US Helicopter

US Helicopter was an independent air shuttle service that offered regular helicopter flights between Manhattan and three major airports: Newark, John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and Bridgeport, Connecticut. Passengers could catch flights from two heliports in Manhattan — one downtown near Wall Street and another in midtown on East 34th Street. These flights made it easier for people to travel quickly between the city and the airports.

The service was based at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, located at Pier 6 on the East River in Lower Manhattan, New York City. It provided a convenient option for travelers looking to avoid traffic and save time when going to or from the airports.

Services

When it was running, US Helicopter offered quick flights to the airport that took eight minutes and cost $159. These flights ran on weekdays from early morning to evening, leaving on the hour to JFK Airport and returning to Manhattan at half past the hour. The company also provided special trips to popular spots like the Hamptons, Washington, D.C., Mohegan Sun, Foxwoods, and Atlantic City. The helicopters followed special paths approved by air traffic control and the FAA.

The company used three comfortable helicopters that could fit eight people each, with leather seats and two pilots. US Helicopter was the only airline in the United States that had special permission from both the United States Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration.

During the summer months, from June to September, the company also offered flights to East Hampton, New York and Belmar, New Jersey. The trip to East Hampton took 35 minutes and cost $799, while the trip to Belmar took 18 minutes and cost $326.

Each heliport had a special waiting area with comfortable chairs, big screens, and places to get travel information. Passengers flying with Delta Air Lines and Continental Airlines could check in at the heliport, get their boarding passes, and avoid going through airport security again. Passengers with other airlines could go to the right terminal to finish checking in and get to their gate.

History

US Helicopter began its service in March 2006, offering helicopter flights from Manhattan to Newark and JFK airports. Later that year, they added flights from the East 34th Street Heliport and from Newark Liberty International Airport.

Unfortunately, the company faced serious money problems in 2009. On September 25, 2009, US Helicopter suddenly stopped all its flights. The company could no longer afford to keep running or meet its financial reporting requirements, and it never started flying again.

Airports served

US Helicopter served several airports for its flights. These included the Downtown Manhattan Heliport and the East 34th Street Heliport in Manhattan. Flights also went to John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, and Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Additionally, there were seasonal flights to East Hampton Airport in New York and Monmouth Executive Airport in Belmar, New Jersey.

Fleet

US Helicopter had three Sikorsky S-76B helicopters in its fleet. They also planned to get Sikorsky S-76C models, but these orders were canceled because the company went bankrupt.