Private Jet

From airline attendant to underdog superhero, and seemingly overnight, Steven Slater has certainly made his point.  What he likely didn’t realize was the multitude of other issues that would be brought to the surface in the mix.  So what is up with commercial air travel?

To recap, Steven Slater was a JetBlue flight attendant and self-professed “Bag Nazi”.  Slater made a dramatic exit, and headlines, quitting his position by grabbing two beers and sliding down an emergency exit slide following an altercation with an unruly passenger.   (see photos at right, nice sleeves officer...)

The Terrafugia Transition is the closest thing to a flying car that has been created to date.  There is no end to the awesomeness of this idea, a vehicle that is equal parts plane and you know, car.  Seriously.

Terrafugia is a startup firm, and they have been developing and tweaking the Transition (fitting name) since 2006.  This startup was founded by a group of MIT engineers who seem to have an affinity for the aerial.  Basically, Transition is a light, single-engine plane capable of folding its wings, with a substantial four-wheeled undercarriage allowing it to be a car.  One word:  Beast.

The name Gulfstream certainly stands out among private jet and aircraft manufacturers, and the Gulfstream G550 is among their best models.  So let’s discuss what comes with the $59.9 million dollars buyers will shell out to own one.

The G550 Gulfstream features an oversized cabin, and is a long-range business jet charter that has been receiving its fair share of attention from its inception.  It accomplished this by flying non-stop from Seoul, South Korea to Orlando Florida just two weeks after it entered service, scaling the 7,301 nautical miles in just 14.5 hours.  This feat snagged the G550 a city pair record, and it established 40 more during its first 5 years of service (it has been in service since 2003).

There are many ways to travel, many of which are well above “first-class”.  For instance, there are private jet charters, which seem to be the preferred method of transport for the world’s elite and the wealthy.  Like paparazzi favorite, Paris Hilton.

When your parents are literally made of money, it seems traveling is not so tiresome.  Recently, Paris took off to South Africa, where the World Cup was being hosted in a luxury aircraft charter, from which she tweeted photos to her followers.

I know I am not alone when I lament commercial air travel.  The long lines, increasingly idiotic security measures (if my deodorant could be a bomb, why did you toss it hard into a trash can?), canceled flights, delays, less than hygienic passengers and screaming children. 

What if you could travel faster, and in complete tranquility?  Is this a fantasy of yours as you stand in line at commercial airports clutching your luggage, sweat breaking out on your forehead as you scan the flight status marquee?  Well, it could be a reality when you choose a private jet charter.

This week Imagine Lifestyles is highlighting our Cessna Citation CJ1, a private jet charter falling into the lightweight jet category.  This is an ideal private aircraft charter for smaller groups, going shorter distances.

Labeled as the “aircraft of choice” for short-range business and corporate jet charters, the CJ1 Citation charter delivers the ultimate in luxury while simultaneously providing seamless and stress-free trips. 

This private luxury air charter is ideal for short business trips, small family vacations and a variety of other needs.  This luxury jet seats five to seven passengers comfortably, and was designed and engineered with the passenger in mind, to deliver and exceed expectations.

Mercedes-Benz just got a little bit cooler…if that was possible.  The luxury company has joined forces with Eurocopter and presented upon the world a luxury helicopter of grand proportions!

This is truly exciting news for luxury fans worldwide.  It is the first product by Eurocopter in the new Mercedes-Benz style range.  The companies jointly unveiled the EC145 luxury helicopter May 4th at the European Business Aviation Convention in Geneva. 

Imagine Lifestyles luxury rentals is thrilled to announce our recent expansion into the Chicago area.  Imagine Lifestyles is the premier source for luxury car rentals, yacht charter, aircraft charter and luxury property rentals in Miami, New York, Los Angeles and now Chicago.  Chicago is a premier world city, and we are pleased to become a part of it.

There are many upsides to renting exotic toys such as luxury cars, boats, planes and even vacation homes as opposed to owning them.  Let us fill you in on the perks.

Renting luxury items is ideal for many people; even people who can afford to own the items.  It is a common misconception that renting an exotic car, or a luxury condo rental signifies that person cannot afford to own one-that is simply not the case.  Many who travel often, or who are savvy, opt to rent luxury items for many reasons.

Roman Abramovich ranked number 15 on the World's Billionaires list for 2008. This year, Abramovich bought Britain's leading football club, Chelsea, for more then $300 million. Along with the British soccer team, the billionaire recently added a six-story house in London's Eaton Square, part of the estate of the Duke of Westminster, which is said to be worth more than $46 million.  His portfolio of property also contains homes in West Sussex, Moscow and St. Tropez on the French Riviera. Abramovich's custom-made 300-foot yacht, Le Grand Bleu, which is worth $90 million, features a helicopter and two hovercraft launch pads. Le Grand Bleu was christened in Rio de Janeiro and has its home port in Bermuda. 

Now Abramovich is leading a  syndicate of Russian tycoons to buy Tassignano airport in northern Italy, for investment purposes.  The airport which is worth more than 4 million GBP is near encampment of exclusive villas and vacation homes. Maybe Tassignano airport will make a nice investment but more likely it will make for a very exclusive get-a-way destination for Roman Abramovich and his friends.

