This Is What You Need to Know about Airports and Rideshare Helicopter Services

Around the country, airports are quickly adapting their policies and traffic flows to accommodate the growing popularity of rideshare apps. However, airports may soon need to rethink once again how the services of these companies will integrate into the flow of the airport.

Recently, Uber announced its newest product, Uber Copter, which will launch by offering helicopter rides between lower Manhattan and John F. Kennedy Airport. The flight last about eight minutes and will cost between $200 and $225 per person each way. This price includes private ground transportation on both ends of the trip to make for a door-to-door experience.

While we are probably far from seeing such services available standard at every airport, Uber Copter could quickly expand to other major cities. This is what you need to know about how airports may need to change to accommodate rideshare helicopter services:

Uber Expands Offerings with Aerial Airport Transportation

Uber first started promoting aerial services a few years ago with Uber Elevate, which made the service sound more like flying cars than helicopters. Indeed, the company is still working on flying-car technology and hoping that customers will settle for Uber Copter in the meantime.

Individuals can book the new service directly on the app, just as with any other ride, to save time and frustration when it comes to getting to JFK. The airport is not directly linked to Manhattan by public transit and may people rely on taxis and rideshare apps to get them to their flights.

However, when traffic gets heavy, such a ride can take two hours or more. A helicopter flight is a much more time-efficient option that may actually grow in popularity quite quickly despite its large price tag. With ground transport, the total travel time should average out to about 30 minutes.

Already, Uber is planning to bring Uber Copter to more cities across the country, and even across the world. However, the company is not planning to do so in the immediate future. Instead, Uber will use this new product to learn more about aerial vehicle operation and how such a service can work efficiently and effectively. This information will help the company ensure feasible expansion.

In the beginning, the service will only be available to Platinum and Diamond members, the two top tiers of the Uber Rewards loyalty program. However, it could open up to more customers shortly. Customers can book Uber Copter on demand or have a flight reserved up to five days in advance.

At first, the helicopters will only run Monday through Friday during the afternoon rush hour when getting to JFK is most daunting. Each helicopter accommodates up to five people. Individuals board with a pass issued directly through Uber.

The Logistics of Uber Copter Between Manhattan and JFK

In Manhattan, helicopters use the heliport near the Staten Island Ferry to land and depart. Passengers are picked up by car to be transported to this location. At Kennedy, Uber has access to the helipad near Terminal 8. Once passengers have landed at JFK, a car picks them up at the tarmac and takes them to the correct terminal or vice versa.

The company HeliFlite, based in Newark, will operate the flights and two pilots will be present on each journey. Passengers will also need to watch a short safety video before taking off so that they know what to do in the case of emergency.

One of the foreseen problems with the service is the lack of space for large bags. Passengers will be limited to a personal bag and a carry-on bag of 40 pounds or less.

Several Competitors Are Entering the Helicopter Taxi Sector

The current quoted price is between $200 and $225. However, the final cost of the flight will largely depend on demand and the price will vary depending on how many people are requesting rides, just as with ground vehicles. While this price may sound high, individuals often pay $200 to get to JFK from Manhattan in an Uber Black car during rush hour. The service is aimed mostly at executives and wealthy travelers.

The price could also start to change as other companies launch similar services. Voom, a company owned by Airbus, has launched similar services in the San Francisco Bay Area. Flights between San Francisco, Palo Alto, Hayward, Oakland, and San Jose airports range in price from about $150 to $300 depending on the distance. Another startup called Skyryse is also aiming to enter the air-taxi business.

Another competitor is Blade, which has small plane and helicopter services in cities across the United States. This past March, the company debuted Blade Airport, which provides helicopter service from Manhattan to Kennedy, Newark Liberty, and La Guardia. At all three airports, Blade already has its own private terminals, which makes it easy for these services to expand.

The question looming over Uber Copter is what will happen to airports if this service becomes more popular. Will airports eventually need to create new areas for helicopters to land, or will space and air traffic prove a limiting factor in the number of flights that can be offered? Furthermore, what kind of charges will airports levy to use their land and airspace? This latter question will become increasingly important as airports struggle to get the income they need to modernize and expand.

Originally published at http://jamesrgill.home.blog on July 23, 2019.