Uber customers will be able to request conversation-free rides and helicopters as the ride-sharing company rolls out its newest round of services.
The San Francisco-based company announced Tuesday its plan to expand “no talking” trips through its newest service, called Uber Comfort. Uber Comfort will feature newer, midsize cars, extra legroom, and a slew of rider preferences that will allow customers to request their ideal temperature and conversation level with the driver.
“Uber Comfort was built for riders who are constantly on the go and want a little extra comfort,” an Uber press release reads. “We’ve all been there: you need a little quiet time, prefer to stretch your legs, or simply like an extra comfortable ride out to dinner when friends are in town.”
Uber Black and Black SUV rides, which include more premium options for luggage assistance and extended pickup periods, already include these upgraded services. Uber Comfort will give customers “an upgrade to [their] everyday ride” without the added expense of Uber Black.
The company’s latest ride-sharing option is available in 42 major cities throughout the U.S., including the entirety of Connecticut and Rhode Island. Only drivers with a rating of 4.85 or higher will be able to participate.
The ride-hailing giant has also decided to expand its influence to the skies, launching Uber Copter, a New York City-based helicopter service.
Starting July 9, customers will be able to hail a helicopter from Manhattan to John F. Kennedy International Airport. The flights, operated by HeliFlite, will run on the weekdays during afternoon rush hour and are expected to save riders an hour of travel time to the airport. The eight-minute ride will cost approximately $200.
Uber Copter can accommodate up to five riders per trip. Each customer can bring a carry-on-sized bag and a personal item aboard.
According to CNN Business, the high-flying service will only be available to platinum and diamond Uber customers who are planning trips involving lower Manhattan, JFK Airport, and areas close to the West Side Highway. Helicopter rides can be booked up to five days in advance or the day of, like normal Uber rides.
In June 2019, Uber debuted Uber Elevate and announced its ambitious plan to use flying cars for “aerial ride-sharing” by 2023. Uber Copter marks the company’s continued effort to achieve this lofty goal.
There are plenty of critics who are skeptical because of safety concerns, especially after a helicopter crashed on a Manhattan rooftop in June. Uber’s Eric Allison, head of the Elevate program, said the company continues to “make safety the absolute bedrock of everything [they] do.”
