07 October 2015

The rise of Aviation Tourism & the AvGeek

Last week we launched a spectacular itinerary, offering the chance to experience some of the world’s most spectacular landings in the Caribbean, and travelling there on a Gulfstream G650. This would be a dream trip for many, but appeals specifically to luxury AvGeeks – those with a huge passion for aviation.

The term AvGeek is a compliment. At PrivateFly many of us would describe ourselves that way. It’s a name that defines us as a community that lives and breathes all things aviation. Some AvGeeks are pilots or other aviation professionals, but others just love to fly, outside of their other day jobs. (Think you may be one too? See our checklist 10 signs you’re an AvGeek.)

Day-to-day the AvGeek can indulge his or her passion in front of the screen, or by looking at aircraft from the ground. But there is no substitute for actually getting airborne. So it’s a passion that extends perfectly to holiday planning – and we’re not talking about an off-the-shelf package holiday.

This is Aviation Tourism. A growing travel trend that celebrates the joy of flying there, as well as the destination.

It may be flying or just sitting onboard some of the world’s most iconic aircraft; experiencing a unique flight or landing; getting behind-the-scenes at airports or aircraft manufacturers; or visiting destinations that offer an unusual or rich aviation history. Then there’s the extra bonus of meeting other AvGeeks who share the same passion.

And while there is a subset of Aviation Tourists who have the budget for a bespoke VIP itinerary, it is also possible to find iconic aviation experiences that are less budget-busting.

So here are some of our favourite, global #AvTourism hotspots. It was so hard to choose (we might have to come back to this one).

The Caribbean’s iconic island landings – St Martin, St Barts & Saba

This pocket of the Caribbean offers a very special combination of experiences for the Aviation Tourist. Firstly the low approach at St Martin’s Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM). where large aircraft almost skim sunbathers’ heads on Maho beach.

Then there are the nearby islands of St Barts and Saba. Each offering a rollercoaster ride of a landing, over breathtaking sea and island scenery, designed to thrill every AvGeek to the core. Saba’s runway is the shortest in the world, and St Barts is not much longer, with a very steep approach.

PrivateFly’s VIP itinerary also includes behind-the-scenes talks and tours with pilots and airport management. And not forgetting the option of a flight in a long range Gulftstream G650 to get there – the world’s fastest and furthest private jet with a high spec luxury interior and Gulfstream’s iconic oval windows.

Get there by private jet? PrivateFly’s VIP itinerary from £48,000 per person from London, in a Gulfstream G650. Or from £12,000 without the long range flight. See more details.

The Boneyard, Tucson Arizona

A huge mass of decommissioned aircraft is a jawdropping sight for anyone. There are several ‘aircraft graveyards’ in the world, but one stands out for its sheer volume of aircraft.

The Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona, is better known as The Boneyard, where the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) stores 4,400 aircraft, in spectacular, neat row formation. Some are used for spare parts or research, others are stored ready to be brought back into service.

The location was chosen both for its space and for its perfect environment for aircraft preservation – low humidity, infrequent rainfall, high altitude and hard alkaline soil. It’s home to a huge range of aircraft, from enormous cargo planes to bombers, Hercules transport planes, A10 Thunderbolts and F-14 Tomcat fighters.

Of course military aircraft facilities are not that easy to visit, and AMARG is a controlled-access facility. So the only access to The Boneyard for non-cleared individuals is via a ticketed bus tour that begins at the nearby Pima Air and Space Museum.

Get there by private jet? The closest airport is Tuscon International, just 10 miles from the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. From $11,600 in a Citation Mustang (seats 4) from LA Van Nuys Airport (3-night return).

EBACE in Geneva

EBACE is Europe’s biggest industry gathering of private jets and a much-coveted slot in the aviation calendar. Manufacturers will often make major announcements and unveil new prototypes at the show. See our report from EBACE 2015: Which aircraft were hot news this week at EBACE?

And the impressive static display (showcasing over 50 private jets) is a sight to behold, enabling visitors to climb onboard and enjoy the interiors of many different types and sizes of aircraft.

Aviation tourists can visit the show by becoming a member of the European Business Aviation Association. But many fans are just as excited by the sight of so many iconic aircraft flying in to Geneva on the day before the show, and out again just after.

So photographers jostle for the best space with a view of the runway and approach. And hotel rooms with a view of the airport are much in demand, for months beforehand.

Get there by private jet? EBACE is held at Geneva Airport. Fly from London Luton to Geneva in a Citation XLS ( seats 8 ) from £9,313 (overnight return).

