The Manhattan skyline in the evening light with the Empire State Building

USA5 days

An exclusive New York weekend: at the controls of a Piper PA-28 over Manhattan

Business class across the Atlantic, a hotel on Central Park and an hour of Manhattan from the cockpit.

A long weekend in New York like few people ever experience it. You fly business class from Germany to New York and stay at the JW Marriott Essex House right on Central Park. The highlight is day three: from Linden Airport in New Jersey you take off in a Piper PA-28 into the Hudson River VFR corridor and see the Statue of Liberty, One World Trade Center and the Empire State Building from a bird's-eye view. With a licence you fly yourself; without one, the flight becomes your first flying lesson.

WHO IS THIS FOR?

Licensed Pilots

For Passengers

Luxury Travelers

ITINERARY

A journey in chapters

Lufthansa Boeing 747-8 on approach against a blue sky

DAY 1

Arrival in New York

Business class scheduled flight with Lufthansa, United or Swiss from Germany to New York, around nine hours. On routes with First Class, an upgrade is available for a supplement. After landing, your transfer takes you in about an hour to the JW Marriott Essex House right on Central Park. You stay in an Essex King Guest Room with a king-size bed (approx. 30 m²); larger rooms and suites are available on request. Our tip for your first evening: a short walk to Rockefeller Center. From the Top of the Rock observation deck you watch the sunset and take in your first view across Manhattan.

Spring in Central Park, with the towers along Fifth Avenue behind

DAY 2

New York at your own pace

Central Park begins right outside your hotel, ideal for a morning walk. Then head along the High Line, a park on a disused elevated railway, to Chelsea Market. We are happy to arrange tickets, for example for the Empire State Building or the Intrepid Museum. There you will find an aircraft carrier, a Space Shuttle and a Concorde, which you can also see from the inside on a guided tour. Our tip for the evening: dinner at the legendary Grand Central Oyster Bar, serving since 1913 beneath the magnificent vaults of Grand Central Terminal.

Lower Manhattan from the cockpit with One World Trade Center

DAY 3

New York from the air

Transfer to Linden Airport (KLDJ) in New Jersey. After a short briefing on the particulars of the Hudson River VFR corridor, you take off with an experienced pilot in a Piper PA-28. With a pilot's licence you are at the controls yourself; without one, this is your first flying lesson. Shortly after take-off you enter the corridor and see New York from a bird's-eye view: the Statue of Liberty, One World Trade Center, the Manhattan skyline, the Empire State Building and the Intrepid, which you saw from below only the day before. An unforgettable experience.

Central Park and the Reservoir from above, with Midtown Manhattan behind

DAY 4

Farewell to New York

Your last day is yours to shape as you like. For shopping, Fifth Avenue with its flagship stores and department stores such as Bergdorf Goodman and Saks is just a few steps from the hotel; if you prefer something more individual, SoHo has small boutiques and designer shops. If you feel active, start with a run around the Reservoir in Central Park or explore the park by bike, followed by a classic New York brunch. For culture, the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the edge of Central Park and MoMA are both close by, ideal for a few last hours in the city. In the afternoon your transfer takes you to the airport, and in the evening you fly business class back to Germany.

DAY 5

Arrival in Germany

The return flight takes you home overnight. After dinner on board you enjoy the calm of your flat-bed seat and sleep for a few hours; by breakfast you are already approaching Europe. After around seven hours in the air you land in Germany in the morning. If you wish, a chauffeur will be waiting to take you home in comfort. A relaxed end to the journey, with plenty of unforgettable memories.

THE HOUSES

Where you stay

The Essex House with its illuminated sign above Central Park

160 Central Park South, Manhattan

JW Marriott Essex House New York

The house

The Essex House opened in 1931 as an Art Deco tower on the southern edge of Central Park, and the red sign on its roof is still part of the Manhattan skyline. Since 2012 Marriott has run it as the city's first JW Marriott. Columns, clocks and gilded doors from the original building survive in the lobby, while the rooms and suites are furnished in a modern, calm style.

Rooms

You stay in an Essex King Guest Room with a king-size bed (approx. 30 m²). On request we are happy to book a larger room or a suite; some suites have a private terrace overlooking Midtown or the park.

