Bridgeport Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Connecticut.
Taylor Rains/Insider
- I flew out of a general aviation airport and now dread going back to commercial flying.
- I enjoyed the perks typically reserved for the ultra-rich, like no security, gates, or crowded terminals.
- The facility that handles general aviation flights was comfortable, with free snacks and a VIP lounge.
Private aviation has historically been a luxury reserved for the ultra-wealthy, with customers dropping tens of thousands of dollars to travel on a business jet.
Private jet.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
Deep-pocketed travelers have long appreciated the convenience of general aviation airports that are typically small with little to no security, though the COVID-19 pandemic added another level of health safety that private aviation could provide.
Private jet.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
There are about 5,000 general aviation airports in the US, which most private jets use. One of the better-known ones in my state is Bridgeport Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Bridgeport Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Connecticut.
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Source: DOT
The small airport is home to a few fix-based operators (FBOs), which are organizations that offer aeronautical services, flight instruction, aircraft rentals, and more.
Bridgeport Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Connecticut.
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Source: Skybrary
Services comprise things like fueling, maintenance, hangaring, tie-downs, and parking for general aviation, including private charters.
Bridgeport Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Connecticut.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Source: Skybrary
FBOs can handle everything from larger Gulfstream G550 and Cessna Citation III jets to smaller Piper Navajos, though some have limits on the size of aircraft.
Bridgeport Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Connecticut.
Taylor Rains/Insider
At Sikorsky, the two main FBOs are Atlantic Aviation…
Bridgeport Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Connecticut.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Source: Air Nav
And Three Wing Aviation.
Bridgeport Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Connecticut.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Source: Air Nav
My boyfriend, who is a former flight instructor based at Sikorsky, flew in and out of the airport for several years. One perk of the job is access to aircraft that he can fly for fun.
Bridgeport Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Connecticut.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Late last year, I got to tag along on one of his adventures and experience first-hand what it’s like to fly out of a general aviation airport, and now I dread going back to commercial flying.
Flying with my pilot boyfriend.
Taylor Rains/Insider
My journey started around 2 pm at Sikorsky airport, which is about a 20-minute drive from my apartment. It was a perfect day for flying, with few clouds and calm winds, which was a nice change after a week of fog and rain.
Bridgeport Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Connecticut.
Taylor Rains/Insider
The airport is easy to access, with the entrance right off a service road that connects the main street to a small community behind the airport next to the Long Island Sound.
Bridgeport Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Connecticut.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Because the airport is small and does not have regularly scheduled passenger service, there was no traffic or lines to get in, and I was able to simply drive right up to the FBO and park. In fact, parking at Sikorsky airport is free for customers, and the lots are huge with plenty of space.
Bridgeport Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Connecticut.
Taylor Rains/Insider
The FBO we flew out of has the parking lot right outside of its facility, so I only walked about 30 steps from my car to the front door. I did not have to fight any foot traffic or face major crowds that are common at commercial airports.
Bridgeport Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Connecticut.
Taylor Rains/Insider
The FBO itself was extremely nice and cozy, with a medium-sized lobby featuring comfortable armchairs…
Bridgeport Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Connecticut.
Taylor Rains/Insider
…and a TV and table.
Bridgeport Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Connecticut.
Taylor Rains/Insider
The FBO’s bathroom was private and clean, which was a pleasant upgrade from the stalls at major airports.
Bridgeport Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Connecticut.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Meanwhile, there were also complimentary drinks and snacks available for passengers, which included water, Coke products, sparkling water, chips, and pretzels.
Bridgeport Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Connecticut.
Taylor Rains/Insider
There was also a Keurig coffee machine stocked with plenty of K-cups and cream and a hot water machine for tea. I helped myself to a Dunkin’ medium roast while I waited for my boyfriend to arrive.
Bridgeport Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Connecticut.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Once he got to the airport, he started to preflight the plane while I waited in the “VIP lounge,” which featured large reclining leather chairs, a couch, and a TV.
Bridgeport Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Connecticut.
Taylor Rains/Insider
The room was down the hall from the lobby and was much quieter and provided enhanced privacy and comfort that is absent from commercial airports unless you have access to a club or lounge.
Bridgeport Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Connecticut.
Taylor Rains/Insider
I also spent some time exploring the facility, which has two hangars onsite, one housing several aircraft, like helicopters and private jets, and the second for maintenance.
Bridgeport Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Connecticut.
Taylor Rains/Insider
I also talked to the line crew workers, whose office is next to the VIP lounge and overlooks the ramp. The employees spend their day directing, parking, fueling, and cleaning planes.
Bridgeport Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Connecticut.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Once my boyfriend was ready to fly, I headed directly to the ramp and boarded the small Piper Warrior aircraft. The easy access to the plane was extremely convenient as I did not have to wait in line at a gate or show a boarding pass.
Bridgeport Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Connecticut.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Moreover, I did not have to go through any sort of security, which was the best part of the trip. From the moment I parked to the second I stepped out onto the ramp, I did not have to take off my shoes, get a full-body scan, or have my purse searched.
Bridgeport Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Connecticut.
Taylor Rains/Insider
For the most part, passengers will go through little, if any, security screening at general aviation airports because there is less of a security threat. This allows travelers to bring full-size bottles of liquids and other restricted items not allowed through TSA at commercial airports.
Bridgeport Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Connecticut.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Source: USA Today
Security is so minimal at these airports that many customers have the option to pull their car straight up to the aircraft instead of walking from the parking lot, meaning they can be off the ground within minutes of arriving at the airport.
Bridgeport Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Connecticut.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Source: USA Today
While I did not have the luxury of driving up to the plane, my boyfriend and I were ready for takeoff within about 20 minutes of my arrival. After completing preflight checks, we taxied out to one of Sikorsky’s two runways and took off for New Jersey.
Flying with my pilot boyfriend.
Taylor Rains/Insider
We flew in a small four-seater Piper plane, which is not the luxurious business jets that the ultra-wealthy charter, but I was still happy to experience the joys of general aviation.
Flying with my pilot boyfriend.
Taylor Rains/Insider
My boyfriend navigated over the Hudson River toward Lincoln Park Airport in New Jersey, where we stopped for lunch. The flight took about half an hour and provided beautiful views of the landscape and scenery.
Flying with my pilot boyfriend.
Taylor Rains/Insider
We spent about an hour at the restaurant in New Jersey, which was at the airport, where we helped ourselves to calamari and burgers. I felt quite fancy taking a plane to lunch, which is a unique perk of dating a pilot.
Flying with my pilot boyfriend.
Taylor Rains/Insider
After lunch, we made our way down the Hudson River and flew along the New York City skyline, getting up close and personal with the giant skyscrapers and the Statue of Liberty.
Flying with my pilot boyfriend.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Eventually, we headed back to Sikorsky where we landed and taxied back to the FBO. The line crew workers escorted us back into the facility, and I was at my car within two minutes.
Bridgeport Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Connecticut.
Taylor Rains/Insider
As someone who flies regularly on commercial planes, it was a treat to fly out of a general aviation airport and see how the rich travel. The experience made it clear why many people are ditching commercial flying for private, and I’m sure for those that can afford it, the convenience is worth the hefty price.
Flying with my pilot boyfriend.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Read the original article on Business Insider 
