I had the chance to try BLADE helicopter transfers in New York for the first time, and it was very cool but it’s not perfect.
I was headed to New York to see the team at Bilt. I meet regularly with loyalty and travel executives.
I’ll remind that I’ll accept sandwiches in a conference room but anything more than that and I make a charitable donation at least equal to the value that I receive.
These sessions are invaluable because I learn a lot, but loyalty executives and media relations people aren’t actually your friends. They have a job to do. I never want to feel indebted to anyone that I’m covering. And I want to make sure that my travels are like anyone else’s – or at least anyone else’s with similar elite status and points available to spend.
I’ve gotten outreach in the past from BLADE’s CEO, but never accepted a free ride. When it made sense, I figured I’d pay to try it out. But it frequently didn’t make sense. I might have been arriving into JFK midday when there wouldn’t be much traffic (so less advantage to the premium service) or flying into LaGuardia where it’s not an option.
Finally my flights lined up, and I had an expiring free BLADE trip credit that came from elite status and it was the perfect opportunity!
- Bilt partnered with BLADE last year. Bilt Platinums get a free trip each year as part of the partnership.
- I booked one-way using my 2024 credit, before the credit expired (you can book travel for future dates past the credit’s expiration)
- And for completeness, I decided to book my return using my 2025 free trip credit as well.
BLADE has some limitations. For this trip I was only doing one night in the city, traveling with just my laptop bag. For a helicopter transfer you’re limited to a carry-on and personal item, the weight limit is 25 pounds, and excess is charged. Full-sized luggage has to be sent separately by car (they’ll arrange this at a fee).
My worries with BLADE are two-fold:
- Late arriving flight, they say they will book you onto the next available helicopter but their trips can sell out. You could wind up in a car into the city after all.
- Weather. Helicopters aren’t going to fly in low visibility. Low clouds will be a problem. On the way from the airport to the city you could wind up waiting for your chopper, having your trip cancel and being sent in a car to your destination (with future flight credit). On the way to the airport this is a bigger deal! If you’re scheduling enough time for a car to the airport, why are you taking a helicopter?
I’ve also mostly stayed away from helicopters, for irrational reasons dating to my childhood. I grew up in New York and one of my earliest memories is reporting on the New York Airways incident atop the Pan Am building. I’ve made exceptions, like heading up into the Daintree Rainforest the easy way.
Years ago, Continental Airlines would let you book a helicopter add-on with business class travel in and out of Newark, and they offered this for 10,000 extra miles on business class awards flown on Continental booked with their Onepass miles as well. I never took advantage of that.
Delta partnered with Blade in 2017, and American in 2019. JetBlue had a Blade benefit for two years that they killed for this year. Their top tier Mosaic 4 elites received four helicopter transfers between Manhattan and JFK or Newark Airport each year.
Bilt’s partnership with BLADE is pretty interesting. You can earn 2x on BLADE spend when linking any credit card through Bilt; Bilt elites receive a 10% discount; Golds and Platinums can walk into BLADE’s departure lounge for free drinks with no need to be flying; and Platinums receive 1 free helicopter ride per year.
One surprising thing I learned recently about BLADE is that most of their money doesn’t come from ferrying passengers between Manhattan and the airports (or out to the Hamptons, etc.). It turns out passengers are less than half their revenue, while the majority comes from moving human organs for medical transplant. They’re the largest provider of this service in the country.
Booking was simple in the Bilt app. I chose my flight for about half an hour after scheduled arrival at New York JFK. Bilt texts you when you land, picks you up by car at arrivals, and takes you to a general aviation terminal. You’re supposed to arrive there 10 minutes before your helicopter flight, though I’ve certainly heard of people being fine five minutes out.
I deplaned, texted them, and booked it to arrivals. Their car took a couple of minutes to arrive after I got there.
It was a quick trip to their terminal. A staff member met the car, walked me inside, checked my ID and weighed my laptop bag (15 pounds with clothes, etc.). Then I had about 15 minutes to kill. I made a quick stop at the restroom, and two other groups of two passengers each turned up for the flight.
They had us queue up single file to board the helicopter. The rotor was already turning. A laptop bag can sit in your lap, they take a standard-sized carry-on. Since we were full, the two groups of two sat in the passenger cabin of four seats and I sat in a co-pilot’s seat. Score!
