Gotham Air is Uber for Helicopters. Ride-sharing services are a dime a dozen, thanks in no small part to the success of Uber. In places like San Francisco and New York City, Gotham Air has an app for iOS and Android. Uber and Lyft are open for anyone. However at $219 a seat, Gotham Air is not for the every man. They only fly from Manhattan’s Downtown Heliport to either JFK or Newark airport. Those are the only places you can go. I think if they expand the service to the Hamptons they would be able to command a better following. Nevertheless, if you have the spare cash to burn and can travel light just sign up for a free account. Once you have your account be ready to travel in style, just don’t expect to take any of that style with you because you can only have one 25-pound carry-on bag.
Now the bad news. Gotham Air will not take off if it does not have at least four reservations out of six possible per flight. The app will let you know if your flight is good to go or not. It is a good idea to have a backup plan just in case. The app indicates which flights already have four reservations, so users can buy the fifth or the sixth slot without having to worry whether the flight is a go. If your flight does not get enough reservations or cancelled for weather reasons you will get a refund.
Gotham Air’s choppers are FAA-certified and equipped with floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Right now they fly out of Pier 6 – East River, New York, NY. They will soon start operating from West 30th Street at 12th Avenue East 34th Street and from 499 E 34th St, New York. Gotham Air has six of Bell 407’s, one Bell 427 and one Sikorsky S76. If you can afford it, this is a wonderful way to see New York City, great way to travel. The Gotham Air iPhone app will be available soon.