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NEW YORK-Competitive edges in the world of airline marketing don't usually last long. Whether they're frequent-flier programs, enhanced on-board amenities, new-model aircraft, fancier passenger lounges or whatever, innovations soon are copied and often exceeded by competitors.
So the fact that New York Helicopter's time and hassle-saving link between JFK and the airline's Manhattan heliport at 34th Street and the East River no longer is the competitive tool it once was is not surprising.
Today, some 40 international and domestic carriers, from Aer Lingus to Virgin Atlantic and most of the letters of the alphabet in between, offer their passengers rides on NYH's scheduled 'copter flights. The arrangements vary in liberality, from a free ride for all British Airways full-fare passengers regardless of fare class plus some categories of discount-fare passengers to BWIA's policy of a free 'copter transfer for only full first-class passengers.
As does BA, most participating airlines provide the free 'copter service to all full-fare passengers but some restrict it to first and business classes only. Among the latter, a dozen or so offer helicopter tickets to full-fare economy passengers for an add-on fare, ranging from TAP-Air Portugal's and Iberia's $10 to American Airlines' $55 on domestic flights. Most of the add-ons are in the $20-30 range. The charge is $65 for walk-in passengers not arriving or departing on a participating airline. When weather prevents the helicopters from flying, L'YH provides door-to-door ground transportation.
Aside from the 'copter service,...