Announced Tuesday, Marriott International Luxury Group is providing free helicopter transfers from John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport from July 1 to Sept. 2.
The transfers can reduce transportation time from the airports into Manhattan to as little as five minutes. The flights, operated by the urban air mobility company Blade, are available for guests staying at least two nights in one of the six Manhattan hotels:Helicopter transfers land at one of two helipads in Manhattan: Blade Lounge East on East 34th Street or the newer Blade Lounge West on West 30th Street, where a car service waits to drive guests to their hotels.told CNBC the "Liberty Suite" at The Ritz-Carlton NoMad typically costs about $3,500 per night.
A round-trip transfer on a Blade helicopter between JFK or Newark Liberty and Manhattan starts at $390 for the basic fare and increases to $500 for a "Maximum Flexibility Fare." Ground transportation to and from Blade "lounges," or helipad locations, are an additional $180, he said.Travelers who are staying in rooms — rather than suites — in one of the six named hotels aren't completely out of luck, however.