BLADEone, a per-seat helicopter-private jet link between New York City and Miami, is kicking off its second season tomorrow in time for this weekend's Art Basel event in Miami Beach. It will use “Blade Bounce” helicopters and a Bombardier CRJ200 reconfigured for 16 passengers in a VIP cabin.
Customers can book flights using their personal mobile devices via the Blade app and can also access FBOs' passenger lounges. Jet service from Westchester County Airport in White Plains, NY, to Miami has been reduced to $1,750 per passenger one way; adding the helicopter link from Manhattan to planeside at Westchester adds $250.
To kick-start the service, BLADEone is offering a complimentary suite at Miami Beach's Faena Hotel this weekend only, for customers who purchase a roundtrip ticket for two. Service will continue on a weekly basis through April 16, with flights departing Manhattan's West 30th Street heliport at 8:30 a.m. on Friday mornings and returning from Miami on Sundays at 4 p.m.
Jet flights are operated by Corporate Flight Management, while Lima NY Corp. Helicopter flights are operated by Liberty Helicopters, Zip Aviation and other operators. Blade’s Miami hub will also be offering intra-Florida flights, as well as flights between Miami, the Bahamas and Cuba.