Everyone knows the Golden Rule of air travel: Always arrive at least an hour or two before your flight. But what if I told you there’s a way to cut that time down to just 15 minutes and never break a sweat? No security lines, no hidden fees, no penalties for missing your flights. It sounds like some sort of airline-food induced fever dream, but this is the reality of flying in a private jet.
I know what you’re thinking, and believe me I’m no millionaire, either. But thanks to the Tradewind Shuttle, a small private jet company that serves the Northeast U.S. and the Caribbean, the private jet experience may now be within your financial reach. Instead of buying your own private jet or renting one for $3,000 an hour, you can buy a seat on a small eight-seat Tradewind jet for as little as $250 each way.
The experience is a pleasant throwback to the golden days of aviation before airlines began charging for every convenience. A friendly concierge will contact you to answer any questions you might have after booking, and the pilots will introduce themselves to you personally before you board. Though there are no flight attendants, the self-service cooler at the back of the plane is complimentary and will make the flight feel much more casual. It’s not private in the literal sense of the word, but as a practical matter it sure feels that way. Anyone who’s endured the discomfort of a full commercial flight won’t mind the company of a handful of other passengers.
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Tradewind has been operating an island-hopping shuttle in the Caribbean since 2005, but most recently the company has expanded in the Northeast with direct flights between New York’s Westchester airport and Boston’s Logan airport (starting at $350 one-way), and between Westchester and Stowe, Vermont (starting at $395 one-way).
It’s an especially good deal for frequent business travelers whose personal schedules are subject to change. Tickets are fluid, so if you miss your flight, need to reschedule, or even if you need to give your ticket to someone else, you won’t be charged any extra fees. Plus, if you’re a long-distance commuter, you can even buy tickets in bulk by purchasing a coupon book, which offers one-way flights as low as $250. And even if you’re just getting away to Vermont for a weekend of skiing, you’ll be happy to know there’s no oversized luggage charge for your ski equipment.
Compared to commercial airlines, a flight on the Tradewind shuttle is still more expensive, but what you end up paying for is the convenience, comfort, and the time you save. When you account for the hours you’ll spend getting to the airport, going through security, and waiting to board, flying from
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Has there ever been a fictional character with a more glamorized lifestyle than Carrie Bradshaw? She’s worn designer bags as well as shoes that have sold out immediately afterwards, made Magnolia Bakery world-famous, and, this past summer, even had a pop-up “experience” dedicated to her in an empty space in SoHo. One doesn’t need to “couldn’t-help-but-wonder” why: Carrie made being single and living in New York seem like an endless, well-dressed adventure, where carriage rides in Central Park with romantic millionaires, fabulous parties in Tribeca, and trips to the Vogue closet were always in reach. So when visiting New York City, it’s always fun to see the sites that made up her fantasy.
I was one of three adults who led a backpacking trip to the Colorado Rockies this past June with six teenage Boy Scouts from Troop 876 of Savannah, Ga. After seven nights camping, our tenth night — June 26 — was to be aboard a redeye to Kennedy Airport, followed by a morning flight to Savannah, both on JetBlue Airways. But our Denver departure was delayed over two hours and we missed the connection. We waited for three hours in line, only to politely be told the next flight available was five days later, even after we offered to fly to Atlanta, Charleston, S.C., or Jacksonville, Fla., instead. JetBlue would not provide a hotel. So we opted for a refund (plus $12 meal vouchers), rented two cars and drove 14 hours home, racking up about $1,200 in travel expenses. But when our refunds from JetBlue came through, they totaled $261 for nine of us, only 18 percent of the original cost. A customer service representative later explained to me by phone that we had been reimbursed for only the New York to Savannah leg. We believe JetBlue should have gotten us on an earlier flight on a different airline or at least reimbursed us for the nine fares and fees totaling $1,458, and perhaps chipped in for the expenses to get home. Can you help?
Once limited to billionaires, celebrities and high-level politicians, private jet travel has recently become affordable for a good number of travelers who prefer to up their budgets for the convenience offered by flying private.
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.
Get thee to New York's museums and get thee to them now. There's an end in sight to summer's dog days, and with the promise of cooler early-autumn days comes a fresh turnover in the exhibitions on offer throughout the city. Some of the big summer tentpoles—Africa Fashion at the Brooklyn Museum, installations at both MoMA and MoMA PS1—will run all the way into October, so if you haven't made your way to them yet, there's still time. Joining these holdovers are a myriad of newer options, the variety of which ensures that there's something for everyone. Find our guide below.
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You’ve probably been warned to follow pedestrian signals in New York City if you’d prefer not to risk your life. But, you may not know the reason Manhattan’s summer streets routinely fill with crowds of people unapologetically snapping photos. For a few glorious moments twice per year, that rule of thumb is intrepidly ignored.