Rush hour traffic is driving innovation in both aircraft and services. But this news is not about a small, pilotless drone. In the Los Angeles area, the FLOAT (Fly Over All Traffic) commuter service is taking a novel approach—using real airplanes capable of carrying 9 passengers into inner-city airports near work or public transportation hubs.
Typical flight times range from 15 to 30 minutes from outlying communities. FLOAT commuters will pay a monthly fee that averages about $30.00 to $45.00 per flight, depending on the distance flown.
Aircraft and pilots are fully qualified, certified, and licensed in accordance with Federal Aviation Regulations for commercial operations. Trial flights along planned routes will be flown in December and full service is expected to begin in January 2020.
In a press release, FLOAT co-founder and CEO Arnel Guiang said “FLOAT is shattering the myth that sitting in hours of traffic every day is a necessary and unavoidable way of life in Southern California.”