The Best Fall Travel Tip of the Year: Book an On-Demand Charter Service
For most of the country, fall is a magical time when the leaves change colors and temperatures drop. It’s one of the most beautiful times to explore the great outdoors and begin new traditions with the people you love. However, delayed flights and anything-but-friendly fellow travelers can start your vacation off on the wrong foot. An on-demand charter service ensures accurate flight times, no layovers and the privacy of having an Air Unlimited aircraft just for you and your party.
A private plane may seem a bit over-the top, but when you consider the hassle of flying with children or a larger group, the benefits are significant. Floridians dream of seeing the leaves change, instead of another dropping palm frond. Apple picking would be a great family outing, if only they could stand our extreme heat long enough to stay on the branch. Why not fly off to enjoy the true fall season? An on-demand charter service can take you from point A (hot and humid) to point B (cool and crisp) for the perfect fall getaway.
The fall season begins on September 22nd and ends just before the busiest time of the year on December 21st. With the exception of Thanksgiving weekend, fall has some of the most affordable lodging fees of the year. It’s the perfect excuse to get out of town. Because your flight will already be taken care of through Air Unlimited’s on-demand charter service, you’ll just need to keep an eye out for hotel fares. This is easier than ever with tools like Price Watch on Hotels.com and Kayak.com’s Price Alert. Just pick the city and dates you’ll be there, and let them do the rest. They will let you know the right time to book and even send you predictions for when prices are expected to drop.
One very important fall travel tip, especially for those of you who aren’t used to cold weather, is to always wear sunscreen and moisturize as much as you can. The weather might be cool enough to stay outside all day, but those pesky UVA and UVB rays are ever-present. With the lack of humidity, your skin can dry out very quickly. A little dry skin isn’t a huge problem, but once your knuckles become so dry they crack, you’ll have a tough problem on your hands — literally. It’s always smart to keep a travel-sized lotion in your bag when you set out on a fall adventure. Something like this Nivea travel-sized tin can keep you comfortable all day long.
Wherever your destination may be, Air Unlimited is here to show you that flying doesn’t have to be a hassle. With their luxury on-demand charter flights, you can enjoy your trip from take-off to touchdown. Call today for an on-demand charter service quote at 407-585-4300.
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Dave Owen: From Flight School to Aircraft Charter
Aviation has always been important to Air Unlimited Pilot, Dave Owen, so it was no surprise that he enrolled in private pilot ground school at just 16 years old. His grandparents opened the very first airport in his hometown of Wabash, IN, and Dave spent much of his time there watching and learning anything he could. After completing ground school, Dave planned to continue his education and attend flight school, but was unable to afford it at the time. After a few years of hard work and a strict money-saving plan, he was finally able to continue following his dreams, and he graduated from flight school at the young age of 26. This gave him the necessary experience and qualifications to fly everything Air Unlimited offers, from scheduled service to aircraft charters.
While never letting his passion for flying falter, Dave also decided he wanted to follow another passion path he had grown up envisioning. He worked in law enforcement for many years, keeping his community safe. Once he retired from the police force, he knew it was time to make aviation his life priority once again. Dave feels like he truly found his place at Air Unlimited and definitely isn’t complaining about the perks of the job. He had never been to the Abacos before joining the Air Unlimited team, but island life quickly became something he fell in love with. He began embracing his adventurous side and started boating, water skiing and even barefoot skiing, every chance he had. In fact, he loves water skiing so much that he’d love to become a coach in the unlikely event that he ever loses his passion for flying. However, enjoying island life isn’t the only part of the job that Dave loves. He says the customers and his colleagues at Air Unlimited are what make the job outstanding.
Dave also keeps a very healthy work-life balance, which is important while working in one of the most stressful industries in America. He always tries to go swimming or work out after particularly stressful days and take many vacations with his family. Dave’s perfect vacation would be anywhere in the world with his wife and all of his kids. He has vacationed in Treasure Cay and Green Turtle Cay, and he can’t wait to explore more local towns during his time off. He also hopes to bring his dogs on the next vacation, as they are now “seasoned” flight dogs.
Dave says his next destination will be anywhere that has plenty of sun, sand and surf. Lucky for him, Air Unlimited is expanding its service to North Eleuthera in the Bahamas Out Islands in April 2018. Look for Dave on your next flight with Air Unlimited!
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Best Gadgets To Have For A Flight To The Bahamas
What can make your 90-minute flight to the Bahamas even better? Gadgets! As you settle into one of Air Unlimited’s comfy aircraft cabins and sink into the over-sized loungers, you’ll want a few gadgets to keep you energized and powered up for your vacation. From headphones, to solar powered backpacks to an E-reader, we’ve got it all. Check out these top must have gadgets below.
