Christian Poulsen will continue as COO while serving as acting CEO.
09.08.2023 - 11:43 / forbes.com
When it comes to using a car service to get around town, to and from the airport or from one destination to the next, travelers looking for a high-end option have a myriad of brands to pick from. Based on my personal experience, I can tell you that I’ve come to rely on Blacklane.
Based in Germany, the company offers chauffer rides across the world and has an exceptional standard of service whether you’re in Sydney, San Francisco or Stockholm. The drivers they hire arrive early for your trip (sometimes as much as 45 minutes in advance), and the ride is equivalent to a business class flight on a plane: the cars feature gleaming leather and are stocked with various accoutrements that vary depending on the driver. Bottled water is always among the goodies, but local mints and candies and wipes could be too.
Last year, Blacklane debuted City to City which offers premium chauffeur-driven rides between metropolitan areas. It compromises more than 170 routes in eleven countries, ranging from Australia and Canada to Europe, the Middle East and Asia. This year Blacklane made a significant investment into its City to City program as demand increased, and the program is growing.
In the U.S., the service offers 28 connections such as New York City to the Hamptons, Los Angeles to Las Vegas or Washington, D.C. to Philadelphia.
I frequently used City to City between Manhattan and the Hamptons this year and never had anything less than a five-star experience.
I recently interviewed Blacklane’s head of market management in the America’s, Kyle Fackler, who shared more details on City-to-City and gave me his perspective on how the company stands out from its competitors.
Our edited conversation follows:
How many cities does City to City encompass, and can you share examples?
City to City encompasses more than 500 cities worldwide. Some examples include popular connections such as Dubai to Abu Dhabi, London to Manchester, Brisbane to the Gold Coast or Paris to Nice. And we are working hard on adding on to these routes!
How is City to City different from a traditional Blacklane ride?
Blacklane’s product range includes airport transfers, City to City services, On-demand rides in metropolitan areas as well as hourly bookings. All services offer luxurious point-to-point rides in addition to a reliable schedule where guests travel on their own time and are not bound to a fixed schedule. Journeys are seamless from door to door, so there is no worry about the first or last leg of their journey.
City to City specifically is a real alternative to short-haul flights and gets its guests where they need to go not only safely, but also sustainably as all rides and routes are 100% carbon neutral - Blacklane offsets all carbon
Christian Poulsen will continue as COO while serving as acting CEO.
American Express Global Business Travel has partnered with Emirates Group-owned dnata to offer its global clients more local expertise in the Middle East region.
If you’d thought Silicon Valley’s TripActions was running out of steam as we head towards the year’s end, after its acquisitions and extensive fundraising, think again.
Travel platform Agoda has been pushing ahead with a series of new fintech partnerships, with its eye on Asia’s corporate travel recovery.
Good morning from Skift. It’s Friday, July 21. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
Demand for travel is high and rates are even higher – an average of $1,600 per night for hotel bookings during 2023/24 festive season. Happy (but stressed) travel advisors and suppliers are delighted to see you swarming back, often in record numbers. The only challenge is meeting your expectations, something that has never been more difficult. Fifty-seven percent of you say, “Creating a travel experience that best fits my expectations is more important than price.” Making sure you have a bon voyage these days takes more time and creativity, even if it’s often hidden behind those smiles. Welcome to the post-Covid travel industry.
Like many New Yorkers, I often take the subway to get around the city.
Calling all job hunters: the city of Wellington, New Zealand, is welcoming Americans to move and work in the county's capital — touting its great work/life balance.
Last year, New York City welcomed the much-anticipated opening of Aman New York. This Zen-like gem on west 57th Street has been heralded for its spacious suites, which each include multiple high-tech gadgets, fireplaces and luxurious décor. It is one of the most relaxing city properties and also features a spectacular spa, an impressive gym, and perfectly curated dining experiences. Nothing quite prepares you for the sense of calm you feel as you first walk in and guests who have enjoyed other Aman properties will be thrilled to experience the same level of service and artistry. Perhaps lesser known is the fact that Aman New York is also an ideal hotel for families. Below are several reasons that families will feel extremely welcome in this urban oasis.
New York City’s Equinox Hotel is well known for its emphasis on health and well-being. The Hudson Yards’ hotel is conveniently located atop its 60,000 sq. foot namesake gym. The rooms are equipped with yoga mats and a mini bar full of healthy treats. But to truly indulge in an immersive wellness experience, plan on spending some time in the hotel’s fabulous spa, a.k.a., The Spa by Equinox Hotels.
Cruising is one of the best ways to take in multiple destinations on a single trip, not to mention some killer ocean views. For those reasons and more, we look forward to Cruise Critic’s annual Cruisers’ Choice Destination Awards. Based on port ratings from avid cruisers and readers, Cruise Critic picks 15 destination winners each year.
Travel website, Trippy, has put together an awesome infographic showing prices for food, beer, taxis, and hotels in the most and least expensive countries. And the best part is that it updates daily, so you can see the average price of something when you’re planning a trip or once you’re in the destination.