The airport transfer at HeliFlite

Why it is on the list

HeliFlite has flown in and out of New York for more than 25 years and over 70,000 hours, only in twin-engine aircraft and always with two pilots.¹ It holds the ARG/US rating and the Wyvern Wingman certification, both given after audits of operations, maintenance and safety systems.¹ Its pilots train in a full-motion simulator at least once a year, and dispatch is staffed 24 hours a day, every day of the year.² The flight from Manhattan to JFK, LaGuardia or Newark takes under ten minutes, against an hour or more by car.³ The Sikorsky S-76 flies under instrument flight rules, seats up to eight and is quiet enough inside to talk without headsets.⁴

It is the wrong choice with a lot of luggage: the allowance depends on the number of passengers and is set when the flight is booked.³ At JFK the helicopter does not reach the terminal; the pilot hands passengers to a car for the last stretch.³

How to get it

Call the flight coordinators on +1 877 359 4354 (1.877.FLY.HELI) or +1 973 273 7572, write to info@heliflite.com, or book through the HeliFlite app.³⁵ Give the flight details; the coordinator names the nearest heliport of three (East 34th Street, West 30th Street or the Downtown Manhattan Heliport at Pier 6) and a departure time, and books the car at either end.³⁶ For an arrival, HeliFlite tracks the flight: after a private jet into Teterboro or Westchester the helicopter waits at the landing, after a commercial flight into JFK, LaGuardia or Newark the pilot meets passengers at the general aviation terminal.³ Airport transfers start at US $3,300 plus taxes and fees; a quote is given for each route.⁵

Discretion

The cabin carries only the booking party, never other passengers.³ Arriving on a commercial flight, passengers are met at the general aviation terminal and walked to the helicopter.³ Security can be arranged with the flight.²