Six minutes isn't a very long time. In fact, you can't really accomplish much of anything in six minutes. You can probably eat a portion of your lunch. Or, you can walk a few blocks (if you don't have to stop for traffic). Oh, and now you can also get to JFK or Newark from Manhattan.
Yes, we're aware of how ridiculous that statement sounds. After all, how many times have you tried getting to the airport from the city on a Friday afternoon and had it take literally hours? It turns out, the only thing more ridiculous than spending two hours in a cab just to catch a 90-minute flight is the latest alternative: a six-minute helicopter ride.
Gotham Air, a new New York-based company that launched today, promises to "revolutionize how you commute." Who needs taxis, subways, Ubers, and ferries when you can page a private helicopter — reportedly outfitted with an Hermès leather interior and snacks from Thomas Keller's Bouchon Bakery — for only $99 (for first-time bookers)? It's not exactly cheap, but it's also not completely outrageous, especially when you consider that a yellow cab will cost upwards of $60, and a private car service like Uber can ring in at $125. Not to mention, of course, the wasted time and headache traffic may cause.
"This changes everything about travel," Gotham Air CEO Tim Hayes said in a statement. "Our customers can go from sitting in a car to relaxing in one of our luxe choppers within minutes. We plan to bring a new level of luxury and convenience to people's lives." Of course, while Gotham Air's introductory promotional price may sound attractive, the regular fare can range from $199 to $219 (depending on when and where you're going). And, since the price is per person, it can rapidly become downright outlandish if you're not flying solo.
Is it really worth tapping into your inner bourgeois (and savings account) to take "the sports car of helicopters" to the airport? Probably not. But, in a city where time is money, Hayes' proposal just might make sense for some New Yorkers — even if they're not millionaires.
AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT