What BLADE does

BLADE Urban Air Mobility, Inc. operates a technology-powered, app-based urban air mobility platform that aggregates third-party licensed air carriers (helicopters, seaplanes, turboprops, and jets) to deliver short-distance point-to-point flights in major metropolitan markets. Founded in 2014 and headquartered at 31 Hudson Yards, New York, the company acts as an indirect air carrier and air charter broker rather than owning or operating aircraft itself. Its proprietary iOS/Android application and website enable on-demand booking of scheduled by-the-seat flights, shared charters, private charters, and crowdsourced flights across a curated network spanning Manhattan, the Hamptons, Westchester, the French Riviera, Monaco, and the Alps. Branded BLADE lounges at five heliports (three in Manhattan, one in Nice, one in Monaco) provide differentiated customer experience including dedicated staff, security fast-track, and ground transport coordination.

BLADE generates revenue primarily through per-seat transaction fees on scheduled routes — Manhattan to JFK/Newark from $195, Manhattan to Hamptons from $595-$795, Nice to Monaco from €195 — supplemented by full-charter pricing on private flights and subscription-style recurring revenue from seasonal and annual passes (Hamptons Summer Pass $4,775, Limitless Pass $25,000, Southampton Pass $2,975, Westchester Commuter Pass $1,000/month or $10,000/year). Crowdsourced flights allow users to launch a private charter and earn BLADE credits as remaining seats are sold to other travelers. The company historically operated the largest dedicated organ air transport platform in the United States through its Trinity Air Medical subsidiary until that business was spun off in August 2025.

In August 2025, Joby Aviation completed the acquisition of BLADE's passenger business for up to $125 million, converting the asset into a wholly-owned subsidiary led by founder and CEO Rob Wiesenthal. Concurrently, the medical business was separated and renamed Strata Critical Medical (NASDAQ: SRTA). The combined entity historically generated approximately $197 million in annual revenue and flew more than 50,000 passengers across the New York metropolitan area and Southern Europe in 2024. Strategic distribution partnerships with Uber (planned 2026 app integration), Delta Air Lines, Metropolis Technologies (25 planned vertiports), Zip Aviation, Monacair, and Héli Sécurité position BLADE's passenger platform for integration into broader urban mobility ecosystems ahead of Joby's planned eVTOL aircraft commercialization, supported by approximately $894 million of cumulative Toyota investment into Joby.

Name

BLADE

Legal name

BLADE Urban Air Mobility, Inc.

Website

https://blade.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

BLADE is an app-based urban air mobility platform aggregating third-party helicopter, seaplane, and jet operators to deliver scheduled by-the-seat and private charter flights across NYC, the Hamptons, and the French Riviera. Passenger business acquired by Joby Aviation in 2025.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Urban Air Mobility

NAICS

Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation (481211), Nonscheduled Air Transportation (4812), Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation (481219)

SIC

Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)

akta.pro primary industry

Helicopter Passenger Services Operations & Dispatch (Brokerages/Platforms) (TLAFACAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Helicopter Passenger Services Brokerage, Booking & Aggregation Platforms (THABAGAJ), VIP/Executive Helicopter Transport (THABAGAH), Helicopter Resort & Remote Destination Transfers (TLAFACAF)

Keywords

• Urban air mobility
• Helicopter charter services
• Private aviation booking
• Seaplane transportation
• Air charter brokerage

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. By-the-Seat Scheduled Flights: BLADE sells individual seats on scheduled helicopter, seaplane, and turboprop routes between city centers and airports or leisure destinations (e.g., Manhattan↔JFK/Newark, Manhattan↔Hamptons, Nice↔Monaco). Revenue is earned per seat per flight on a per-transaction basis.
2. Private Charter & Crowdsourced Flights: Customers book entire aircraft for private point-to-point flights (jets, helicopters, turboprops) to any destination worldwide. BLADE coordinates logistics, operators, lounges, and ground transport. Revenue is earned on the full charter price minus operator costs.
3. Season Passes and Commuter Passes: BLADE sells annual and seasonal passes (Hamptons Summer Pass, Limitless Pass, Southampton Pass, Montauk Sky Pass, BLADE Commuter Pass Monthly/Annual, Westchester 5/10 Seat Packs) that provide discounted per-seat access across the flight network with guaranteed pricing for the pass duration.
4. Medical / Organ Transport Flights: BLADE operates the largest dedicated organ air transport platform in the U.S., providing time-sensitive medical charter services. This includes both helicopter and fixed-wing medical transport, serving hospitals and transplant networks.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

