Taste of Chicago is the world’s largest food festival. Previously held over five days in July in Grant Park, the city moved the popular event to September last year. 8-10 in 2023. This year’s Taste will takeover Chicago Grant Park Sept. 6-8, 2024, with summer offshoots at Humboldt, Pullmark and Marquette Parks to be announced soon.
This event is basically a smorgasbord of gastronomic treats, as the city’s cooking community comes together in one area. From food trucks to restaurants that set up tents, there are literally hundreds of menu items to choose from, including:
Dia de los Tomales
Celtic corn on the cob
Coconut shrimp
S’mores Smush cheesecake
And, of course, there are the traditional Chicago mainstays such as deep-dish pizza, Chicago-style hotdogs and Italian beef. This family-friendly event also happens to be the largest festival in Chicago, and it’s about more than just food. Other attractions include:
When you fly privately with Stratos, you can get a head start on the gourmet fare by requesting in-flight catering.
In addition to delicious eats, the Taste of Chicago attracts a lot of top international talent, as well as up-and-coming local acts. Weezer, Erykah Badu and Robin Thicke have all headlined the festival in past years. If you plan on visiting this extraordinary event, you’re not alone. There can be as many as 1.5 million visitors over the weekend, which means Chicago’s commercial airports will be busier than normal. By booking private charter flights to Chicago with Stratos Jets, you can avoid:
By arranging charter flights to Chicago, not only do you get to choose when you fly, you can also choose the airport that’s most convenient for your arrival. In the Windy City, there are plenty of options, including Chicago Executive Airport (PWK), Midway International Airport (MDW), Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Aurora Municipal Airport (ARR), Dupage Airport (DPA), Gary Chicago International Airport (GYY) and Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD).
Flying in late and want to head straight to the hotel, or can’t wait to get to Taste and just need a rental car ready to go at the airport? Whether it’s by pre-arranging a car and driver, rental vehicle or even taking care of hotel reservations, our Trip Support Team is your lifeline to help make your trip to Taste of Chicago memorable.
Every charter flight review on this page was submitted by a real Stratos Jets customer. In the interest of transparency, we never change reviews or use incentives to influence these reviews. This way, you can hear directly from our past and current clients about how we handled their private travel experience.
4.5/5(22)
4.7/5(25)
4.8/5(568)
4.8/5
566 Reviews
4.7/5
25 Reviews
4.5/5
22 Reviews
5/5
4 Reviews
Overall rating (4.89 out of 5) Based on 673 reviews from our trusted Jet Charter reviews
Barbara B.
51501/09/2021
Very much enjoyed the trip. Glenn was helpful in coordinating every facet of the trip and answering all questions. We greatly appreciated all of the effort.
Frank B.
51509/05/2017
Excellent
Chip L.
51505/31/2022
Yes
Catherine L.
51501/19/2018
Worked with Kerry Hill and as always, she delivered excellent service. First date departure had to be delayed due to a mechanical issue with the aircraft and she kept me well informed. When the revised departure date came, she worked continuously to get a hangar for the aircraft in order to help avoid costly de-icing then next morning. Can't say enough good things about Kerry and Stratos Jet!
Jason Bercan
51505/23/2021
10 out of 10 every time!
Gustavo Botura
51507/03/2019
Good experience, although your emails sometimes look more as a marketing email than an itinerary revision. Still getting used to the sales force platform, but if I may give you guys a feed back, try to avoid too many colors and pictures on the email as they sometimes look like marketing/sales email then important information about the trip. That's my 2 cents.
David B.
51502/16/2017
Great Job!!! My first time booking with Stratos Jets and from my initial contact with the company to landing at my destination, the experience working with this company was flawless. I'll definitely recommend and book with this company again. Thank you.
Harry W.
51501/08/2023
I took a trip to NYC for New Year's Eve with my wife and another couple, the whole Times Square experience was amazing. Danny is a ROCKSTAR, he took care of every detail and stays in constant contact with me ensuring all my trips are seamless and effort-free on my part. This trip had a snag or two with planes and availability. Danny once again handled everything in a truly professional manner and kept me in the loop, even texting and talking to me on Sunday night! I will never go anywhere unless Danny is in my corner. THANK YOU!
Gustavo Botura
51510/14/2021
You guys are great to work with!
Jeff P.
51510/14/2021
As always, Stratos has the best selection of aircraft and crew. Zach is amazing to work with.
Jerry H.
51512/18/2017
Everyone was great
Robert C.
