Use AA arranged BLADE helicopter to your JFK or LAX flight.
Feb 20, 2019, 9:12 am
#16
Join Date: May 2017
Location: ORD
Posts: 369
I have never really understood the helicopter from Manhattan to JFK except in very limited circumstances. Unless your office is extremely close to the downtown heliport, the time involved to take a car to the heliport (30+ minutes from midtown), a brief wait before your flight (5+ minutes), the short flight (5 minutes), and then a car from the helipad to the terminal at the airport (20 minutes according to the blade site) surely leaves you with very limited savings in time versus just taking a car door-to-door. Unless we are talking about someone who lives or works very close to the helipad, I just don't see this being must more than a status symbol since it probably takes a hour from midtown to the terminal.
Feb 20, 2019, 9:24 am
#17
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Palm Beach/ New England
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, DL GM, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,382
1977 the helicopter from JFK carrying 20 passengers arrived at the top of PanAm Building (current Met Life Building). During short turn around at the top of PanAm Building the helicopter rolled over (one of landing gear failed) resulted in fatality.
May 16, 1977 New York Airways flight 971
May 16, 1977 New York Airways flight 971
Feb 20, 2019, 7:32 pm
#18
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 592
I remember that and agree: that makes a lot more sense. I also remember arriving at JFK as a kid on TWA. As I recall, F class (or "Royal Ambassador" as they called it) pax were offered a helicopter transfer into Manhattan.
Feb 20, 2019, 9:34 pm
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
IIRC TWA offered something like this too. There was also helicopter service between LGA and JFK back in the 1970s and it was free if you were changing airports in connection with most international flights (even in coach). Those choppers flew over the old World's Fair grounds.
Feb 20, 2019, 10:46 pm
#20
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
I have never really understood the helicopter from Manhattan to JFK except in very limited circumstances. Unless your office is extremely close to the downtown heliport, the time involved to take a car to the heliport (30+ minutes from midtown), a brief wait before your flight (5+ minutes), the short flight (5 minutes), and then a car from the helipad to the terminal at the airport (20 minutes according to the blade site) surely leaves you with very limited savings in time versus just taking a car door-to-door. Unless we are talking about someone who lives or works very close to the helipad, I just don't see this being must more than a status symbol since it probably takes a hour from midtown to the terminal.
Feb 21, 2019, 3:55 am
#22
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Stuck on this planet - mainly in STR and LAX
Posts: 5,019
Blade has 2 heliports in Manhattan, the E34th location is not that far from midtown and the times I've used it has never taken 30+ mins to get there but if you are leaving midtown at a time where it would take you 30 mins from midtown (which is certainly possible depending on when you leave) then you're also leaving at a time where a car from midtown would take considerably longer to get to JFK. Considering an UberBlack can run $200+ to/from JFK/Midtown and take well over an hour at peak times, Blade Bounce is a awesome service especially if you can get a seat on one of the scheduled flights for $195 its a no-brainer IMO. Now I wouldn't buy it from AA and pay for 5* plus whatever they are charing for Blade but on its own Blade is a great time saver.
Feb 21, 2019, 11:30 am
#24
Join Date: May 2017
Location: ORD
Posts: 369
Nov 22, 2019, 7:08 pm
#26
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Silver; Hilton Gold; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,811
Also American Airlines Partners With BLADE and The Private Suite for an Ultra-Lux Experience by JT Genter on The Points Guy blog. Link
This is available for departure or arrival at LAX and JFK and can be packaged with Five Star Service and Flagship First Check-in.
SFO Helicopter Airways offered San Francisco Bay Area flights to those those connecting to or from SFO or OAK from several Bay Area locations. I used them a couple of times to connect quickly between SFO and OAK. Nothing really innovative for AA or JFK, but certainly another service AA can offer its highest flyers.
This is available for departure or arrival at LAX and JFK and can be packaged with Five Star Service and Flagship First Check-in.
SFO Helicopter Airways offered San Francisco Bay Area flights to those those connecting to or from SFO or OAK from several Bay Area locations. I used them a couple of times to connect quickly between SFO and OAK. Nothing really innovative for AA or JFK, but certainly another service AA can offer its highest flyers.
Nov 22, 2019, 7:49 pm
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: BAEC Gold, Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, AMEX Platinum (US)
Posts: 18,487