luxury
  • Air
  • Training & Resources
  • Who We Are
    • Brian Israel
    • Briana Bonfiglio
    • Dan McCarthy
    • Dori Saltzman
    • Jennifer Arango
    • Kelly Fontenelle
    • Keri-Anne Slevin
    • Louis Intreglia
    • Tom McCarthy
Great to Share with Your Clients

Uber Enters Airport Helicopter Business in NYC

by Barbara Peterson / July 11, 2019
Uber Enters Airport Helicopter Business in NYC

Uber is now giving its Platinum and Diamond members a chance to take a helicopter to JFK Airport. Photo: Shutterstock.com. 


Airport helicopter services in New York City are getting a lift from an unlikely newcomer: Ride hailing service Uber. 

It’s one of Uber’s first forays into offering aviation services under its Uber Elevate branch, the company says. And depending on how the trial run goes, it could be extended to other cities around the country.

But at first, the service is confined to a single route, connecting lower Manhattan to JFK Airport; and it is limited to Uber’s Platinum and Diamond members, the top level of its rewards plan. The rate — $200 to $225 one-way depending on “surge” pricing — may be steep, but time-pressed travelers might be happy to pay that to avoid the notorious road traffic on the way to JFK Airport. 

The service, which launched this week, is operated by Newark-based HeliFlite, via five-passenger choppers, which the company says meet the highest safety standards with two pilots manning each flight. Like its ground-based service, the helicopter can be summoned with the tap of an app on the same day, but users can also arrange for it up to five days in advance.

Meanwhile, competitors are not sitting still. Blade, a private aviation company, had already launched its Urban Air Mobility initiative in the New York area several months ago, with helicopter flights available to all three major airports serving the Big Apple (JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark) for $195. This week, the company rolled out a new Airport Passes program that will bring the cost down to as low as $95 per trip.

Ironically, Blade had earlier earned the moniker of “Uber of Helicopters” by offering private and shared helicopter rides in the Northeast and in several West Coast cities. Among other services, Blade also has a passenger lounge on Manhattan’s West Side near the new Hudson Yards complex; and says that it works with some large travel agencies and corporate travel departments.  

But there may be a limit to how much additional competition this sector can sustain. Helicopter safety has been an issue in New York City following a spate of accidents this year, including a high-profile crash onto the roof of a midtown skyscraper just last month; no passengers were aboard, but the pilot died. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio apparently is no fan of the growing passenger chopper services, and recently called for a “full ban” on any helicopters flying over Manhattan. The airport choppers, however, generally do not fly over city streets, but, rather, take off from helipads located on the river.

  2
  0
Related Articles
Lyft Launches New Feature for Airport Pre-Orders
Uber and Lyft Drivers Prepare to Strike on Wednesday
New York City Votes to Cap the Number of Uber and Lyft Drivers
Shared Economy Services May Be Losing Their Popularity
Expedia CEO Accepts Role As Uber’s New CEO
Uber Loses Civil Suit Over Safety Concerns
Hilton And Uber Integrate Apps
Uber Beats Car Rentals on Corporate Expense Reports This Year
Uber Teams with Airbus to Offer On-Demand Helicopter Rides
Uber Eyes the Travel Market

MOST VIEWED

  1. The Best Black Friday and Cyber Monday Travel Deals for 2023
  2. The Ten 'Most Christmassy' Towns in the U.S.
  3. Royal Caribbean Ups Daily Gratuity Charge
  4. How a Talent Shortage Is Threatening Agencies, and Why Underqualified Advisors Aren't the Answer
  5. U.S. State Department Warns Travelers About GPS Dangers in South Africa
  6. The 10 Best Places to Spend Halloween in the U.S.


  1. Royal Caribbean Monitoring Haiti Violence
  2. The Worst Airports for Holiday Flight Delays
  3. What Will Be the Biggest Travel Trends of 2024?
  4. The World's Most Expensive Flights
  5. Iceland Travel Update: Southwest Earthquakes Heighten Risk of Volcanic Activity
  6. Cruise Lines Extend Israel Cancellations
TMR Subscription

Subscribe today to receive daily in-depth coverage, analysis of industry news, trends and issues that affect how you do business. Subscribe now for free.

Subscribe to TMR

Top Stories
Brightline Bumps Commissions Up to 20%
Brightline Bumps Commissions Up to 20%

The high-speed rail company is doubling down on the value of travel advisors to its business.

Read...
Canada Updates Ireland Travel Advisory After Dublin Riots
Canada Updates Ireland Travel Advisory After Dublin Riots

The riots took place on Nov. 23. 

Read...
Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlán Golf & Spa Resort Brings Unlimited Luxury to Mexico’s Pacific Coast
Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlán Golf & Spa Resort Brings Unlimited Luxury to Mexico’s Pacific Coast

Coming in April 2024, the newest Dreams Resort & Spa can be found tucked into the exclusive Estrella del Mar zone of Mazatlán. 

Read...
Thailand Launches "Come Discovery Your Thailand" Travel Forum
Thailand Launches "Come Discovery Your Thailand" Travel Forum

Spots are still open for the January 2024 forum. 

Read...
The Iconic Las Vegas Mirage Volcano Is Coming Back
The Iconic Las Vegas Mirage Volcano Is Coming Back

It’s not quite the end for the Mirage's legendary volcano just yet. 

Read...
U.S. State Department Warns Travelers About GPS Dangers in South Africa
U.S. State Department Warns Travelers About GPS Dangers in South Africa

The update comes after a tourist was shot and robbed while using GPS routes earlier this week.

Read...
OUTLOOKS & WHITE PAPERS
Trends in River Cruise, 2023
European Travel Trends 2023
Winning in The Tech Era: Essential Insights for Travel Advisors
View All
Advertiser's Voice
//services.travelsavers.com/AMGService.svc/REST/GetImage?ImageID=c0852062-a67c-ee11-adc6-005056a855ed
Swan Hellenic: Beyond Ordinary
About Travel Market Report Mission Staff Advisory Board Advertise
TMR Resources Webinars Calendar of Events Outlook/Whitepapers Previous Sponsored Articles Previous This Week Articles
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
71 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
News |Packaged Travel |Cruise |Hotels & Resorts |Destinations |Retail Strategies |Niche & Luxury |Air |Training & Resources |Who We Are
© 2005 - 2023 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | 243 South Street, Oyster Bay, NY, 11771 USA | Telephone (516) 730-3097| Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy