Escape to St. Barths Safely and in Luxury With These Exclusive Packages

This year, an escape to a tropical paradise is more tempting than ever. With winter approaching and the universal desire for a getaway growing, Tradewind Aviation collaborated with several of its partners in St. Barths to create 10 safe, stress-free, and luxurious vacation packages tailor-made for an idyllic island retreat.

St. Barths officially reopened to tourists on June 22, 2020, and is taking the utmost precautions to keep residents and visitors safe. Upon arrival, individuals 11 years of age and older are required to show a negative PCR COVID-19 test that was administered within the previous 72 hours. Additionally, anyone staying longer than seven days must take an additional test on the eighth day of their trip.

Like St. Barths, the health and safety of our guests is Tradewind's top priority. Private jet travel provides a secure, comfortable, and crowd-free way to travel. All of our aircraft are uniquely positioned to offer a best-in-class private experience from your home to your awaiting St. Barths resort.

The Tradewind travel experience begins with a luxury private jet charter from anywhere in the U.S. to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Upon arrival at the private jet terminal in San Juan, guests will board the awaiting Tradewind Pilatus PC-12 for a seamless transfer to St. Barths. Since Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, there's no need to go through immigration or customs, limiting outside contact even further. (When the time comes to leave St. Barths, the Pilatus will clear immigration and customs at the island's private jet terminal before boarding guests and returning them to the U.S.)

For each private-to-private experience booked, guests will receive complimentary round-trip ground transportation, an onboard welcome amenity kit, and a 10% discount on a future trip with Tradewind. From there, it’s choose your own adventure — here is what each of our luxury partners is adding to the package.

Eden Rock – St. Barths

Tucked away in St. Jean Bay, Eden Rock St. Barths was once the home of French Caribbean aviator and adventurer Rémy de Haene and has hosted celebrities such as Greta Garbo, Gore Vidal, David and Peggy Rockefeller, and Princess Lee Radziwill. Guests who book a stay at Eden Rock’s Villa Nina or Villa Rockstar will receive complimentary use of a Land Rover Defender, plus a welcome amenity kit with Eden Rock goodies. Learn more about Eden Rock – St Barths special offer.

WIMCO

Partake in the private-to-private experience anywhere that WIMCO offers villas, as well as the opportunity to split the cost of your desired route with the "shared charter" opportunity. WIMCO is the premier Caribbean luxury villa vacation specialist and represents private villas on St. Barths as well as 11 additional regional islands. Learn more about WIMCO villas special offer. 

Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa

Recognized by Condé Nast Traveler as the No. 1 resort in the Caribbean this year, Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa is a private, luxurious beachside hideaway. Stay at the Suite Ocean Lux Piscine Priveé, complete with a private plunge pool, and enjoy a complimentary two-hour sunset cruise on a private yacht with champagne. Learn more about Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa special offers.

Le Sereno

After undergoing a complete rebuild following Hurricane Irma in 2017, the iconic Le Sereno hotel is back. Featuring brand-new waterfront suites overlooking Grand Cul De Sac and an expanded spa, reserve the Villa Le Sereno and enjoy a complimentary half-day private boat charter on a 47-foot catamaran. Learn more about Le Sereno special offer.

Hôtel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf

Inspired by the elegant shape of a yacht’s bow and deck, the Hôtel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf overlooks Gustavia harbor and offers 21 rooms, suites, and bungalows imbued with a home-away-from-home relaxed luxury. Book one of the refined accommodations as part of this luxury package and enjoy a complimentary 45-minute tailored spa treatment at Diane Barrière Spa, as well as an in-room amenity kit, including a bottle of champagne, beach bag, and beach accessories. Learn more about Hôtel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf special offer.

Hotel Manapany

Environmentally friendly and designed to embrace the lush nature of St. Barths, Hotel Manapany is a five-star boutique hotel hidden away on Anse des Cayes Bay. Free yoga and Pilates sessions are offered daily, and guests who book the Tradewind package will also enjoy a complimentary dinner for two, featuring either grilled lobster or black angus sirloin steak plus a bottle of champagne, at On the Rocks restaurant. Learn more about Hotel Manapany special offer.

