Continental Airlines has partnered with US
Helicopter, which is expanding its service for the second time in
its first year of operation, to offer shuttle service between
Manhattan and the airline's Newark hub beginning Dec. 18.
The helicopter
shuttle ride will take eight minutes and will cost $159 one-way,
plus security fees. US Helicopter customers traveling on
Continental flights will be able to check in and receive boarding
passes for US Helicopter and Continental as well as complete
security screening at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport at Wall
Street.
Bags checked at
the heliport will be checked through to the passenger's final
travel destination. At Newark Liberty Airport, customers will
arrive at a dedicated US Helicopter parking location on the secure
side of Terminal C, where they will then be able to proceed
directly to the departure gate for their Continental
flight.
"This is a
premium service for premium flyers wanting to save valuable time,"
said Mark Erwin, Continental's senior vice president Asia/Pacific
and corporate development.
US Helicopter,
which launched service in February, already partners with American
on its service from Manhattan to New York's Kennedy
Airport.
In June it began
service from the airport in Bridgeport, Conn., to Manhattan and,
via Manhattan to Kennedy. This past November, it acquired another
$4.5 million in financing, which it plans to use for marketing and
working capital.
US Helicopter has
said it expects to add service from a second New York location, the
East 34th Street Heliport, shortly after Jan. 1. It currently
operates from only the Downtown Manhattan Heliport at the foot of
the East River and Wall Street, and opening the second location has
been contingent on working out security arrangements.
US Helicopter
said it believes adding the second location will lead to more
interline and partnership agreements with major carriers serving
Newark, Kennedy and LaGuardia airports in the New York
area.
To contact reporter Andrew Compart, send e-mail to [email protected].