Tired of inching through gridlocked traffic on the way to your flight? Soon, escaping the jam could be as simple as opening the Uber app. Travel + Leisure reports that the rideshare giant plans to integrate Blade helicopter and seaplane bookings directly into its platform, starting first in New York, giving travelers the ability to reserve quick, high-end flights between city centers and major airports with just a few taps.
Blade already operates popular routes across southern Europe and the New York area, shuttling passengers to destinations like the Hamptons as well as airports including JFK and Newark Liberty. In Europe, travelers can hop a Blade ride from Nice to Cannes or Monaco, swapping congested highways for amazing aerial views.
The move follows Blade’s recent acquisition by Joby Aviation, an electric air-taxi pioneer working with Delta Air Lines to eventually offer rideshare-style electric aircraft.
How much will a ride cost?
So, how much will a sky-high commute set you back? According to T + L, a one-way helicopter ride to the airport will start at $195 per person, while groups of up to eight can charter an entire chopper for around $2,000.
It may sound steep, but the time savings are dramatic. A car trip from Manhattan to JFK can easily stretch past an hour, while a Blade helicopter makes the hop in about five minutes. After landing, a Blade vehicle whisks passengers from the helipad straight to their terminal, shaving valuable minutes off an already streamlined journey.
Uber hasn’t revealed an exact launch date for the new booking feature, but the company says it won’t roll out before 2026, giving travelers a couple of years to start planning their first traffic-free airport dash.