Villa Marie

Villa Marie reopens November 20, 2020. From its perch in the hills above Colombier Beach, the resort’s chic bungalows and villas provide spectacular views of Flamands Bay and the property’s lush tropical gardens. Guests who book this package and stay at Villa Marie will receive a $100 credit at Villa Marie's bar or spa, as well as a welcome kit that includes a Pure Altitude beauty set. Learn more about Villa Marie special offer.

Hotel Le Toiny

Twenty-two luxuriously appointed individual villa suites make up Le Toiny, each offering a private pool, extended terrace, and incomparable views of beautiful Toiny Bay. Guests who book a one-bedroom suite will receive VIP amenities including full daily breakfast, access to a full mini bar, and a bottle of champagne. Learn more about Hotel Le Toiny special offer.

Christopher St. Barths

Reopening to guests on November 25, 2020, Christopher St. Barths is nestled between Pointe Milou and the azure waters of the Caribbean. It is an intimate, contemporary, and timeless tropical retreat offering guests who book with Tradewind’s exclusive package top VIP amenities and a Mini Cooper to use during their stay. Learn more about Christopher St. Barths special offer.

St. Barth Properties

Photo: Copyright CTTSB

Partnering with St. Barths’ top hotels and villas, St. Barth Properties provides 24/7 concierge access and guaranteed best pricing for guests. Their team of specialists have an intimate knowledge of the island as well as all of their partner properties, and are experts at matching individuals with the ideal location. Book using the Tradewind promotion and enjoy a VIP beach picnic lunch, complete with your choice of food and wine, chairs, and an umbrella. Learn more about St Barths Properties special offer.

To learn more about all of these packages and book your next vacation, contact them directly at 1-800-376-7922 or charter@flytradewind.com.

Top Five Places for Apple Picking in the Northeast

Few things complement one another better than apple picking and autumn. The sweet smell of ripe apples and the satisfying crunch of fallen leaves, hot apple cider and a crisp breeze rustling through the trees… it’s a match made in autumnal heaven — especially in the Northeast.

From Upstate New York to the coast of Rhode Island, this region of the U.S. is rife with independent orchards and apple varieties not found anywhere else. To get the full fall experience, plan your getaway to one of these five countryside locales, all located within a short drive from one of Tradewind Aviation’s private charter destinations.

Rocky Brook Orchard — Middletown, Rhode Island

Photo: Rocky Brook Orchard website / CC BY

More than 80 apple varieties fill the trees at Rocky Brook Orchard. The family-run orchard is open Friday-Sunday for you-pick guests, and they update their Facebook page weekly with which apple varieties will be ripe the following weekend. Additionally, every tree is color-coded based on the time of year that it’s ripe; in October, look for trees tagged yellow, green, and blue.

Among the varieties available at this Aquidneck Island orchard is the Rhode Island Greening, the state’s namesake apple, first discovered in the mid-1600s and ideal for making pies, crisps, and other appley treats.

Recommended airport: Newport State Airport (NPT)

Nashoba Valley Winery — Bolton, Massachusetts

A farm, winery, brewery, distillery, restaurant, and pick-your-own apple orchard all wrapped up into one picturesque package, Nashoba Valley Winery in Bolton, Massachusetts, takes “a day at the orchard” to a whole new level. Nashoba grows more than a dozen varieties of apples available for picking and offers three different “experiences” for visitors interested in filling up their bags. Reservations are required, and picking time this year is limited to 45 minutes per group (no more than five people allowed per group).

Before and after loading up on Golden Delicious, Mutsu, Baldwin, and Rhode Island Greenings, enjoy a picnic lunch of salads and sandwiches (including several vegan options) or dinner from J’s Restaurant (reservation required; open for lunch Thursday-Sunday, and dinner Thursday-Saturday).

Beer and cider enthusiasts will love the options at Bolton Beer Works, all brewed onsite using local grains, fruits, and herbs. For wine drinkers, there are more than 30 bottles to choose from at Nashoba Valley Winery, including non-grape offerings (think peach, plum, pear, and blueberry) as well as traditional varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc, Vignoles, and Malbec.

For something a little stronger, head over to Nashoba Valley Spirits. The distillery was the first in Massachusetts to receive a farmer-distiller license in 2003, and produces and sells brandies, eau de vie, cordials, and 100% apple-distilled vodka.

