Celebrities like Al Pacino and Jennifer Lopez opt to fly private when travelling to a faraway film location, escaping for relaxation at a luxury coastal retreat, lounging at a lake house, playing a round of golf, or hitting the slopes at a world-class mountain resort. However, the more exclusive and remote the destination, the more difficult plane access can become.
Private jets require a runway, limiting the ability to land in small resort destinations, including Whistler, Tofino, and Gulf Island hideaways. Daylight and optimal weather conditions are prerequisites for flying by seaplane, which can cause cancellations and delays for Pacific Northwest travellers. As such, visiting celebrities are choosing helicopter charters as their preferred mode of transport.
Richmond-based London Air Services officially launched its new Augusta AW139 twin-engine helicopter to meet increasing demand, expanding its fleet in advance of the company’s highly anticipated 84,000 sq ft London Aviation Centre at YVR’s South Terminal, set to open in early 2009. With LAS’s seamless travel experience, high-profile clients can enjoy the convenience and flexibility of flying on their schedule in luxurious and spacious comfort. The high-performance aircraft’s speed and accessibility vastly reduce time spent in the air, and the company’s five-star service rating ensures complete client privacy — from booking through departure and arrival.
The Richmond News was aboard the LAS AW139 maiden flight.