Brooklyn Faces Noise Pollution Amid Ryder Cup Helicopter Flights

The recent Ryder Cup hosted at Bethpage Black has caused significant disruption in Brooklyn, with residents complaining about the intense noise generated by charter helicopters transporting wealthy golf enthusiasts to Long Island. These low-flying aircraft lingered for extended periods, often audible enough to wake residents and allow them to observe passengers taking selfies inside.

Local officials expressed their frustration, describing the situation as unbearable. “Community members couldn’t work, rest, sleep, or enjoy the outdoors due to constant noise and vibrations,” said an assemblymember, joined by city councilmembers, a senator, and a U.S. representative. They called for restrictions on non-essential helicopter travel to protect neighborhood quality of life.

Flight data revealed that most helicopters departed from downtown Manhattan and West 30th Street heliports—home to Blade, a luxury charter company frequented by celebrities like Andy Cohen and Jon Hamm. Blade promoted facilitating some of the largest civilian helicopter movements to a sporting event in U.S. history, charging $1,275 per seat for one-way flights.

Residents also raised concerns about safety, referencing a fatal helicopter crash last spring involving a family and pilot over the Hudson River, questioning what could happen if a mechanical failure occurred over Brooklyn. They criticized the exclusive use of helicopters for the benefit of the ultra-rich at the expense of public health and safety.

While the Hudson River Park Trust acknowledged ongoing investigations into the disturbances, they noted that flight paths are governed by federal regulations and the FAA, which controls airspace. The trust emphasized its commitment to working with authorities and the community, and highlighted ongoing efforts to modernize heliports toward quieter, electric aircraft in the future.