Recommended airport: Minute Man Air Field (6B6)

Hickory Hill Orchards — Cheshire, Connecticut

Owned and operated by Fred and Lynn Kudish for more than 40 years, Hickory Hill Orchards is a 33-acre fruit-filled paradise. Peaches, pears, plums, and nectarines grow alongside more than 20 varieties of apples — all available for picking, or to purchase at the onsite country store. Also grown at Hickory Hill are gourds and pumpkins, which can also be purchased at the store or hand-picked from the field.

The orchard’s pick-your-own schedule is easy to remember: 9:30am - 6pm daily, from mid-August through November. In October, look for the following apple varieties to take home, listed in order of early- to late-ripening: Ida Red, Golden Delicious, Mutzu, Cameo, Rome, Winesap, Braeburn, and Granny Smith.

Before you head home with your bushels of fruit, be sure to grab a few snacks from the store for the road. In addition to their fruit, the Kudish’s sell cider donuts, apple fritters, local goodies including Vermont maple syrup, and fresh-pressed cider to wash it all down.

Recommended airport: Meriden Markham Municipal Airport (MMK)

Poverty Lane Orchards — Lebanon, New Hampshire

Photo by Brenda Bailey Collins

Apples are king at Poverty Lane Orchards, a picture-perfect hillside farm overlooking the Connecticut River Valley. Owned and operated by Steve Wood and Louisa Spencer, who also run Farnum Hill Ciders on the same property, the fields of Poverty Lane once belonged to dairy farmers, but starting in the 1960s were planted to classic New England apple varieties for local consumption and regional wholesale.

When top-quality McIntosh, Macoun, and Cortland became less popular in the market, Wood and Spencer began cultivating apple varieties foreign to most everyday apple eaters, many of which are pressed and fermented for their traditionally made Farnum Hill Ciders. (In 2014, Steve Wood was a James Beard Award semifinalist in the “Outstanding Wine, Beer, or Spirits Professional” category due to his cidermaking achievements.) Today, their most marketable apples are "bittersweet" and "bittersharp" cider varieties, grown for their fermentable juices and which help other cidermakers achieve more complex flavors.

New policies for pick-your-own guests in 2020 include pre-purchasing a bag to fill in the fields — half-peck (about 5 pounds full), peck (about 10 pounds), or half-bushel (about 20 pounds) — and the requirement that anyone over the age of 2 wear a mask. Pick-your-own apple varieties are most plentiful in the earlier months of autumn in northern New England, so picking may not be available come mid- to late-October. However, the orchard is open through Halloween (Monday, Thursday, and Friday, 9am - 6pm; and weekends, 10am - 5pm), offering tractor rides, room to roam, cider tasting, and a retail stand full of apples and other local treats for purchase.

Recommended airport: Lebanon Municipal Airport (LEB)

Indian Creek Farm — Ithaca, New York

Tucked away in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, Indian Creek Farm is more than 100 years old and is home to 60 apple varieties, plus dozens of vegetables and fruits available for you-pick June through November.

Northern Spy, Rome Beauty, Red Delicious, and Mutsu apples are the stars of the show in late autumn. The orchard was brought back to life in 1997 by Stephen Cummins: son of Dr. Jim Cummins who, during his tenure at the Cornell University Experiment Station, cross-pollinated and produced more than 30,000 hybrid apple seeds. Together with a crew of dedicated co-founders, farmers, friends, and relatives, Cummins ensures that his 60-acre farm honors the land upon which it resides through education and careful cultivation.

Indian Creek Farm updates its homepage seasonally with available you-pick produce, hours, farm-stand goodies (don’t miss the fresh cider donuts), and “fresh crop alerts.”

Recommended airport: Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport (ITH)

Tradewind offers charter flights year-round to Newport, Bolton, Cheshire, Lebanon, and Ithaca. To receive a quote, please visit our charter request form or contact our charter specialists at charter@flytradewind.com or 1-800-376-7922. To learn more about Tradewind’s comprehensive safety plan, please visit our COVID-19 Response page. For the latest travel updates, please visit our Travel Advisory page.

