As the crow flies, John F. Kennedy International Airport is only 13 miles from Midtown Manhattan, but those 13 miles can feel like an eternity when driving in New York City traffic. Taking a helicopter to the airport has been the transportation mode of choice for busy executives for years, but Blade Urban Air Mobility has revolutionized — and to some extent democratized — this option by offering a cost-effective solution. The company has created an app to help travelers arrange a flight to the airport with ease. As Blade advertises, “Five minutes in the air and you are there.”

While the company is best known for offering helicopter and seaplane trips to the Hamptons (and now Nantucket), Blade Airport launched its “by-the-seat” service in 2019, offering space on scheduled helicopter trips between Manhattan and New York-area airports (JFK, LaGuardia and Newark) for $195 per person. On our most recent trip to New York City, we decided to skip the car service — and the stress — and experience Blade for ourselves.

After downloading the app, I entered my credit card information and booked the helicopter flight I needed. Passengers are limited to one 25-pound carry-on, so I had to keep weight limits in mind when packing and again while shopping in the city. (For those going to the Hamptons with larger luggage or, say, golf clubs, Blade can arrange a Tote Taxi upgrade upon checkout and deliver your excess bags separately; however, that service is not available for the airport flights, so pack wisely.)