Though most companies and people don’t realize there is a difference between a transfer and shuttle, there are a few differences between the two. Because New York is so large, there are three main airports available. If you live in New York and are flying out, you may use any of the three airports to start your journey, which would be considered a shuttle need. If you live anywhere else and are connecting to another flight in New York, you may fly into one airport and fly out of another, which would be considered a transfer.
Shuttle
You have two main reasons to need a shuttle in New York. You may either be going from your home to the airport, or going from the airport to your home. If you prefer privacy, where you go alone or with your own family, you will want to consider a taxi, limo or your own vehicle. Most people refuse to drive their own vehicles because it can be tiresome to drive through all the traffic and you must either have someone pick up your car after you arrive or pay astronomical amounts for parking at the airport. Because of this, you may think your best options are taxis and limos, but these must also deal with traffic problems.
If you are looking for something new and completely different, you may want to consider a helicopter. They are much faster than regular means of travel, you can have your luggage with you, and most high-rise apartments have helipads so you can be picked up where you live. Otherwise, you may need to travel to get to a pick-up point, but it will still be faster.
Transfer
Most transfer needs are within the same airport. You may need to go to the gate at the far end of the concourse, but you will still need to get there. However, in large areas like New York, you may find your connecting flight at an entirely different airport, meaning you will need to schedule transportation within that time frame. In some cases, you have an hour or less before your connecting flight, making it precarious to take taxis, limos and other transportation modes. However, a helicopter will likely get you to the other airport in about 15 minutes, giving you plenty of time to get to the airport.