Setting

Central Park begins right outside the door. Fifth Avenue, Carnegie Hall and Columbus Circle are a few minutes' walk away, Rockefeller Center a short stroll. The transfer from JFK or Newark airport takes about an hour.

Fitness & spa

The fitness center is open around the clock, with modern cardio equipment and a full strength area. For a run in the green, Central Park is right outside the door. The PRIMP Spa is a quiet retreat in the middle of Manhattan, offering massages, facial and body treatments and beauty services, either in the spa rooms or privately in your room. The sauna is the perfect balance after a day full of impressions.

JW Marriott Essex House – living area of a deluxe suite overlooking the park

JW Marriott Essex House – king-size bed in a suite

JW Marriott Essex House – marble bathroom

JW Marriott Essex House – suite terrace above Midtown

JW Marriott Essex House – suite terrace in the evening

INCLUDED

What's included

Business class scheduled flight from Germany to New York and back with Lufthansa, United or Swiss, First Class on routes that offer it for a supplement
3 nights at the JW Marriott Essex House New York on Central Park, Essex King Guest Room with king-size bed (approx. 30 m²), without breakfast. Additional nights, larger rooms and suites on request
Transfers from New York airport (JFK or Newark) to the hotel and back, and to Linden Airport and back
1 hour of flying over Manhattan through the Hudson River VFR corridor in a Piper PA-28 is included in the price, with briefing and an experienced pilot. With a licence you fly yourself; without one, it is your first flying lesson. You can also revalidate your licence if you wish
Instead of the scheduled flight, also by private jet from your preferred airport on request
More flight hours, additional flights, excursions into the New York surroundings and combinations such as New York with Miami and the Bahamas are available on request

TRIP DETAILS

DURATION

5 days

AIRCRAFT

Scheduled flight, business class, Piper PA-28 (1-hour scenic flight over Manhattan)

BEST TIME TO TRAVEL

year-round

FROM

€6,349

per person in a double room, incl. business class scheduled flight from/to Germany, without breakfast (other departure countries on request)

Request this trip

SERVICE TYPE & PROTECTION

Service type: Package trip (tour operator service) (§ 651b BGB). Customer fund protection: Tour operator insolvency insurance (Reisepreissicherungsschein) with R+V Versicherung.

GALLERY

A Midtown street canyon with the Chrysler Building

Central Park and the Reservoir from above

View across Central Park and the Manhattan skyline

Piper PA-28 in flight over fields in the evening light

Cockpit of a Piper PA-28 with glass display and round gauges

Chart of the Hudson River VFR corridor over Manhattan

A 5-day trip to USA by Scheduled flight, business class. Accommodation: JW Marriott Essex House New York. From €6,349 (per person in a double room, incl. business class scheduled flight from/to Germany, without breakfast (other departure countries on request)).

ENTRY & HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

As of: 26 October 2026. German citizens can enter the USA for tourist stays of up to 90 days without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program. You need a valid electronic passport and an electronic travel authorisation (ESTA), which must be applied for online at least 72 hours before departure and costs 40 US dollars. A provisional passport requires a visa. A return or onward ticket is mandatory. Anyone who has been to Cuba on or after 12 January 2021 cannot travel on ESTA and must apply for a visa at the US embassy. Fresh food and meat products may not be imported; alcohol and tobacco only in limited quantities and only from the age of 21. US border officers may inspect electronic devices such as phones and laptops without a search warrant.

SOURCES

The details on this page come from these sources. Entry requirements change; the authority's own information is what counts, not our summary.

AIRFIELDS

Linden Airport (KLDJ), New Jersey

AUTHORITIES

German Federal Foreign Office: travel advice for the USA

Frequently asked questions

BOOKING & PROCESS

What's the easiest way to book?

The quickest way to reach us is by phone at +49 30 89065233 or by mobile at +49 172 1999835. Alternatively, send us your travel wishes by email to info@fly-unique.com. We'll get back to you promptly with a suitable offer.

Can I also book my flight through Fly Unique?

Of course. Whether a scheduled flight, a charter flight on a private plane, a private jet, or an aircraft to fly yourself: we handle every form of travel for you.

