Private jet setting

Good news for those who can travel: according to Gogo Business Aviation, private jet travel has almost returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Photography by First Class Travel

24 July 2020

Private jet travel has so many advantages – fly when you want to fly, skip the queues, forget about customs and immigration, arrive just before your flight and you can even take your pet with you.

Another addition of luxury is the private suites at the airports, although these come at a cost.

Gogo Business Aviation reports that in mid-April, its business dropped to providing broadband services for just 378 flights per day, but by the beginning of July that number had increased to 3,200 flights per day. Pre-pandemic, it was servicing approximately 3500 flights per day.

Here are the top four most luxurious airports servicing private jets, according to the experts at First Class Travel.

The Private Suite at Los Angeles International Airport

The Private Suite is a $22 million complex at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which opened in May 2017 for the rich and famous who want pure luxury while waiting for their private flight.

As the terminal is land side, you’re allowed to bring non-travelling guests along and there is a team of eight, each with a different role, assigned to each guest.

As you would expect, there are no lines and no ticket booths, just private rooms with the amenities of a five-star hotel. Think day bed, views of the runway, in-room massage service, mani-pedis, gourmet meals and more.

When it’s time to board, guests will be driven directly from the suite to their private jet airplane.

Le Bourget Airport, Paris

Built in 1919, this luxury private jet airport is brimming with history. It was the place of defection by Soviet ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev in 1961, and it’s also home to the biannual International Paris Air Show, the oldest air show in the world.

There are eight different luxury operators at this airport. One of the operators, Astonsky, which is a subsidiary of the French Clair Group, opened its five-star hotel standard terminal at the end of 2019.

The Astonsky terminal offers a valet service under a cantilevered awning in the shape of an aeroplane wing, and a huge reception area with a fountain and green wall. The lounge consists of several rest and workspaces around a sculpture of Kong by Richard Orlinski.

There is a 360-degree view of the runways; deep-pile carpet that is cleaned several times a day; deep sofas; a kiosk with the latest press as well as travel, art and aviation books; as well as an aquarium with six tonnes of seawater, in which several species of fish glide, allowing a transparent view of the planes in the hangars.

This is complemented by a concierge catering service, including a house chef to organise refined French cuisine in close collaboration with the sommelier, who has over 3,000 bottles of wine to delight.

Teterboro Airport, New Jersey

Teterboro is one of the oldest airports accommodating private jets on the East coast.

It also comes with much history. Think Charles Lindbergh who was a regular pilot into this New Jersey airport, along with Amelia Earhart.

Today, it is celebrity central, with its main luxury the speed it offers travellers – many helicopters can leave Manhattan in under ten minutes, avoid all the security lines, and enjoy the excellent service offered.

Al Maktoum International Airport VIP Building, Dubai

Dubai’s Al Maktoum airport is forty-five minutes from the city centre. Its private wing is unsurpassed in luxury, including transfers from the lounge to the aircraft via Rolls Royce.

One of the operators at Al Maktoum Jetex offers an incredible experience for the super rich. There’s a Sony Crystal LED TV worth a million dollars; you can watch a movie; or play some FIFA on the Playstation.