One of the delights of access to a private jet, whether chartered or owned, is the spur-of-the-moment aspect it affords, which means you can have a getaway as fast as you can pack. No terminals, no endless security lines and you arrive calm and relaxed. Where to? Think golf, skiing, fishing, sunning, nightlife, girls’ getaways, boys’ getaways. All are possible by private jets that can deliver you to a multitude of airports, including many not served by commercial flights.
Shea Gibbs of Tampa-based Elite Air notes, “Our bread-and-butter for getaways is the Caribbean, but New York is extremely popular year-round—for business, but certainly pleasure as well.” Elite Air president A.J. Becker adds, “We’ve done trips to Hawaii, Europe and even Egypt from Tampa on our ultra-long-range aircraft”.
Let’s stay closer to home. At a cruising speed of, say, 550 mph, New York is around two hours away, Aspen under four hours and St. Barths in the Caribbean about three. That’s enough time for a glass of champagne to celebrate, and perhaps a munchie before you touch down.
New York
Always popular, whether you’re going for business or fun, the Big Apple is the “city that never sleeps,” as Frank Sinatra famously said. Hot shows on Broadway include Tony winner “The Great Gatsby,” as well as hit musicals “Hamilton,” “The Lion King” and “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.” Food? Think the five-course tasting at Gramercy Tavern or pizza at Upland. A favorite airport for private jets is Teterboro, just a few miles from NYC.
Saint Barthélemy
St. Barths to insiders, this French-speaking island in the Caribbean is known for white-sand beaches, high-end restaurants and designer shops. For lodgings, think a villa on the beach or my favorite, Hotel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf, overlooking the yacht harbor. Picking a restaurant in St. Barths is like choosing in Paris—they’re everywhere. Try L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon on the water with lovely amuse-bouches or L’Esprit de Jean-Claude Dufour.
Aspen
Synonymous with skiing, Aspen Snowmass has four different mountains for skiing, and the après-ski fun is world-renowned. Sample James Beard finalist Mawa McQueen’s seafood gumbo or LA-based Nobu Matsuhisa for sashimi and an amazing wine list. Shopping? Stroll down Galena Street for Prada, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Valentino and Kemo Sabe for fun for Western wear.
Bahamas
How can we not include the Bahamas, with Nassau as the ultimate getaway? Grab a great suite at Atlantis or Baha Mar, shop the straw market, and don’t miss the Graycliff Hotel restaurant with its 250,000-bottle wine cellar. For golf, Royal Blue (a Nicklaus Signature course) at Baha Mar is often ranked the best in the world.
New Orleans
It’s the Big Easy, where you go for fabulous food—beignets on the street, Brennan’s for Sunday brunch or bananas foster, and Emeril’s for, well, Emeril! The French Quarter is full of jazz into the wee hours, at which point you can fall into the heavenly beds at The Windsor Court.
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