January 17, 2007

US Helicopter nears start of 34th Street to JFK route

Although no start date has been announced, US Helicopter has been given permission from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration to move ahead with plans to fly its airport connection service from Manhattan's East 34th Street Heliport, the company said earlier this month.

The company has been working on plans to serve LaGuardia Airport, but currently its website touts "Service coming soon - East 34th Street Heliport (TSS) to/from JFK - hourly service."

US Helicopter Corp. will pay for McNeil Security Inc. to operate a TSA-supervised checkpoint at 34th Street that will allow passengers to skip airport security, check-through their luggage and receive boarding passes to their final destination -- as long as their airline is a US Helicopter partner.

US Helicopter currently operates TSA-approved, hourly service on weekdays from the Wall Street heliport to JFK with American Airlines (Terminal 9, Gate C43,) as its partner, and to Newark Liberty International Airport with Continental Airlines (Terminal C, Gate C71,) as its partner there. Partner airlines and destinations have not yet been announced for the 34th Street route.

If helicopter passengers are transferring to a non-partner airline, they'll have to collect their bags at the airport and go through security again, this time with the unwashed masses.

All US Helicopter airport flights are about eight-minutes long and cost $159 one way, plus taxes and fees.

Earlier: US Helicopter starts Newark route, $105 holiday fares
US Helicopter to start Newark-Wall Street on Dec. 18
US Helicopter hopes to serve LaGuardia by October

January 17, 2007 10:06 AM in Arrivology, Midtown

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