EWR Helicopter returns
Jun 11, 2018, 11:17 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NYC: UA 1K, DL Platinum, AAirpass, Avis PC
Posts: 4,599
EWR Helicopter returns
During the last cycle an outfit called US Helicopter had a deal with Continental for flights from 34th street and Wall Street to Newark.
It was rolled into the price of full fare biz class tickets, but being the unsustainable venture it was, US Helicopter also had some pretty lucrative sales. I remember paying less than $100 one way for a ride from Wall Street to EWR (purchased directly from the helicopter company, not CO).
Now the option is back...but priced very differently...
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/11/unit...licopters.html
$2099 for a ride for up to 3 people - that's just the helicopter ride.
United - Home
It's basically piggybacking off an existing charter operation, not regularly scheduled service like US Helicopter was.
It was rolled into the price of full fare biz class tickets, but being the unsustainable venture it was, US Helicopter also had some pretty lucrative sales. I remember paying less than $100 one way for a ride from Wall Street to EWR (purchased directly from the helicopter company, not CO).
Now the option is back...but priced very differently...
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/11/unit...licopters.html
$2099 for a ride for up to 3 people - that's just the helicopter ride.
United - Home
It's basically piggybacking off an existing charter operation, not regularly scheduled service like US Helicopter was.
Jun 11, 2018, 12:10 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 158
That is certainly different pricing. I remember taking USH from Wall Street to EWR for $109. 8 total minutes, TSA screening was done at the heliport, so a quick walk from the helipad into the C-3 concourse. Helicopter used to land where the C130W/X/Y/Z bus gates are now. While $109 was not sustainable, I always hoped there would be a price point somewhere in there that would be serviceable.
I would think there would be a large customer base (financial, law, etc) located in lower Manhattan that could probably make a more expensive option realistic were travel times to be significantly reduced.
I would think there would be a large customer base (financial, law, etc) located in lower Manhattan that could probably make a more expensive option realistic were travel times to be significantly reduced.
Jun 11, 2018, 12:37 pm
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
A very few high net worth individuals who pay for their own travel or are the control person of a privately held outfit, might do this. But, the demand for even large businesses likely isn't there. As soon as start discounting to drive demand on a service such as this, it's doomed. NYC isn't Los Angeles. People may spend a lot, but they don't toss it around to be seen. At LAX there are people who would pay to be seen offloading from a chopper and eat ramen noodles for a month to pay for it.
Jun 11, 2018, 12:48 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: EWR
Programs: UA Gold, BA, HHonors, Avis
Posts: 192
That is certainly different pricing. I remember taking USH from Wall Street to EWR for $109. 8 total minutes, TSA screening was done at the heliport, so a quick walk from the helipad into the C-3 concourse. Helicopter used to land where the C130W/X/Y/Z bus gates are now. While $109 was not sustainable, I always hoped there would be a price point somewhere in there that would be serviceable.
I would think there would be a large customer base (financial, law, etc) located in lower Manhattan that could probably make a more expensive option realistic were travel times to be significantly reduced.
I would think there would be a large customer base (financial, law, etc) located in lower Manhattan that could probably make a more expensive option realistic were travel times to be significantly reduced.
Jun 11, 2018, 1:06 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,450
That is certainly different pricing. I remember taking USH from Wall Street to EWR for $109. 8 total minutes, TSA screening was done at the heliport, so a quick walk from the helipad into the C-3 concourse. Helicopter used to land where the C130W/X/Y/Z bus gates are now. While $109 was not sustainable, I always hoped there would be a price point somewhere in there that would be serviceable.
I would think there would be a large customer base (financial, law, etc) located in lower Manhattan that could probably make a more expensive option realistic were travel times to be significantly reduced.
I would think there would be a large customer base (financial, law, etc) located in lower Manhattan that could probably make a more expensive option realistic were travel times to be significantly reduced.
Jun 11, 2018, 1:15 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2005
Location: CLE
Programs: RA, UA MM 1k, AA EXP, Marriott LTP, Hyatt Plat, SPG100
Posts: 476
Right, but these days, it can take 2+ hours to get from Manhattan to EWR (as it did for me on Friday)....and at $109, it would've been cheaper than my Uber! I can see how that model isn't sustainable.
But I would gladly pay in the $250-300 range for this service. Beyond that, I'd take my chances on the third world bus terminal known as LGA (which I often do when I don't have a connection).
But I would gladly pay in the $250-300 range for this service. Beyond that, I'd take my chances on the third world bus terminal known as LGA (which I often do when I don't have a connection).
Jun 11, 2018, 1:20 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
$109? No question! $2100 or $700 pp assuming one could get three to divide it? I don't think I could expense that 
Or avoid the TSA PreCheck lines at EWR, assuming the check is done at the helipad and you're "shuttled directly to the terminal...
Or avoid the TSA PreCheck lines at EWR, assuming the check is done at the helipad and you're "shuttled directly to the terminal...
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jun 11, 2018 at 8:35 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
Jun 11, 2018, 1:20 pm
#9
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
I respect that UA is pushing this now, but it really isn't especially new. Blade is the other option for a (slightly) more budget-friendly helicopter transfer. Still not as good as the $100 USH rides (I did it a couple times) but it should be cheaper than the $2000+.
Jun 11, 2018, 1:46 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: EWR
Programs: Latam Pass Black; UA 1K, 1MM; Marriott LT
Posts: 300
I took the helicopter maybe twice many years ago from E34 when flying on full fare J and I think it was thrown in. .It was a magical experience for just the views. If you can, do it.....the views of the Statue of Liberty then navigating into EWR are tremendous.
Jun 11, 2018, 1:47 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: EWR
Programs: UA Gold, BA, HHonors, Avis
Posts: 192
True, but as I've never spent more than 10 minutes in the PreCheck line then that does work out at about $12,000ph. You'd have to really, really, hate waiting in lines.