The Best Northeast Destinations for Leaf Peeping in Fall 2020

As warm summer afternoons turn to crisp autumn nights, there’s no better time to visit the Northeast — with its bursts of marigold yellows, fiery reds, and impossibly vibrant shades of orange, the fall foliage in this corner of the country is second to none.

Plan a memorable “leaf peeping” getaway to one of these three charming New England hamlets, featuring scenic views, refreshing outdoor experiences, polished dining and accommodations, and easy access via Tradewind Aviation private charter. To witness this breathtaking season in full flourish, there’s no time like the present.

Stowe, Vermont 

Photo: Jim Liestman via flickr / CC BY

Located just 100 miles south of Montreal, Stowe in the fall feels like a dreamy escape to a far-flung destination — or maybe even a different time. Its tallest “skyline” feature (aside from the Green Mountain views) is Main Street’s white-steeple church, flanked on either side by an array of charming, locally owned boutiques, cafés, and refined dining hotspots. In fact, this region of Vermont happens to be the culinary capital of New England: The Bench, Plate, and Doc Ponds each receive rave reviews by critics and guests alike.

Stowe is also known for its craft brewery scene. von Trapp Brewing Bierhall and Idyletyme Brewing Company are favorites (the latter offering much-loved seasonal bistro fare, too). Beyond dining and drinking in the refreshing autumn air, Stowe of course offers countless outdoor experiences, including hiking, biking, and the Percy Farm Corn Maze off the Stowe Recreation Path.

Photo: The Lodge at Spruce Peak

One of our favorite things to do is simply rent a car and drive — half the joy of Stowe in the fall is simply meandering along its winding roads through colorful leaves as far as the eye can see. Check into either Topnotch Resort (also known for its rejuvenating spa) or The Lodge at Spruce Peak (which offers gold-enthusiast guests access to The Mountain Course at Spruce Peak), then embark on an adventure up to Smuggler’s Notch or toward Waterbury. Truly, there are no wrong turns.

Recommended airport: Morrisville-Stowe State Airport (MVL).

Bar Harbor, Maine

While this small enclave on Mount Desert Island (just off Maine’s Down East shoreline) is lauded for its summer scenery and traditions, autumn offers an equally picturesque time to explore on land and sea. In fact, the spirit of its location, one of the best ways to witness Bar Harbor’s dazzling coastal foliage is on the waters of Frenchman Bay, located next to the charming downtown. Bundle up, rent a kayak, and paddle along the coastline to take in views the island’s craggy outcroppings, dramatic granite cliffs, and colorful fall vistas. 

Warm up afterwards with a hot spiced apple cider at Coffee Hound Coffee Bar, or try a fall-inspired cocktail at Galyn’s — stay for dinner to enjoy fresh Maine lobster or a hand-cut steak overlooking Frenchman Bay. For a fine dining experience paired with nightly live entertainment, make a reservation at The Reading Room at the Bar Harbor Inn (also a historic and upscale place to stay on the island).

Photo: Bar Harbor Grand Hotel

Bar Harbor Grand Hotel is another charming favorite for accommodations, and with its location less than two miles from the Cadillac Mountain entrance of Acadia National Park, it’s particularly ideal for those looking to partake in Bar Harbor’s renowned hiking opportunities amid the season’s blazing foliage (here are five that can’t be missed).

Recommended airport: Hancock County Bar Harbor Airport (BHB).

Lenox, Massachusetts

Photo: Timothy Valentine / flickr / CC BY

This quintessential New England town in the southern corner of the Berkshires is perhaps best known as the home of the famed Shakespeare & Company. While this year’s season is on hold for now, there’s far more to Lenox than its renowned theatre scene (though it’s worth going back for next year) — namely, luxurious resorts, historic homes and buildings, outdoor activities, and of course, a rainbow of fall foliage.

Upon arrival, check into the Wheatleigh or the Blantyre, two resorts housed in ornate country mansions that date back to the 19th and early 20th century, respectively. Each perched on expansive, immaculately manicured grounds, they blend old-school opulence with modern luxury and extraordinary cuisine. The Blantyre’s signature restaurant Boulud (helmed by Michelin-starred Chef Daniel Boulud) is currently open to guests who aren’t staying at the property, and is well worth a visit. (Other top Lenox dining destinations include Mediterranean hotspot Alta and innovative new American eatery Nudel.)

