Air travel around the world is taking tentative first steps to ramp up daily flights again, but understandably, many would-be passengers continue to be wary of commercial airline travel and they prefer the private flights.
Some elite hotels, however, may have found a workaround in packages that include private flights with the stay.
With many resorts eager to make up for lost revenue during the early months of the pandemic, it’s little surprise that top-tier properties are finding creative ways to entice affluent travelers through the private flights.
Of course, flying privately does not eliminate all risks.
Travelers arriving from areas with high Covid-19 infection rates — like the United States — have more than just their own health and safety to consider.
But, for people with the means and gumption to forge ahead with travel, chartering a private plane is certainly one way to arrive.
“We have seen an increase of 75% in the amount of inquiries coming in from around the world compared to this time last year,” says Air Charter Service CEO Justin Bowman of private plane bookings.
“With the new realities of traveling, consumers are more concerned with privacy, safety and hygiene, and flexibility [is] at the top of their list.”
For those who also include luxury in their list, read on for six properties who are rolling out a high-flying, red carpet.
Caldera House, Wyoming
This eight-suite hotel and alpine club in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, reopened on June 25 with a new package that allows guests unprecedented access to the beautiful, remote surroundings.
Caldera House partnered with Indagare to create a four-night experience that showcases some of the American West’s most stunning landscapes and animals, all with socially distanced luxury.
The package starts with round-trip private charter flights to the hotel, which is located in charming Teton Village. Once guests arrive at the resort, they can choose from either a two- or four-bedroom suite. Regardless of size, the kitchen can be fully stocked upon arrival.
Daily activities include spending a morning in Grand Teton National Park to scout for wildlife, a tour of Jackson Hole’s geological history, and horseback riding at Diamond Cross Ranch, where views encompass incredible vistas of the Teton Range.
The oversized suites are a welcome — and private — respite at the end of the day. Amenities include soaking tubs, patios with fire pits, dining rooms and even home theaters. Spa services, like a 90-minute deep tissue massage, can even be arranged en-suite.
Four Seasons Resort Lanai, Hawaii
For travelers comfortable with a potential quarantine in the tropical paradise (Hawaii’s mandatory 14-day quarantine for arriving passengers is to remain in place until September 1), a stay at the tony Four Seasons Lanai may be one of the best options around.
The resort, located on one of the most unspoiled Hawaiian Islands, is currently including private air transfers on Lanai Air from Honolulu to the hotel for all bookings made by August 31 (for arrival by January 4). In addition, the hotel is also partnering with luxury travel agencies like Protravel International to secure private jets for their clients arriving to Honolulu, making the entire journey both seamless and secure.
As soon as guests land, they’ll be greeted by a hotel representative, who will ferry them by Tesla or Mercedes to the resort.
Once there, relaxation is paramount: Guests can choose to relax in the sun next to the lagoon-style pools, wander through the colorful botanical gardens, or get a pineapple-scented Lanai Tai scrub at the on-site Hawanawana spa.
For the more adventurous, however, there’s a Jack Nicklaus-signature golf course built around natural gorges, two tennis courts, and an archery and shooting range.
But it would also be quite tempting just to listen to the waves from your bedroom. For the ultimate in privacy, book the Alii Royal Suite. At nearly 4,000 square feet, it’s bigger than most houses and includes a media room, a library, and three oversized balconies that look out over the ocean.
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