The first time that I had ever used Uber was when I was visiting a friend in Washington D.C. awhile back. I was traveling into the city via a bus to Union Station when my friend sent me an invite to Uber, as that gave us one free ride. I downloaded the app, made an account, and then ordered a driver as we were pulling into the station. The driver called me when he was about two minutes away and we agreed upon a place for him to pick us up. He was friendly, helpful, and the entire experience was easy and positive. Ever since then, I’ve used Uber multiple times and have never had a negative experience. Sometimes drivers would even offer me bottled water or some breath mints; a plus when you’re returning home from a night out at the bars. Still, as much as I’ve used Uber, I have only ordered the basic cars. You can pay more money for what is called an “UberBLACK”. When you opt for that more expensive option, I am told that they send out a black, luxury sedan or SUV. But what if you wanted a helicopter?
Ever since Uber launched in 2009, they have been shaking up the transportation industry. They have now expanded across the world, and in my opinion, they provide the best ways for getting around when traveling or when you’re without a car. This has obviously annoyed the cab companies of the world, but that’s another story. Since they got their start, the company has looked to expand in different ways. Well in now looks like their helicopter, that’s right, helicopter service could be the future of the company.
Back in July of 2014, Uber wanted to try something a bit different. Their world was one filled with cars and SUV’s, and they wanted to take their company to all new heights. Quite literally. During that summer, Uber partnered up with a charter helicopter compnay called Blade to offer Uber helicopter rides from New York City to the Hamptons. You could book the helicopter from their app and then you’d receive a call from them confirming your ride. They would then pick you up in one of their luxury cars, take you to the helicopter, and then fly you out to the Hamptons. The ride cost around $3,000 dollars, and they only offered the service during that summer. It initially seemed like a marketing ploy, but since then they have expanded this service elsewhere.
It has recently been announced that UberCHOPPER, as it is called, will launch in Hong Kong on Saturday, August 8th. For one day only, you can book one of their helicopters to give you a tour of the city. Like in New York, they will pick you up from wherever you are in the city via an UberBLACK car and then take you to the Peninsula Hotel where the helipad is located. It costs around $232 dollars per person, but you won’t be going anywhere as it is just a 15-mintue helicopter tour of the city. After the ride, they will take you back home in an UberBLACK.
Uber has expanded their UberCHOPPER services in other areas of the world as well. Earlier this year, they provided this service for concert goers that wanted to travel from Nashville to the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. That trip was priced at about $1,500 dollars. The company has also offered this service in Cannes, Shanghai, and Mumbai, among other places, which leaves many wondering if this is the future of the revolutionary transportation company?
As interesting as UberCHOPPER is, Uber has only offered this service is select areas for a brief time period. They don’t typically have these helicopter flights running all the time. And obviously they are extremely expensive as well. It would seem like this is an extremely niche market for them, given the logistics and costs, however we continue to see flights offered in cities around the world. While I don’t think we will see regular helicopter services from Uber anytime soon, it does seem that the company is going to continue offering these rides for the time being. So whose up for a luxury helicopter ride?
Photo from cntraveller.in
