Are you planning your next trip within the U.S. or the Caribbean? You know that flying private is the best way to go, but from the plethora of private jet companies, which company to choose? Tradewind Aviation, based in Oxford, Connecticut, conducts both on-demand private leasing and scheduled “Shuttle” services across the United States, and across the Caribbean, separately, as well as private jet management services. Let’s go into what this company offers so you can decide whether it’s the right choice for you.
Topics
Company History
The company’s journey began in 2001 with a single Cessna Caravan. Today, the charter service operates more than twenty jets and flies between eleven locations across North America and the Caribbean.
Each trip within the United States departs and lands at a fixed base operator (FBO) to provide the most outstanding level of service. An FBO is a private jet terminal located at a separate terminal that handles private aircraft passengers and services.
The Tradewind’s management team has over ten years of experience in the private jet industry and the transport sector, so you’ll be in good hands should you decide to fly with them.
Scheduled and Charter Flights
Tradewind provides scheduled shuttle flights in addition to private charter flights. Shuttle flights follow a strict timetable and are issued by the seat, while private charters fly at any destination within the U.S. and the Caribbean and at any day and time you choose.
Let’s look at both options in more detail.
Private Charter Flights
Tradewind has been providing safe and dependable on-demand private charter flights since 2002. If you become a frequent flyer, you get a discount jet card, but there are no membership fees, and you don’t have to commit long-term.
You can contact a member of their team on the following link and they will assist you in booking your private charter.
Scheduled Shuttle Service?
Tradewind shuttle service runs at predetermined times throughout the day. Shuttle flights provide the luxury and ease of a private flight at the price of a single ticket. When you book a seat on any scheduled flight, you will enjoy benefits, such as:
- Flexible ticket terms,
- Free itinerary changes,
- Interchangeable tickets with family and friends.
Shuttle flights departing from private charter FBO terminals are conducted from New York to:
- RI and Stowe,
- Nantucket,
- Newport,
- VT,
- and Martha’s Vineyard.
In the Caribbean, Shuttle flights are offered between:
- Anguilla,
- San Juan,
- St Thomas,
- St Barths,
- and Antigua.
Tradewind employs the Pilatus PC-12 airplanes for shuttle services. You can book a seat on a shuttle or purchase 6 tickets to have the plane to yourself.
Shuttles run on schedule, so you are required to be at the airport minimum half an hour before the scheduled departure time.
Depending on your route, changes and cancellations are permitted up to 48 hours before departure. You can book your seat on a scheduled flight following this link to their website.
Jet Card Program
In 2019, Tradewind Aviation launched the “Goodspeed” Card for frequent flyers, a pre-purchase card fliers can use for traveling with Tradewind’s fleet of Pilatus PC-12 airplanes. It’s advertised as affordable and easy to use.
The card holders don’t have to pay empty leg fees, making it ideal for business or leisure travelers, as well as for families. If your travel route is within Tradewind’s primary service territories (Northeast United States and the Caribbean), you pay a single flat fare that covers the flight time and all airport fees.
The company states that the “Goodspeed” card is around 30% less expensive than rival charter membership programs, and it comes without the entry and subscription fees that other companies demand. As a member, you pay for the actual flight travel time, and not the empty leg fees or peak day costs.
As a member, you will have benefits, such as:
- No repositioning costs,
- No membership fees,
- Shared charter route discounts,
- 10% discount on all Tradewind scheduled shuttle trips,
- 5% discount on Tradewind Citation Jet charters across North America and the Caribbean.
As a cardholder/member, you will also have the same convenience as all other Tradewind clients, such as:
- No TSA security checks at the airport,
- Private gate entry,
- Access to premium FBO lounges,
- Complementary on-board food and drinks.
The Goodspeed card program offers the following cards:
| Card Name | Flight Hours | Price per Hour |
| Goodspeed 10 | 10 hours | $4,950 |
| Goodspeed 25 | 25 hours | $4,800 |
| Goodspeed 40 | 40 hours | $4,650 |
Empty Legs and Shared Charters
An empty leg is a jet trip that’s booked to travel to a pre-determined location without any passengers. Empty leg flights are mainly offered when a jet needs to be repositioned or returned for another flight.
Tradewind Aviation Loyalty Program
For each one-way flight, you will gain 10 points. When you collect 100 points, you will get a free one-way flight. And guess what, the points don’t have an expiration date, so you can take the complimentary flight whenever it’s most convenient for you.
However, you may have to pay additional charges, such as taxes and fees for the free flight and only new reservations are eligible for points redemption.