Photo: The Wheatleigh / Tara Consolati Events

For another immersion into a classic Massachusetts mansion, visit the Mount, the historic estate of author Edith Wharton. Featuring public grounds dotted with colorful leaves, house tours are available by reservation only (fans of the paranormal shouldn’t miss the Ghost Tour, in particular). And if you still haven’t gotten your fill of classic estates, make a point to visit the Jacobean-style Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum. (On Saturday mornings, they offer outdoor yoga at 8am.) 

Fit in a final day of leaf peeping at the Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, which offers a glistening pond and seven miles of trails. One of them leads to the summit of Lenox Mountain — a perfect spot to survey the scenery and soak in the incomparable beauty of fall in the Northeast.

Recommended airport: Pittsfield Municipal Airport (PSF).

Tradewind offers charter flights year-round to Stowe, Bar Harbor, and Lenox. To receive a quote, please visit our charter request form or contact our charter specialists at charter@flytradewind.com or 1-800-376-7922. To learn more about Tradewind’s comprehensive safety plan, please visit our COVID-19 Response page. For the latest travel updates, please visit our Travel Advisory page.

Featured Photo: Tony Webster / flickr / CC B

New to Private Charter? Here's What You Need to Know.

In the age of COVID-19, there’s far more to private charter than superior comfort, enhanced flexibility, and significant time savings. These days, the benefits also include a new level of passenger safety compared to commercial flights.

Without having to navigate crowded airports, wait in crammed TSA lines, or interact with across-the-aisle passengers you don’t know, private charter is naturally set up for social distancing, thorough disinfection practices, and more. In other words, there’s never been a better (or more important) time to consider whether private charter might be right for you.

If you’re new to the process, here’s what you need to know when making the jump from commercial to private charter with Tradewind Aviation.

How to Book a Private Charter

Tradewind offers an informative and hands-on approach to inquiring and booking a private charter. Travelers may visit flytradewind.com to learn more about the experience, destinations, aircraft, and payment options. To inquire about a specific trip, a charter search form provides aircraft options and estimated pricing. Travelers may also contact Tradewind directly by phone or email to discuss the trip. 

From there, “the private charter experience starts with a consultation with our flight specialists so we can learn more about the client’s needs and offer the perfect solution,” says Tradewind Vice President and Co-Owner David Zipkin. “We discuss desired timing, routing, most convenient airports, passenger and luggage loads, special cargo, catering, and pets, if applicable.”

Your flight specialist will then match you with the aircraft that best suits your needs. For short-range flights and small airports, one of Tradewind’s Pilatus PC-12 turboprop planes often makes the most sense, while longer flights are usually serviced by the Tradewind fleet of Citation CJ3 light jets. With the Pilatus PC-12, you will achieve substantial cost savings over a jet — and for short-range flights (New York to Boston, for example), the flight time difference to flying a jet will be minimal. In cases where either aircraft is a viable option, your flight specialist will guide you through an honest discussion of pros and cons for each.

Once you’ve customized your options, your flight specialist will book the trip, and you’ll be (almost) ready for take-off. “The trip is now with our client services team, which finalizes the trip by collecting additional information and assisting with other needs such as ground transportation and catering,” says Zipkin. 

When to Book a Private Flight

The process outlined above can truly start as early or as late as you’d like it to — that’s part of the beauty of flying private.

“A private charter can be booked up to just a few hours before departure — although we recommend at least 24 hours to ensure availability of options,” says Zipkin. If you’re traveling in peak periods (such as around long weekends or holidays), you will want to consider planning your trip at least a couple of weeks in advance.

What is an Empty Leg?

During the booking process, your flight specialist will also let you know if there’s an empty leg flight that may fit your itinerary. An empty leg flight refers to a plane that will be re-positioning from one destination to another with no passengers on it, such as a return flight back to the plane’s original location. 

While they don’t offer the same options in terms of choosing your time or airport, if your travel is flexible, these flights offer significant savings on a private charter. (If you’d like to be in the know about Tradewind’s empty legs, you can sign up for the email list or watch for posts on the website, Twitter, and Instagram channels.)

