5 Lessons eVTOL Can Learn from Legacy Helicopter Airlines

Friday, January 07, 2022 at 11:11 AM ET

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New York Airways helicopters flew from a heliport atop the iconic Pan Am Building [Courtesy: Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum]

Key Takeaways:

Past helicopter airlines failed due to deadly accidents and subsequent loss of public trust, underscoring that paramount safety and positive public perception are critical for the success of eVTOL services.
Controlling high operating costs, which federal subsidies couldn't resolve for predecessors, and encouraging public acceptance (e.g., through piloted services and airport-to-city routes) are vital for financial viability.
Strategic route planning, focusing on tight, direct links with few stops, combined with seamless "first and last-mile" ground transportation integration, is essential for passenger demand and operational efficiency.

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As investors envision a new era of hovering, environmentally friendly, electric air taxis flying short hops over traffic jams to nearby airports, the history of U.S. helicopter airlines may offer some keys to success.

New York Airways (1953-1979) and Los Angeles Airways (1947-1971)—along with similar operations in San Francisco and Chicago—were aviation trailblazers, part of the first wave of vertical takeoff and landing passenger airlines.