Headphones
There are hundreds of headphones on the market today – in-ear, over-ear, waterproof, noise cancelling, rechargeable and the list goes on. A good choice for a flight to the Bahamas is the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC33iS QuietPoint Active Noise-Cancelling Headphones. It is budget friendly and perfect for when packing light on a trip. They cancel up to 90% of noise so you can enjoy your favorite playlist.
Power Bank
After listening to music for an hour on your smartphone, your battery is bound to drain. The Anker PowerCore 10000 is a great gadget to have in your bag helping to keep you powered up all through the flight and long after you land in the Abacos. This is another budget friendly gadget, so you won’t have to worry about breaking the bank before you’re even on your vacation. This power bank is about the size of a credit card so it can easily fit into any bag or your pocket.
Solar Backpack
If you want a portable charging option that’s more versatile than a power bank, the BirkSun bookbag is the way to go. This water-resistant backpack comes with a built-in 3,000 MAH battery you can charge separately and a solar panel that creates 1% phone charge for every two minutes in sunlight. For all day adventures, such as beach hopping in Treasure Cay, this bag will hold a towel, sunscreen, two water bottles and more all while using sustainable energy to keep your phone charged all day.
E-reader
A 90-minute flight is the perfect excuse to get lost in a book while flying over the Atlantic. The Kindle Paperwhite E-reader is a great option allowing you to enjoy your favorite book without a glare. The Kindle is lightweight and only six inches tall, so it’s very easy to transport. The battery charge lasts for weeks, so if your ideal vacation looks like lying on the beach with a book and a tropical drink, the Kindle will be there every step of the way.
Air Unlimited is happy to offer suggestions for island activities and answer any questions you may have. Give them a call at 407-585-4300.
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Flying Privately: Everything You Need to Know About Aircraft Charter
A bachelorette party in a tropical land; a last-minute vacation for a family of five; an important business trip a few states away. What do all of these have in common? Each of these trips – no matter how different their intent, length or party size – could all benefit from travelling via an aircraft charter. The difference in flying via a commercial airplane or an aircraft charter could mean the ability to guarantee a family with small or nervous children the chance to fly together in privacy. It could be the perfect start to a weekend in paradise instead of experiencing the hassle of lost baggage and delayed flights. It could even mean more presentation practice to ensure sealing a big business deal while arriving stress-free before a very important meeting.
Air Unlimited may be known for hassle free and easily enjoyed scheduled seating, but the airline also offers custom chartered flights. Both options receive the highest amount of customer service and the benefits of flying privately, but a charter service is the best way to have a completely customizable flight experience. Charters ensure that your party is the only one on the aircraft, which is why they are the perfect option for families or groups looking for a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Flying with small children can already be a challenge, and unneeded pressure is added when fellow passengers deliver disgruntled stares if a child is in distress. When flying via an aircraft charter, there are no passengers on the plane, so children can be comforted without the addition of parental stress. Chartered flights can also be more enjoyable for groups like college friends travelling back to their alma mater and want to vocally reminisce the whole ride there.
Passengers of chartered flights are not limited to travelling strictly from Sanford, FL to Marsh Harbour or Treasure Cay either. Because these flights are completely customizable, you are able to pick which airports you leave from and fly into, as well as the date and time for all flights. If you are flying to a destination for a very short amount of time, you can even arrange for the pilot and aircraft to wait for your party and fly back the same day. Talk about VIP!
What could be better than flying to your vacation destination with four of your best friends in a private aircraft charter? Doing all of this while eating bruschetta and drinking champagne at 39,000 feet! Gone are the days of peanuts and ginger ale, aircraft charters with Air Unlimited allow catering services for the ultimate luxury experience.
For more information about the aircraft charters offered at Air Unlimited, head here and be sure to call us for additional information at (407) 585-4300.
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Things You Didn’t Know About Flights with Air Unlimited
Vacations give you time to relax, recharge and explore new places. Before you begin your vacation, however, the stress associated with travel can cause a bit of a rough start. When you fly with Air Unlimited out of the Orlando Sanford International Airport, you experience unparalleled service and comfort, and avoid the many stressors associated with flying. Say goodbye to long TSA lines and hefty fees, and hello to comfort the unlimited way.
Not a fan of having to arrive two hours before your flight just to get through TSA lines? Lucky for you, Air Unlimited is located in a private hangar in the Orlando Sanford International Airport, and performs their own security checks. This means that guests bypass the chaos and lines usually experienced at other airports. Instead, guests go through a personalized check-in process in the Air Unlimited office, and only need to arrive an hour before take-off. If you’re a frequent public economy-class flyer, you’re in for quite a treat.
