Uber to Offer Exciting Blade Helicopter Rides in the U.S. by 2026: Booking Details & Travel Tips

Just when you thought Uber couldn’t possibly find another way to take your money, they’ve decided to aim a little higher—literally. Get ready to trade your cramped UberX for a seat in a helicopter, because Uber is partnering with Blade to offer chopper rides right from the app. That’s right, the future is here, and it’s just as ridiculously extra as we all secretly hoped.

Let’s be honest, we’ve all been there: stuck in soul-crushing traffic, fantasizing about sprouting wings and just flying over the gridlock. Well, it seems Uber was listening to our desperate, traffic-induced daydreams. By 2026, you’ll be able to book a Blade helicopter or seaplane ride, which feels like something straight out of a video game’s fast-travel system. Except, you know, with a much steeper price tag than a few in-game credits.

Is This a Sci-Fi Movie or Just My Uber App?

The plan is simple, yet completely over-the-top. Blade’s existing helicopter services, which already shuttle the well-to-do around New York, will be integrated directly into the Uber app. This move comes after Joby Aviation, a company developing those futuristic electric air taxis we’ve been promised for years, acquired Blade. It seems Joby is playing the long game, using Blade’s current setup as a launchpad for its eventual fleet of quiet, zero-emission aircraft.

But for now, we’re stuck with good old-fashioned, fuel-guzzling helicopters. It’s a bit like getting a beta version of a futuristic feature—it’s cool, but not quite the eco-friendly utopia we were sold. Still, who are we to complain when we can finally live out our best billionaire-playboy fantasies on the way to JFK?

So, How Much Will This Cost Me?

If you’re already wincing at the cost of an Uber Black, you might want to sit down for this. A one-way Blade helicopter ride from Manhattan to JFK or Newark airports will set you back about $195 per person. For that price, you get to shave an hour or more off your travel time, turning a stressful crawl through traffic into a breezy five-minute flight. Is it worth it? That depends entirely on how much you value your time and how much you enjoy looking down on the traffic-stuck peasants below.

For those traveling with their entourage, chartering an entire helicopter is also an option, with prices starting at a cool $2,000. It’s a small price to pay to feel like a celebrity for a day. Plus, think of the Instagram stories. You can’t put a price on that kind of flex.

The Grand Plan: Blade, Joby, and Uber’s Sky-High Ambitions

This whole venture isn’t just about giving New Yorkers a flashy way to get to the airport. It’s the groundwork for something much bigger. Joby Aviation, which has been cozy with Uber since 2019, sees this as the perfect way to introduce its electric air taxis to the world. They plan to use Blade’s existing infrastructure—including their swanky passenger lounges—to roll out their services in major hubs like Dubai, Los Angeles, and London.

Joby’s electric aircraft are designed to be a game-changer. They’re supposed to be 100 times quieter than conventional helicopters, which is great news for anyone who doesn’t enjoy the sound of a small war happening overhead. They’ll carry four passengers and a pilot at speeds up to 200 mph, all with zero emissions. It’s the kind of green-tech future that sounds amazing on paper, but we’ll believe it when we see it. Until then, we’ll just have to make do with the noisy, jet-fueled choppers.

So, get ready. The next time you’re about to order an Uber, you might find yourself hesitating between “UberX” and “Helicopter.” It’s a wild new world, and Uber is determined to be our one-stop shop for all things transportation, whether on the road or in the sky. Just make sure your wallet is ready for the ride.