Hoper, a new company, offers scheduled helicopter flights to 11 Greek destinations, drastically cutting travel time compared to traditional ferries which can take up to six hours. More premium travel options are becoming available, such as Blade and Uber’s helicopter services. Island-goers in Greece can now fly to some of the country’s most remote destinations in under 45 minutes.
Athens-based helicopter company hoper, which launched this summer, is the first company that allows customers to book scheduled flights to and from 11 destinations. Visitors can fly from Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini to other islands like Antiparos, Spetses, and Tinos. One-way fares start at $195 and go up to about $380 depending on the location. A 48-minute flight from Athens to Mykonos, without luggage, costs nearly $440 at the end of August according to hoper’s website.
“With hoper, we turn hours into minutes, and travelers earn up to a full day of vacation,” said hoper CEO Demitris Memos in a recent press release. Ferry services in Greece often make stops at multiple islands, adding to travel time. Charter helicopter flights are also available for the same routes. Globally, helicopter companies are offering flights for those willing to pay a premium to save time.
In New York City, six of Marriott’s most luxurious hotels are offering free helicopter airport transfers to their top-paying guests, with flights operated by Blade, a private helicopter service company launched in 2014. Blade competes with Uber’s helicopter services and new players like Archer and Volocopter, reflecting a growing industry betting on air taxis becoming more mainstream. Local communities sometimes have concerns about noise from helicopter flights, leading to discussions around regulations in some areas.