The sky’s the limit when it comes to pampering your loved one for this season of romance. So, hop aboard a private chartered fl ight by BJETS, and indulge in precious private moments up among the clouds.

By NATALIE LEE

When it comes to getting around in style, take a cue from the rich and famous.

Hairspray star John Travolta, who has chalked up 5,000 hours as a pilot, owns a Boeing 707, a Lear jet and three Gulfstream jets, all parked on his front lawn. American Idol judge Simon Cowell, meanwhile, globetrots all over UK and US on his private jet, because “the champagne’s better and you can smoke, which is a rare pleasure these days at 36,000 feet.”

For Russian tycoon and owner of Chelsea Football Club, Roman Abramovich, however, only the best will do. The 42-yearold owns a Boeing 767 that cost USD56 million. It seats 180 people and comes with bathrooms, giant plasma screens, as well as furniture and fixtures of mahogany, walnut and gold.

Flying high
Even if you are several millions short of owning a private plane, you can still enjoy that extra touch of exclusivity through BJETS. Established in Mumbai, the company, which set up its Singapore office in late 2008 and has been operating partially out of Seletar Airport since, offers private chartered flights.

One best bit about jetting about in your own plane is time. Without having to wait in line for check-in and screening procedures, you can enjoy the flexibility and convenience of covering up to four cities in a day – and still reach home by dinner.

For starters, BJETS owns five jets, all of which take you to over 250 regional airports across Asia within five hours, as well as smaller airstrips inaccessible to major airlines. Its fleet consists of the Cessna Citation CJ2+, which holds up to six passengers, while the HAWKER 850/900 XP and the HAWKER 4000 each ferry up to eight passengers at any one time. Its crew are also available 24 hours throughout the year and can be activated within 24-hours’ notice.

All this makes excellent news for those who want to celebrate the upcoming Valentine’s Day weekend. You and your loved one can choose to enjoy an exotic vacation in cities such as Hyderabad in India, or soak up the sun, sand and sea at a quaint resort town like Lien Khuong in Vietnam.

All things nice
Another reason why a private flight appeals especially to couples planning to splash out on this season of love is the luxe factor that comes with it.

Each plane comes outfitted with exteriors and interiors designed by BMW DesignWorksUSA. Beneath the sleek and understated exterior is a beckoning beige-hued interior to enhance the sense of space and comfort.

More importantly, the BJETS experience is also all about fulfilling your preferences. Business travellers can request for WiFi Internet access; those with kids can ask for a whole slew of on-flight entertainment options, or one can even request for the services of a personal stewardess.

In fact, before each flight begins, all passengers would have completed a checklist of their favoured amenities. Does she prefer Chinese or Western cuisine? Does he take his orange juice with a specific number of ice-cubes? Or do you want to commemorate the year you met with an exquisite red wine like Burgundy of Dom Romane Conti 1997?

For the full story, check out escape! Feb/Mar 09.