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What an awesome way to visit New York City… Last Friday, my wife and I flew JetBlue to JFK and helicoptered from there to Manhattan. It was fantastic. And, thanks to JetBlue’s very generous status match for Delta elite’s, the helicopter ride was free.
Early this fall, JetBlue offered a status match for Delta elites. Thanks to my Delta Platinum elite status, I was given near top-tier Mosaic 3 status, and thanks to my wife’s Delta Diamond elite status, she was given top tier JetBlue Mosaic 4 status. Both of us will keep our status throughout 2024 because we each picked up a new JetBlue Business card (and the terms of the status match allowed for a full year of status for anyone with that card or the JetBlue Plus card).
JetBlue’s top-tier Mosaic 4 status includes a very interesting perk: 4 Blade helicopter transfers between Manhattan and JFK or Newark Airport. Thanks to my wife’s Mosaic 4 status, we had 4 Blade transfers to spend this year and we’ll get 4 more to spend next year!
Blade Basics
- Normal price: One-way transfers start at $195 per person, but when I picked a random date and time on Blade’s website, I was quoted $275 per person. You get a $50 discount if you book round-trip. So, I think that best case would be to pay as little as $340 round-trip per person, but that $500 round-trip per person is probably more common.
- Baggage limit: Each person is allowed a personal item and a carry-on bag, but together the bags must total no more than 25 pounds.
- Manhattan heliports: There are two Blade heliports in Manhattan:
- East 34th St
- West 30th St (this is the one I flew into)
- Supported NYC airports: Blade can be booked from JFK or Newark airport (EWR)
JetBlue’s Mosaic 4 Blade Benefit
- Mosaic 4 members receive 4 Blade credits each year in which they qualify for that status.
- Credits are valid only for transfers between Manhattan and NYC area airports (JFK or EWR, in either direction)
- Blade credits can be used for companions, but the JetBlue Mosaic 4 member must be one of the passengers
- You must be flying JetBlue the same day
- As long as your bags are within Blade’s weight limits, there are no extra fees of any kind for flying Blade.
What to expect when flying to NYC
We flew JetBlue to JFK and then Blade to West 30th St. Here’s how the process went:
- A Blade rep sent a text before we boarded our JetBlue flight telling us to reply when we deplaned at JFK.
- After we deplaned, I replied via text and was told that a driver would meet us outside of baggage claim.
- The driver was already in place by the time we got outside and so we were on our way in no time. There happened to be another Blade passenger at the same terminal at the same time and so three of us were transported together to Blade’s JFK location.
- We relaxed for a few minutes in a Blade lounge
- When it was time to go, a Blade rep came to get us and escorted us out to the helicopter which already has its blades spun up and our bags loaded.
- Four passengers loaded into the helicopter (which put it at full capacity).
- We took off and approximately 10 minutes later, we landed at Blade’s West 30th landing pad.
- We were then led to a small departure lounge where complimentary drinks were available in creative to-go glasses.
- Our bags were brought to us in the lounge and we were off.
Blade Review
We loved it! This is THE way to get to the city! It was so cool to walk out of JFK’s terminal 5 and to be greeted immediately by a driver who took us to the heliport and then to fly to Manhattan! We were lucky to have spectacular weather and so the flight was smooth and the views were fantastic. The only thing I’d change is that I’d want to fly on the right side of the helicopter next time when coming into the city because the right side had better views.
Due to Blade’s severely limited weekend hours, we weren’t able to take Blade back to the airport for our return trip this time. You can be sure though that we’ll plan another trip next year to do this again and we’ll make a point of timing it right so that we can go both ways.
Would I pay for this service if it wasn’t comped by JetBlue? I would definitely consider it for a special occasion, but I’d have a hard time justifying the price for a regular trip. It would be cool if JetBlue would make it possible to use points to book Blade at good value. Then I’d be interested in doing this every time!
Blade Photos
Blade Airport Transport
Blade Heliport at JFK
Blade Cabin Photos
Views from the Air
Landing Heliport
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It looks to me like the weak spot of this service is the luggage situation.
Weight and balance is a big thing in a small aircraft. Heck even CRJ’s have to ballast and/or force moves from time to time.
Are you sure the 4 blade passes renew jan 1 I was under the impression that all the perks were not renewed just extended through 2024
What gave you that impression?
from language of the status match offer implied if you achieved the status it would extend the perks that you would get through 2024 not grant remainder of 23 and renewal for 24
. just chatted they said 4 total; not 4 and 4
This is so cool!!!
