Where to Go In an Airplane?

Favorite destinations are a fun topic, but one size does not fit all.

Dick Karl

Thursday, February 17, 2022 at 09:36 AM ET

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The food is only part of the excitement in Miami. [Photo: Kaysha/Unsplash]

Key Takeaways:

Pilots' preferred airplane getaways evolve with their aircraft capabilities, age, and passenger desires, expanding from local trips to more ambitious international destinations.
Choosing a destination involves balancing pilot preferences (the flight) with passenger desires (the location), navigating customs complexities for international travel, and managing increasing costs like landing and fuel fees.
Despite potential challenges, private air travel offers a unique gift of access to a diverse array of memorable destinations—from Key West and the Bahamas to New England islands and Canada—providing a valuable escape from daily worries.

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Go-to spots for an airplane getaway change over the years as you, your access to airplanes, and the capability of those airplanes evolve. Where a short trip from Hayward Executive Airport (KHWD) to Nut Tree Airport (KVCB), just north of Travis Air Force Base, was great fun in a Cessna 172 when you were 25, now you’re thinking Cabo San Lucas in the Cirrus, with a spouse and a kid or two.

For that matter, a dream destination might mean something different to your spouse/partner/love interest or “just friend” than it does to you. For the pilot, the flight is the thing. For the pax, the destination is the focus. Your special friend may like the exotic feel of a Bahamas destination, but for you it is all in the planning and execution. If “general declarations,” eAPIS, and other customs procedures are onerous to you, you might choose a domestic destination of equal charm without the hassle.