What to Expect When Flying Private 

Flying private offers a very different experience than boarding a commercial flight — no early arrivals, baggage check, or TSA lines (security is handled before your trip with our vetting protocols).

“Most private flights operate from private FBO terminals, which offer a crowd-free environment and expedited departures,” explains Zipkin. (More on FBOs in a moment.) “Some FBOs will allow you to drive right to the airplane… and when you return, your vehicle will be brought out to the plane. At others, passengers are greeted curbside by the pilots and escorted out to the plane. The experience is full service and efficient, and most flights depart within just a few minutes of passenger arrival.” That means no waiting around, which offers significant time savings — rather than showing up 2 hours beforehand, you can arrive just 10 minutes before your scheduled departure.

In-flight, you’ll of course have the cabin to yourself. “Tradewind flights are always operated by two pilots. In turbo-props, light, and mid-size jets, there is typically no flight attendant,” says Zipkin — which means less contact with other people. “In large cabin aircraft, a flight attendant is onboard.”

The deplaning process is equally as seamless as the boarding process — you’ll be on your way moments after the plane lands at the FBO. 

What is an FBO?

If you’re (understandably) wondering what an FBO is, allow us to explain. “FBO stands for ‘fixed-base operator,’ which is a fancy name for a private terminal,” says Zipkin. “Airlines do not operate from FBOs, so the environment is crowd-free and set up for convenience, privacy, and comfort.”

As a bonus, most FBOs also offer complimentary valet parking and convenient self-park options, as well as well-appointed lounges and refreshments.

Cost of Flying Private 

While flying private certainly comes at a premium, you’ll be surprised by the value you can find with Tradewind Aviation. For example, flying from Westchester to Nantucket on a Pilatus PC-12 private charter costs approximately $4,295 (excluding taxes and fees), and with eight people, this rounds out to just over $536 per person. 

Tradewind also now features Private Shuttles (departing on set schedules), which offer an additional 20 percent savings (~$3,436, or ~$430 per person with eight people). By comparison, a seat on a regular shuttle flight (which is shared with up to seven other passengers and departs on set schedules) costs up to $875.

As an example of a longer-haul flight, a private charter from New York to Palm Beach on a Citation CJ3 jet costs around $15,000 and can accommodate up to six people.

Other Benefits of Flying Private 

From customizing your trip details to traveling only with your party (an especially meaningful perk in COVID times), the benefits of flying private are as vast as your options themselves.

You get to choose what time suits your schedule, as well as depart and arrive at airports closer to your destination. “For example, someone traveling from Greenwich, Connecticut to Stowe, Vermont can fly from Westchester County Airport (closer to home, instead of an NYC airport) and fly directly into Stowe (instead of Burlington, VT, 45 minutes away),” explains Grace Richardson, Marketing Manager at Tradewind Aviation. 

“Beyond convenience, privacy, and comfort, private charter offers maximum flexibility,” adds Zipkin. “The departure time can be changed at any time at no cost. On our domestic routes, flights may be cancelled up to 24 hours prior to departure and the client is not charged for the flight.”

At a time when it seems like the world (and your plans) can change on a dime, this is more important than ever.

Visit flytradewind.com to learn more about Tradewind’s private aviation solutions, or contact them directly at 1-800-376-7922 or charter@flytradewind.com. To learn more about Tradewind’s comprehensive safety plan, please visit our COVID-19 Response page. For latest travel updates, please visit our Travel Advisory page.

Why Private Charter Is the Safest Form of Air Travel Right Now

As health concerns remain and necessary precautions are taken to slow the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus, frequent travelers are questioning the safety of flying commercial. While a love of travel in all its forms is at the very core of who we are here at Tradewind, even those of us in the aviation industry recognize that crowded airports and aircraft simply aren’t conducive to keeping ourselves and those around us healthy. 

For some, putting a long-term halt to travel isn’t a viable option. Whether you’re conducting essential business, travelling to help those in need, or visiting loved ones, private charter is a safer solution that offers minimized contact with others, streamlined processes, and of course, comfort when you need it most.

