The New Way To Travel During Pandemic: Private Helicopters

A global pandemic is something the travel industry could never foresee when stepping into 2020, and it's hit the industry tremendously. Travelling will never be the same again. While no one really knows when COVID would come to an end, the travel industry is getting ready to forgo the old ways and adapt in the post-pandemic era.

While avid travelers long to travel and explore the world, it’s unsurprising that they’d be highly concerned with hygiene due to the pandemic. And this is precisely where helicopter charters come in.

Unlike mainstream transportations, private helicopters have a much smaller passenger capacity and better ventilation facilities, making it a top choice for those who travel during the pandemic. Reports highlight the risk of exposure to bacterias and viruses in closed or crowded settings like ships, trains, and buses. For instance, the Diamond Princess cruise ship's outbreak showed that close confines caused the virus to spread in haywire. Traveling with private helicopters can indeed give travelers a peace of mind during the time of the pandemic.

Getting to far-flung yet unusual destinations via private helicopters is an ultra-exclusive experience. Not only does it provide the flexibility of point to point travel, but its top-knotch facilities also offer the most pleasurable journey. The cabin itself is like a luxurious suite in the sky, adorned with leather reclining swivel chairs and top-quality sound systems to provide the utmost comfort to travelers.

It’s becoming increasingly difficult to truly get away from it all in the face of a pandemic, but you can get to off-the-beaten-track destinations easily with private helicopters. Whether it’s a lush tropical hideaway in the Caribbean Ocean, a secluded golf resort off the coast, or a 5-star hotel in the heart of a vibrant city, it’s so much easier to access these destinations with private helicopters. The best part is that you get to personalize your travel experience to have the best time!

Nobody likes to waste time waiting in line or deal with flight delays. Private helicopter rental offers the additional benefit of access to private terminals for faster security check-ins, making your travel experience a breeze. Meanwhile, they also handle all aspects of your custom tour, including taking you on an adventure full of the best tourist hotspots and hidden gems only locals would know, so you could relax and enjoy every moment on your trip.

While the pandemic seems to be staying for a while, as restless travelers we’re all for traveling with private helicopters to reach our next destination!

The Top 8 Islands You Should Visit in Thailand

It can't be more fitting to compare Thailand to an assortment of colorful candies. The vibrant and cultural hub Bangkok is as rich and exciting as the fruity ones, while Chiang Mai is refreshing and soothing like mint, and Pai District is as lush and unique as toffee. As one of the world’s most renowned holiday destinations, Thailand’s islands are best known for their natural beauty that enraptures all visitors’ hearts. Here are the top 8 islands in Thailand that can be reached by helicopter.

Koh Kradan

Source: expatlifeinthailand.com

Located at the Trang province in Southern Thailand, Koh Kradan is known for having water so clear that you can immediately see all kinds of fish beneath. The 2-kilometer long white sand Koh Kradan Beach trails the east coast of the island, where you’ll find the most dazzling emerald sea and beautiful coral reefs. Make sure you pack thoroughly in advance since there’s no ATM nor medical facility on the island.

Koh Phayam

Source: CNN Travel

Selected as one of the best beaches in Asia by Forbes, Koh Phayam is a rustic island where you’ll find yourself transported back in time. You can hardly find any car on the island as bikes and motorbikes are the main transportation, and the island isn’t connected to the electrical grid. Instead, it heavily depends on diesel generators and solar panels. It’s the perfect getaway if you’d like to unplug and stay off the grid for a few days!

Koh Mak

Source: koh-mak.com

As the largest private island in Thailand, Koh Mak is one of the safest places in the world and, most importantly, a hidden gem that’s relatively unknown by the public. We recommend going snorkeling and hiking at Koh Mak, and you should definitely pay it a visit when it’s still a well-kept secret for most travelers.

Koh Phangan

Source: bangkokattractions.com

There are three hot destinations for the best Full Moon Parties in the world, including Koh Phangan in Thailand, Ibiza in Spain, and Goa in India. These frenzy full moon celebrations attract thousands of Chinese travelers every year. There’s no airport on the Koh Phangan, and it relies heavily on the ferries coming from Koh Samui. When the music fades away at the end of the night, Koh Phangan truly unveils its beauty. The island has not affected by mass tourism, so its beach and landscape remain relatively untouched compared to the other islands in Thailand.

Similan Islands

Source: Image by Viator found on Lonely Planet

Similan Islands used to be a gem among the islands in the Andaman Sea, but due to the disruptions of mass tourism, the Thai Government has implemented a new regulation of limited entries onto the island to let the island recuperate better. Visitors are allowed to go to the islands between November and April (the last day to visit is on April 30), with a limited daily capacity of visitors.

Koh Chang

Source: thetravelmagazine.net

From the jungle on mountain peaks to sweeping bays and waterfalls, Koh Chang has plenty to offer for avid travelers. It’s the second-largest island after Phuket in Thailand, and the best way to explore is by hiring a car or even a helicopter to enjoy the magnificent landscape from high above. Many Westerners find themselves falling in love with Koh Chang upon their first visit and would stay for a few months to immerse themselves in the island life fully. We also recommend snorkeling at the surrounding islands with a local day tour.

