A new helicopter route linking Kunshan in Jiangsu province with downtown Shanghai entered service on Aug 18, offering commuters and tourists a faster alternative to road and rail.

Operated by Shanghai New Sky Helicopter, the Bell 429 makes the trip in just 20 minutes, with a brief stop in Qingpu district before landing in the city center. By comparison, the same journey takes around two hours by subway.

"It's much more convenient and you get a clear view of the buildings and scenery below," said Zuo, one of the first passengers.

Tickets are priced at 1,280 yuan ($178.27), with a promotional fare of 980 yuan available until the end of September. The route supports both day and night flights, giving travelers flexible options and unique aerial views of the city.

According to the Deputy General Manager Xue Lingjie, the service is designed to redefine urban connectivity and serve as a model project for developing the low-altitude economy in the Yangtze River Delta region, emphasizing both speed and accessibility.

Infrastructure is also advancing. A helipad is set to open by the end of the year in Qingpu's Hongqiao International Low-Altitude Economy Industrial Park, creating new links between Hongqiao and districts across Shanghai.

Shanghai New Sky Helicopter is working with multiple districts to apply for urban air mobility pilot projects, said Deputy General Manager Li Yang. The long-term vision is a regional network spanning 45 districts and counties across the Yangtze River Delta.

Source: "iloveqingpu" WeChat account