Toulouse, home of Airbus

The French city of Toulouse is a mecca for aviation fans, with aerospace such an important part of its history, life and culture.

The city is home to the Aeroscopia Museum – which includes a huge collection of aircraft, new and old; rich informative displays; and a Restoration workshop.

The museum ticket can be combined with ‘Let’s Visit Airbus’ – a discovery tour of the A380’s assembly site nearby. The J.L. Lagardère site is entirely dedicated to final assembly and flight preparations of the A380. And the public tour is full of detail, covering the aircraft’s design stage through to its commercial service.

And for those with aspirations to become future Space Tourists, Toulouse is also home to the space museum, Cité de l’espace.

Get there by private jet? Fly from London Luton to Toulouse in an Embraer Phenom 100 (seats 4) from £13,300 (3-night return).

Barra, the world’s only beach landing

When it comes to unique aviation experiences, a landing on the tiny island of Barra, in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, is hard to beat.

It’s the only airport in the world where scheduled and private charter flights land and take off from the beach- on Traigh Mhòr bay on the north coast of the island. At high tide the runways are under water.

There are no airport lights, so landings are restricted by the light, as well as the tides. Emergency flights are guided in to the island by car headlights.

Barra is always highly rated in PrivateFly’s annual Favourite Airport Approaches Poll, and won in 2011 with one voter commenting: “You are totally enchanted by the contrast of greenery, rugged shorelines, the shimmering waters and the spectacular white sands which you eventually land on (when the tide is out). Totally and utterly amazing!”

Get there by private charter? Fly from Glasgow to Barra in a BN Islander (8 seats) from £3,300 (same day return).

Seattle, home of the AvGeek

There’s not many places in the world as rich in aviation connections as Seattle. The US city is home to manufacturing giant Boeing and you are never far away from someone or somewhere connected to aerospace in some way.

So it was no surprise that Seattle was chosen as the location for Aviation Geek Fest (AGF), an exclusive, annual convention for AvGeeks organised by Airline Reporter. The 2015 event – in February – was a sell out in less than 30 seconds.

The convention gives its 250 ticket holders aviation experiences in Seattle with VIP access. Such as a tour of Boeing’s huge Everett Factory, where Boeing 747, 777 and 787 Dreamliner jets are assembled. While normal visitors can see the factory floor from above, AGF attendees can get in amongst the aircraft on the factory floor. Phones and cameras are banned, for security reasons.

Attendees also get to visit Boeing’s delivery center; its 737 factory in Renton; VIP access to Seattle-Tacoma airport; and have a tour of Alaska Airline’s maintenance facility. There are guest speakers and social events over the 2-day event.

On the same site as the Boeing facility is the Future of Flight Aviation Center – an aviation museum and education facility which focusses on innovation in flight. Seattle is also home to the Museum of Flight, with it’s spectacular display of historic aircraft.

Renton Municipal Airport, which is dedicated to general aviation, is right next door to to Boeing’s 737 factory.

Get there by private charter? Fly from New York Teterboro to Renton Municipal in a Hawker 800 (8 seats) from $42,560 (3-night return).

Share your suggestions for other Aviation Tourism itineraries with us on Facebook or Twitter using #AvTourism. Or contact our Flight Team on +44 1747 642 777 for advice and pricing for any global itinerary.

Related content

09 April 2019

5 ‘off-road’ private aircraft for remote landings

There are many attributes of Pilatus’ aircraft that make them attention-grabbing. Both the original PC-12 turboprop and the new PC-24 jet (which is now available for charter) are spacious and stylish. And while most clients…
05 December 2018

My first year at PrivateFly

Gianluca Cioffi joined PrivateFly’s Flight Team just over a year ago. Here he reflects on his time in the team so far and gives an insight into life at PrivateFly. Our Flight Team is made up…
18 September 2018

The world’s first charter Pilatus PC-24 is now available

We’ve been looking forward to offering the Pilatus PC-24 to our private jet charter customers, since it was first announced four years ago. So it’s very exciting to now be able to do so. One of the…
Sustainability

PrivateFly is committed to a long term sustainability program, dedicated to going far beyond just carbon offsetting.

Read More
Our Group

PrivateFly is a sister company to Flexjet, which provides shared ownership and programmes for experienced private aviation users who fly 50+ hours per year

Visit The Website
Speak to our flight team 24/7
Connect With Us
Our Websites
Back to top