51510/17/2018
Heather was an important part of my chose in Stratos.
Rick H.
51508/06/2017
As usual the trip from start to finish was handled professionally
Sandy S.
51507/22/2024
Loved the service! Loved the service!
Tonio B
51501/08/2020
We recently flew on an International flight to the Bahamas with Stratos and the whole experience was top notch. From the flight support & customer service to the pilots and overall flight experience, our trip through Stratos was absolutely seamless. We highly recommend them!
Jay S.
51505/05/2021
Appreciate Glenn's attention to detail and follow up. He is great to work with.
Joel M.
51510/18/2012
Since it was my first charter I have no comparisons
Valerie W.
51511/26/2016
Its always a pleasure to work with Mark and Stratos!
Monika W.
51501/08/2023
My agent was wonderful. However, my scheduled flight time was changed due to the owner wanting to use their plane. This change resulted in my missing an engagement. No discount was given to me for my inconvenience. The lack of observance of a signed contract was shocking and frankly showed a lack of integrity. I expect monetary compensation.
Bobbi Dent
51503/13/2022
Always a pleasure doing business with STRATOS, you make it a seamless booking from start to finish! Very professional! Thanks for your business.
Jack G.
51507/17/2014
Your company really cares about it's customer and made us feel so comfortable and confident. I would recommend your service to others.
Jeff P.
51509/21/2017
Would highly recommend anyone looking for charters to contact Stratos. Their team was second to none in handling our request from first call to post flight. The CEO was even kind enough to phone me to ensure that we had located our crew at the FBO just prior to departure. I have run multiple aircraft in flight departments for many years and can truly say that its hard to find this level of professionalism in the business.
Bill P.
51511/01/2021
Simon and your team made our overall experience excellent. The total process start to end was well done.
Tonio B.
51507/19/2017
The Stratos Jet Charters team provides a seamless & excellent experience from beginning to end. They are a forward thinking company that puts the customer first and never disappoints with any trip or itinerary. Would absolutely recommend to anyone!
Heather Converse
51506/14/2017
Great Trip Support Team
We love working with Stratos Jets! They are fast to respond, reasonable to work with, and their brokers and trip support team are very detail oriented which leaves little room for error. I would highly recommend them!
Ray E.
51504/14/2019
I would recommend Stratos Jet to friends, we plan to try the service again soon.
Todd C.
51505/03/2021
All aspects of our interaction with Stratos was perfect. My wife and I will definitely use their services in the future.
Guy S.
51504/14/2014
we are pleased with the pricing and servicing we are getting
Gene A.
51506/12/2017
Joel and the team at Stratos Jet Charters were great. Even on short notice, Joel was able to charter a plane for me in California and made sure that it was a smooth process the whole trip. He was readily available when I had several last minute changes to the itinerary. Highly recommend.
Leonid S.
51509/02/2020
Perfect experience.
Caron P.
51506/28/2018
From start to finish, our experience with Stratos was totally professional, made very simple and the ultimate in how charter travel should be booked/enjoyed! We know it takes an entire team behind the scenes but all credit to Joel for his 'personal' touch and for making our return trip to New York a very memorable one indeed!!!
We have used several charter companies worldwide over the years but Joel and his team beat them all!!!
MG.
51504/24/2019
Another great experience with Joel & his team. From rental car arrangements to being ready for three small children Stratos handled everything. The equipment was beautiful and the crews were very kind! I never can say enough praise for Stratos!
Michael D.
51505/03/2018
Stratos arranged a private jet to Toronto for me last minute. Everything went well and the Challenger 300 was very nice. Thank you
Yolanda Sandoval
51501/27/2019
Stratos Jets has always been Organized and on point through the booking process. Their clear communication has always made it possible to execute each trip smoothly and as planned. This consistency has made them a trusted and pleasant company for us to work with. True honest business people! Thank you!
Sam Weisenburger
51504/27/2021
Great communication, easy to work with
Rose D.
51501/16/2018
Working with Stratos vs other jet charter companies lends a personal touch that seems lacking in others. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Stratos to friends.
Shaundra G.
51501/08/2023
Great experience overall. Communication is always great and solving any unforeseen issues has always been a breeze.
Chris Hamblen
51512/21/2021
Zach and Leslie were very responsive and easy to work with.
Joseph M.
51507/31/2023
Ditto!
Drew K.