Can I also book excursions through Fly Unique?

Gladly. Whether excursions, safaris, a yacht, a rental car, or individual requests on-site: we organize this for you.

What services are included in my trip?

All included services are listed in detail in your trip offer as well as in your booking confirmation.

Can I reserve my seats in advance?

Yes. We take your seating preferences and reserve them in advance for you, subject to availability.

Can I book a suite instead of a double room?

Subject to availability, you can upgrade to a larger suite for an additional charge.

TRAVEL & COMFORT

Can I be picked up directly from my doorstep?

Yes. We're happy to arrange a private transfer that picks you up at home and takes you directly to the airport.

Can I book a VIP lounge with direct access to the aircraft?

Yes. We book you a VIP lounge from which you're escorted directly to the aircraft, relaxed and without waiting.

How do I check in online for my flight?

For trips with a scheduled flight, you can usually check in via the airline's website or app. On request, we can handle online check-in for you and send your boarding pass to you, where this is technically possible for the respective airline and route.

Can I add a Rail&Fly ticket?

For trips with a scheduled flight, this is possible, usually for an additional charge, unless the airline already includes it.

How much luggage am I allowed to bring?

This varies by airline and fare. We'll let you know the exact free baggage allowance along with your trip offer.

What happens if flight times change?

We inform you immediately by email as soon as we're notified of a change.

PAYMENT & PROTECTION

How much is the deposit?

As a rule, the deposit is 20% of the trip price. For peak-season dates it may be higher; this will be stated in the respective offer. For non-refundable special-fare flight tickets, the deposit may also be higher, as the ticket must be paid in full immediately.

When is the balance due?

As a rule, 30 days before departure. We'll point out any deviations already at the time of booking.

How do I pay for my trip?

Payment is conveniently made by bank transfer.

Is my trip protected by a tour operator insolvency insurance (ATOL licence)?

Yes. As a German tour operator we are legally obliged to protect your trip with a tour operator insolvency insurance (ATOL licence). Fly Unique has a contract with the R+V Versicherung. You will receive your insurance certificate automatically with your booking confirmation.

Do you recommend a travel cancellation insurance?

We generally recommend travel cancellation insurance and are happy to advise you on suitable options.

Are rebookings or cancellations possible?

Yes. The exact terms and costs are set out in our General Terms and Conditions and can of course be requested from us at any time.

Where can I find the General Terms and Conditions?

Our General Terms and Conditions (available in German) can be found on our website. View Terms

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

When will I receive my travel documents?

You'll receive your booking confirmation immediately after booking, and the complete travel documents no later than two weeks before departure.

What travel documents do I need?

This varies depending on the destination and nationality. We provide comprehensive information on the required documents and, if needed, also assist with obtaining visas.

FOR PILOTS

I'd like to fly myself. What do I need?

Send us a copy of your pilot's license. We'll then support you with the license revalidation and inform you about all the documents required for it.

Which aircraft is right for my trip?

We're happy to advise you on the choice, whether for flying yourself, joining as a passenger, or a trip by private plane or private jet.

Do you assist with route planning and permits for pilot trips?

Yes, we're happy to handle route planning and support you with any permits that may be required.

FAMILY & SPECIAL REQUESTS

Can allergies or dietary preferences be reported in advance?

Yes. We're happy to pass on your allergies and dietary preferences to the airline and hotel in advance.

Can we bring our children?

We're happy to book child-friendly hotels suited to your trip with children.

I'm pregnant. Can I still travel?

In principle, traveling is possible with an uncomplicated pregnancy up to week 34/35; the second trimester (weeks 14 to 28) is considered ideal. The exact rules vary by airline: many require a medical certificate of fitness to fly from week 28 onward, and most airlines decline to carry passengers from week 36 onward. Feel free to reach out. We'll check individually for your airline and route how your desired trip can be arranged.

SAFETY

Is there an emergency number during the trip?

Yes. We're available around the clock and here for you should anything not go according to plan during your trip.

REQUEST

Request this trip

Request this trip info@fly-unique.com +49 30 89065233

Mobile: +49 172 1999835

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