How Hotels Ensure Smooth Private Jet and Helicopter Transfers for Guests
When it comes to high-end hospitality, the guest experience starts the moment they leave their home. For the upper tier of travellers, especially those accustomed to luxury, private air transfers are becoming less of a novelty and more of an expectation. Guests want to be in-resort quickly and comfortably, and by providing private air transfers, hoteliers can massively reduce ground transfer times.
Private air transfers are becoming a powerful tool for boutique and luxury hotels looking to stand out from the crowd. In this guide, we explore how hotels can successfully manage or facilitate private air transfers, the operational considerations involved, and the types of properties where air transfers are becoming essential.
Why Private Air Transfers Matter to the Hotelier
It’s no secret that private air transfers present an opportunity to add a touch of luxury to the guest journey while reinforcing your property’s elite positioning. Advantages include:
● Streamlining arrivals to remote or exclusive locations
● Eliminating friction points in local transit or customs processes
● Creating early emotional engagement through a luxurious and personalised welcome
● Building brand value by providing seamless service from door to door
Some resorts may need to offer private air transfer solutions simply due to their geography, but even those near major airports can benefit from offering this service, especially for high-net-worth guests or VIP clients who value discretion.
Things to Consider
To provide (or partner in offering) private jet or helicopter transfers, hoteliers should consider the following:
1. Helipad or Airstrip Access
● Can your property accommodate helicopter landings or small aircraft? If not, is there a nearby facility where guests can land?
● For properties in city centres or protected areas, consider partnering with regional airfields and offering luxury ground transfers for the final leg.
2. Licensing and Insurance
● Ensure that any air transfer operators you partner with meet aviation safety standards and are properly licensed. Vet them for luxury service alignment, discretion, and client handling.
3. Booking Integration
● Offer private air transfer as part of your concierge or booking flow, especially for suites, villas, or long-stay packages.
● Integration with guest management software can help identify and prompt ideal candidates for this service as not all guests will necessarily want or be able to afford the service.
4. Guest Communication
● Provide clear information ahead of travel on luggage limits, weather flexibility, documentation, and check-in times for charter services.
● Have contingency plans for weather-sensitive helicopter flights, including alternative luxury ground transfers if needed.
Properties Where Private Transfers Are Central to the Guest Experience
While private air transfers are rapidly becoming more popular, there is a selection of resorts that have long been benefiting from their integration in the guest journey. Here are a few examples of how they work and why we love them:
1. Amanzoe, Greece
Located in the Peloponnese hills, Amanzoe offers helicopter transfers from Athens International, cutting a 2.5-hour drive into a scenic 25-minute flight. Hotels with remote yet breathtaking locations can take note: offering air access makes isolation a feature rather than a drawback.
2. North Island, Seychelles
Accessible only by private helicopter, this ultra-exclusive island embraces air transfer as part of its brand identity. If you’re a small resort catering to ultra-high-net-worth guests, then you could consider how exclusive air access can enhance allure and protect privacy.
3. Six Senses Zighy Bay, Oman
Guests at Six Senses Zighy Bay can paraglide (you read that right) or arrive via helicopter, creating an unforgettable start to their stay. Hotels offering experiential travel should explore how the arrival itself can be part of the storytelling.
4. Gstaad Palace, Switzerland
Guests often fly into nearby Saanen Airport by private jet or land directly at the resort’s helipad. Providing this facility quietly assures guests of your capacity to handle high-net-worth individuals without the need to boast.
5. The Brando, French Polynesia
The resort arranges private charter planes from Tahiti, effectively controlling the entire arrival experience. Hotels in remote island regions should consider partnerships with regional carriers or owning a stake in charter operations.
Partnering With Air Charter Providers: What To Look For
If your property doesn’t operate aircraft, a well-vetted partnership is key. Look for private jet hire operators who:
● Have experience working with high-end clientele
● Offer a multilingual crew and luxury in-flight catering
● Can accommodate bespoke schedules and last-minute changes
● Have excellent safety records and insurance coverage
Some hotels even co-brand routes with their air transfer partners or offer all-inclusive stay-and-fly packages.
Destinations Where Demand is Rising
Properties not currently offering air transfers should monitor the growing demand in these areas to stay ahead of the curve:
● Scottish Highlands & Islands – Boutique lodges are increasingly welcoming helicopter arrivals.
● Iceland – Helicopter access to remote camps and luxury retreats is booming.
● British Columbia – Seaplane and heli-lodge packages cater to luxury wilderness guests.
● Caribbean Private Islands – Resorts like Jumby Bay or Ambergris Cay include airstrip access as a core feature of their offering.
Redefining the First Impression
As luxury hospitality becomes ever more experiential, managing the entire journey is a clear path to differentiation. Offering private jet or helicopter transfers is all about curating an experience where even the arrival is part of the luxury. If you can put guests at ease before they even cross the threshold, everything else will fall into place effortlessly.
