NEW YORK (Bloomberg) — Delta Air Lines Inc., the third-largest US carrier, joined with US Helicopter Corp. to provide passengers with helicopter rides between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and Manhattan.US Helicopter began flying between JFK and the Downtown Manhattan Heliport at 6 East River Piers in March 2006 and added service to Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey in December. It began flights between the airports and the Atlantic Metroport at East 34th Street in midtown Manhattan in February.

Starting next Monday, US Helicopter will offer 27 weekday flights between the two heliports and JFK's Terminal 3, where Delta flights depart and arrive, the companies said in a joint statement. Fares start at $159 plus taxes and fees.

Passengers using the shuttle will be able to check their bags and go through security at the heliports, allowing them to bypass screening lines. Flights to and from the airport will take an average of eight minutes.