‘Co-Pilot Dog’ at Boutique Airline Makes Headlines
At our boutique airline, Air Unlimited, we are proud to say we have a new shining star, Bria. Bria is a six-year-old yellow lab, who is quickly becoming the “co-pilot” of our operations, having flown thousands of miles with our airline ever since she was a puppy. Manning the plane is Bria’s owner, and one of our airline’s co-owners and pilots, Chick Gregg. Bria has long been a star in our hearts, but lately her fame has taken new heights, as she has made recent appearances on Good Morning America, Yahoo and the local Orlando CBS news station, WKMG (TV and online). She’s also quickly becoming the latest pet influencer, as every news outlet that has covered Bria has also been sharing her story on social media.
Bria got the travel bug when she was 12 weeks old! Chick and his wife, Lisa, flew her from Missouri to her new home in sunny Central Florida. Since then, she’s become a jetsetter! WKMG reported that Bria has “flown at least 30,000 miles from Orlando to the Bahamas all the way to the Colorado hills – giving passengers a better flying experience.” Bria loves to greet guests at the hangar and her relaxed nature helps reduce the anxiety of passengers. Chick is quoted saying, “She’ll go say hello, and she’ll sit until they pet her.”
Nowadays, Bria can often be found hanging out at the Air Unlimited hangar or in the co-pilot seat on one of the airline’s planes. As soon as Chick says, “You want to go?” to Bria, she immediately starts wagging her tail and barking before finding her seat in the car or the plane.
Naturally, with frequent time spent around loud engines, keeping Bria calm and content is a top priority. Good Morning America reported that Chick invested in a pair of “mutt muffs” to protect Bria’s ears from loud noises and prevent her from getting nervous during her adventures in the sky. In fact, Chick recommends “mutt muffs” to any pets that are easily startled by noise or are prone to travel anxiety.
On long haul flights, Chick also makes sure Bria has time for exercise before the flight, and spends time throwing a ball for her during fuel stops. After that, “she jumps back on board, ready to go again,” WKMG reports.
With all of Bria’s newfound stardom across the news, we can only hope that she doesn’t become too much a diva. If we aren’t careful, she’ll soon be requesting filet mignon as her next in-flight meal.
Bria isn’t the only pup who flies with our boutique airline, so if you’re interested in bringing your pet along on your next trip, consider flying with us. Air Unlimited’s pet-friendly policies make sure that every member of the family is included on your next vacation. For more information visit, www.flyairunlimited.com.
- Published in News
Take a flight to the Bahamas to celebrate Bahamian Independence Day
Bahamas Independence Day is quickly approaching, and the locals are gearing up for week-long celebrations. This holiday commemorates the day when the Bahamas became a fully independent nation, separating from the United Kingdom on July 10, 1973. Catch a flight to the Bahamas with Air Unlimited and be part of another year of historic celebrations.
The Bahamas underwent 325 years of British rule. It was a long and mostly peaceful process, and in 1964, Great Britain granted The Islands of The Bahamas limited self-government. This was after years of legal maneuvering and debates. In 1969, the Bahamas finally became a British Commonwealth, which effectively ended colonial rule. Four years later, the Bahama Islands gained complete independence from Great Britain and became its own nation on July 10, 1973. Today, the Bahamas remain a member of The Commonwealth of Nations.
Independence Day on the islands is celebrated for a week leading up to July 10th with a mix of parties and official government events. Carnival parades and Junkanoo are celebrated across the hundreds of Bahamian islands. Junkanoo – a combination of costumes, music, and dance – is an integral part of Bahamian celebrations like Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. The origin of Junkanoo is still debated on frequently, but one thing is certain: the celebrations are spectacular. Colorful costumes made of cardboard and crepe paper take the streets by storm with music made by goatskin drums, cowbells, whistles, and horns.
No celebration is complete without food and drinks. Happy hour at Pete’s Pub in Little Harbour is a crowd favorite where you can get fresh seafood and a tropical drink overlooking the ocean. Gaffner’s in Elbow Cay is another favorite local spot with daily seafood and drink specials, and live music located waterside at the Seaspray Resort & Marina. If you’re looking for a something more relaxing, or a way to recover from the festivities, Hope Town Inn & Marina offers yoga every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning. It’s the perfect way to start your day, balanced and ready to gear up for the island fun.
