Uber launching helicopter service to JFK this summer

Uber is finally ready to take to the skies — and has chosen the Big Apple for its helicopter-sharing debut.

The ride-hailing giant said Thursday its aerial division, Uber Elevate, will launch a luxe service called Uber Copter on July 9 that will fly passengers from Lower Manhattan to JFK airport in eight minutes.

As with all Uber rides, the cost will be subject to surge pricing, but most rides will fall in a range between $200 and $225, said Eric Allison, head of Uber Elevate.

“Our plan is to eventually roll out Uber Copter to more Uber customers and to other cities, but we want to do it right,” Allison said. “The main goal of this initial venture is to understand the operations behind aerial vehicles.”

Travelers in a hurry will get driven to the Staten Island Ferry terminal and arrive at a helipad near Terminal 8 at JFK, where another car will drive them on the tarmac to their departing terminal.

The service may not be ideal for families flying overseas: Uber Copter’s $200-plus charge is by the seat, and passengers are limited to one 40-pound bag each, as the copters can’t handle too much weight.

Customers can book a flight on Uber Copter instantly on the main app, or reserve a spot up to five days in advance. The helicopters will fit up to five people and will run on weekdays during afternoon rush hour.

Not all Uber users will be able to take advantage of Uber Copter, however — the aerial rides will only be available to Platinum and Diamond members of the Uber Rewards loyalty program.

To become a Platinum member, you need to spend at least $2,500 with Uber in a six-month period, while Diamond members need to shell out at least $7,500 on rides and Uber Eats to cement their status.

Uber Copter will go head-to-head against Blade Urban Air Mobility, which launched a Manhattan-to-JFK service in March for $195. Blade’s 7 a.m.-to-7 p.m. service from Manhattan now leaves from three Blade Lounges — near Hudson Yards on the West Side, East 34th Street and Wall Street – and also offers continuous flights to LaGuardia and Newark Airports from Sunday through Friday.

Blade CEO Rob Wiesenthal told The Post he welcomed the competition, saying there was “no greater validation of Blade’s strategy and No. 1 market position than Uber’s entering the Urban Air Mobility market in New York City.”

Shares of Uber were up 0.6% Thursday morning, at $45.32.

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