Lexus is taking its luxury act beyond cars and into helicopter services. Called Lexus Flight, the Aero Toyota-operated service starts on Aug 24 with a dedicated Leonardo AW169.
No, Lexus has not quietly started building helicopters. The Italian aircraft seats up to seven passengers, cruises at a maximum 267kph and has a quoted maximum range of 785km. Two Pratt & Whitney Canada turboshaft engines do the heavy lifting.
Inside, passengers get Wi-Fi, an onboard tablet, climate and lighting controls, a live flight map, exterior camera views and entertainment.
That is considerably more equipment than the average airport shuttle, plus the ability to fly over the traffic.
Lexus intends to connect flights with chauffeured car transfers between departure points and heliports.
City-to-resort journeys are part of the plan, while suitably funded customers may also add time aboard the LY680 luxury yacht.
That makes for one very expensive-looking weekend itinerary. Fares and routes were not disclosed. For now, Lexus has simply added a rotor blade to its road-and-yacht luxury business
