Washington, DC (CNN Business) Uber presented a grandiose vision of flying vehicles whisking people around cities at its annual flying car conference Tuesday in Washington, DC, a day after a fatal helicopter crash raised safety questions about plans for increased air traffic over cities.

, which will operate during the afternoon rush hour. One day, years in the future, Uber UBER The ride-hailing company's entry into air transportation will begin July 9 with a helicopter service from Manhattan to JFK Airport . Uber expects that customers will save an hour of travel time by buying a roughly $200 ticket on the eight-minute flightwhich will operate during the afternoon rush hour. One day, years in the future,expects car owners will choose to travel on autonomous, electric flying vehicles instead of cars because of what it predicts will be lower prices.

The seats in Uber's flying car cabin are turned slightly toward the window to create a more private feeling for passengers.

. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash. The fatality came weeks after a But before it gets to flying cars, Uber will join the helicopter industry in addressing a fresh set of safety questions. A helicopter crashed on the roof of a Manhattan building Monday, killing the pilotThe National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash. The fatality came weeks after a helicopter crash in the Hudson River off Manhattan; there were no deaths in that incident.

"For us, it underscores the need to make safety the absolute bedrock of everything we do," said Eric Allison, Uber's head of Elevate, its flying car program, told CNN Business. He said Uber chose to partner with Heliflite, a New Jersey helicopter charter company, because of what he said was a strong safety record.

The crashes come at an inopportune time for Uber. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio questioned Monday the role the Federal Aviation Administration is playing in regulating heliports. And City Council Speaker Corey Johnson asked in a local television appearance if the flights Uber would be offering are necessary and safe.

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