BLADE operates a technology-powered urban air mobility platform that aggregates third-party helicopter, seaplane, turboprop, and jet operators via a proprietary mobile app and website. It sells by-the-seat scheduled flights (Manhattan↔airports, Manhattan↔Hamptons, Nice↔Monaco), on-demand private charters worldwide (BLADE Anywhere), scenic helicopter tours on the French Riviera, special event transportation, and seasonal/commuter subscription passes. The company does not own or operate aircraft but functions as an air charter broker and indirect air carrier, integrating with FAA-certified U.S. operators and DGAC-certified European carriers to deliver a consistent, premium passenger experience through its branded lounge network and 24/7 Flier Relations support.

Product overview

BLADE Urban Air Mobility is a technology-powered, app-based urban air mobility platform offering multiple service tiers: by-the-seat scheduled flights (BLADE Airport, BLADE Westchester, BLADE Hamptons, Montauk Sky, Nice-Monaco), on-demand private charters (BLADE Anywhere, BLADE Europe Private Jet), scenic tours (French Riviera Helicopter Tours), and event services (BLADELive). The platform integrates with third-party operators through licensed carriers and partners including Tote Taxi, Bags VIP, Monacair, and Héli Sécurité. BLADE operates as an air charter broker, not a direct air carrier, coordinating flights through DOT/FAA licensed operators. The portfolio was expanded through the 2021 acquisition of Trinity Air Medical for medical transport and subsequently narrowed when Joby Aviation acquired Blade's passenger business in 2025. Subscriptions and passes (BLADE Summer Passes, BLADE Commuter Pass) provide recurring revenue, while the Uber App Integration enables cross-platform booking.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BLADE Airport: By-the-seat helicopter flights between Manhattan and NYC area airports (JFK, Newark) in approximately 5 minutes
• BLADE Hamptons
• BLADE Westchester
• BLADE Europe
• BLADE Anywhere
• BLADE Live
• BLADE Alps
• Strata Critical Medical

Products and services

• BLADE Airport By-the-seat helicopter flights between Manhattan and JFK or Newark airports in approximately 5 minutes, with lounge access at Manhattan heliports and ground transportation coordination. Targeted at affluent travelers avoiding NYC ground traffic.
• BLADE Hamptons Helicopter and seaplane service between Manhattan and six Hamptons destinations (Westhampton, Southampton, Sag Harbor, Shelter Island, East Hampton, Montauk) in 35–45 minutes, with seasonal passes available. Targets affluent weekend leisure travelers.
• BLADE Westchester 12-minute helicopter flights between Westchester County Airport and Manhattan, offering weekday commuter service from $225 per seat with annual and monthly commuter pass options. Also includes Westchester↔JFK/EWR routes.
• Montauk Sky Scheduled and seasonal pass service between New York City and Montauk from $695 per seat, operating with amphibious seaplane and fixed-wing aircraft for ~45-minute flights.
• BLADE Anywhere On-demand private charter service for jets, helicopters, and turboprops to any destination worldwide, with 24/7 flier relations support and access to private lounges. Targeted at corporate travel managers and individual private aviation customers.
• Nice ↔ Monaco Service By-the-seat helicopter flights between Nice Côte d'Azur Airport and Monaco heliport in approximately 7 minutes, operating with Airbus H130 aircraft from €195 per seat. Serves French Riviera business and luxury leisure travelers.
• BLADE Europe Private Jet Bespoke private jet charter service across Europe with light, mid-size, heavy, and long-range jets operated by EASA-certified partners, including helicopter connections to Monaco, Nice, Cannes, and Saint-Tropez for seamless door-to-door service.
• French Riviera Helicopter Tours Panoramic helicopter tours departing from Monaco, Cannes, and Saint-Tropez with shared and private options ranging from 10 to 60 minutes, showcasing the French Riviera coastline and landmarks.
• Alps Charter Helicopter charter service to ski resorts across France, Switzerland, and Italy including Courchevel, Megève, Gstaad, and Val d'Isère, with year-round access to Alpine destinations.
• BLADELive: U.S. Open Special event helicopter service to the 2026 U.S. Open Championship at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, offering ~35-minute flights from Manhattan with dedicated BLADE Lounge at the venue.
• BLADE Live Events Special event helicopter service to the Palm Tree Music Festival in Southampton and other high-profile events, including ground transportation to the venue.
• BLADE Summer Passes Seasonal subscription passes for Hamptons flights including the Hamptons Summer Pass ($4,775), Limitless Pass ($25,000 unlimited), Southampton Pass ($2,975 unlimited), and Montauk Sky Pass ($795).
• BLADE Commuter Pass Annual ($10,000) and monthly ($1,000/month with 3-month minimum) subscription passes for Westchester commuter flights with discounted seat pricing from $125 and companion seat discounts.

