Blade Moves Into L.A. Market

Per-seat helicopter booking service Blade is expanding into the Los Angeles metro market, with service between downtown and the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Westside, Orange County, and Burbank, the company recently announced. Blade said flights to downtown Los Angeles will be scheduled for hockey and basketball games, marquee concerts, and other events at the Staples Center. Prices begin at $195 per passenger. Blade’s L.A. operations use Airbus H130s and will follow noise-abatement routes, altitudes, and best practices, the company noted.

Similar to Blade service at New York’s JFK airport, the Los Angeles operation will allow customers to opt to be escorted on the tarmac from the helicopter to their American Airlines flight (and vice versa) with that carrier’s Five Star Service, which can be purchased via the Blade app or website by choosing "American add-on."