Uber ties up with Blade for helicopter rides to Coachella

Uber has teamed up with app-based helicopter charter service company, Blade, to offer helicopter rides to Coachella. UberCHOPPER services will be available to Californians residing in Los Angeles and Orange County.

UberCHOPPER services to Coachella have been priced at $4,170 (£2,952) each way, but customers get the entire helicopter to themselves. Besides, up to five people can tag along. Customers also get a taste of the high life thanks to Blade's open bar airport lounge at Van Nuys where free drinks flow free.

Blade CEO and founder Rob Weisenthall estimates that the helicopter ride will take just under an hour, the Business Insider reported. The journey can generally take several hours by car, depending on how severe traffic conditions are on a given day.

"We believe that the West Coast is underserved by short-distance aviation - especially helicopter travel," he said. "There is no better partner to explore the potential of this market than with Uber."

Since a round trip will cost a total of $8,340, Uber has offered taxi services for the trip back from the music festival at a discounted price. An Uber SUV will pick customers up from the event and transport them home for $399.

More discerning or frugal customers can also book a one way ride at $700 per seat. However, one would have to share the ride with others.

Customers can begin booking UberCHOPPER rides starting 25 March, via either the Uber or Blade apps. Flights will be available till 24 April, when the music festival ends.

Uber has teamed up with app-based helicopter charter service company, Blade, to offer helicopter rides to Coachella. UberCHOPPER services will be available to Californians residing in Los Angeles and Orange County.

UberCHOPPER services to Coachella have been priced at $4,170 (£2,952) each way, but customers get the entire helicopter to themselves. Besides, up to five people can tag along. Customers also get a taste of the high life thanks to Blade's open bar airport lounge at Van Nuys where free drinks flow free.

Blade CEO and founder Rob Weisenthall estimates that the helicopter ride will take just under an hour, the Business Insider reported. The journey can generally take several hours by car, depending on how severe traffic conditions are on a given day.

"We believe that the West Coast is underserved by short-distance aviation - especially helicopter travel," he said. "There is no better partner to explore the potential of this market than with Uber."

Since a round trip will cost a total of $8,340, Uber has offered taxi services for the trip back from the music festival at a discounted price. An Uber SUV will pick customers up from the event and transport them home for $399.

More discerning or frugal customers can also book a one way ride at $700 per seat. However, one would have to share the ride with others.

Customers can begin booking UberCHOPPER rides starting 25 March, via either the Uber or Blade apps. Flights will be available till 24 April, when the music festival ends.