JFK to Manhattan helicopter transfer (Concorde days)
Apr 13, 2017, 6:26 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: AMS (SEA, JNB)
Programs: Mucci Reperateur des Coeurs Brises
Posts: 4,107
JFK to Manhattan helicopter transfer (Concorde days)
While rummaging through old boxes of memories, found a whole bunch of stuff from when the family used to travel on Concorde way back in the 1980s (of course when I was too young to care or appreciate the experience).
On the very elegant ticket envelope (which includes embossed BA crest and Concorde logo) there is also something I never knew about the Concorde service. Upon arriving at JFK, passengers had the option of either being chauffeured or flown by helicopter to Manhattan, La Guardia or Newark. All complimentary of course. And right next to the information about smoking or non-smoking.
Any Concorde regulars make use of this service? Seems like a no-brainer if you needed to trek into Manhattan; just takes under 10 minutes versus the 45-60 minutes when driving without traffic. Was it available towards the end of Concorde's service?
Totally irrelevant of course today, but seems like a nice blast from the past. Especially in this age of endless queues, cutbacks and treating passengers like inconvenient cargo. I wonder if it would not be a worthwhile addition to the LCY service and/or First? At both ends? One can only dream...
On the very elegant ticket envelope (which includes embossed BA crest and Concorde logo) there is also something I never knew about the Concorde service. Upon arriving at JFK, passengers had the option of either being chauffeured or flown by helicopter to Manhattan, La Guardia or Newark. All complimentary of course. And right next to the information about smoking or non-smoking.
Any Concorde regulars make use of this service? Seems like a no-brainer if you needed to trek into Manhattan; just takes under 10 minutes versus the 45-60 minutes when driving without traffic. Was it available towards the end of Concorde's service?
Totally irrelevant of course today, but seems like a nice blast from the past. Especially in this age of endless queues, cutbacks and treating passengers like inconvenient cargo. I wonder if it would not be a worthwhile addition to the LCY service and/or First? At both ends? One can only dream...
Apr 13, 2017, 6:39 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
Programs: BAEC Gold! Thanks to FT
Posts: 3,369
I didn't have the luxury of flying on Concorde but I did book the helicopter transfer.
I was given a GBP 75.00 BA travel voucher for having had my baggage slashed and pilfered on a UK domestic flight and paid a small supplement. The service was operated by New York Helicopters from the TWA terminal in JFK. You had to take the inter terminal bus (not sure what Concorde passengers had to do) and on arrival you checked in and I think it was a timetabled and turn up and go service. I only had to wait a few minutes, my hold bag was tagged TSS with a tie on label and taken from me and on arrival at Mannhatten Heliport a sedan car would take you to any Manhatten address. It was my first time in a helicopter but not an interesting flight over industrial and wasteland but a great experience.
I was given a GBP 75.00 BA travel voucher for having had my baggage slashed and pilfered on a UK domestic flight and paid a small supplement. The service was operated by New York Helicopters from the TWA terminal in JFK. You had to take the inter terminal bus (not sure what Concorde passengers had to do) and on arrival you checked in and I think it was a timetabled and turn up and go service. I only had to wait a few minutes, my hold bag was tagged TSS with a tie on label and taken from me and on arrival at Mannhatten Heliport a sedan car would take you to any Manhatten address. It was my first time in a helicopter but not an interesting flight over industrial and wasteland but a great experience.
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Apr 14, 2017, 2:05 am
#6
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,041
A new helicopter service named Gotham Air is offering New Yorkers rides from Manhattan to the JFK or Newark airports for anywhere between $99 to $219.
http://www.gothamair.com/
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/...icle-1.2108634
http://www.gothamair.com/
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/...icle-1.2108634
Apr 14, 2017, 7:21 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: YTZ/LHR
Programs: VIPorter First, BA GGL, DL Plat, Golden Circle Elite
Posts: 830
A new helicopter service named Gotham Air is offering New Yorkers rides from Manhattan to the JFK or Newark airports for anywhere between $99 to $219.
http://www.gothamair.com/
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/...icle-1.2108634
http://www.gothamair.com/
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/...icle-1.2108634
Apr 14, 2017, 1:30 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Europe & Indonesia
Programs: BAEC Gold, LH SEN, EK ex-Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 11,571
Totally irrelevant of course today, but seems like a nice blast from the past. Especially in this age of endless queues, cutbacks and treating passengers like inconvenient cargo. I wonder if it would not be a worthwhile addition to the LCY service and/or First? At both ends? One can only dream...
Apr 14, 2017, 2:23 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: GLA
Programs: Silver, JJC (circa 1980)
Posts: 328
I was lucky enough to do the helicopter transfer with my Dad once (circa 1988), as guests of Northwest Orient. Travelling from PIK, I think via SNN to NYC (I'm not sure whether it was JFK to La Guardia or vice versa), and onwards to the west coast.
My Dad spent a lot of time trying to persuade me that a limo transfer would be more fun, but I was quite insistent. I was 15ish and totally missed the fact that my poor Dad was terrified!
Great memories of a happy time - thanks for sharing!
My Dad spent a lot of time trying to persuade me that a limo transfer would be more fun, but I was quite insistent. I was 15ish and totally missed the fact that my poor Dad was terrified!
Great memories of a happy time - thanks for sharing!
Apr 14, 2017, 6:00 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RBKC
Programs: AA EXP and Eurostar Carte Blanche
Posts: 3,849
Yea Gotham shut down and the app doesn't work anymore (though they have started posting on Facebook recently, so maybe they're coming back). The helicopter app to use in NYC now is Blade.
Apr 15, 2017, 1:54 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: BA Gold, VS Silver
Posts: 399
Pan Am had a helicopter service to a rooftop landing pad on the Pan Am building, until a crash which killed several people.
Apr 15, 2017, 2:17 am
#15
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Munich, Algarve, Sussex or S.F Bay Area
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, A3*Gold, AA Plat, HH Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Marriott Plat
Posts: 4,158
I used the PanAm service in 1985ish. 6-8 minutes to the E.34th St. Heliport. An awesome experience. It was even a free addon to a F redemption, my first and last on PA before they vanished. Those were the days.