Uber forays into urban air mobility with Uber Copter

Uber announced its first step toward building the future of urban air mobility and transforming urban aviation: Uber Copter.

Initially available to Platinum and Diamond Uber Rewards members—as well as select Uber partners—Uber Copter is the company's first aerial ride-sharing option. Trips will run between lower Manhattan and JFK airport.

Starting July 9, Uber Copter will be available Monday through Friday during afternoon rush hours for trips between lower Manhattan and JFK International Airport. If the journey is starting or ending within Uber's designated zone, the customer will see Copter as an option in the Uber app. The designated zone includes all of Manhattan south of Houston Street and select areas with access to the West Side Highway.

One can simply set their pickup and dropoff locations—one in Manhattan and the other at JFK airport—to see Copter's windows of availability and pricing. A single tap of a button can provide access to a ride with Uber from the pickup location to the heliport, a helicopter flight, and a ride from the heliport to the destination.

All flights are operated by Uber's partner, HeliFlite, a licensed FAA/DOT direct air carrier. HeliFlite has earned ARGUS Platinum and Wyvern Wingman safety ratings, both of which are awarded after an audit of an operator's safety programmes. Heliflite operates twin-engine, dual-piloted aircraft, and all of their pilots are instrument-rated.

As part of focus on safety, Uber will voluntarily implement a Safety Management System (SMS) for Uber Copter and their entire organisation to build a world-class safety foundation for the future of Uber Air service. This system employs a data-driven approach to accident prevention by incorporating trend analysis and robust hazard reporting. The Federal Aviation Administration currently requires SMS's for the airline industry, but not for on-demand helicopter charter operators and HeliFlite already has an established SMS in place for its operations.

Uber Copter has the potential to change the face of urban mobility, offering door-to-door airport trips designed so one can spend less time stressed and even less time in traffic.