Only in New York: the services offering helicopter rides to the wealthy

The Big Apple has long had an infatuation with flying over the city, but there's a risk in choosing the air over driving congested streets

While those taking a taxi from Manhattan to John F Kennedy airport this summer can expect a 90-minute-plus crawl at rush hour, more elite New Yorkers will have access to a new eight-minute ride - with a familiar brand attached.

Scheduled to launch on 9 July, UberCopter - yes, that Uber, will offer a helicopter service between a heliport adjacent to Wall Street and JFK, from $200 per person each way.