Quantifiable outcome

• Manhattan ↔ JFK/Newark in 5 minutes vs. 60–120 minutes by car
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• Aero (Private Jet Airline)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 June 2026Aero, a private jet airline, launched direct Los Angeles–East Hampton summer flights (June 22, 2026) combining a Gulfstream IV-SP flight from Van Nuys to New York with a helicopter transfer via BLADE to East Hampton. This partnership positions BLADE as the final leg transfer partner for Aero's coast-to-coast private jet service targeting affluent travelers seeking to bypass weekend Hamptons traffic.
• Zip AviationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 8 May 2026Zip Aviation continued as the exclusive helicopter operator for the 2026 Championship Golf Season, including the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club — a role it has held since 2016. BLADE leads marketing, sales, and customer-facing flight operations while Zip Aviation manages end-to-end flight logistics and venue landing zones. The expanded partnership reflects growing demand for luxury helicopter transportation to major sporting events in high-traffic destinations like the Hamptons.
• Metropolis TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2025Joby Aviation (parent of BLADE) announced a partnership with Metropolis Technologies to develop 25 vertiport sites across the United States, leveraging Metropolis' network of over 4,200 parking locations and AI-based recognition technology. Metropolis will initially bring its Bags VIP baggage handling service to BLADE Urban Air Mobility, providing flights between Manhattan and JFK or Newark airports. The companies plan to evaluate both new and existing facilities for vertiport integration in early electric air taxi markets.
• Uber TechnologiescoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 September 2025Joby Aviation and Uber announced plans to integrate BLADE's air mobility services into the Uber app as early as 2026, following Joby's acquisition of BLADE's passenger business. The partnership leverages BLADE's existing network of 50,000+ passengers flown in 2024 across the New York metro area and Southern Europe to accelerate electric air taxi adoption. Uber Air powered by Joby will allow users to book BLADE helicopter flights through the Uber app, providing BLADE access to Uber's massive user base as a distribution channel.
• Joby AviationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 August 2025Joby Aviation completed the acquisition of Blade Air Mobility's passenger business for up to $125 million in August 2025. BLADE's passenger operations became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Joby Aviation, with BLADE's founder and CEO Rob Wiesenthal continuing to lead the business. The transaction gives Joby access to BLADE's established network of terminals and loyal flyers in key markets including New York and Southern Europe, while positioning BLADE to leverage Joby's electric eVTOL aircraft for future air taxi services. BLADE's medical logistics business (now Strata Critical Medical, trading as SRTA) was retained by Blade and continues as an independent entity with access to Joby's electric aircraft for medical missions.
• Delta Air LinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelta Air Lines is a strategic partner of Joby Aviation, which owns BLADE's passenger business. Delta and Joby are collaborating on end-to-end air taxi service integration, with Delta providing connection support, loyalty program integration, and marketing. The partnership positions BLADE/Joby services as a premium airport transfer option for Delta customers traveling through New York, Los Angeles, and other markets.
• MonacaircoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMonacair is BLADE's key helicopter operator partner for Monaco-based French Riviera flights, including the Nice↔Monaco route and Monaco panoramic tours. Monacair operates Airbus H130 aircraft from Monaco Heliport as part of BLADE's European network.
• Héli SécuritécoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHéli Sécurité operates directly from Grimaud Heliport, specializing in Saint-Tropez transfers and scenic coastal tours. Héli Sécurité is a key operator partner for BLADE's French Riviera charter services, underpinning Saint-Tropez private helicopter flights booked through the BLADE app.
• GOAT USAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGOAT USA, an American casual lifestyle brand founded in 2016, launched a summer 2026 'Legendary Upgrade' marketing campaign in partnership with BLADE Urban Air Mobility. GOAT USA personalities surprised Hamptons-bound commuters in New York City with free BLADE helicopter flights as part of an experiential marketing activation designed to build brand loyalty and generate social media content.
• Palm Tree Music FestivalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBLADE is the official helicopter transport partner for the Palm Tree Music Festival in Southampton, NY (June 27, 2026). BLADE provides by-the-seat helicopter flights from Manhattan to Southampton Heliport for festival attendees, with ground transportation provided directly to the festival entrance. This partnership generates direct bookings during peak summer leisure demand periods.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Joby Aviation: BLADE's parent company following the August 2025 acquisition. Joby is developing electric eVTOL aircraft for commercial air taxi service and acquired BLADE specifically to gain its passenger network, lounges, and customer base. Comparable as the strategic acquirer integrating BLADE into its urban air mobility stack.
• Wheels Up: Wheels Up is a large membership-based private aviation company offering shared and whole-aircraft charter across the U.S. Comparable to BLADE Anywhere as a digital charter broker serving affluent consumers and corporate travel managers, though broader in scope and jet-focused.
• NetJets: NetJets (Berkshire Hathaway) is the world's largest fractional jet ownership and private aviation company. Comparable as a premium private aviation provider serving HNW customers with shared and dedicated aircraft access, though broader in scale and ownership-model rather than app-based.
• Blade (Uber integration): Uber's planned 'Uber Air powered by Joby' integration places BLADE's services within the Uber app from 2026. Uber is a broad incumbent in mobility and a key distribution partner; comparable as the platform through which BLADE's urban air mobility service will reach mainstream consumers.

