The destinations that work best for private aviation are not always the ones that appear most prominently in travel media. Private flying opens up locations that commercial aviation either does not reach or reaches poorly, and it changes the experience of arriving at even the most well-known destinations by eliminating the commercial airport experience entirely. These seven destinations illustrate the range of what private aviation makes accessible.
- St. Barts, French West Indies
St. Barts’ Gustaf III Airport is one of the most famous short-strip airports in the world, with an approach that requires specialized pilot training and aircraft appropriate for the runway length. Commercial access to the island is limited to small inter-island turboprops from neighboring airports, making private aviation the only way to arrive directly from a major departure city.
The combination of exclusive beach clubs, exceptional dining, and a clientele that values privacy makes St. Barts one of the most natural private aviation destinations in the Caribbean, where the means of arrival matches the destination’s character.
- Aspen, Colorado
Aspen-Pitkin County Airport handles one of the highest volumes of private aviation traffic of any small airport in the United States during ski season, when the combination of wealthy seasonal visitors, limited commercial service, and the desire to maximize time on the mountain drives strong private aviation demand.
The altitude and terrain around Aspen make it a demanding airport operationally, which is why working with a charter provider that has specific experience with mountain airports matters more here than at most destinations.
- What Private Jet Services Are Available Nationwide?
Private jet services are available through multiple models including charter brokers, fractional ownership programs, jet card memberships, and on-demand charter. Stratos Jets’ private jet destinations team serves travelers across the country and internationally, with access to thousands of aircraft and hundreds of operators that cover the full range of destinations from major business hubs to the remote and exclusive destinations that define private aviation’s unique value.
- Tuscany, Italy
Florence’s Amerigo Vespucci Airport or Perugia San Egidio Airport provide private aviation access to the heart of Tuscany, with ground transportation options to the villas, estates, and wine country destinations that draw luxury travelers to the region. Arriving privately eliminates the connection through Rome or Milan that most commercial travelers require and puts travelers in the heart of Tuscany in the time they would otherwise spend in a connecting terminal.
- Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Jackson Hole Airport is the only commercial airport inside a US national park, serving the gateway to Grand Teton and Yellowstone with a combination of commercial and private aviation traffic. Private travel to Jackson Hole allows flexibility on arrival timing that matters in a destination where wildlife viewing, fishing conditions, and outdoor activities are often weather and time dependent.
- The Maldives
The Maldivian resort archipelago is served by a combination of seaplanes and speedboats from Male’s Velana International Airport to individual resort islands. Private jet arrival at Male, connecting to the resort’s seaplane transfer service, creates a seamless luxury travel experience from departure to arrival at the resort’s water villa.
- Nantucket, Massachusetts
Nantucket Memorial Airport handles significant private aviation traffic during the summer season when the island becomes one of the most desirable leisure destinations on the East Coast. The island’s limited accommodation means visitors who can travel on flexible schedules, arriving and departing as conditions allow rather than on fixed commercial airline schedules, extract significantly more value from a Nantucket visit.