Koh Lipe

Source: placesofjuma.com

Best known as the Maldives of Thailand, Koh Lipe is a small island located in southern Thailand. The fastest way to get there is a one-hour ferry ride from Langkawi, Malaysia, rather than reaching the island from Bangkok. You’ll find yourself surrounded by wild marine creatures as you dive beneath the clear turquoise waters, and many travelers visit Koh Lipe specifically to get their scuba certifications there. Apart from diving, be prepared for a feast as there’s plenty of amazing traditional street food around!

Koh Lanta

Source: goatsontheroad.com

The deliciously unspoilt island Koh Lanta shoots to Instagram fame with its enchanting scenery. Unlike other highly popular destinations, there are few Chinese tourists and only a small number of Euro-American visitors on this island. As one of the main islands of Krabi Province, Koh Lanta offers excellent facilities and a lower cost of living compared to Phuket. The islands' lush jungle, clean sandy beaches, pretty coral reefs, and crystal-clear water make the island a perfect retreat.

Don’t worry if you can’t make up your mind which island you’d like to visit, you can always book a private helicopter and travel to all these islands in one-go!

The 6 Most Important Helicopters of All Time

For thousands of years, flying freely in the sky like an eagle has been a dream of humankind, and the Wright Brothers' first flight marked a significant milestone. Helicopters make it even easier and more convenient for us to soar high in the air nowadays. We’ve curated a list of the 6 most important helicopters in history. Read on!

Focke-Wulf Fw-61: The world's first helicopter

Source: Getty images

Professor Henrich Focke from Germany made huge progress in advancing vertical flight in the 1930s with his design of Focke-Wulf FW-61. Regarded as the first functional helicopter, the outlook of FW-61 was rather peculiar - a twin-rotor configuration with three articulated rotor blades and a small propeller mounted in front of the radial. It made a name for itself when German aviator, Hanna Reitsch, flew one indoors at the Deutschlandhalle sports stadium in Berlin in 1938. She also landed Fw-61 safely in London after flying at 68 mph from Berlin.

Sikorsky R-4: The first mass-produced helicopter

Source: NASA Langley

Igor Sikorsky made helicopters more accessible with his invention of the first mass-produced helicopter Sikorsky R-4. Sikorsky's VS300 proved that helicopters could be mass-produced with its record of flying at 70 miles per hour. It eventually led to the birth of R-4, America's first practical helicopter designed with a fully enclosed cabin and side-by-side seating. The R-4 set some important milestones in the helicopter world, including a 761-mile cross-country flight and a service ceiling record of 12,000 feet. After its successful demonstration to the public in 1940, the United States Army Air Forces ordered 29 prototypes, and R-4 became the first mass-produced helicopters.

The Bell 47: The first helicopter certified for civilian use

Source: Getty images

Helicopters are specially built or converted for use by military forces for a long time. However, Bell Aircraft developed Bell 47 for civil use while its competitors catered their helicopters for the military back in the 1940s. The prototype Bell Model 30, designed by Arthur M. Young, was the basis of the 47, which first flew in 1945. The 47 model was approved for civil use by the CAA in 1946, and its first delivery was made to Helicopter Air Transport.

Bell AH-1 Cobra: The first dedicated attack helicopter

Source: Getty images

Bell AH-1 Cobra inspired attack helicopter designs worldwide after its use in the Vietnam War in the 1960s. It provided fire support for ground forces and escorted transport helicopters for the U.S. Army Cobra New Equipment Training Team. While the American ground forces used Bell AH-1 Cobra as a temporary solution in the war, it continued to develop after the war and became a vital role in battle tactics. Bell then fine-tuned AH-1 Cobra with a few more key features, making it the world’s first modern attack helicopter. Interestingly, the twin-engine AH-1 SuperCobra variants are still in use by the Marine Corps.

Eurocopter X3: The world's fastest helicopter

Source: Getty images

Eurocopter is one of the pioneers of aviation. A hybrid helicopter made with an advanced vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) transportation system, X3 made its debut in 2010 with a speed record of 293 mph. It became the fastest helicopter in the world. It surpassed its own record after it sprinted to 293 mph at 10,000 feet in 2013. Based on the X3 technologies, Eurocopter will continue setting the standard for future helicopters, including combining a traditional main rotor with a pair of stub wing-mounted propellers to provide additional forward thrust.

Airbus AS350: The popular sightseeing helicopter

Source: helipoland.com

Known for its excellent high-altitude performance, the Airbus AS350 is a top choice for touring companies to offer helicopter sightseeing excursions. It reigns among the most popular commercial aircraft around the world. From medical, law enforcement services to military use, the model is frequently used in a broad spectrum. The AS350 can comfortably seat up to 6 passengers on a bench-style seating, and its soundproof quality offers a comfortable environment for the passengers and pilots to enjoy their conversations.