Everyone put on their headsets and buckled up. We were given a safety briefing, and we took off straight away.
We passed right by a Saudi government jet and right over a couple of Delta planes. Then it was out towards the city.
About 5 minutes later we were landing at Blade’s terminal on West 30th Street. It’s really convenient if you’re staying or at meetings in midtown, but it turns out that even traveling when traffic was limited and with my heading down into lower Manhattan (and with driving to the general aviation terminal and waiting there) to be a time advantage. Plus it was fun.
We landed, were met by a staffer, and headed into the terminal. There’s a bar there and a sitting area. It’s small. Everyone was offered drinks on the way out (and to go cups). Some had car services set up through BLADE. I just called a Lyft when I got there and it was only a minute away. I took a bottle of water to go and made my way out.
From the outside it’s clearly more of a trailer than lounge, but it works quite nicely. Not sure I’d stop off here for drinks as a Bilt elite, but I guess for the novelty why not?
Maybe the strangest thing about the experience though… the day after the trip, I received an email asking me to tip the pilot?
I made it from terminal to hotel in about 40 minutes, even with my Lyft ride, which I thought was fantastic. No hitches along the way. I was looking forward to trying things out in the other direction the next day.
Unfortunately, as you can see from my photos on the outbound, weather wasn’t great. And the next morning about four hours before my flight I got a text and an email that the trip was scrubbed.
During the booking process you can enter an address you’ll be at, and they arrange a car service for you if they can’t make the helicopter trip (this was a $0 ‘upgrade’ when I booked). I responded to the text with a pickup time, and I heard from the driver a few minutes before scheduled pickup. Traffic was bad reaching me and he turned up about four minutes after schedule.
On the ride into the airport saw my inbound American Airlines aircraft delayed. My flight wasn’t posting a delay yet, but I knew that it would, so I rang up American and had them add a backup flight into my booking. By the time I got to the airport I was moved to still another flight because of a longer delay than I’d expected. And I wound up at JFK with around 3 hours to kill before my new flight even without taking a helicopter – and a non-extra legroom middle seat to look forward to.
Extremely tacky of blade to ask for that tip and on top of the general safety risks of helicopter travel I am completely turned off
Note to Isom. Once you have that premium experience up and running I’d like to be able to tip gate agent, FA’s and pilot in the AA app.
The other thing, Gary, why do you have to fly to New York? Why don’t you live here? You have kids now and they’re going to go to school and generally learn about the world around them. It is a disservice to raise kids in such a sh!thole state like Texas if you have the means to buy a UWS 4-bedroom and send your kids to Trinity or a similarly elite private K-12.
Like the Captain Leff look. Even as you weren’t the pilot.
This was such a bizarre story that I could only imagine that the tipping email was done only because it’s a legal requirement for Blade to do so. I wonder if this provision would be preempted by Federal law or might successfully be argued to be inapplicable to helicopters, but I guess they don’t want to have to make the argument . . . and who could blame them. I remember when Uber had a non-tipping all inclusive pricing policy that didn’t satisfy those who don’t believe in markets or voluntary exchange.
This is from the NYC Administrative Code.
§ 19-547 Gratuity.
a. Any for-hire vehicle base, or dispatch service provider operating on behalf of such a base, shall provide a means to allow passengers to provide drivers with a gratuity using the same method of payment passengers use to pay for the fare. If a for-hire vehicle base, or dispatch service provider operating on behalf of such a base, allows passengers to book and pay for a trip through a website, smartphone application, or any other passenger-facing booking tool, such website, smartphone application, or passenger-facing booking tool must provide passengers with preset gratuity options set according to the for-hire vehicle base’s discretion, but that include at least one option that is at least 20 percent of the fare, and permit passengers to manually enter another gratuity amount or percentage at the passengers’ option. A for-hire vehicle base must remit to the driver the entirety of anything designated as a gratuity collected by such base from the passenger on behalf of the driver.
b. Any for-hire vehicle base, or dispatch service provider operating on behalf of such a base, that has been found to have violated any provision of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $250 nor more than $500 for each offense.
I suppose there is some time saving with the helicopter- but there are Long Island Railroad trains running multiple times per hour that take between 19 and 21 minutes to your choice of Penn Station, Grand Central, or Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn
It might even take longer by helicopter if you are going to the East Side of Manhattan before 2:45 PM, as Blade only runs to the West Side before then, and we’re talking far West Side – the terminal is by the Hudson river. So if you are going to the East Side before 2:45 PM, you can take Airtrain to the LIRR and have a 20 minute ride to Grand Central, or a 5 minute helicopter ride followed by crosstown traffic.
