An Elevated Experience

Semi-private jet service Aero, combined with a stay at the Waldorf Astoria, turns a Las Vegas jaunt into a luxury getaway worth savoring

Words by LESLEY McKENZIE

In a world where commercial travel feels increasingly transactional and frustrating, semi-private jet service Aero is a breath of fresh air at 30,000 feet. Each flight is designed with the ease and elegance once reserved for private aviation jet setters, with hospitality, comfort, and luxury taking center stage.

Considering the ultimate Friday-to-Sunday escape to Las Vegas from Los Angeles? Aero has you covered. Its 24/7 concierge team is on hand to ensure every detail of your book-by-the-seat trip is effortless and to assist with details such as seat preferences and private transfers.

Your curated journey begins well before takeoff at Van Nuys Airport, where Aero’s private flagship terminal feels more like a contemporary living room than a lounge, thanks in part to a striking display of original Andy Warhol photography. Expect curbside luggage service (guests are welcome to check two bags at no charge), valet parking, and a seamless check-in completed in minutes — all standard before any Aero flight.

On board one of the sleek black jets, settle into one of 16 oversize Italian leather reclining seats and enjoy fresh bites from Erewhon or caviar service, a premium open bar stocked with Veuve Clicquot and artisanal spirits, mini spa offerings by Amandine, and high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi — all complimentary.

Upon landing, head to the newly refreshed Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas, a tony, non-gaming, non-smoking destination in the heart of the Strip. On the tail end of a nearly two-year-long, property-wide renovation spearheaded by the Rockwell Group, the property has established itself as a calming oasis on Las Vegas Boulevard, boasting 392 well-appointed rooms and suites designed to evoke serenity and opulence at every turn. Sip a sundowner at the Hotel Bar while taking in the glittering cityscape before heading to Delilah, a supper club at the Wynn Las Vegas where dinner and entertainment are equally compelling, evoking the allure of 1950s Vegas showrooms.

Spend the rest of the weekend poolside on the hotel’s eighth-floor terrace, or recharge at the award-winning two-story Waldorf Astoria Spa, with treatments including the Vitamin D Immune Boost Massage and the Detoxifying Foot Treatment. On Saturday night, snag a coveted reservation at Mother Wolf, Fontainebleau’s ode to Roman cuisine from pasta-making maverick and chef Evan Funke, where dishes like Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe and Branzino alla Brace steal the spotlight. And because no trip to Vegas is complete without a show, book tickets to see a world-class performer such as Janet Jackson, now in residence at Resorts World Theatre through May 31, 2025. With Los Angeles just an hour away, there’s no rush to return; enjoy a full Sunday in Vegas before heading back on an evening flight with Aero.

If Sin City isn’t calling your name, the jet service offers a growing network of routes and curated optional travel packages in partnership with some of the world’s most notable hotels. Its newest destination, Park City–Deer Valley, via General Aviation FBO at Salt Lake City International Airport, practically drops travelers at the doorstep of the Stein Eriksen Lodge. The seasonal Napa Valley route, relaunching April 25, pairs vineyard vistas with stays at Auberge Resorts’ Stanly Ranch in Napa and Solage in Calistoga. For more sun-drenched options, Los Cabos beckons with cliffside charm at Waldorf Astoria Pedregal or modern design at the Four Seasons Costa Palmas. Retro-glam Parker Palm Springs awaits just a short hop away, while Aspen delivers heritage luxury at the iconic Hotel Jerome, another Auberge property.

And yes, the whispers of an L.A./New York route are true, with flights departing on Mondays and Thursdays starting May 12. Because with Aero, the sky isn’t the limit — it’s just the beginning. aero.com.