With a Tradewind Rewards account, you can accumulate loyalty points with each flight and use your rewards to book your trips online. On your account, you can also view your scheduled flights and travel history, as well as manage your data, browse itineraries, and book flights.
The Fleet of Tradewind Aviation
Tradewind Aviation’s fleet comprises several Pilatus and Citation aircraft, but that’s not all. Tradewind Aviation also has a trusted network of partner operators with different jets you can choose from. Each operator is thoroughly verified to assure a high degree of safety and the best service.
The Pilatus PC-12 and Citation CJ3 aircraft deliver the greatest level of security and convenience. The Pilatus PC-12 is perfect for short-distance flights and tiny airports, as well as medium-range trips, while you can use the Citation CJ3 for long-range flights.
1. Turboprop
Turboprops are practical for shorter regional flights. They use turbine engines, hence the name, and their smaller size gives turboprops an advantage in approach and affordability. They are comparable to light jets in terms of speed, although turboprops are somewhat louder, and in the ability to land on short runways and mountaintop airports.
Our recommendation: The Pilatus PC-12
The Pilatus P-12 offers comfort, dependability, and safety with a pressurized and air-conditioned cabin that comfortably accommodates eight people. The Pilatus is designed with 8 forward-facing seats, allowing for extra baggage space.
Specifications:
- Cruise speed of 300 mph;
- Cruise level 20,000 ft;
- Flight range 1,700 mi;
- Can accommodate 6 to 8 passengers;
- Baggage space 100 sq ft.
The Pilatus P-12 is the only turboprop that Tradewind Aviation offers.
2. Light Private Jets
The most significant advantage of a light jet is its unrivaled access.
Just like turboprops, light jets are the second-best answer for hard-to-reach areas with narrow runways where only small planes can land, allowing you to visit inaccessible islands and mountain regions.
Light jets are often used on journeys that last up to four hours. They can fly continuously for over 1,500 miles without stopping for fuel and can comfortably accommodate 6-7 passengers, with a maximum of 9 persons.
Our Recommendation: The Citation CJ3
The Citation CJ3s in Tradewind Aviation’s fleet offers both comfort and excellent performance. The CJ3 effortlessly rises to 45,000 feet and cruises for extended distances thanks to its cutting-edge avionics and engines. The CJ3’s interior has adjustable seats in a center club layout and two foldout tables. On domestic flights, the Citation CJ3s offer free WiFi.
The Citation CJ3 specs include:
- Cruise speed of 525 mph;
- Cruise level 45,000 ft;
- Flight range 1,875 mi;
- Can accommodate 4 to 6 passengers;
- Baggage space 65 sq ft;
- Cabin hight is 57 inches;
- Cabin width is 58 inches;
- The cabin is 15 feet long.
The Citation CJ3 is the only light jet that Tradewind Aviation offers.
3. Midsize Private Jets
Tradewind Aviation will gladly assist you lease a midsize private jet if the in-fleet Citation CJ3s or Pilatus PC-12s aren’t the right options for your trip.
Midsize planes are designed for flights that require greater capacity and range, making them perfect for longer travels and a larger group of people. They offer more space and comfort than light jets.
Our Recommendation: The Citation XLS
The Cessna Citation XLS is a medium-sized business jet developed by the Cessna Aircraft Company. The agility, launching power, and smoothness of the flight remind us of a much smaller and more maneuverable plane, but the Citation XLS has plenty of cabin room and seats for up to 10 people. It’s recognized for its exceptional safety record, pleasant ride, and high performance.
The Citation XLS specs:
- Cruise speed of 650 mph;
- Cruise level 45,000 ft;
- Flight range 3,500 mi;
- Can accommodate 6 to 10 passengers;
- Baggage space 1,000 sq ft.
Tradewind can help you lease different mid-size planes, including: Falcon, Challenger 350, Hawker, and Citation Xs, among others.
4. Large Private Jets
If you want to book a transatlantic flight or require a larger cabin space, Tradewind Aviation operators will assist you book a large private jet for your journey.Each operator is thoroughly verified to assure a high degree of safety and service.
Large private jets can easily transport 15 passengers or more, thanks to the incomparable space and comfort they offer, including additional legroom. Anything and everywhere is within your reach when you have access to these massive private jets, except for, of course, tiny airports.
Our Recommendation: The Global Express
The Bombardier Global Express is among the four long-range business jets designed by Bombardier Aviation.
