Last week, the small rival, which likes to fly where fares are high and it can stimulate traffic with low prices, began flying that route.

WSJ: Where Airfares Are Taking Off

Security was noticeably increased for this year's tour, with police officers posted along the route and a helicopter flying overhead.

WSJ: Security Tight for Bikers Through New York's Five Boroughs

The pilot did not refer to any problems while flying the Robinson R22 in good weather on a route from Manston Airport in Kent to Fenland Airfield, near Spalding in Lincolnshire.

BBC: Ely helicopter crash

"As soon as I started flying the helicopters, I knew this was the route for me and that was the way I wanted the rest of my career to go, " he said.

BBC: New pilots get their wings at Somerset's RNAS Yeovilton

Travelers flying between Denver and Houston-Bush saw a 57% jump, and the Newark-San Francisco route recorded a 50% increase between the third quarter of 2009 and the third quarter of 2012, according to average-fare data compiled by Oliver Wyman.

WSJ: Where Airfares Are Taking Off