The Flight

It’s zero hour, 9 a.m., and I’m trying to contain my excitement for our 9:30 flight as we pull up to the ExcelAire terminal at Long Island’s only world-class FBO (Fixed Base Operator) located on the northwest corner of Islip’s MacArthur Airport. As we walk inside, the first thing we notice, aside from the very friendly and welcoming staff, are the leather couches, bar and fireplace. No, this wasn’t the award miles lounge; this was the only lounge. “Oh, you’re here early,” said our host, executive vice President of ExcelAire David Rimmer. “Well then, in that case, if everyone is ready, we can leave.” When was the last time someone from an airline said that to you?

David oversees ExcelAire’s jet charter operations, in-flight service, customer service and business development. His previous career in radio helped him achieve the knack for understanding his clients and building very trustworthy relationships. He also has a passion for flying; and after leaving the broadcast industry, he moved on to become senior editor at Business & Commercial Aviation, which would eventually take him to ExcelAire, “I guess I have been preparing my whole life for this role,” he said, a role which allowed him to acquire his pilot’s license.

The Legacy 600, a 14-passenger aircraft, was parked right next to the terminal. We were welcomed aboard by our pilot Aaron Larson, copilot Scot Evans and flight attendant Katharine Miller. It was a tough decision as to which leather recliner I wanted to sit in. I couldn’t call the window seat since every seat had a window. After our pilot went over the standard safety procedures, we took off to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, from MacArthur Airport, which is not an international airport for commercial flights. Not long after takeoff, we moved to the midsection where we were served a breakfast of bagels, fresh fruits, juices and coffee. Of course, you can specify whatever you would like to eat ahead of time. I lounged on the couch in the back of the plane to catch up on some reading and before I knew, it we were landing in the DR. The flight was, well, just what you would expect – smooth flying and a very unique and exceptional experience.

So at what point does the experience differ from a commercial flight? The moment you decide to fly private. As David explains, you choose everything and ExcelAire caters to your every need. While The Boulevard was in the lap of luxury, private jet charters aren’t just about luxury. They’re about total control of your time and destination. Gone are the hassles of lost and damaged luggage, lines at the terminals, security points, unreliable service and hoping you don’t have to pay for earphones or food on the flight. Smaller aircraft can access thousands of routes and airports that commercial airlines can’t or just don’t service. With live TV, telephone and Internet service on board, you are never out of touch. For business executives, if time is money, this is the only option.

ExcelAire is very service-oriented and offers a personalized, unsurpassed level of service including charters, management, maintenance and sales. It employs and hires its crews, and meets or exceeds every safety regulation, due to founder Bob Sherry’s background in aircraft maintenance. This is their core expertise. “It’s not [just about] how pretty the plane is, but what’s behind the plane that makes the difference,” says David.

While ExcelAire is rooted in Long Island, its wings span the globe and are ready to fly you away to new heights. After all, this is what they excel at.

ExcelAire is located at 2221 Smithtown Ave, Ronkonkoma, NY. Call 631-737-0477 or visit www.excelaire.com