American Airlines Offers Private Helicopter Transportation

American Airlines is expanding its exclusive Five Star Service options for its top customers traveling through Los Angeles (LAX) and New York (JFK). The new additions offer off-terminal entrance and private screening service with The Private Suite in LAX and a unique travel experience to JFK or LAX airports with Blade, a digitally powered aviation company.

American Airlines Five Star Service is a premium and personal airport experience available for departures, connections, or arrivals in select markets. The services provided by Blade and The Private Suite will be available as add-ons for customers purchasing Five Star Service or Five Star Select — an elevated Five Star Service experience with access to Flagship Lounge and Flagship First Dining.

Customers in the Los Angeles or the New York areas can skip the traffic and get to the airport faster with a private helicopter transfer from Blade. When traveling with Blade, customers will be picked up in the city at a destination of their choice and flown to LAX or JFK where they’ll be greeted by an American Airlines team member and escorted via Cadillac to Flagship First Check-In. After clearing security, customers can spend their extra time relaxing or working in the Admirals Club, Flagship Lounge, or Flagship First Dining before their flight. Blade service is also available for arriving customers.

“The No. 1 pain point of traveling from New York City and Los Angeles to the airports is traffic. Our Blade airport transfer product turns an hour-and-a-half drive into a helicopter flight that’s five to seven minutes,” said Rob Wiesenthal, founder and CEO of Blade. 

Premium cabin customers who value efficiency, luxury and privacy when traveling through LAX can choose to access The Private Suite’s private entrance to LAX, away from crowds and traffic. The exclusive, first-of-its-kind terminal offers customers with departing flights private, expedited security screening on site with Cadillac escort across the tarmac directly to their gate or to the Flagship Lounge and Flagship First Dining. Similarly, arriving customers can clear international customs in fewer than five minutes at The Private Suite’s own dedicated international arrivals hall.

Blade transfer service will be available to customers who book a private transfer through the Blade app. The Private Suite service will be available for customers traveling in premium cabins and can be booked by calling the Five Star Service team.