Arriving via private jet at the private airport at Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic, is a … [+]
Private jets have been arriving at Casa de Campo since it opened in the 1970’s, when the likes of Michael Douglas, Henry Kissinger, the late Joe DiMaggio and Frank Sinatra flew into the resort’s private airstrip.
Fast forward half a century and private-jet travel remains the preferred method of transportation for many of the luxury resort’s guests and residents. Who doesn’t love a quick, easy arrival at your destination, in a private jet?
In order to meet continued demand, the luxury resort, which is located next door to the private La Romana International Airport in the Dominican Republic, has recently introduced Casa de Campo Private Jet Services. The service provides turnkey solutions to Casa de Campo guests’ most discerning needs and effortlessly handles all of the arrangements from pickup to departure.
A small private jet can include luxury snacks and refreshments, with plenty of time to relax. A … [+]
Jason Kycek, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Casa de Campo, commented “With decades of experience, we know exactly how to make our guests’ private-jet experience as luxurious and comfortable as possible. Owning La Romana Airport allows us to provide our guests with personalized VIP services that set our service standards above the other regional airports.” The new service offers airline charters worldwide and has access to around 30,000 aircraft providers and planes seating up to 18 passengers. VIP catering, security, and ground transportation services are also offered and available upon request. Casa de Campo’s personal private-jet expert, Vanesa Cueto, can arrange a flight with as little as five hours’ notice–whatever time zone you are on. Prices for a private jet from London to La Romana (10-15 passengers) costs from around $55,000. A one-way ticket from, say Teterboro Airport for New Yorkers, on a midsized jet that seats eight, is about $25,000-$28,000.
Special private-jet packages are available that include seven nights in an oceanfront villa, champagne greeting, roundtrip SUV transportation to your villa, welcome amenities, daily breakfast in your villa, two resort golf carts, and much more.
I spoke at length to Ms. Cueto, director of Casa de Campo private jets, and she explained some of the advantages that this new service offers.
Vanesa Cueto assures that you arrive at Casa de Campo in ultimate comfort and style aboard a private … [+]
What are some of the private jets available?
“We have access to 35,000 Part-135 aircraft charters,” she said. “The reason why we have access to 35,000 is because we specialize in shopping the aviation market in a way where we don’t necessarily find options priced per hour, but are priced according to the clients’ route. It’s all about convenience. Our strategy is to strategically shop the market based on the client’s preferred route – so many aircraft are positioned in different places. My job is to find you a jet that will offer point-to-point pricing or at the very least, small repositioning fees.”
How long have you been doing this?
“I’ve been doing this since 2018 – I trained in London, and prior to this I was brokering textiles in New York and always knew I would end up in sales.”
What do you have to keep in mind when chartering a jet for a client?
“I’m like a lawyer asking all the right questions – concerning safety, which is Number One, but every client has different needs. It might be their budget. It might be luggage. Maybe they’re claustrophobic. I take all this into consideration.”
How much does it cost to charter a private jet to Casa de Campo?
“The average price of, say, Boston to Casa de Campo – is usually a family of 5-8 – we have been able to keep it less than $27,000. The last one I did was $25,000 one-way on a Citation 10 jet in the super midsized category.
“Luckily, Casa de Campo built a private airport for their affluent residents in the Seventies. A few commercial airlines fly in but it is limited – it’s more for the private-jet travelers. Many residents of Casa de Campo own their own aircraft as well and house it at our private airport during their time here.”
Can you explain some of the advantages?
“What our clients really appreciate about flying with us is the personalized service – I’m their personal assistant for private travel. I understand what’s important, and shop the market – and they appreciate that convenience. The process is way more simplified than commercial — it is a luxurious entrance and you definitely don’t feel the fear of being contaminated by the virus. The aircraft has been disinfected. There’s coffee, wine and spirits, luxury snacks, the finest creams and hand wash – I always have the ability to request a more talkative pilot, to make the experience more pleasant. They appreciate the small details. Just show your passport and get on the airplane. We also handle ground transportation and catering. It saves valuable time – many of these people have very busy schedules. And traveling with children on commercial is an inconvenience.”
How long in advance can one charter a flight?
“I can arrange a flight with as little as two hours’ notice but I don’t recommend it. Most people book three weeks in advance. Of course, I have some clients that book three days out as well.”
“A lot of clients just want Point A to Point B and only to make sure it’s a safe aircraft – they’re all valid. Versus another client who spends an extra $10,000 because the refurb of the interior is for 2020. Everyone has different priorities. I fly a lot of baseball players due to the fact that I’m from San Pedro de Macoris – it’s where baseball players are bred in the Dominican Republic. It’s all about asking the customer the right questions.”
Also very important is the fact that as of January 26, Casa de Campo will offer complimentary COVD-19 antigen testing on site, at no extra cost, to travelers who are headed home and must have the testing down in order to enter the USA.
There’s no doubt about it – flying private jet – and staying in your socially-distanced posh private villa – is the best way to enjoy Casa de Campo. As Mr. Kycek told me, “Privacy is the new luxury.”
For more about my Wanderlust travels, please Follow me on Instagram at @debbikickham. To read more of my travel features, please subscribe to Forbes.com.