51503/01/2018
I had the pleasure to work with Joel on a last minute trip needed to transport several professional athletes to an event. Joel was fast-acting and completely professional every step of the way. He sent constant updates to make sure our trip needs were met every step of the way. I would recommend Joel and Stratos to anybody looking to book private jets who also values professionalism and accountability.
Darren G.
51506/15/2017
The company I represent was in a crisis situation where we needed to get halfway across the country within a matter of hours. The only available commercial flight was sold out and nothing would get us there in time. After doing some research, I found Stratos Jet Charters and called Joel at around 7 in the morning. He answered right away and were at the airport two hours later. Because it was a high stress situation in a short amount of time, I called Joel and his team countless times in a two hour window; they remained extremely professional and kind. Plus, Joel was able to get us an extremely competitive price, especially considering the short notice. I highly recommend using Stratos Jet Charters and know I will definitely use them again.
Daniel W.
51501/20/2022
Worked with Glenn and he really worked to find the right plane at the right time! Aircraft crew were professional and courteous. Two great cross country flights.
Keith G.
51505/18/2023
Everything was lovely, no hiccups. One piece of advice, when travelling to Turks and Caicos, make sure you have a clear address for your destination. The customs officer held us for twenty-five minutes trying to figure out where we were staying. That was a little frustrating, but it all worked out. We will most definitely use Stratos for our next trip.
Lisa Stanley
51510/03/2017
Joel Thomas and his great team at Stratos makes booking a private charter easy. They keep in contact with you from the start right through to after the flight, which gives my travelers a piece of mind. Everything is always exactly planned to our specifications. Stratos really goes above and beyond in their industry - they are simply the best at what they do.
David C.
51512/08/2016
The only glitch was the catering from New Orleans to Las Vegas. I don't know how you could correct the issue, but we didn't receive exactly what we ordered -- plus, they did not provide us with utensils, plates and napkins.
David R.
51505/03/2017
The low approach over Newport was terrific....CAD even stopped talking. Have a nice w/e....David
Terrance W
51510/23/2017
Would highly recommend EVERYONE ALIVE! Amazing service. Awesome team, from first call to post flight. Top flight!
Bobbi Dent
51501/28/2022
Always a pleasure to work with the friendly staff. The communication is concise and timely. Looking forward to future bookings!
Daniel S.
51509/13/2013
None that I can think of. Very Satisfied.
Tim L.
51503/04/2016
We were thoroughly impressed with all aspects of these operations.
If at all possible, a method to protect the identity of passengers might be developed (whereby TSA rules are still met). If such a method already exists, my clients would appreciate knowing the details.
Our friendly, expert air charter agents are here to answer questions or start your quote today. Don`t wait, call right now and we can get you on your way to the destination of your choice! Talk to one of our air chater argents now by calling (888) 593-9066 or by emailing [email protected]
How do I choose the right aircraft for my mission?
As charter brokers, we do more than simply book your charter flight. At Stratos Jets, our air charter associates are highly trained personnel capable of matching our clients with the appropriate aircraft for their travel needs. Once we determine how many passengers you’re travelling with and how far you’re flying, we can determine which category of aircraft you require. There are many options available. The most common aircrafts hired for private charters include:
Cessna’s Citation X
Gulfstream’s G650
Bombardier’s Global line
After that, we can help you narrow down the selection of recommended aircraft based on budget, desired cabin amenities, airport requirements, luggage capacity, as well as aircraft age and performance capabilities.
Staying Safe in the Skies
At Stratos Jets, air charter safety is our number one concern. One of our key policies is to increase consumer education. This ensures our clients are able to make informed decisions. We also work with our aircraft providers to ensure their safety training programs meet and even exceed our air charter safety requirements. To make this happen, Stratos Jets is an ARGUS Certified Broker. This means that our brokerage firm is:
Committed to the best industry practices
Adhering to all applicable safety regulations
Maintaining the appropriate insurance coverage required
Are there additional costs per private jet rental passenger?
There are no additional costs per passenger. At Stratos Jet Charters, we base our private jet rental prices per hour, not per guest.
The Stratos Pricing Estimator
If you would like to estimate the cost of a private jet charter, use our Stratos pricing estimator page. It lists the most common estimates based on destination and aircraft type. And you can always enter customized data to get an estimate for a specific destination.
Additional Concierge Charges
We do charge for some of our additional concierge services, such as in-flight catering and entertainment, hotel bookings and ground transportation. We know our clients’ time is precious, so we offer the value and convenience of “one-stop-shopping” through our Trip Support team. When you book a flight with Stratos Jet Charters, we can take care of all the logistics, including booking hotels, meeting spaces, limousines and tickets to special events. That way you can relax, and enjoy your trip.
