As much as those of us in the travel industry tout the rejuvenating effects of a vacation, rarely do I come back from a trip feeling truly relaxed or refreshed — and for me, that’s mostly due to the modern flying experience.
Chaotic airports, delayed flights, long immigration lines and overcrowded planes are all great ways to undo the effects of even the best vacation. Luxury travelers who want to avoid all these headaches — and actually enjoy flying — should consider Aero, which operates semi-private flights bookable by the seat.
I was lucky enough to test out the product on a recent trip to Los Cabos, Mexico, and was an immediate convert. Here’s what to know about the Aero experience.
Exceptional Amenities
From the moment I arrived at Aero’s private terminal in Los Angeles (at the peaceful and uncrowded Van Nuys Airport), my husband and I felt like absolute VIPs. Before we could even exit the car, an Aero employee was taking care of our luggage — which we didn’t have to lay a hand on again until we reached our hotel in Cabo. Another helpful concierge escorted us into the private, Aero-branded lounge.
Here, we waited comfortably with just half a dozen other passengers, sipping lattes and helping ourselves to breakfast bites and juices from upscale grocer Erewhon. A pair of Aero employees moved calmly from guest to guest, checking us all in for the flight without a queue in sight. Another perk? Travelers can arrive just 20 minutes before departure, adding to the luxuriously relaxed vibe.
After an easy security check, we were ready to get onboard. Our flight to Cabo had only 16 seats, making the boarding process a breeze. Each row consisted of two seats separated by the aisle, giving each passenger a window, plenty of personal space and individual power outlets. And immediate access to complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi ensured that there was no drop in connectivity.
Plane interiors are spacious and comfortable.
2026 AeroIn-flight service is highly attentive thanks to the low passenger count, and high-quality amenities abound. My husband and I indulged in glasses of Veuve Clicquot Champagne, just one of many included premium beverage options spanning wine, beer, cocktails, fresh juices, coffee, tea and more. Culinary options for the Los Angeles-Cabo route are catered by Erewhon: On the way there, breakfast included zucchini bread bites, overnight oats, an avocado tartine and a peanut butter protein smoothie, while the afternoon menu on the flight home offered a mezze platter, crispy chicken with kale and white bean salad, chips with guacamole and pico de gallo, a chicken salad slider and a cheese and charcuterie box.
Guests could also request complimentary wellness amenities, such as Tower 28 face spray (a product I liked so much I have since incorporated it into my daily routine) and a lip treatment from the same brand; a Therabody LED mask treatment was also listed on the menu, though I didn’t test that one out. Any essentials travelers may have forgotten are available, as well, such as earplugs, dental kits, sleep masks, phone chargers and playing cards. The in-flight menu even listed offerings for furry passengers, as Aero is a pet-friendly airline (in fact, our flight had three well-behaved dogs onboard).
The streamlined service continued upon our arrival in Los Cabos, where we landed at another private terminal, allowing for an expedited immigration and customs procedure far from the typical lines and crowds. After just a few minutes of processing, we were out the door and mere steps away from our waiting car and driver — an experience that was replicated on our return to Los Angeles a few days later.
An Erewhon mezze plate was fresh and flavorful.
2026 Kelly Rosenfeld“How are we ever going to go back to flying commercially after this?” my husband asked me afterwards. I had no good answer to give him.
Hotel Partnerships
We were fortunate enough to experience Aero thanks to the company’s partnership with the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, our destination for this trip. Under a co-branded package, clients can receive 10% off room rates at the property, preferred pricing on flights and roundtrip transfers from Los Cabos International Airport to the Waldorf Astoria, plus daily breakfast for two, a bottle of tequila and a daily guacamole amenity at the hotel. The partnership not only offers great perks, but also creates a seamless travel experience from end to end that luxury clients are sure to love.
Other hotel partners include Faena New York; Aman New York; Hotel Jerome in Aspen, Colorado; Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills in Los Angeles; Meadowood, Solage and Stanly Ranch in Napa Valley, California; Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley in Park City, Utah; and Parker Palm Springs in California. (Aero also works with luxury travel club Inspirato.)
Where Aero Flies
Out of Los Angeles, Aero flies to Aspen; Las Vegas; Los Cabos; Maui; Napa Valley; New York City; Palm Springs; Heber Valley, Utah; and Sun Valley, Idaho. This November, it will add Miami to that list, as well as launch an Aspen-Miami route in December. From New York, destinations include Aspen and Los Angeles.
Aero has additional expansion plans in the works, as well, including doubling its fleet size by adding four Gulfstream IV jets for increased frequency on longer routes, and opening two more private, Aero-branded lounges at terminals in New York and Miami.
Travel advisors can access commissionable rates by registering with Aero, earning on individual tickets, group bookings of seven or more guests and full-jet bookings. For any agent whose clients are apt to book business- or first-class airfare, suggesting Aero as an alternative (where possible) is a smart move — like us, once clients fly semi-private, they’ll probably never want to go back to the old ways.