Flights and hotels book fast in the Bahamas during times of celebration, so don’t miss out on a flight to the Bahamas this July. This is the perfect opportunity to be immersed in Bahamian culture and still find time to relax in the tranquil Abaco islands. Call +1 407-585-4300 to join the fun!
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From Private Planes to Friends & Family: What We’re Thankful For
As we all get ready to gather with family and loved ones this Thanksgiving, the Air Unlimited team wanted to share what we’re thankful for this year. From being excited to go to work every day to helping people create unforgettable memories on our private planes, there is a lot for us to be grateful for.
Co-Founder and Pilot Chick Gregg and his wife Lisa: “We’re thankful for our family’s health after a year that has brought us closer together.”
Office Manager Melissa Manchester: “I’m forever thankful for my husband, RJ. No matter what is going on in life, he always manages to make me smile and laugh. I’m thankful for the opportunity to work with our amazing team at Air Unlimited. I’m thankful for family, the time we get to spend together and for friends that have turned into family.”
Co-Founder and Pilot Mark Neubauer: “I am thankful for God, my Family, our Company and all our loyal passengers!”
We get the opportunity to not only work with a spectacular team here at Air Unlimited, but also to serve some amazing customers. The second you step into our private hangar, you become part of our extended family. Our lives are enriched by making your experience on our private planes unlike any other. We’re thankful for each and every one of you who has flown with us over the years. We look forward to continuing to serve you wherever your vacation dreams may lead you.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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From Kenya to Flights to the Abaco Islands
Alan Rodney Griffin has lived all over the globe, and three of his passions have remained consistent throughout his travels: aviation, Africa and his faith. There were many times over the course of his career where these passions overlapped in his work as a pilot. Air Unlimited is happy to have this seasoned pilot offering flights to the Abaco Islands from the Orlando-Sanford International Airport.
Alan’s passion for flying started when he was just 11 years old. He watched a film strip about missionaries who were killed in Ecuador with Nate Saint as their pilot. Saint’s bravery and commitment inspired Alan at a very young age, and he strived to consistently embody these traits throughout his career. He began his journey to become a pilot in 1968 after leaving his home in the UK to live in South Africa. He began teaching at St. Mary’s School in Nairobi where he taught the current President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta. He tirelessly worked and saved up enough money to pursue his dreams.
By 1974 he received his private pilot license in Kenya. Alan, a man of many passions, knew it was time to move on to his next goal. Before he was able to teach in Nairobi, Alan had to go through a teacher training course. He was satisfied with this career, but he had aspirations to attend a university and expand his knowledge of aviation, which would provide more opportunities. One year after earning his private pilot license, Alan moved to Texas to attend Le Tourneau University. 
This was the start of even greater things for Alan. He received a Bachelor of Science in aviation and bible studies, met his wife Ruth and began working at the Gregg County Airport in Longview, Texas.
His commitment to aviation education led Alan back to Africa once again. He continued his flight training and worked in commercial aviation in Kenya. During his time there, Alan used every flight as a learning experience. This is a method of thought he still practices to this day.
Now, Alan, Ruth and their two oldest children live in Orlando. Alan’s newest venture is working with Air Unlimited piloting flights to the Abaco Islands. As a contract pilot, he has made many flights to the Abaco Islands, but he is looking forward to traveling there for pleasure instead of work. Prior to working with Air Unlimited, Alan had only visited Treasure Cay, Staniel Cay and Exuma for a photoshoot of the EADS Socata TBM 850, a high performance single engine turboprop.
In Alan’s many successful years as a pilot, he has yet to visit one destination that he can call his absolute favorite. He does have one major life goal in mind, though. New Zealand is more than 8,000 miles from Orlando over open ocean, but with dedication, Alan hopes to find a way to pilot a plane there. He has more goals on the horizon like piloting more gliders, amphibian flying, and learning how to fly a helicopter. It’s easy for him to stay motivated and inspired while working with Air Unlimited. He also keeps a healthy work-life balance and spends time gardening, exercising, helping his church, and of course being a couch potato when the opportunity presents itself.
Keep an eye out for Alan on your next flight to the Abaco Islands! If you’re looking for a good story, don’t hesitate to ask him about his many travels abroad.
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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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