NYC-to-Hamptons helicopter service partners with Airbus

Blade, the popular Big Apple-to-Hamptons helicopter service, has partnered with France’s Airbus Helicopters to fast-track expansion plans.

The partnership — along with Airbus’ $15 million cash infusion in Blade — will allow the New York aviation company to bring helicopter-hailing service in both Dallas and an overseas country to be selected within 90 days, the companies said in a statement on Wednesday.

In exchange for the cash, Airbus will receive an equity stake in Blade of up to 10 percent.

Former Sony executive Rob Wiesenthal founded Blade in 2014 — primarily as a quick commuter hop for the Hamptons set.

Blade’s on-demand app now serves 22 core routes in seven states — making it the No. 1 civilian helicopter service in the US.

The Airbus deal will speed plans to bundle Blade’s app technology and by-the-seat ticket practices with other helicopter operators, Wiesenthal said.

“Airbus’ global expertise and economic scale make the aeronautics leader a perfect strategic investor and partner in Blade,” the executive told The Post.

Blade closed a Series A funding round two years ago that enlisted Discovery Communications Chief Executive David Zaslav and Raine Ventures cofounders Joe Ravitch and Jeff Sine as investors.

The newcomers joined a lineup of backers that includes Barry Diller, Bob Pittman and Eric Schmidt.

The Series A funding gave Blade a $75 million valuation. The Airbus deal doubles Blade’s valuation.

Projections call for the air-taxi business to grow and become more competitive as ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft enter the fray.

Uber is already setting specs for an “Uber Elevate” flying-taxi option — alongside current options UberPool and UberX. Google co-founder Larry Page is said to have a side project devoted to air taxis.