Elevate your Summer Travel Blog Series: Episode 1: Private Travel Trends

New York is the worst city for congestion in the US, with drivers crawling at a mere 12 miles per hour during peak times, according to the TomTom Traffic Index. The annual report reveals that in 2022 it took motorists nearly 25 minutes on average to travel just six miles – a 90-second increase from 2021 when workers began returning to the office after COVID-19 shutdowns. This means New Yorkers spend a staggering 236 hours – equivalent to 10 full days – each year trapped in rush-hour traffic. On a larger scale, AAA expected 2 million more drivers on the roads this Memorial Day Weekend than the 35.1 million drivers last MDW. With such overwhelming evidence, it’s clear that New Yorkers need a better solution to escape the city’s chaotic congestion.

The surge in suburb growth has become a significant trend in the past couple of years, as individuals increasingly move away from densely populated city centers to more spacious and affordable suburban areas. This shift, which began during the early stages of the pandemic, has continued to gain momentum, with approximately two million individuals leaving America’s major cities between 2020 and 2022.

As this pattern persists, it raises questions about the future of urban planning, infrastructure development, and the evolving landscape of work-life balance in a post-pandemic world. Despite the appeal of suburban living, many of these individuals still need to commute to the city for work, leading to an increased demand for efficient and reliable transportation options.

As New Yorkers see a greater need to commute from suburbs and areas like Hudson Valley and the Hamptons and seek relief from worsening traffic, private aviation is experiencing a remarkable boom with projected global revenue of $8.46 billion by 2024. A Resonance Consultancy survey reveals that the wealthiest 5% embark on an average of 14.3 trips annually, balancing business and leisure. Luxury travelers have propelled the industry to new heights following pandemic-related disruptions, surpassing 2019 levels. According to Virtuoso, a global travel agency network, travel sales in 2023 are pacing at 47% higher than in 2019, a record-breaking year for travel. These top 7 reasons sum up why ultra-high net worth consumers and business travelers are choosing to take travel into their own hands:

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