NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For the first time in history, New Yorkers will be able to fly to the Hamptons or back by helicopter in 35 minutes or less by using a mobile app that has been released for Apple iOS in time for this Memorial Day Weekend. BLADE allows travelers to purchase a single seat or create their own flight on their own schedule — instantaneously from the palm of their hand.
“The short-distance aviation business has been in dire need of a technological overhaul in order to bring its customer service and capacity utilization into the mobile age,” said Evan Licht, BLADE’s General Manager. “BLADE’s digital service platform not only addresses that void but empowers our travelers by providing them with access to dynamic scheduling, competitive pricing, and transparency—all without hassle, complications or agent-interaction.”
BLADE will enable those who would ordinarily charter a flight to reduce their cost by using crowdsourcing technology which sells excess seats into the BLADE community — without any interaction by the person who initiates the flight. At the same time, those who are only interested in purchasing single seats, will have a multitude of scheduling options to book a trip with only three taps within the app. No more phone calls, email, or flight dispatcher misunderstandings.
Mr. Licht added, "We're enabling a new generation to enjoy helicopter travel—but with ease, transparency and high value. This generation is not interested in membership fees, buying fractional shares, or hours. BLADE makes it simple. You tap on the app when you know when you want to fly."
BLADE’s digital service platform is integrated with the fleet and pilots of Liberty Helicopters, the largest and most respected provider of owned and operated helicopters in the Northeast. BLADE has access to the latest and most advanced helicopter fleet including the Astar AS350B2 and the Twinstar AS355FX. Liberty’s pilots are some of the most seasoned in the industry and have continued to set the standard in safety and maintenance excellence year after year.
“Our partnership with BLADE is an industry first that’s going to change the way New Yorkers travel to the Hamptons,” said Patrick Day, Vice President of Liberty Helicopters. “Integrating Liberty’s first-class service with BLADE’s proprietary technology platform will allow us to provide unmatched convenience and flexibility to our customers.”
BLADE Fact Sheet
DYNAMIC SCHEDULING
No longer are your forced to choose from a set schedule of flights (e.g., 3:00PM, 5:00PM, or 7:00PM). BLADE gives you options.
The BLADE schedule is harmonized with the BLADE community of crowdsourced flights. Whether it is due to events in the city, a music festival on a Sunday evening, or simple midweek getaways there are a multitude of reasons why the historic fixed schedule system is cumbersome, if not broken. The opportunity to utilize our dynamic scheduling is available to all BLADE users whether they are booking one seat or an entire helicopter.
REDUCED CHARTER COSTS
The typical helicopter flight from Manhattan to the Hamptons takes off with 1.7 passengers on it. With BLADE, not only can you book an entire helicopter on your schedule, but also can offer any number of seats you don’t require back into the BLADE community. Just open up your flight and sell as many seats as you desire. You will reduce your costs and help the environment.
BLADE’S “GET THERE GUARANTEE” POWERED BY MASERATI
Only BLADE guarantees your arrival even if air traffic is grounded due to inclement weather. Through our exclusive partnership with Maserati of NYC/LI, Maserati Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans are on standby to drive you to the Hamptons or back to NYC safely and in style.
AMENITIES
From the moment you arrive for departure, a member of TEAM BLADE will hand you a New York Post (whether you want one or not), offer you bottled water or rosé in a non-spillable cup. We'll even provide a phone charger for use on your flight too.
The free BLADE beta app is now available for download on the iPhone App Store.
BLADE. The Sharpest Way to Fly.
www.flyblade.com
844.FLY.BLADE
(844.359.2523)
Twitter: @flybladenow
InstaGram: flyblade
