What it's like onboard the swanky 'Uber for helicopters,' where riders get served rosé in sippy cups

Blade chopper lounge
Inside one of Blade's luxury lounges in Manhattan. Blade

Getting to the Hamptons can be hard for the 1%.

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A sort of "Uber for helicopters," Blade, lets you book short flights between Manhattan and the Hamptons and to any of the New York City area airports using an app.  

It costs $575 a seat to fly to the Hamptons; between $800 and $900 for a flight to the airport.

Last summer, Blade partnered with Liberty Helicopter to charter 800 trips to the Hamptons in just 16 weeks.

Here's what it looks like to try Blade.

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Before the flight, users can hang out in one of the three luxury lounges Blade operates in Manhattan.

Never ever run out of rosé. #flyblade

A photo posted by Fly BLADE (@flyblade) on Apr 17, 2015 at 4:48pm PDT

 

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The lounges have lots of swanky leather seating.

Kick ass 🚁🚁🚁lounge, this is how we roll! @flyblade #flyblade#helicopter#luxury#app#nyclife

A photo posted by Harris Liu (@harris9085) on Apr 1, 2015 at 12:47pm PDT

 

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There are lots of "customer experience" representatives handing out free drinks and snacks.

Getting Ready for the CAA Express #bladeloungewest

A photo posted by Fly BLADE (@flyblade) on May 22, 2015 at 3:44pm PDT

 

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And the rosé is never in short supply. Blade serves drinks in these special cups so that they don't spill after takeoff.

The only way to drink your Rosé on the 🚁 #flyblade#wine#memorialday#weekend

A photo posted by Harris Liu (@harris9085) on May 21, 2015 at 3:37pm PDT

 

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Flights to the Hamptons take only about 30 minutes — a big upgrade from getting stuck in holiday traffic.

I guess, this is gonna be my typical day in this summer 🚁🚁☀️☀️☀️#summer#intern#nyc#luxury#helicopter#BladeBounce#flyblade

A photo posted by Harris Liu (@harris9085) on Apr 16, 2015 at 12:36pm PDT

 

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The rosé glasses make for the perfect Instagram shot from the sky.

#flyblade #flygirl we buzzed my house very cool

A photo posted by marcy simon (@teflonblondie) on Aug 18, 2014 at 4:21pm PDT

 

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As do a killer pair of shoes, as heiress Billie Carroll demonstrates.

Chillin' out maxin' relaxin' all cool #weekendvibes @schutzshoes @flyblade

A photo posted by 25°North x Billie Carroll (@billiecarroll) on May 23, 2015 at 11:44am PDT

 

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Angel investor Marcy Simon is a regular Blade customer. Here she is with some friends, plenty of rosé, and their dog.

 

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Simon told the New Yorker, "You meet new friends. The crowd is all different. It's aspirational."

Who runs the world? #girls #flyblade #flygirl @marcy @thisblondsguide @jessraiter #winggirl

A photo posted by marcy simon (@teflonblondie) on Aug 27, 2014 at 12:40pm PDT

 Source: New Yorker

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Memorial Day weekend is huge for travelers to the Hamptons. Blade officially launched on this weekend last year.

Epic ride in. Happy to be in MTK! @schutzshoes #schutzgirl

A photo posted by 25°North x Billie Carroll (@billiecarroll) on May 23, 2015 at 9:59am PDT

 

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According to a post on Rob Wiesenthal's Instagram account, Blade chartered more flights to the Hamptons than any other operator that weekend.

A photo posted by Rob Wiesenthal (@wiesenthal)

 

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Simon showed off her ride Monday night.

Kicking it home with @flyblade

A photo posted by marcy simon (@teflonblondie) on May 25, 2015 at 4:54pm PDT

 

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If nothing else, you can get a great view of the Hamptons from a Blade chopper.

 

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Even from the back seat, you can feel like you're flying the helicopter.

#chopperview #nyc landing #eastside #libertyhelicopters #flyblade #manhattan #helicopter #aerialphotography

A photo posted by ChopperViewNYC (@chopperviewnyc) on Apr 6, 2015 at 4:19pm PDT

 

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The Manhattan view isn't too bad either.

The Big Apple just before sunset #newyorkcity #newyork #NYC #nycpics #igersnyc #nycprimeshot #flyblade #FlyTheWhale #aerialphotography #HTC

A photo posted by Daniel Piraino (@fortlauderdale) on May 24, 2015 at 10:19am PDT

 

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Blade recently raised $6 million at a $25 million valuation. Google chairman Eric Schmidt, Discover Communications CEO David Zaslav, IAC's Barry Diller, Alex von Furstenberg, Raine Ventures, and iHeart Media chairman Bob Pittman all contributed to the round.

 

Source: Business Insider

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