"Airlines are Our Friends"

So says a charter operator of a Robinson Helicopter R44 in the metropolitan New York area, who notes that the miserable customer service, protracted flight delays and proliferation of petty but pricey fees prevailing in airline service is driving travelers to helicopters. "Airlines are frustrating people so much that they will pay almost anything if they can avoid flying with one." The result he is seeing is growing demand from business people and "high net worth" individuals looking for the more expeditious options for short-range flights.