The Global Express was created to fly vast distances at high speeds. It can fly between any two spots in the US or the Carribean with only one refueling stop if necessary. The Global Express had the biggest cabin in its class until the Gulfstream G650 was introduced.
The Bombardier Global Express was produced until 2006, with a total of 150 planes manufactured.
The Global Express specs:
- Cabin height: 6 ft 3 in;
- Cabin width: 8 ft 2 in;
- Cabin length: 48 ft 4 in;
- Cabin volume: 2140 cu ft;
- Baggage space: 195 cubic ft;
- Normal range: 6055 nm;
- Maximum range: 6226 nm;
- Rate of climb: 3300 fpm;
- Maximum speed: 511 kts;
- Can accommodate 8 to 19 passengers.
Tradewind Aviation has access to all recent large-cabin airplanes, including Gulfstream and Global Express.
Leasing a Business Jet
A corporate charter is a one-of-a-kind strategic resource that’s more affordable than you expect. You save time and money with a private charter, especially on shorter trips. You can book a one-time business trip or organize frequent flights on a schedule of your choosing by contacting the company on the following link.
Tradewind Aviation Aircraft Management Service
Tradewind Aviation can help you purchase and manage an aircraft. This service includes analysis of travel requirements in relation to financial and tax constraints as well as reports on all elements of aircraft operations in any format that’s necessary/suitable for you.
Tradewind Aviation guides you through the process of aircraft selection. They perform pre-purchase examinations and inspections if you are looking to buy a private jet.
Waterbury-Oxford Airport, the airport in Westchester County, and San Juan International Airport all have storage facilities ready for your jet. The company offers to help you plan and schedule your trips, and hires and trains outstanding team members and crew, in your stead.
If you become an Owner to a jet from the Tradewind fleet, you will get optimized air charter revenue – you profit from allowing Tradewind to lease it on your behalf.
You can recieve a significant income from aviation charters. They provide regular maintenance at their facilities, saving you the trouble and expenses that come with jet ownership. You will also get access to Tradewind’s fleet on a first-come, first-served basis.
Last, but not least, as an Owner, you will get a staff team dedicated to you that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
JetBlue Gateways Partnership
JetBlue Gateways is a business initiative that aims to train the next generation of flight experts. Individuals selected into JetBlue Gateways are given a conditional role as JetBlue First Officers if they complete the program and satisfy all other conditions, which include meeting particular piloting criteria at Tradewind.
Tradewind partners with JetBlue Gateways, assisting certified pilots gain vital practical learning experience as they advance their careers at Tradewind.
Tradewind receives access to this network of extremely competent pilots as a Gateways partner, bringing in new recruits to develop and allowing already qualified Tradewind pilots to proceed to the next stage of their careers.
Safety
Tradewind Aviation is taking the necessary safety measures to prevent COVID-19 from spreading. They have a thorough strategy to secure their clients’ safety:
- Tradewind planes are regularly cleaned and disinfected.
- Passenger screening is required prior to each flight.
Other safety certifications include:
- Tradewind is a United States-certificated scheduled air carrier;
- It meets the FAA, ICAO and industry standards for aircraft equipment, pilot training, and maintenance.
- It participates in the ARGUS Charter Evaluation and Qualification (CHEQ) program.
- It’s ARGUS Gold rated.
Travel Insurance in Your Reach
Travel insurance is meant to provide monetary protection to people for a variety of occurrences, ranging from minor hassles to major disasters. Travel insurance may cover the cost of tickets or hotel accommodations if your trip gets canceled, or your medical bills if you have a health emergency during your journey. You can acquire travel insurance via Allianz Global Assistance, thanks to their partnership with Tradewind Aviation.
The Carbon Offset Program of Tradewind Aviation
Carbon offsets refer to the reduction of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions by creating a specific quantity of renewable energy to offset the usage of fossil fuels.
Tradewind integrated its Carbon Offset Program into its business strategy as of January 1st, 2022 for all Tradewind flights.
Offsets are donated to Terrapass, a verified environmental organization. Tradewind hopes to make a big contribution to our world by lowering its carbon footprint and the environmental effects of air travel through this effort.
Conclusion
Tradewind Aviation, founded 20 years ago, operates on the belief that you deserve the best planes, personnel, and support on all your journeys.
The company provides on-demand private flights across the United States and the Caribbean with its fleet of Citation Jet and Pilatus PC-12 planes. They also offer a wide range of other jets through their trusted network of operators.
In the renowned 2021 Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, Tradewind was recognized and named as a Top US airline. The Readers’ Choice Awards for 2022 are now available for voting, and Tradewind is to be considered yet again.
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