First-Class Travel
New Austin company launches private air travel across Texas — no membership required
UPDATE: In early October, Envi announced that it has postponed service indefinitely.
---
Austinites have another option for traveling in style with the launch of Envi, a private luxury air travel service based out of Austin Executive Airport. Starting November 14, 2016, Envi will offer flights between Austin and Dallas and Dallas and Houston four times per week.
The private luxury airline hopes to go beyond saving people time (with no crowded terminals or security lines), explains Envi's president and founder Corey Rust.
"What we hope we've created is an experience that makes flying for business more enjoyable" he says. Guests can expect complimentary food and drinks, no luggage fees, and comfortable first-class seating.
"As we become busier and busier in our society," he says. "We are looking for ways to maximize on our time, and private or near private travel helps with that."
Envi isn't the first private plane company to launch in the Lone Star State — in fact, Rise and Texas Air Shuttle are already catering to frequent business travelers with private flying membership services starting around $1,895 per month. Envi, on the other hand, is designed to be more accessible without required memberships or monthly fees. Tickets, on sale now, have an introductory sale price of $249 each way.
"I think we add to the option list and complement the others with a different type of service," Rust says of the growing luxury airline business. "I don't really consider them as competitors as much as I consider them colleagues."
Flights from Austin Executive Airport to Dallas Love Field will take off at 7:30 am Monday through Thursday; return flights depart at 6:15 pm. Service from Dallas Love Field to Houston's William P. Hobby Airport depart at 9:15 am Monday through Thursday, and return flights are scheduled for 4:30 pm.
The service will use a fleet of King Air executive aircraft. Envi intends to expand the schedule based on demand.
A rooftop pool 21 stories up completes the new InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk Hotel.
Photo courtesy of InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk Hotel