NYC: What happened? Helicopter transfer from JFK almost non-existent
Nov 8, 2016, 10:14 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Georgia
Posts: 4
NYC: What happened? Helicopter transfer from JFK almost non-existent
Do you remember? Tech and travel blogs couldn't get enough of it in 2015 - helicopters zipping travelers from JFK Airport to Manhattan on a regular basis, and for not much more than the cost (per seat) of a cab ride that went the same distance.
Now they are almost impossible to find. What happened?
Now they are almost impossible to find. What happened?
Nov 8, 2016, 10:19 pm
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Georgia
Posts: 4
Some research & one question
So, I did a little personal research.
If you visit nysubway.com the site will still tell you that US Helicopter flights are available at a minimum of $159. That company, however, is defunct, and apparently has been since 2009. I hope they update their site soon.
The New York Post raved about another company, Gotham Air, in 2015 (which still exists): "I felt like a ....... And I hate using the word ....... But there is simply no other way to explain it. Who takes helicopters to the airport? Rock stars. Oscar winners. Real estate tycoons. Christian Grey... and me. Me!"
One Mile At A Time put things in a more literal perspective: "Gotham Air seems to want to be the Uber equivalent of NYC helicopter transfers..."
The "Uber-for-helicopters" game has another lonely player, still in existence, known as Blade.
Blade currently offers seats on its JFK transfer service called Bounce for about $300.
Have you ever used helicopter transfer from NYC airports to your destination?
If you visit nysubway.com the site will still tell you that US Helicopter flights are available at a minimum of $159. That company, however, is defunct, and apparently has been since 2009. I hope they update their site soon.
The New York Post raved about another company, Gotham Air, in 2015 (which still exists): "I felt like a ....... And I hate using the word ....... But there is simply no other way to explain it. Who takes helicopters to the airport? Rock stars. Oscar winners. Real estate tycoons. Christian Grey... and me. Me!"
One Mile At A Time put things in a more literal perspective: "Gotham Air seems to want to be the Uber equivalent of NYC helicopter transfers..."
The "Uber-for-helicopters" game has another lonely player, still in existence, known as Blade.
Blade currently offers seats on its JFK transfer service called Bounce for about $300.
Have you ever used helicopter transfer from NYC airports to your destination?
Nov 21, 2016, 7:53 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: NYC
Posts: 419
I hadn't thought about these in a while. A friend used to use them from time to time.
I might have tried it once for a special "Look what we can do!" occasion. But given the limited options for where to land in Manhattan (was it just at 33rd at the Hudson River?), most people who could afford the helicopter would still take a cab at that point to wherever they were going. So did it really save that much time? With the AirTrain and subway (or even LIRR) one can get to about the same area of Manhattan in an hour. By the time one checks in for the helicopter, rides it, and takes another cab, isn't that about an hour anyway?
Seth
I might have tried it once for a special "Look what we can do!" occasion. But given the limited options for where to land in Manhattan (was it just at 33rd at the Hudson River?), most people who could afford the helicopter would still take a cab at that point to wherever they were going. So did it really save that much time? With the AirTrain and subway (or even LIRR) one can get to about the same area of Manhattan in an hour. By the time one checks in for the helicopter, rides it, and takes another cab, isn't that about an hour anyway?
Seth
Jan 24, 2017, 9:59 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: DXB
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Posts: 2,811
So... Is any of the companies still in business?
I will be flying out of JFK on Monday (January 30), and I've thought about booking a helicopter tour in NYC anyway - so I thought I might be able to combine the two.
Yes, it would be a short ride, but it save me both time and money... provided there are companies who still offer the shuttle for a reasonable fee...
I will be flying out of JFK on Monday (January 30), and I've thought about booking a helicopter tour in NYC anyway - so I thought I might be able to combine the two.
Yes, it would be a short ride, but it save me both time and money... provided there are companies who still offer the shuttle for a reasonable fee...
Jan 24, 2017, 12:01 pm
#12
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 9,120
Jan 24, 2017, 5:17 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: DXB
Programs: Marriott Titanium Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, BA Silver, A3 Gold, Sixt Diamond
Posts: 2,811
Well, it seems like Blade still exist, but then again, 300 bucks per passenger and a waitlist aren't really what I'm looking for...
Jan 27, 2017, 9:29 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,248
So... Is any of the companies still in business?
I will be flying out of JFK on Monday (January 30), and I've thought about booking a helicopter tour in NYC anyway - so I thought I might be able to combine the two.
Yes, it would be a short ride, but it save me both time and money... provided there are companies who still offer the shuttle for a reasonable fee...
I will be flying out of JFK on Monday (January 30), and I've thought about booking a helicopter tour in NYC anyway - so I thought I might be able to combine the two.
Yes, it would be a short ride, but it save me both time and money... provided there are companies who still offer the shuttle for a reasonable fee...
https://www.flyblade.com/bounce/