Uber is making its first steps into commercial operation of aerial ride-hailing, after years of promises.
Shivani Vora reports that Uber is launching Uber Copter in New York City on July 9.
"The new service, booked through Uber’s app, will take passengers between Lower Manhattan and Kennedy International Airport, an eight-minute flight," according to Vora.
It's not quite the electric sky-taxis promised by Uber Air, the company's ongoing attempt to conquer the skies, but it's also far closer to fruition.
Uber Copter is also an exclusive, and expensive product. "Uber Copter will be available only to users who are Platinum and Diamond members — the top two tiers — of the company’s loyalty program, Uber Rewards," according to Vora. The dynamic pricing model for the trips will probably result in trips costing an average of $200 to $225.
According to a separate article by Katie Pyzyk, Uber officials are saying Uber Copter will "lay the foundation" for Uber Air vehicles. Pyzyk also describes Uber's airborne operations as a benefit only for the wealthy, and not a congestion or mobility solution for the average person.
Another article by John Surico goes a step further to argue that Uber Copter will make transit worse for New York City—even after setting aside noise and pollution effects of the new service.
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