private aviation

Tequila Avion, New for the Private Jet Set

Filed under: Spirits

Ken Austin, Executive Vice Chairman of Marquis Jet, is launching a new ultra premium spirit called Tequila Avion for the private jet set. Austin attracted several million dollars in funding from investors including notables from the worlds of art and culture, business, technology, sports, lifestyle and luxury goods to get the new venture off the ground. Produced by fifth generation agave growers from among the finest Blue Weber agave found in the highest regions of Jalisco, Mexico, the tequila's distinct flavors are achieved through a combination of slow-roasting at lower temperatures to protect the natural flavors of the agave and an ultra-slow filtration process which creates an ultra-smooth taste profile. It's available in Silver, Reposado and Anejo varietals.

"I've always experimented and searched for a tequila that is smooth and has great character, whether I drink it neat or in a cocktail," Austin notes. "Over the years, close friends and business associates who were also passionate about tequila have joined me in this pursuit. We came to realize that if we wanted the ideal tequila – balancing exceptional taste, character and smoothness - we would have to create it ourselves. With the help of experts that understood our quest, that is exactly what we have achieved in Tequila Avion, a distinctive and defining new standard of quality and taste in tequila, or 'Taste Elevated' as we refer to it." Tequila Avion is now available at select locations including New York's Park Avenue Liquor Shop.

Tags: agave, Marquis Jet, Mexico, Park Avenue Liquor Shop, private aviation, private jet, spirits, tequila, Tequila Avion

Mercedes-Benz Helicopter Unveiled in Geneva

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Wings

A special edition EC145 Mercedes-Benz Style helicopter designed by Mercedes and Eurocopter was just unveiled at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition 2010 in Geneva. The luxurious EC145 is equipped with comfortable seats made of exclusive materials coupled with sumptuous wood fittings for the floors and ceiling. The project, conceived by the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studio in Como, Italy, is the only helicopter in its class that can seat up to eight passengers. For the cabin layout, Mercedes-Benz opted for a modular approach inspired by its new R-Class crossover. All seats are mounted on rails and can be quickly and easily reconfigured or removed to make room for luggage including golf bags and bicycles (also designed by Mercedes, of course). There are also three multi-function boxes with features such as a cooler, cup holder, table, 15-inch monitor and DVD player. Time to trade in that Hermes helicopter, perhaps?

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz Helicopter

Tags: aviation, Eurocopter, Geneva, helicopter, Mercedes, Mercedes-Benz, private aviation

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