Tradewind’s private charter flights are operated on our fleet of Citation CJ3 jets and Pilatus PC-12 turboprops, which each offer spacious cabins designed for small numbers of people Citation CJ3s (best suited for medium-range flights) can accommodate six people, while Pilatus PC-12s (best suited for short-range flights) can accommodate up to eight people, depending on the configuration you choose. With smaller capacities than commercial aircraft, these planes don’t put passengers in close proximity to as many people and they give each passenger more space.

Private charters also avoid many close-contact pitfalls found in large airports. You arrive directly to private terminal or tarmac just before departure time, sidestepping bag check, security lines, and crowded gates. You also bypass baggage claim at your destination, and your bags are handled by as few people as possible. Ultimately, the streamlined nature of flying private reduces your risk of exposure as you travel.

Going beyond the inherent health benefits of a private charter, of course, Tradewind has also implemented a comprehensive plan to keep our passengers as safe as possible while they travel. Tradewind aircraft for private charters as well as our scheduled shuttle flights in the Northeast and Caribbean are undergoing extensive and regular cleaning and disinfecting. All aircraft surfaces have been treated with EnviroSystems BioShield 75 Biostatic, which is an antimicrobial protectant that has been shown to be effective against viruses. Additionally, all aircraft are disinfected and cleaned thoroughly before each flight and undergo Ozone treatments regularly. Our private lounges are also disinfected throughout the day and deep-cleaned at night, and hand sanitizer and other health and safety items are is always available for our guests and team members at our departure locations.

To offer more private travel options, we have also launched a new program called the private shuttle, just in time for the summer season. The private shuttle allows clients to secure an entire plane solely for their party at a significant discount compared to a private charter. On existing Northeast shuttle routes to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, ticket book holders may allocate flight credits to secure the plane. On other Northeast routing (or without tickets,) a private shuttle may be booked at a 20% discount off of normal private charter rates. Private shuttles are available at set times during the day, operated in our fleet of commuter-configured Pilatus PC-12 aircraft, and may be booked on any routing between Teterboro (TEB) or Westchester (HPN) and any location within 200 miles. Popular routing includes TEB or HPN to Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, Montauk, East Hampton, Newport, Provincetown, Block Island, Chatham, and more!

Here at Tradewind, the health and wellbeing of our clients and team members is always our top priority and we will continue to monitor the situation and adapt to this new world. We assure you that our team is doing everything we can to keep you safe and healthy as we get you where you need to go.

To learn more about Tradewind private charters and private shuttles, or to book a scheduled flight, click here or call us at 1-800-376-7922. Tradewind also continues to operate many of our scheduled shuttle flights on our fleet of Pilatus PC-12s. To learn more about Tradewind’s comprehensive safety plan, please visit our COVID-19 Response page. For latest travel updates, please visit our Travel Advisory page.

Up Close and Personal at Grand Cayman’s Stingray City

Imagine yourself standing waist-deep in warm, turquoise Caribbean waters — tropical island views ahead of you, vast ocean behind you, and some of the sea’s most lovable, charming animals around you. 

While this may sound like a scene plucked straight out of a dream sequence, such a place exists, and it’s known as Stingray City. A sandbar just a few miles off the coast of Grand Cayman, it’s been a gathering place for stingrays from the island’s surrounding waters for some 50 to 60 years — as well as those keen to get up close and personal with these gentle sea creatures.

Stingray City, Grand Cayman

“There are these wild stingrays with no fence [around them] brushing up against you — you can hold them if you like, interact with them, and it just really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” says Graeme Brown, operations manager of Cobalt Custom Charters in the Cayman Islands. 

Free to come and go as they please, about 130 southern stingrays visit the sandbar on any given day (out of the thousands of stingrays that live around the island), says Brown. The reason some stingrays are brave enough to frequent this area — and, in turn, become familiar and friendly with their human visitors — is due to the simple promise of a meal.

In fact, this is how it all began. Many years ago, there were far more mangroves around the island, creating a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. This made it nearly impossible for fishermen to clean their fish on the dock at the end of the day, because the mosquitoes were relentless, explains Brown. “So, what they did is they started going to [what is now] Stingray City, because it is inside the barrier reef so the water is generally quite calm and protected, and it’s only a couple miles off shore, and there were no mosquitoes out there,” he says. They would throw their scraps into the water, and the stingrays caught on.

