If you like to travel in style and comfort, then Surf Air should be on your radar.
While this subscription based airline is mainly operating in California now in the states, they are adding new routes all the time.
Currently, there are 12 U.S. flight routes including Palm Springs, the SF Bay Area, Monterey, San Diego, Carlsbad, Truckee/Lake Tahoe, Napa, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. In Europe, they fly from London to Ibiza and have also added routes to Zurich. More routes are being added all the time, so be sure to check their site for the latest destinations.
What Makes Surf Air Unique?
Surf Air simplifies the flying process and the planes leave from private airports close to major city airports. For example in London, they leave from Luton, which is a borough roughly 25.2 miles north of Central London and from the San Francisco Bay Area, the flights leave from San Carlos, which took us 20 or so minutes in an Uber from the city.
Our trip took us to Los Angeles and we had both Hawthorne and Burbank airports to choose from on the LA side. The sweet thing about the membership is that because they do security checks in advance and have your photo on file, you can arrive just 15 minutes before your flight and take off in the comfort of custom-designed executive aircraft.
San Carlos Airport
It was a bit cloudy when we left San Carlos on the earliest morning flight we could catch, which we opted for to give us maximum time in Beverly Hills, where we were heading for a luxury escape. Foodies, be sure to read up on our Beverly Hills Food Guide for some of our top restaurant picks.
That said, the one great thing about early morning flights is that you may just get lucky enough to catch a breathtaking sunrise coming through the clouds. We did and it was spectacular.
We heard that the weather was supposed to be “grand” in Los Angeles, so we couldn’t wait for take off.
Surf Air Comfort
The other thing we loved about our experience is that you are flying with no more than 7 other Members who you’re likely to have more in common with than passengers on standard flights.
And, it’s super comfy inside. There are snacks and bottled water as well but since the flights are all short, you don’t need to think about a proper hot meal service.
The ride was oh so smooth as well, so we arrived feeling rested and well….happier. The service from the pilot and team were top notch, something that is sadly missing from most commercial airlines today. Greeted with a smile — is that too much to ask? Avid travelers feel that pain every day.
We got both smiles and delicious cookies at Surf Air, all wrapped around a seamless check in and flying experience.
Well, I had to see the cockpit didn’t I?
Quick Booking Access Thru Surf Air Mobile
Surf Air “gets technology” and realizes that for busy travelers like you and I, that our time is valuable. They have a useful mobile app that allows you to set up your booking in seconds through a handy and easy user interface.
From the date you want to fly to destinations and available flights, you can easily make your booking quickly.
For example, simply select your to and from airport via a drop down menu, and you’re done — it’s that easy and seamless!
When we travel a lot on business, it can get tiring. We are accustomed to the complicated, cumbersome, and expensive processes of the current flying experience where we are always nickeled and dimed. And, its tedious, even if you have the added perk of TSA Pre-Check or Global Entry.
From delays to crowded lines, and feeling like you’re being shuffled through like cattle, the current commercial airline experience isn’t fun.
Becoming a Surf Air member introduces you to a revolutionary way to fly. It gives you the freedom of unlimited flights, 30-second booking, and a new and easy arrive-and-fly process. Bravo!
Surf Air Perks & Amenities
Okay, so I pay a monthly fee and have access to unlimited flights, but what else do I need to know?
We experienced three airports during our first experience with Surf Air: San Carlos, Hawthorne and Burbank. Each airport served complimentary tea, coffee, bottled water, juices and soda. They also offered snacks, like healthy organic chips, health bars, cookies and crackers.
There were charging stations and Burbank even had a VIP shower area where you could freshen up.
Views from our Surf Air Flight
The other sweet thing about the Surf Air experience is that because the aircraft is smaller, it flies a little lower for its short flights. The smooth ride is quiet and relaxing and because we flew lower, the views were ten times more vivid and beautiful than they tend to be from a commercial aircraft.
Here are some of the breathtaking views from the air on our flight from San Carlos (closest airport to San Francisco) to Burbank, which is a stone’s throw from LAX. A whole lotta wow, right?
Hello Burbank
Upon arrival, Burbank was as glorious as predicted, with clear blue skies and palm trees in the distance. Unlike LAX, which is often a zoo, the small private airport allowed us to grab our bags immediately, pick up our Buick Cascada and head out. This is another added perk of flying with Surf Air so you save time on each end – pure bliss!
What About the Aircraft?
When you fly Surf Air, you fly Pilatus PC-12 executive aircraft, which has apparently earned a reputation for outstanding reliability and safety. It is said to be the best selling pressurized single-engine turboprop aircraft in the world.
Bottom line, Surf Air eliminates the pain, hassle, and wasted time that accompany current travel options. Unlike other options in its category, its much for viable for frequent flyers.
Flying in a private charter or jet can be fairly expensive, with much planning required well in advance. With Surf Air, you can book flights minutes before departure and have the experience of flying in a private aircraft without private jet pricing.
The current pricing is $1,950 a month for access to unlimited flights, which for business travel, is an easy ROI if you travel a lot. A minimum of 10 round-trips (distributed as 20 one-way flights) must be purchased upon activation. A maximum of four one-way flights may be booked in any one person’s name at a given time.
Check out the Surf Air website for more information on their service, membership and latest flight routes.
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Note: our Surf Air flight was hosted but all opinions expressed are entirely our own.
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Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