We’re not exaggerating when we say that every seat is first class. With seating for four to nine passengers, each state-of-the-art seat was created for comfort, and has its own window. Each flight to the Abacos is about 90 minutes, and with such a comfy cabin, the time will literally ‘fly by’. As the aircraft descends, you will get a sneak peek and aerial view of the Bahamas before you even land. The crystal clear, blue water will make it very easy to spot a bull shark or a spotted eagle ray swimming near the surface.
Good news for any worried pet parents – Air Unlimited is completely pet friendly! We allow pets to fly in the cabin with you instead of in a cage in the cargo hold like other commercial airlines. There are rules of course, and the pilot has the final say for which animals can fly and which might be better off staying home, but a quick call to Air Unlimited before booking your flight will get you all the answers you need for traveling with your furry friend. For those looking to travel with more than one pet, there is a two-pet per owner limit. Once approved by the Air Unlimited team, all you’ll need is a permit from the Bahamas Ministry of Agriculture, and you and your furry friend will be good to go!
Air Unlimited makes it a point to never surprise customers with hidden fees or adding obscene charges for baggage. We also provide a free and secure parking area so travelers don’t have to worry about additional parking charges or how to retrieve their car after returning from a vacation. With Air Unlimited, guests are truly in good hands, and are never treated as just another number aboard a plane.
The Air Unlimited team aims to give you the best preflight and travel experience to start your vacation off on the right foot! For flight inquiries or to hear more about what Air Unlimited has to offer, give us a call at 407-585-4300.
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Discover Your Perfect Weekend with a Flight to the Abaco Islands
The Abaco Islands are filled with entertainment and adventure, featuring beachside resorts, five-star restaurants, beach bars, boat rentals and local shops on almost every corner. For those that may be visiting just for the weekend, it’s especially important to make the most out of your time. Below are our weekender tips and recommendations to help you plan the perfect trip before boarding your flight to the Abaco Islands.
Lodging
If you want to stay in a resort with a restaurant, activities and transportation all available on property, Green Turtle Club Resort & Marina is the place to be. The resort features waterfront rooms with personal decks and docks for private boats, as well as smaller rooms that are perfect for a couple’s beach getaway. Green Turtle Club works closely with Brendal’s Dive Center and offers discounts for resort guests, as well as scuba certification for all levels. The reefs of Green Turtle Cay are some of the best in the world, so you don’t want to miss out on a chance to explore the sea life right outside your bedroom window. Convenience is key at Green Turtle Club, so many activities are available directly through the resort. D&P Cart Rentals is located right on the property, making getting around the island even more accessible for guests. You’re definitely in for some fun and pampering while staying here!
If you want a more private experience, we suggest renting a cottage with Oceanfrontier Hideaways. Each loft-style cottage has two bedrooms, a private deck and a kitchen. With only six cottages on the property, you will feel like you’re ‘living like a local’ in these cozy lofts by the sea. However, you’re not completely on your own, because Oceanfrontier Hideaways has a working relationship with Dive Guana and Nipper’s Beach Bar, where guests can enjoy preferred rates and pool access. Stick around for Nipper’s Sunday pig roast and grab a “feared and famous” Nipper Juice, and you’ll blend right into the island ambiance.
Sight Seeing
Get a bird’s eye view from the top of the Hope Town Lighthouse. After 101 steps to the top, you will get a panoramic view of Hope Town and the surrounding islands, and you’ll also have a chance to take a look at the original lens and turning equipment in the lighthouse, made in the early 1900’s! The lighthouse was built in 1864, which speaks volumes about the Elbow Reef Lighthouse Society’s restoration efforts. How often do you get to visit places built more than a century ago?
Dining
The Treasure Sands Club is not your ordinary upscale restaurant in the Abacos. Located next to Treasure Cay Beach, this restaurant pairs traditional Bahamian food with European influence. Meals are prepared with utmost care, and most of what you eat is grown on their property at the Bahama Woodstar Farm. They believe that humans need to have a deeper connection with their food, and they hope to inspire others to feel the same. In fact, they feel so strongly about this concept that they started the Farm-to-Preschool Community Project by supplying preschoolers from Head Start Academy with nutritious, seasonal and culturally authentic lunches every day. Each meal includes a $1 donation to the program, so you can feel even better about eating exquisite Caribbean Lobster Stew or Mango Curry Shrimp. The Treasure Sands Club also takes pride in their French wine collection and can offer advice for the best wine pairings for each meal.