“And so, it just evolved — people started putting on snorkel masks and snorkeling with them, and then the stingrays got more comfortable and familiar [with people], so it just led to where it is now,” says Brown.

As you can imagine, the spectacle has drawn quite a crowd over the years — those who have heard of Stingray City may picture a packed, less-than-idyllic scene with as many large tour boats and people as there are stingrays. Much like your Tradewind charter flight to the Cayman Islands, however, private transportation affords a more convenient, seamless, and pleasurable experience, complete with expert crew guidance and intimate, once-in-a-lifetime interaction with the stingrays.

To begin your journey, “you take a boat ride for 20 to 25 mins across this crystal-clear water, and then all of a sudden you stop and you drop anchors,” says Brown. “You get into water that's three to four feet deep, and you're standing in the middle of the sea with an unobstructed view of the entire island, and there are these stingrays swimming up against you.”

While people tend to be a bit hesitant at first, he assures that these stingrays are completely comfortable with humans, and that they’re entirely safe, too. Stingrays have earned a bit of a dangerous reputation, but Brown explains that there’s nothing to fear.

“There are different types of stingrays, and the ones that are at stingray city are southern stingrays,” he says. “A southern stingray has a single barb, which is the part that everybody's afraid of, and it's fixed about halfway up their tail. But the barb is not an attack mechanism whatsoever — it is purely defense.” In fact, the stingrays have no control over it — they can’t eject it, change the angle, or use it as a weapon. It’s contained in a protective sheath, so you don’t have to worry about it brushing past you, too.

It’s designed to ward off predators (specifically, hammerhead sharks), says Brown. “If a shark comes to eat it, the stingray can sense the shark coming [when it’s buried under the sand], and it’ll lift its tail,” he explains. “The shark is going to impale that barb, and it'll hit it with enough force so that that sheath breaks and the barb injects into the shark.” Human visitors, on the other hand, aren’t in danger. 

Instead, your experience with the stingrays will likely include snorkeling with them, holding them, petting them, and even kissing them. (Sound like too much? Consider this: It’s said that a stingray kiss brings seven years of good luck.)

Sometimes, these one-on-one stingray interactions are exclusive to private charters, because you can plan your trip around when you’re least likely to run into giant tour boats (which can spook the stingrays away and dampen the mood). Brown explains, “when we go early in the morning or late in the afternoon around sunset, a lot of times we're one of maybe two or three private boats there, so there's 20 people there total and 50 stingrays. It's such a different experience.”

Plus, on a private tour, you’ll have more of a chance to feed them the squid they love. As part of conservation efforts, each boat (regardless of size) is only allowed to bring a one-pound bag of food in order to avoid over-feeding them (which can lead to high cholesterol in the stingrays, and overall a decline in the health of stingray populations). 

It’s one of many safeguards put in place to protect these creatures. Developed by the Department of Environment, there is a list of rules, procedures, and proper handling guidelines — for example, water shoes and fins are not allowed because they can harm the stingrays, each boat is required to have a license, and of course, there’s no throwing litter or garbage in the water. Ultimately, Brown says, “the stingrays are wild, so I think the sustainability of it is evident in the very nature that they come back by choice every day.”

It's no wonder the Cobalt Custom Charters crew comes back every day, too — being around these stingrays presents the chance to develop personal relationships with them, and to share those relationships with charter guests. “They get distinct markings as they age and they look certain ways, so we literally know some of them by name and we have a bit of a relationship with them,” he says. “They all have different kinds of attitudes, and they’re playful and gentle… we literally consider them to be underwater puppies.” 

This might just be reason enough to make your way to Grand Cayman to take part in this one-of-a-kind experience for yourself. 

Swim With Stingrays Grand Cayman

Tradewind offers private charter flights to the Cayman Islands year-round in their fleet of Citation CJ3 jets. To reserve a charter, call us at 1-800-376-7922 or click here. To learn more about Cobalt Custom Charters or to book your Stingray City experience, visit their website at cobaltcustomcharters.com.

All photos courtesy of Cobalt Custom Charters.