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For the real and really luxurious jetsetters of the world, take Marc Jacobs advice. The American fashion designer and icon knows what luxury travel actually means. Mr. Marc Jacobs says, “I don't think there's anything practical about traveling with a trunk. Luxury travel is traveling with a toothbrush. That's it, end of story. The people who really live luxurious lives don't need to pack. They've got stuff wherever they go."

Imagine Lifestyles is a luxury rental company and we do concur! Our company keeps luxurious jetsetters status quo and on the go. Meaning, our clients don’t even need a toothbrush because that is the least of it. We provide our clients with the jets to jet set; five-star properties with five-star amenities to live; and, exotic rental cars to race or just drive. We have exquisite yachts to rent and knowledgeable employees to get you into the best restaurants and nightclubs. You Imagine and we make the luxurious lifestyle reality.

Luxury lifestyle imposters are the ones travelling with the bulky Louis Vuitton trunks on commercial flights. When a real jetsetter reaches their destination they buy a seasonal wardrobe or we can even have someone do that for you. Marc Jacobs has it all right and the real jet set are on his brain wavelength.

Donald Trump claims “now” is the time to buy property, if only it were that easy.  Many who still have the money to buy “now” can’t find financing. If financing isn’t stopping you, consider yourself lucky and look to South Beach. Right now in South Beach properties are being sold for way less than asking price.  Take, for instance, luxury building Murano at Portofino, located at 1000 S Pointe Drive in the South Beach area of Miami Beach. Where a penthouse unit with an asking price of $12,000,000 just sold for $7,600,000. The spacious three bedrooms, five and a half bath unit is just one example of what’s going on in South Beach, there are lots more just like this. The question is, when will the real estate market finally hit bottom? The question is tough to answer but it seems like buyers are moving towards the beach. Activity is gradually picking up, more inquiries, and more viewings, will sooner or later translate into more sales.

The world's most exclusive department store is Harrods of London and just in case that was up for dispute, check it out. Harrods has just added a private aviation program to services offered. To offer the firm's ultra rich clientele air support via helicopter and corporate jet, Harrods has teamed up with the UK based Watkins Yacht Management company. The two firms will offer a "streamlined luxury travel experience" for the wealthy at sea. Harrods will fly you in from sea to shop and back out to your yacht with bags in tote, luxury all the way is to be expected.  Next time you're on the mega-yacht and get sea sick, take a break, call Air Harrods and spend the day shopping  in London. Yachts, jets and Harrods, life doesn't get much better.

A month ago, at Imagine Lifestyles, were called upon by Vogue for a Bentley Flying Spur. Vogue needed the luxury vehicle for a photo shoot Friday, starring Naomi Cambell. We, of course delivered and so at 8 am on Friday found ourselves at Opa Locka's private airport. The shoot was full scale for Cambell, caterers, two trailers, back up nail technicians and all the essentials.  Naomi Cambell's Escalade drove up and the atmosphere became somewhat somber. She got out of the car, walked to the tent and browsed over the food selection, to our surprise she was smiling. Cambell wore ripped blue jeans, a white t-shirt and little black vest with her signature long hair flowing. Cambell took a small plate and disappeared into the trailers for two hours.

   

She re-emerged in a beautiful white dress, wig and nails done, thus indicating that it was time to begin. The actual photo shoot went for just about an hour. Naomi pretending to get off a private jet, our Bentley in the background and a troop of servants in the foreground with her. Fake assistant, body guards, pilots, driver all dressed in black without make-up to offset rather than outdo Cambell in her white designer dress.

The shoot wrapped, we took our Bentley home to our luxury car garage, and Cambell & co moved to the next location at the Mondrian Hotel on South Beach. Vogue's spread with Naomi Cambell will be in May's issue and we will be hoping the next shoot we are called upon features Marissa Miller or Kate Moss.

The premium coffee caffeine buzz is wearing off. For the last three months Starbucks has taken a beating in what was the companies worst quarter yet, but they still bought their third corporate jet. Starbucks' shares have plummeted 56% in the last year and last month they had a $45 million private jet delivered. What was Starbucks thinking? Obviously they weren't thinking  because this month Starbucks is trying to sell its new Gulfstream, 550. Starbucks' new private jet has made only 15 flights, several of which were in Honolulu and Kona, Hawaii. Where Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz was taking a a two-week vacation. Schultz went on vacation while Starbucks announced the closing of 300 additional stores in January. Its ok because Starbucks has resolved to only keep one of its three jets as part of a new savings plan. Chief Financial Officer Troy Alstead said that Starbucks' is aiming to save $500 million this year, well, good luck with that.

Apparently Starbucks' ordered the 19-seat plane three years ago when yuppie America was all about premium Frappucinnos.  As for the new Starbucks' Gulfstream 550, “the interior is tastefully completed in neutral tones of gray leather and gray cashmere. The Australian Walnut woodwork is high gloss finish and is enhanced with satin nickel plating throughout the aircraft.”  If you're in the market for a basically brand new Gulfstream then buy Starbucks's at a deal. The private plane that cost the coffee company about $45 million may be worth as little as $30 million, thanks to plunging market demand.