Athens-based helicopter firm hoper, which launched this summer time, is the primary that lets prospects e-book scheduled flights to and from 11 locations. Guests can fly from Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini to different islands like Antiparos, Spetses, and Tinos.
One-way fares begin at $195 and may go as much as about $380, relying on location. A 48-minute flight from Athens to Mykonos, with none baggage, prices practically $440 for the tip of August, in response to hoper’s web site.
“With hoper, we flip hours into minutes, and vacationers earn as much as a full day of trip,” stated hoper CEO Demitris Memos in a press launch final month.
Ferry companies in Greece are inclined to cease at a number of islands, including to journey time. For example, ferry journeys from Athens to Mykonos begin at $46 and may take as much as six hours.
Hoper additionally affords chartered helicopter flights for a similar routes.
Helicopter firms globally are more and more providing flights — chartered or scheduled — for folks prepared to pay a premium to slash time spent touring. Locals do not at all times love the additional noise, although. New York Metropolis is eyeing laws for helicopters after noise complaints soared in 2023, in comparison with the prior yr.
Earlier this week, six of Marriott’s most luxurious accommodations in New York Metropolis stated they’re providing free helicopter airport transfers to a few of their top-paying company.
The flights will probably be operated by Blade, a personal helicopter companies firm that launched in 2014. Working in New York, Southern California, and the Bay Space, Blade sells personal or shared rides to airports and locations just like the Hamptons.
Blade competes with Uber’s helicopter companies and newer gamers like Archer and Volocopter, a part of a booming business betting on air taxis turning into extra mainstream.