For whatever reason, it always seems to me that people are fixated on taking Airtrain to Howard Beach and taking the subway, rather than the faster and more comfortable LIRR.
I’m with Gary. Helicopter travel is fun but at reduced safety. I’ve gambled and did not lose but I currently have not used a helicopter is quite a few years. Helicopters lack wings so if there is engine failure, you drop, not glide. US1549 glided into the Hudson. A helicopter crash could easily be fatal.
Looking good, Gary! Not bad views for the less than ideal conditions. Enjoy your stay in the greatest city on Earth!
@rdinsf This is correct and unless your final destination is right near the Heliport, you are likely better off taking the Air Train.
If LIRR/MTA were privately managed companies rather than politically run government monopolies, they would better inform people how superior their service is and make it easier for people to use it. The LIRR could make it so much easier for people to take the train into the City if they just had a sign as you leave the AirTrain showing the platform of the next train into Penn and GCT and when it’s coming, rather than forcing people to look at the main departure board and figure the Platform out themselves – which people from out of town aren’t likely to want to do.
For most of the City though, you are better off going downstairs and taking the E Train into Manhattan, and be brought directly to any Subway station rather than being limited to Penn Station or GCT and transferring to a Subway there.
Gary, we appreciate your unbiased reviews and takes! Thanks for not being able to be bought.
Looked and sounded like a really cool experience! Really nice pictures! Great way to see NYC. The closest I’ve gotten to a helicopter ride over NYC is playing GTA IV.
Nice review. I’m sure I’m not alone in being interested in what you can tell us about the Bilt gathering.
@derek — I won’t question the reduced safety of helicopters versus a commercial airplane, but an autorotation landing in a helicopter is the functional equivalent of gliding to a landing in a plane.
Did the New York Airways atop the Pan Am building in I guess maybe 55 years ago ? I can’t remember exactly. What I have not forgotten was the cost of a glass of orange juice in the lounge directly underneath, $17.00!
Back in the day, I took the helicopter from JFK to the top of the PanAm building. It was a surreal feeling when I deplaned.
Four Mile Beach and Port Douglas??? My stomping grounds!
@dick – Austin is the blueberry in the cherry pie. And for what you pay in NYC, you can buy a whole lot more in Austin. I’m sure Gary knows what he’s doing. As for Trinity, it’s a woke shithole if there ever was one.
@Gary: Helicopter type?
We tried out Blade from Nice to Monaco. Very cool experience but definitely not faster. They were very behind schedule and we ended up taking off at about the time that we would have arrived in Monaco if we had just hired a cab. Would be a time saver during grand prix week, I am sure, but during regular times with regular traffic, not really.
At one time, Atlanta had helicopter service from the Waverly Renaissance Hotel to the Atlanta Airport. I flew on it one time. It was a JetRanger. Very comfortable and fun but not financially appropriate for my salary!
@farnorthtrader : Counter-anecdote. Worked great for me. Much quicker than surface transport.
@L737 — Great reference! I can attest that the actual ‘Liberty City’ is much friendlier than in the game. As for bias, umm, we all have it–some manage it better than others. I’m sure even Gary has ‘his price.’ *next week’s post: ‘Ankur is the greatest entrepreneur of his generation!’* Hmm.
@Dick — Way too personal, bro. I’d usually say ‘you do you,’ but in your case, just don’t.
@derek — In 2018, one of the sightseeing helicopters did ‘drop’ into the East River, tragically killing 5, pilot survived. Ever since, I’ve had no interest in helicopter tours around the city. Not to mention, those tours ain’t cheap. If you want a good view from above, stick to observation decks on a clear day (1 WTC, Top of the Rock, Empire State Building, Hudson Yards, 1 Vanderbilt, etc.)
