NEW YORK, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Pope Francis kicks off his first full day in the Big Apple on Friday, which is sure to bring one major frustration: Big league traffic. But a helicopter company has come up with a solution for commuters with a spare C-note.
The company, Blade, is offering short-distance rides for $95.
Blade advertises itself, basically, as an Uber in the air -- a digitally-driven short distance aviation service, and it's looking to make a splash during the pontiff's visit. The service will shuttle passengers between company locations on the West and East Sides of New York City Friday, when the pope will be in town.
The pontiff arrives in New York City from Washington, D.C., on Thursday afternoon. Friday morning, he will address the United Nations General Assembly before attending a service at the 9/11 memorial at the World Trade Center.
A visit to Harlem and Central Park will be followed by a Catholic mass at Madison Square Garden Friday evening.
Traffic in the city is expected to be severe amid unprecedented security for the papal visit -- something Blade says its service can circumvent.
"Using the app, flights can be booked to the most in-demand destinations in seconds," Blade says on its website.
Pope Francis will leave New York Saturday morning for Philadelphia, where he will spend the weekend before returning to Rome Sunday night.
