Blue Star Jets

Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge Kicks Off in the Hamptons

The annual Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge kicked off in the Hamptons last weekend as the sport's greatest athletes competed for one of polo's most treasured prizes. The 2010 Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge at Blue Star Jets Field will run for six weeks and as always is expected to attract a great crowd of celebs and VIPs. In addition to Mercedes and Blue Star Jets this season's partners and sponsors include Patron tequila, Stella Artois, Zino Platinum Cigars, Crumbs Cupcakes and Bakery, the Financial Times, Susan Foster Jewelry and Hamptons Magazine. Those with access to the coveted VIP tent this year can preview SWAGG, an upcoming mobile application allowing consumers to purchase, exchange and redeem gift cards from their phone. Ralph Lauren returned as the exclusive apparel retailer with an onsite shop at the matches, and is also staging a contest for a polo lesson with Lauren-sponsored Black Watch team member Nacho Figueras. A portion of proceeds from this year's events will go to the South Fork Breast Cancer Coalition.

Tags: Blue Star Jets, Hamptons, Mercedes-Benz, Nacho Figueras, Patron, polo, Ralph Lauren

EXCLUSIVE: Blue Star Jets President Todd Rome's Ten Essential Luxuries

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Wings, 10 Luxuries

Click above to see Todd Rome's 10 Luxuries

Todd Rome co-founded Blue Star Jets in 2001 (with CEO Ricky Sitomer) in response to the inefficiencies in the private jet marketplace. It is now one of the world's largest private aircraft charter brokers, offering an unparalleled level of personalized service; their motto is "Any Jet, Any Time, Any Place." Blue Star Jets grants clients freedom from the financial constraints of fractional jet ownership; the savings of paying only for trips taken; and the flexibility to choose the best aircraft according to a trip's specific budget requirement. With its ShareAJet Exchange, Blue Star Jets has lowered the barrier of entry for the private aviation industry for commercial fliers.

By creating a network of charter companies, Blue Star Jets now has access to over 4,000 aircraft worldwide, ranging from helicopters to Boeing business jets. Prior to Blue Star Jets, Mr. Rome ran a successful broker-dealer firm on Wall Street. He is also Co-Chair of the Diabetes Research Institute, and has made numerous appearances on CNN, CNBC and FOX, among others. When not traveling or working at his office in New York, Mr. Rome enjoys spending time with his family at home in the Hamptons, where Blue Star Jets was one of the key sponsors of the Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge. In the gallery, Rome reveals his 10 essential luxuries and explains what makes them a must.

Gallery: Blue Star Jets President Todd Rome's 10 Luxuries

Tags: aircraft, Blue Star Jets, BlueStarJets, Hamptons, helicopter, polo, private jet, PrivateJet, ShareAJet, Todd Rome, ToddRome

Cavi Launches New Line at Surf Lodge in Montauk

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Events, Charity, Sports, Men's Style

CAVI, the luxury menswear line known for its distinctive designs as worn by the likes of Jay-Z, Ne-Yo and 50 Cent, previewed its new surf-inspired CAVI Sport collection during a party at the Surf Lodge in Montauk on Aug. 7. The latest addition to the brand, which as we reported is also giving NASCAR a much needed makeover, consists of colorful and free-spirited board shorts, pima cotton tees, layered jackets, and hoodies. Real Housewives of New York City's Alex McCord and Simon Van Kempen were among the guests who were treated to complimentary cocktails and left the event with gift bags featuring swag from Blue Star Jets, Solstice Sunglass Boutique, and items from the CAVI Sportswear line. The following day, CAVI Sportswear Division partnered with the 11th Annual Rell Sunn Surf Memorial and East End Classics Foundation, Inc., to pay tribute to iconic surfer, Rell Sunn at Montauk's Ditch Plains Beach. The event, which benefits families with hardships on the East End, featured surfing contests, auctions, raffles, valuable prizes, and a great day of riding the waves.

Tags: Blue Star Jets, BlueStarJets, Cavi, Hamptons, Montauk, Real Housewives of New York City, RealHousewivesOfNewYorkCity, surf, Surf Lodge, surfing, SurfLodge

Blue Star Jets Launches ShareAJet Exchange

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings, Wealth

Blue Star Jets, one of the world's largest private aircraft charter brokers, has just launched the world's first online marketplace for travelers seeking to minimize costs by sharing private jet flights - the ShareAJet Exchange. The Exchange enables travelers to share flights to similar destination; if a trip to the desired destination is not already posted, clients may upload their own travel plans with the aim of matching that with another traveler. The idea for the program was hatched this past fall, when with the economy suffering a significant downturn Blue Star Jets' clients began inquiring if they could share private jet flights in order to maintain their luxury lifestyles.

Just as Blue Star Jets centralized the charter business, eliminating the necessity for fractional jet ownership for many clients, the ShareAJet Exchange will again lower the barrier of entry into the marketplace as it brings down the cost of private aviation by nearly 50% according to the firm. Like Blue Star Jets' regular programs, which link up 4,000 aircraft worldwide via its network of charter companies, the ShareAJet Exchange offers access to every category of aircraft, from light, mid, and heavy jets to airliners, helicopters, and turboprops. The company's motto is "Any Jet. Any time. Any place."

Tags: Blue Star Jets, BlueStarJets, jet, private aviation, private jet, PrivateAviation, PrivateJet

Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge Kicks Off in the Hamptons

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events, Charity, Sports

This past weekend saw opening day of the Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge at Blue Star Jets Field in the Hamptons, the start of another great season of world class equestrianism. The sport's greatest athletes will once again compete for one of polo's most treasured prizes, watched by the East End's most high-profile and influential audience of VIPs, celebrities and media. The VIP tent will host an invitation-only cocktail reception for exclusive guests each Saturday afternoon during the tournament. Season partners include Mercedes-Benz, Piaget, Blue Star Jets, Coca-Cola, Stoli Elit, Riva Yachts, and OPTYX by gruen. A portion of proceeds from the Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge will go to South Fork Breast Cancer Coalition. Polo Ralph Lauren will return this summer as the exclusive apparel retailer with an onsite shop at the polo matches held at Bridgehampton's Two Trees Farm.

Evocative of the spirit and heritage of Polo, the shop will feature Ralph Lauren's Black Watch collection and The World of Polo Fragrance. Spectators visiting the Ralph Lauren shop will have a great view of the polo matches and be able to enter to win a polo lesson with Black Watch team member Nacho Figueras. The season will continue for six consecutive Saturdays, ending August 22nd. Anyone can watch from the stands, but the invitation-only V.I.P. tent is the real scene. Celebs in attendance on opening day included Victoria's Secret model Anne V., Beth Ostrosky, Gossip Girl's Chace Crawford and Star Jones. Past years' VIPs have included Anne Hathaway, Elizabeth Hurley, Heather Graham, Howard Stern, Jared Leto, Jay Z, Jessica Alba, Mischa Barton, Natalie Portman and Prince Albert of Monaco, to name a few.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz Bridgehampton Polo