- Six Marriott hotels in New York City are providing free airport transfers by helicopter.
- They're offering the Blade rides to guests in select suites at some of its most luxurious hotels.
- Blade's shared transfers between JFK or Newark and Manhattan cost from $195 per seat each way.
Six of Marriott's most luxurious hotels in New York City are offering free helicopter airport transfers to some of their top-paying guests.
Marriott said on Tuesday that some guests staying for two nights or more in select suites at the hotels, all of which are part of its Luxury Group, would get complimentary roundtrip helicopter transfers to and from John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport, operated by Blade.
Marriott said that guests could get from the airport to central Manhattan "in as few as five minutes, dramatically reducing high-traffic commute time."
Offering high-class perks is a way for luxury hotels to differentiate themselves in a crowded market and make guests feel like they're getting more for their money.
Kathleen Reidenbach, senior vice president of marketing and commercial for IHG hotels and resorts, told The Telegraph that perks build brand loyalty "and leave lasting impressions."
Marriott said the helicopter would land at one of Blade's helipads on East 34th Street or West 30th Street, where the guests would be chauffeured to their hotels. It's also offering the service in reverse for guests returning to the airport.
The service, which is being offered between July 1 and September 2, is available at the following:
- The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, including the Ritz-Carlton Suite, the Liberty Suite, and the Penthouse Residences.
- The St. Regis New York, including the 5th Avenue Suite, the Grand Suite, the St. Regis Suite, and the Madison Suite.
- JW Marriott Essex House New York, including the Delacorte Presidential Suite, the Meadow Terrace Suite, and the Artisans Terrace Suite.
- W New York — Union Square, including the WOW and EWOW suites.
- The New York EDITION, including the Madison Suite, the Flatiron Suite, the Park Suite, and the Penthouse Suite.
- The Luxury Collection Hotel Manhattan Midtown, including the Sky Suite with 1 King Bed, the Atrium Suite with 1 King Bed, and the Penthouse on 54.
Blade, which was founded in 2014, offers both shared and private helicopter services in the US, Canada, and Europe.
It also operates a medical service and describes itself as "one of the largest transporters of human organs for transplant."
Blade offers transfers between JFK or Newark and Manhattan from $195 per seat each way. This includes ground transport between the airport and the helicopter's landing pad.
But passengers are only able to bring one commercial airline carry-on and one personal item each, with a total maximum weight of 25 pounds, Blade says — passengers who want to bring more than this will need to pay for a Tote Taxi service.
Marriott said that all guests staying at the above hotels, regardless of their suite, would have access to "exclusive rates" for Blade's helicopter airport transfers and car transfers.