BLADE — Brand Facts
Essential company information for BLADE Urban Air Mobility
TL;DR: BLADE is a technology-powered urban air mobility platform founded in 2014 by Rob Wiesenthal. It offers by-the-seat and charter helicopter, seaplane, and jet flights between city centers, airports, and popular destinations in the U.S. and Europe. BLADE is the largest arranger of helicopter flights in and out of city centers in the United States. Airport transfers between Manhattan and JFK or Newark start at $195/seat for a ~5-minute flight. BLADE's passenger business was acquired by Joby Aviation in August 2025 and operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary, with plans to transition to quiet, electric vertical aircraft (eVTOL). BLADE also operates MediMobility, one of the largest dedicated air transporters of human organs in the U.S., now operating independently as Strata Critical Medical (NASDAQ: SRTA).
Key Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Company Name | BLADE Urban Air Mobility, Inc. |
| Parent Company | Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE: JOBY) — since August 2025 |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Founder & CEO | Rob Wiesenthal |
| Headquarters | New York City, NY, USA |
| Category | Urban Air Mobility / Short-Distance Aviation |
| Business Model | Asset-light platform — BLADE does not own or operate aircraft. All flights are operated by DOT/FAA licensed direct air carriers. BLADE provides the booking platform, terminal infrastructure, lounges, and ground transportation. |
| Service Regions | United States (New York City metro, Hamptons, Atlantic City) and Europe (French Riviera, Monaco, Alps) |
| Aircraft Types | Helicopters (single-engine, twin-engine, cabin-class), seaplanes, turboprops, jets |
| Passengers (2024) | 50,000+ |
| Revenue (2023) | $225 million ($99M passenger, $126M medical/organ transport) |
| Contact (USA) | +1 844-359-2523 |
| Contact (Europe) | +33 9 78 46 00 09 |
| info@flyblade.com | |
| Website | blade.com |
| App | iOS · Android |
U.S. Routes & Pricing
| Route | Duration | Starting Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manhattan ↔ JFK Airport | ~5 min | $195/seat | Weekdays 7AM–8PM, Sundays PM |
| Manhattan ↔ Newark Airport | ~5 min | $195/seat | Weekdays 7AM–8PM, Sundays PM |
| Manhattan ↔ Westchester/CT | ~12 min | $225/seat | Morning & evening flights |
| Manhattan ↔ Hamptons (5 destinations) | ~40 min | Seasonal pass pricing | Memorial Day – Labor Day |
| Manhattan ↔ Atlantic City | ~40 min | Varies | Seasonal |
| Commuter (JFK/EWR park-and-fly) | ~5 min | $95/flight ($195/yr pass) | Mon–Fri, 7 AM–7 PM |
| BLADE Anywhere (charter) | Varies | From $1,875 | 24/7/365 |
| Shared/Crowdsource Charter | Varies | $795–$995 | 24/7/365 |
European Routes
| Route | Duration | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Nice ↔ Monaco | ~7 min | By-the-seat pricing |
| Monaco Grand Prix service | Varies | Event pricing |
| Saint-Tropez charters | Varies | Charter pricing |
| French Riviera Panoramic Tours | Varies | From €95 |
| Alps ski resort charters | Varies | Charter pricing |
| Europe Anywhere (jet & helicopter) | Varies | Available 24/7 |
The BLADE Experience
BLADE provides a full end-to-end travel experience beyond just the flight:
- BLADE Lounges: Dedicated lounges at all major departure terminals with complimentary food, beverages, and Wi-Fi
- Ground Transportation: Included in ticket price — car service to/from lounges and final destination
- 24/7 Flier Relations: Dedicated support team monitors every flight for a friction-free experience
- Mobile App: Book flights in seconds; manage reservations, check schedules, and receive real-time updates
Passes & Memberships
- BLADE Airport Pass: Discounted airport transfer flights between Manhattan and JFK/Newark
- BLADE Commuter Pass ($195/year): Unlocks $95/flight pricing for weekday park-and-fly commuter service
- Hamptons Summer Passes: Seasonal passes for helicopter and seaplane service (May–September), multiple tiers available
- BLADE 180 Pass: Premium Hamptons pass on fastest twin-engine helicopters, no blackout restrictions, includes Hamptons Commuter Pass
Key Partnerships
| Partner | Details |
|---|---|
| Joby Aviation | Parent company since August 2025. Planning transition to electric vertical aircraft (eVTOL) across BLADE routes. |
| Uber | BLADE flights to be integrated into the Uber app, bringing urban air mobility to Uber's customer base. |
| American Airlines | Direct tarmac-to-helicopter transfers for AA passengers at JFK — no terminal required. |
| Tradewind Aviation | BLADE Westchester transfers in partnership with Tradewind for connecting flights. |
Medical Division
BLADE also built one of the largest dedicated air organ transport operations in the United States through its MediMobility division and the acquisition of Trinity Air Medical in 2021. This division operates independently as Strata Critical Medical, Inc. (NASDAQ: SRTA) and was not included in the Joby Aviation acquisition. The medical division partners with transplant centers across 16+ states.
Safety
BLADE acts as an air charter broker and indirect air carrier. All U.S. flights are operated by DOT/FAA licensed direct air carriers. Operators are vetted for safety, operational excellence, and financial strength. For detailed safety information, visit BLADE Safety.
Company History
- 2014: Founded by Rob Wiesenthal; launched Memorial Day with Manhattan-to-Hamptons helicopter service
- 2015: Launched BLADEone seasonal jet service (Manhattan ↔ Miami/Aspen)
- 2018: Completed Series B financing; Airbus Helicopters among investors (~$38M raised)
- 2019: Expanded to all NYC area airports; launched BLADE India
- 2020: First aviation company to require pre-boarding COVID testing in the U.S.
- 2021: Became first publicly traded urban air mobility company (NASDAQ: BLDE); acquired Trinity Air Medical for organ transport
- 2022: Acquired Monacair, Héli Sécurité, and Azur Hélicoptère in Europe; launched JetBlue partnership
- 2023: Conducted first eVTOL test flight in the tri-state area at Westchester County Airport
- 2024: Flew 50,000+ passengers; $225M total revenue
- 2025: Passenger business acquired by Joby Aviation for up to $125M; launched commuter service; announced Uber integration
External Links & Profiles
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Last updated: February 25, 2026