Direct peers

• Surf Air Mobility: Surf Air operates a membership-based regional air mobility platform in California and other U.S. markets, offering scheduled flights and charter on turboprops and (planned) electric aircraft. Directly comparable as a tech-enabled, app-based consumer air mobility subscription platform targeting affluent travelers.

Emerging players

• Lilium: Lilium is developing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for regional air mobility, with planned commercial routes in the U.S., Europe, and Brazil. Comparable as a competing eVTOL platform pursuing urban and regional air taxi services with a similar target customer profile.
• Archer Aviation: Archer is developing electric eVTOL aircraft for urban air mobility, with planned commercial service in partnership with United Airlines. Comparable as a competing eVTOL player targeting similar NYC and U.S. urban air taxi use cases as BLADE/Joby.
• Volocopter: Volocopter is a German eVTOL developer designing electric air taxi services for intra-city routes. Comparable as a competing urban air mobility platform pursuing similar city-center-to-airport and scenic routes in Europe.

Regional players

• Heli Sécurité: Héli Sécurité is a French Riviera helicopter operator based in Grimaud, operating Saint-Tropez transfers and coastal tours. Comparable as one of BLADE's key third-party operator partners in Europe and a regional peer in the French Riviera helicopter charter market.
• Monacair: Monacair is the principal helicopter operator at Monaco Heliport, providing scheduled Nice-Monaco services and charter across the French Riviera. Comparable as BLADE's primary Monaco-based operating partner and a direct regional competitor on Riviera routes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/flybladenow
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@bladeurbanairmobility1601
• Facebookfacebook.com/FlyBladeNow
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fly-blade
• Instagraminstagram.com/flyblade

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors12 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BLADE