Hard Rock Atlantic City Casino and Hotel has announced a new chartered air service. Hard Rock Air, as it’s been officially named, will ferry high-rolling passengers from lesser-served destinations from across the US to Atlantic City International airport, where they’ll be driven straight to the nj casino.
This initiative is part of a wider trend of new offerings from US casino resorts.
As the COVID-19 pandemic slows, US casino resort destinations are scrambling to find new ways to entice visitors and gamblers back.
In Vegas, nearly all casinos and hotels are now back to 24/7 opening hours. Others still are building new resorts to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars.
New Heights
Hard Rock Atlantic City’s new venture is designed to offer a “convenient, seamless getaway that is unmatched in the market,” according to company president Joe Lupo.
“We are confident that Hard Rock Air is going to take our VIP guest experience to new heights,” he added.
The new service will be operated through Ultimate Jet Charters using a 30-seat Dornier 328.
The planes are set to serve passengers from airports in:
- Farmingdale, NY
- White Plains, NY
- Scranton, PA
- Latrobe, PA
- Norfolk, VA
- Richmond, VA
- Baltimore
- Cincinnati
Hard Rock Air’s first flights are scheduled for July 16, 2021.
Anyone can book a flight with Hard Rock Air, although it will inevitably be more expensive than even a first-class airline ticket to Atlantic City.
Still, many of the airports on Hard Rock Air’s operating list are not widely served by direct flights to Atlantic City – so the convenience really is the main selling point.
All Hard Rock Air passengers will be offered free luxury transportation from the airport to the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino itself.
Customers with Hard Rock Wild Cards from the company’s loyalty program will be in line for discounted bookings and extra complimentary services.
Capital Improvements
Hard Rock, owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, is not the first US casino operator to offer chartered flights for high-rolling casino visitors.
Caesars Entertainment already lets big-spending customers book chartered flights to Atlantic City, Laughlin, NV, and Reno – among other destinations.
However, it seems like Hard Rock is committed to investing in its Atlantic City resort despite some big competition from players like Caesars.
The worldwide operator announced last month it would be “reinvesting a minimum of $20 million in capital improvements” at its Atlantic City resort.
“The commitment of these capital dollars from our ownership proves their devotion to enhancing our guest experience, along with the revitalization of Atlantic City and our property which opened after a $500 million renovation less than three years ago,” said company President Joe Lupo at the time.
This new investment will see 91 hotel rooms completely redesigned and renovated, a new Starbucks, more new slot machines, and extra beachfront amenities for guests.
For the latest news on Atlantic City’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, plus much more gambling news from around the world, keep checking gamblingtimes.com.