I loved it and was also the beneficiary of the status match to Mosaic 4, I only managed to fly from Manhattan to JFK but in 2 weeks I will get to use 2 more passes doing a there and back.
“I don’t recommend sitting on the left side since the right side had better views (although I did have a great view of the statue of liberty)” that’s true if you’re coming from JFK, but going to JFK from Manhattan the left side is the better side to sit. I sat on the right and got a great view of Statue of Liberty too lol.
But loved the whole experience from start to finish, the ease of it and beating the rush hour traffic was a huge win.
Yes good point! The best seat depends on where you are coming from and where you’re going to.
I’d take the free heli ride too, but this service is silly. Who’d think this was “a business”? It’s obviously not at this price point. And that luggage limit is nuts. If you’re over the limit, do they at least courier your bag to you in a couple of hours?
Yes they do courier your bags to the airport, there are a couple different ways that they will do that so it makes your flight or be delivered to your location. The price point is for those who can afford it, when I used it, there were 2 Jet Blue passengers, me and another and two paid passengers for a total of 4 passengers. I think I was in the air for 7 minutes and it sure beat the NYC traffic.
This service makes it practical for business people to fly into NYC for a meeting. It’s also a super cool experience worth a one time splurge IMO
Great pictures Greg. Do they have a height considerations? I am 6’3 and looking at your pictures the legroom looks like a puzzle.
I didn’t see anything about height considerations. Leg room isn’t really a huge issue but foot room is. You’ll be ok.
Nice camera, I assume yours?
Q: do sellouts happen with any frequency?
Yes it’s my camera.
Sellouts: no idea
One of the many reasons I love reading your material is you discover the oddest awesome stuff. Well done on another one!
Thanks!
Blade sucks.. I don’t need to go to 30th W or 34th E. I end up wasting more time to go where I need to go in NYC. I would rather fly into HPN by charter and uber to the city
You fail to consider the context of Greg’s article — that is, he has free passes to use Blade and he’s reporting on its use. You also fail to consider Greg’s audience — who are more likely to fly into one of the three major commercial airports.
But, let’s consider your scenario for a minute. You say that you would charter into HPN (Westchester) to go where you need to go in NYC. Seriously? If one were going to NYC and did not want to waste time, as you say, one would charter into TET (Teterboro) and not HPN. TET is typically a 20 to 25-minute drive into the City. HPN is typically a 40 to 45-minute drive into the City. So, either you are ignorant about your own circumstances or you are a troll talking poop. Whatever it is, your parents must feel ashamed about your incivility.
Also, who says “30th W” and “34th E”?
The comment could be translated as “Look at me! I know an airport code!”
All that said, it would be cool if they had a landing point on a rooftop helipad in a more central location. It’s largely forbidden for safety reasons, I think, but wouldn’t it be great to arrive on the roof of the PanAm building (or whatever the kids call it these days).
WORST FREE HELICOPTER RIDE EVER!!!
Dude, lol.
So that means Blade sucks?????
What was the total time from a) pickup at baggage claim to b) receiving your bags at the arrival lounge on the West Side? Thanks.
I’m not sure of the exact times for those things but I texted them at 2:16 pm to say we were off the plane and the helicopter landed at 2:56pm
Previously, Blade had been an offering within AA’s Five Star Services. One could even have used points to book it. But, no longer. For some time, I have strongly considered Blade. It’s all about time. Your answer has helped me. Thanks.
Let’s say that your gate-to-curb was 5 to 10 minutes and we subtract it from your time. Now, add back in 5 minutes to receive your bags. And, let’s say that from either heliport to one’s hotel is 10 minutes. So, curb-to-curb is about 45 to 50 minutes. During low-traffic periods, you’d be looking at 35 to 45 minutes curb-to-curb with a limo and it’s similarly priced. (Shameless plug: Empire CLS is perhaps the most respected limo service in NY and LA.)
BUT, during high-traffic periods, you’d be looking at as long as 2 hours. So, for someone who is transiting during high-traffic times of the day, Blade can in fact be a very practical resource . . . worth every penny . . . and not just an ooh-wow splurge.
Thanks again. Big help.
Actually it turns out that I can answer your original question using photo timestamps. Met driver outside baggage claim at 2:19pm and left Blade arrivals lounge at 2:59pm
Also consider:
The car service is for up to four people, and includes standard baggage. The economics are much different if it’s not just one person.There’s some value to be had just from the helicopter ride. That value is positive if you like helicopter rides, or potential negative if you can’t figure out how they stay airborne.