Beaches
With so many beaches in the Abacos, choosing the perfect one might be a challenge. But wouldn’t you want to spend an afternoon on one of the top 10 best beaches of the Caribbean? Treasure Cay Beach actually made the top 10 list from Caribbean Travel & Life, and the three-and-a-half mile powder-white beach lives up to its ranking. The contrast of the turquoise water along the shore line is something you’ll have to see to believe. Although this beach is open to the public, you’ll feel like you’re on your own private oasis as there is plenty of room to spread out and relax. You can take a break from the sun at Coco Beach Bar and Grill just 100 yards from the water and cool off with a frozen Bahamian drink. They also offer lounge chairs, a volleyball court and have a sports cabana to rent kayaks and banana boats.
Getting There
Some of these destinations are a bit spread out across the Abacos, but not to worry, between Albury’s Ferry Service and the plethora of golf cart rentals, your perfect weekend is a reservation away. Start your perfect vacation with a scheduled flight to Marsh Harbour or Treasure Cay with Air Unlimited. Book your flight today by heading to our website!
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The Abaco’s Top Five Adventure Excursions Are Only a Private Plane Ride Away
Your vacation is finally here and after a quick and relaxing scheduled flight to the Abacos with Air Unlimited, the last thing you want to do is waste time researching activities and excursions to complete your itinerary. That’s why we’ve highlighted a few of the tried and true tours and activities that will completely immerse you in the exciting atmosphere of the Abacos.
Parrots, pubs, and caves, oh my! The South Abaco Adventure offered through Abaco Tours & Activities will take you on a walking tour to see one of the most colorful Abaco natives, the Bahama parrot. These parrots are the only ground nesting species in the Bahamas, so you’ll be happy to have a tour guide there to point out where these birds might be hiding. The next stop will be Little Harbor, where you’ll stop at the famous Pete’s Pub and Bronze Sculpture Garden. Pete’s Pub is your classic island hang out spot, complete with a beach bar, Bahamian seafood and weekly events and specials. Pete’s Pub is also home to a bronze foundry that has been up and running for more than three generations. Few places still have a facility like this, but after walking through the bronze garden yourself, you’ll see why they’ve kept it around. After grabbing a quick bite, like the delicious Mango Grilled Grouper, the tour will end at the Abaco Caves. These breathtaking caves are found in discrete pools throughout the island and are easy to miss if you aren’t with someone who knows where to find them. Once you’re in the water, you can explore from the surface or take a deeper dive, at your own risk. Either way, you’ll be ready to cool off in this amazing blue oasis.
At Brendal’s Dive Center, you’re almost always guaranteed to see dolphins on the Reef Trip and Wild Dolphin Encounter. These are not trained dolphins that you’ll be in the water with; the captain will take you to known dolphin-spotting reefs where you can take pictures from the boat or put your mask and flippers on as you slip into the water to see these beauties in their natural habitat. You’ll also be treated to lunch on a private beach with your choice of fresh seafood and island drinks.
Another Brendal favorite is the Abaco Swimming Pigs Adventure. You’ve probably seen someone you know visit the Bahamas and feed a giant swimming pig. Well now it’s your turn to get up close and personal with the Abaco’s most famous attraction! These friendly pigs are great with visitors of all ages and truly make for a unique island experience.
Get closer to nature on an Abaco Eco Kayak Adventure in Elbow Cay. It’s your choice where to start your trip from either Tahiti Beach, White Sound or Hope Town Harbour, but we suggest Tahiti Beach. It’s a secluded beach only reachable by foot, bike, or boat so you can enjoy being the king or queen of the beach before setting off on your adventure. This is a self-led tour, but don’t worry, Abaco Eco will explain exactly where to go to get the most out of your trip. Along the way, you’ll see dense mangrove islands with wading birds hunting in the shallows. Make sure to stop and check out the water underneath, because you might spot a school of fish or even a turtle or nurse shark.
Finally, for those who really want to see it all, you can book a week-long sailing trip with Cruise Abaco or create your own personalized boat trip. We’re serious when we say you’ll see it all, because the sailing trip begins at the Great Abaco Beach Resort in Marsh Harbour and sails through Guana Cay, Man O War, and Hope Town. You’ll have the opportunity to choose which vessel you would like to sail in and consult with your captain on exactly where you want to go. The eight-day sample itinerary includes exploring local shops, museums and landmarks, paddle boarding and snorkeling and of course eating amazing food along the way.
Let the experts guide you through these incredible islands and provide you with memories that will last a lifetime. The team at Air Unlimited is very familiar with the Abacos islands and would love to offer tips and recommendations on some of their personal favorite must-sees. Start your adventure with us by calling 407-585-4300 or visiting www.FlyAirUnlimited.com to book a flight to paradise.
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