Jaguar tarmac
Imagine this: You board your United Airlines flight bound for LAX, and as harried passengers gather their belongings in preparation to deplane and fight their way through a sea of travelers — or even worse, get ready for a frenzied sprint to their connecting gate — your name is gently called on the intercom asking you make your way to the door for a personal escort in Jaguar’s luxurious 2024 I-PACE HSE electric vehicle.
You heard right.
In a world where traveling has become synonymous with hassle and hardship, Jaguar and United Airlines have joined forces to provide an experience that is anything but that.
First-class travel on United Airlines is a smart way to start. Along with the extra space and plush seating, travelers are treated to complimentary dining and drinks, including alcoholic beverages. You’ll also receive Premier Access® benefits as well as two free checked bags and priority baggage handling.
Once summoned, lucky travelers are greeted by a Premier Services agent and escorted onto the tarmac where the shiny award-winning 5-seater SUV awaits.
The United-Jaguar program first launched in October 2022 in Chicago, providing select MileagePlus Premier members chauffeured rides to connecting aircraft. Since then, Jaguar fleets have been gracing United Airlines hubs like Denver, Houston, Newark/New York, Washington D.C., San Francisco and Los Angeles. Beyond providing ultimate comfort, the decision to deploy an all-electric fleet shows the company’s sensibility and foresight to promoting and providing sustainable travel options, something surely to resonate with the modern traveler today. What’s more, the United-Jaguar partnership is offering 50,000 miles to United MileagePlus members who purchase or lease any new Jaguar through the quarter (in order to get the mileage, consumers have to get the code and present it to the retailer before they purchase the vehicle).
While the gate-to-gate airport transfer typically lasts only minutes, I was privy to experiencing the Jaguar 2024 I-PACE in LA for two days. Sure, I could dive into car talk and tell you that the 2024 Jaguar I-PACE is an award-winning, spacious, all-electric performance SUV combining a supercar silhouette with the flexibility of an EPA estimated electric range of up to 246 miles and five-seat SUV versatility. It features Amazon Alexa6 connectivity that delivers a suite of enhancements to its infotainment interface and comes with an 11kW on-board charger (connecting to a 100-kW DC charger can replenish up to 63 miles of range in 15 minutes.) The car’s all-wheel drive performance from twin Jaguar-designed concentric motors delivers a combined 394hp and 512 lb-ft of torque providing 0-60mph acceleration in 4.5 seconds. And thanks to its aluminum construction and low center of gravity, it provides an exceptional balance of all-wheel drive performance.
But I am not a car expert. I am a gal who appreciates a great ride.
And with that in mind, I absolutely adored driving the Jaguar I-PACE. The ride was impeccably smooth, verging on decadent. The cabin offered an oasis of tranquility and the vehicle's acceleration delivered an immediate and exhilarating punch. The sound system was crisp, clear and powerful — whether it was my favorite tunes playing, an informative podcast or a friend I was talking to on the phone.
I didn’t even mind being stuck in the Los Angeles traffic — and you know that says a lot.
For the moments I was not enjoying the car, I found sanctuary at the stylish 1 Hotel in West Hollywood. The property is steeped in a sustainable mission, evident from the moment you are greeted by its natural-toned fibers and leafy foliage throughout. The sprawling lobby area is furnished with comfortable couches and armchairs inviting guests to relax. I spotted a couple of Angelinos working on their laptop, but in that setting, even work looked fun. The expansive bar looks sexy and inviting (without trying too hard) and dining options are excellent and straightforward, whether it’s 1Kitchen’s housemade coconut yogurt with granola and berries for breakfast, the cheeseburger for lunch or heading to Harriets, the rooftop bar for cocktails and a jaw-dropping view of downtown LA. And with such a relaxing vibe, you’d be a fool not to indulge in a spa treatment at their Bamford Wellness Spa. I went for the 80-minute Signature Massage and came out renewed, refreshed and revived.
Hotel 1 Rooftop bar
Drinks on the rooftop
Beyond the hotel, be sure to schedule dinner at Madeo Ristorante next door — the iconic Italian buzz spot is as good for pasta (their vongole is one of the best I’ve had) as for people-watching. A visit to the iconic Mother Wolf restaurant is a must, especially since it's so close. Be sure to order the Mortazza, a folded pizza packed with thin slices of mortadella sprinkled with pistachios.
I was eager for a pre-planned visit to an old college buddy a 45-minute drive outside of the city. Not only to catch up on old times, but to also experience the vehicle on the open road. The car seemed equally excited, gliding smoothly and efficiently with such quiet power that the thought of being a California highway commuter did not seem so dire, if one were blessed, of course, with this car.
From the thrill of reuniting with an old friend to soaking up the California sun, the weekend proved to be a memorable one. But cruising in the 2024 Jaguar I-PACE HSE was the ultimate game-changer, transforming a fun trip into an unforgettable luxury escapade.
