Travel to NYC's Airports in Six Minutes? Here's How Gotham Air Does It

by  Hilary Sheinbaum | Feb 3, 2015
New York City
New York City / Joecho-16/iStock

Traveling to JFK can take less time than waiting in line for your morning cup of coffee. Seriously.

Gotham Air flies travelers in helicopters to JFK or Newark Liberty airports in as little as six minutes from one of three Manhattan locations.

Service can be booked via the Gotham Air website, or through the GothamAir app (coming soon).

One-way fares cost $199 to $219, depending on the time of departure, but first-time users can book a $99 ride. A 90-day testing period begins on February 9, when the company will charter a couple of flights each day, says CEO Tim Hayes.

“After that, we expect to have shared chartered flights flying every hour from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.,” says Hayes.” Of course, we can fly in and out of Manhattan 24 hours a day, but we want to focus on the peak travel periods to start.”

Complimentary Bouchon Bakery hors d’oeuvres and beverage services are available in the VIP room before the flight -- which of course will start (or end) any trip on the right foot.

“I don't think people spend their hard-earned money to visit New York on vacation with the hope of spending an hour in the Lincoln Tunnel behind a bus,” says Hayes.

The fleet of helicopters includes seven Bell 407s, one Sikorsky S76 C+, and one Bell 427. In the event of bad weather, Gotham Air will pick up patrons in Teslas and commute them from Manhattan to their respective airports.

“We have big plans in place for expanded routes, but we are focused on the airport routes now,” says Hayes. “With 50 million travelers passing through EWR and JFK each year, those routes should keep us busy for a while.”

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