For sports lovers, there’s perhaps no greater thrill than being front-and-center at the biggest games of the year—yet perhaps nothing more arduous than coordinating how to get there (and back) quickly and comfortably. However, new Chicago-based luxury travel outfitter Big Game Air is aiming to make the latter as seamless as possible.
By subcontracting a fleet of private luxury jets, the company offers its customers the opportunity to book round-trip travel to certain high-demand games—including Super Bowl LII, the 2018 NBA All-Star Game, and regular-season NFL, NHL, and NCAAF contests—all on the same day.
Ideal for group outings, each jet can accommodate nine to 30 people, and travelers can purchase single seat tickets up to 24 hours in advance of departure. (In its first year, Big Game Air flights will originate from Chicago, New York, Columbus, and Detroit; next year, the company will add Dallas and Atlanta; and in 2019, Los Angeles and San Francisco.)
“For now, our primary focus is sports fans and travel enthusiasts,” co-founder Todd Rubin told DEPARTURES in an email. “But as we continue to evolve and grow the brand, we look to expand our target audiences and reach experience-driven individuals [who] value their travel time and seek luxury travel options for a variety of activities.”
Already, the company is offering premium perks and experiences in addition to transportation. Ticket holders can purchase and customize other features like special packages with food and beverage partners in each game destination, exclusive tailgates and jet hangar parties, and flights hosted by professional athletes or celebrities. (When University of Michigan faces archrival Michigan State on October 7, customers can book a flight with former Wolverines captain and Indianapolis Colts Super Bowl champion Marlin Jackson on a first-come, first-serve basis.)
Round-trip tickets (including private jet travel and on-the-ground transportation to and from the event) from $1,200 to $2,200 per person, depending on the duration of flight and jet size; biggameair.com.
