Flying between Manhattan and the Hamptons has always symbolized wealth. But economically, it is a difficult business. Despite high prices (seats range from $795 to $1,795) and steady demand, with nearly a third of traffic to the region’s busiest private airport Coming from helicoptersOperators don’t make a lot of money. Blade Air Mobility, the largest provider of the route, has undergone a restructuring and has relied on other sectors, including medical organ transport and private aircraft services, to make up financial gaps.
The biggest hurdle, according to Blade founder and CEO Rob Wiesenthal, is the limited number of landing zones. Noise complaints restrict where passenger helicopters can operate. Blade New York roads It is currently limited to international airports and helipads in Manhattan, Chelsea, the Financial District, Midtown, and the Hamptons.
Blade is now betting on eVTOLs, or electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, as a solution to the noise problem. In August 2025, eVTOL developer Joby Aviation acquired Blade’s passenger business $125 millionWith the aim of integrating its aircraft into Blade’s existing customer network.
Joby, founded by JoeBen Bevirt, has been developing eVTOLs since 2009 and is now in the final stages of FAA certification. The planes are designed to be significantly quieter, up to 100 times quieter than helicopters, according to the company. If successfully deployed, eVTOLs could open up new landing sites in both cities and suburbs.
“We will reach the landing zones if we can prove that these planes are quiet and emissions-free,” Wiesenthal said.
He added: “The more landing zones, the lower the cost. Since Gobi planes have fewer moving parts and are electric, by definition, they will require less maintenance, and maintenance is one of the biggest [cost] Drivers.”
Wiesenthal said electric helicopters could bring additional cost benefits such as reduced landing fees, broader operating permissions and fewer curfews.
Financially, Blade’s passenger business has lagged behind its medical segment. in Second quarter of 2025the company Last financial release before Joby acquisition, The medical transportation business generated sales of more than $45.1 million, representing more than 60 percent of total revenue. the passenger Businesses contributed $25.7 million, including $17.2 million from short-haul flights such as helicopters and seaplanes.
Following the acquisition, Blade’s medical division now operates separately under the name Strata Critical Medical, focusing on organ transport and surgeon travel. Blade continues to provide helicopters for this work.
How far are we from the electric future?
After Joby’s eVTOL receives FAA approval, Blade and Joby plan to operate it alongside helicopters. “There will be a coexistence phase,” Wiesenthal said, noting that it will take some time to scale up production to serve Bled’s approximately 100,000 passengers annually.
Jobe did not provide a specific timeline for commercial launch, citing the unpredictability of FAA approval. However, it has been selected for early operations in as many as 11 states under White House auspices eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP)which could accelerate publication as early as this year. Prices have also not been finalized, although Wiesenthal expects they will eventually align with current helicopter prices before becoming more affordable over time.
The company has already logged more than 50,000 test and demonstration miles. In April, it completed its first point-to-point test flights at Port Authority airports, starting from end to end At John F. Kennedy International Airport. Joby also plans to establish partnerships with Uber and Delta Air Lines, both Investors in the company.
At the same time, demand for helicopter travel is expanding beyond leisure routes like the Hamptons, especially around major events. Hoper, a global helicopter booking platform, plans to launch private and shared flights in New York next September, coinciding with the US Open.
“The growing demand for premium travel to sporting events is one of the reasons we are expanding private charters in New York,” said Dimitris Mimos, CEO of Hoper. “You’re dealing with road closures, congestion and tight schedules.” Memos added that the company is also preparing to convert to eVTOL aircraft.
The helicopter ride to the Hamptons takes about 40 minutes, compared to more than three hours by car via the Long Island Expressway (no traffic). “There are very few ways to buy time,” Wiesenthal said. “We’re in an industry where we can actually create time that didn’t exist before.”
