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We tried the ‘Uber of helicopters’ that lets elite New Yorkers skip airport traffic
Aly Weisman/Business Insider
A Blade helicopter flies from midtown to JFK airport.
Blade is an aviation startup catering to New York’s elite.
After offering seaplane and helicopter rides from NYC to the Hamptons all summer, a new service called “Blade Bounce” flies its private choppers from Manhattan to all nearby airports.
“There’s no better way to start your holiday than to fly over traffic and get to your airline of choice between four and six minutes, and enjoy rosé on the way and the best view on the planet,” Blade co-founder Rob Wiesenthal told INSIDER.
Blade let us hop on a recent flight from East 34th Street to JFK airport ahead of Thanksgiving weekend, and the experience couldn’t have been better.
Blade, an aviation startup known as “the Uber of helicopters,” gained popularity this summer by flying NYC’s elite to and from the Hamptons.
The company recently launched a new service called “Blade Bounce,” flying its private choppers from Manhattan to all nearby airports.
The ride only takes about five minutes — but costs $895 for a full 6-seat helicopter.
It’s easy to book a same-day flight on Blade’s app.
Passengers start their journey in one of three luxurious Blade lounges. This is the 34th Street lounge.
It has an open bar.
Every passenger is given a helicopter-safe glass of rosé, if they want it.
And the lounge is packed with snacks.
Outside, the helicopter awaits along the East River.
Blade employees help bring luggage from the lounge to the helicopter.
After a quick check in, you’re already up in the air. The views are spectacular — check out that sunset.
You can clearly see all of the road traffic being bypassed.
The trip would have taken over an hour by car.
But after just a few minutes in the helicopter, you can already see JFK airport.
Blade’s landing pad is located amid planes in the rear of the airport.
A van awaits passengers when they land.
And customers are brought directly to their airline terminal.
Overall, the experience is a big thumbs up.
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