@Mak — On price, the least expensive public transportation option to almost anywhere in the city is just $2.90–you can take the Q10/Q3/B15 buses from JFK to Lefferts Blvd subway station for a ‘free transfer’ to the A train. Or, as you mentioned, Air Train to Howard Beach (A) or Jamaica (E), $11.40. Or, Air Train to LIRR, $18.75, but I don’t find that very convenient or cost-effective compared to the bus/subway. Taxi to/from JFK is flat $70 (+$5 during peak hours). Uber/Lyft/Revel is often $60-120 for entry-level rides to/from Manhattan. Blade advertises $195/way, but it seems to cost more usually–yeah, and good luck taking Blade to court over their ‘tipping’ policies. Then again, with the way things are going, perhaps if you cut the Mayor in on a deal, he’ll help you pursue the case!
Farmers learn to tip cows in the countryside while avoiding tipping BLADE helicopter pilots. Pro Tip: During military helicopter gunship training, pilots are taught to avoid the SSCBD syndrome, which stands for Stall, Spin, Crash, Burn, and Die.
@ Gary. I share your aversion to helicopters. I have over 3000 hours of PIC time in helicopters . . . only crashed twice and one precautionary landing (too be fair though it was in combat). They can sling parts hundreds of yards.
@ C_M. Thanks for letting Dick know he doesn’t know dick about Texas. It’s not perfect but if it was any better in the Lone Star state I could not afford to live here. This comes from a person who spent his first 18 years in Southern California (great place to visit but don’t want to live there, hold on, was, was a great place to visit.)
I just go by car from NCE to Monaco. Don’t see the point of a helicopter ride if I can avoid it.
Tip the pilot??? How do I feel about safety if he isn’t being paid enough to avoid hunting for tips
But very interesting organ ferrying from the big NYC hospitals is their bread and butter!
And looking svelte Gary
1. The outgoing lounge at Manhattan is a lot nicer than the arriving lounge and it’s very nice on the water. I would go there for drinks if I’m in the area (it’s on the other side of the helicopter pad)
2. Yes definitely about the tip. I actually got the request after a few minutes and it felt very weird as I was just taking the helicopter round trip for fun with the JetBlue credit so I was going to be sitting next to that pilot again
@L3. I believe that’s a Bell 206L.
Trinity is great, for those who can afford it and get in.
C_M is still sore and trashing on a school that graduated a handful of my relatives and did well there and since. I have been pleased with the results, as are their parents.
Learn something new from Gary every time….
1. how do you “add a backup flight” on AA?
2. What level of elite do you have to be to be able to do this?
This post from Dick up above ur name fits U what an idiot. He gives Us great Info… we only care about that in this context! I come to NY for two things.. two times a yr! Trust me I would live in Texas way before I would lib in this Li. Sh.. Ho ..
I could not let this go.
It’s a travel site….Trust we there are States that have private& public schools that deliver to students very well
I’m quite certain Gary is smart enough to know that excellent public schools exist all over the U.S., in particular areas with major universities. If one invests the $s an “elite” private school sucks up in 13 years, the child would never have to save for retirement. And, once you graduate college, nobody cares about your high school.
True, but if you can afford the big tuition bills for 13 years, those kids probably already are in line for substantial inheritances.
Has the lousy governor of Texas or one of his Republican predecessors gutted cheap access to UTs for employees of state institutions? And have these governors been trying to defund the UT system and raise the costs for in-state students?
For most of us mere mortals with AA — well I always have at least PLT status — they pulled the allowance to be protected on a different flight than the one originally booked.
That reminds me, I need to chase down AA for refusing to protect me on the next flight despite it being so delayed due to a mechanical that I could have driven to my destination on the ticket and already been there earlier than the flights.
Funny how a lot of companies are moving to this “shi*hole” state…
@Paul: Thanks!
@1990 Yes I agree — the real deal is quite friendlier to say the least. I’m very excited to see the depiction of Miami (sorry, Vice City) in GTA VI.
I lived in Texas for a few years, I miss the BBQ and Buc-ees. I very much enjoy visiting now and then (in the winter months). Every place I’ve been to in the country has its own charm but to each their own.
As a call-back to a post yesterday, now I’m curious to hear how much is taken off the top if you do tip the pilot….
@Mak,
So spot on.
> I remember when Uber had a non-tipping all inclusive pricing policy that didn’t satisfy those who don’t believe in markets or voluntary exchange.
@L737 — Again, epic references. I do get ‘San Andreas’ vibes whenever I visit California as well. Nice callback as well. This guy VFTWs!
“ one of my earliest memories is reporting on the New York Airways incident atop the Pan Am building…”
Interesting. Didn’t know you were a reporter. What media outlet were you working for?