Empty Leg Charters
Also, since we charge per hour, not per passenger, there are travel bargains to be found with our Empty Leg Flights. Many of our private jet rental flights are one-way, and then we need to move the aircraft to a new destination. To reduce the costs of flying an empty aircraft, we offer discounts to travelers with flexible itineraries. Clever passengers will sometimes split the cost with their fellow travelers, thereby reducing the cost for everyone on the flight.
Can I make last-minute changes to my itinerary?
If your plans need to change, we will do everything in our power to accommodate the changes. One of the benefits of hiring Stratos Jet Charters is that we have much more flexibility than commercial airlines and can provide many more air charter services.
We have two teams that can help you. Here is a brief description of each:
Charter Sales Agents
This is the initial contact team. They evaluate your travel needs to identify the appropriate aircraft type for your travel plan. Pricing is determined by aircraft availability, its position related to the intended departure location and the position of where the aircraft needs to be after performing the customer’s flight.
Trip Support Team
Once the aircraft has been selected, Trip Support works with the customer, the air carrier and all concierge service providers to organize all of the travel details. Trip Support is responsible for coordinating:
Departure time
Departure and arrival at the Fixed Base departure location
Ensuring assigned crew members meet Stratos experience requirements
Making sure the insurance is current and everyone is protected
Coordinating all concierge services
In reference to last-minute itinerary changes, any changes would go through the Trip Support Team.
Our customers often have demanding flight itineraries that can change quickly. They’ve come to appreciate knowing there’s an entire team of people focused on organizing all the details of their trip. Stratos Jet Charters wants to provide our clients with consistently outstanding air charter service and an impeccable safety record.
Are you ready to book your Can I make last-minute changes to my itinerary? charter flight yet?
Our friendly, expert air charter agents are here to answer questions or start your quote today. Don`t wait, call now and we'll get you on your way to your destination!
Barbara B.
Very much enjoyed the trip. Glenn was helpful in coordinating every facet of the trip and answering all questions. We greatly appreciated all of the effort.
Frank B.
Excellent
Chip L.
Yes
Catherine L.
Worked with Kerry Hill and as always, she delivered excellent service. First date departure had to be delayed due to a mechanical issue with the aircraft and she kept me well informed. When the revised departure date came, she worked continuously to get a hangar for the aircraft in order to help avoid costly de-icing then next morning. Can't say enough good things about Kerry and Stratos Jet!
Jason Bercan
10 out of 10 every time!
Gustavo Botura
Good experience, although your emails sometimes look more as a marketing email than an itinerary revision. Still getting used to the sales force platform, but if I may give you guys a feed back, try to avoid too many colors and pictures on the email as they sometimes look like marketing/sales email then important information about the trip. That's my 2 cents.
David B.
Great Job!!! My first time booking with Stratos Jets and from my initial contact with the company to landing at my destination, the experience working with this company was flawless. I'll definitely recommend and book with this company again. Thank you.
Harry W.
I took a trip to NYC for New Year's Eve with my wife and another couple, the whole Times Square experience was amazing. Danny is a ROCKSTAR, he took care of every detail and stays in constant contact with me ensuring all my trips are seamless and effort-free on my part. This trip had a snag or two with planes and availability. Danny once again handled everything in a truly professional manner and kept me in the loop, even texting and talking to me on Sunday night! I will never go anywhere unless Danny is in my corner. THANK YOU!
Gustavo Botura
You guys are great to work with!
Jeff P.
As always, Stratos has the best selection of aircraft and crew. Zach is amazing to work with.
Jerry H.
Everyone was great
Robert C.
Heather was an important part of my chose in Stratos.
Rick H.
As usual the trip from start to finish was handled professionally
Sandy S.
Loved the service! Loved the service!
Tonio B
We recently flew on an International flight to the Bahamas with Stratos and the whole experience was top notch. From the flight support & customer service to the pilots and overall flight experience, our trip through Stratos was absolutely seamless. We highly recommend them!
Jay S.
Appreciate Glenn's attention to detail and follow up. He is great to work with.
Joel M.
Since it was my first charter I have no comparisons
Valerie W.
Its always a pleasure to work with Mark and Stratos!
Monika W.
My agent was wonderful. However, my scheduled flight time was changed due to the owner wanting to use their plane. This change resulted in my missing an engagement. No discount was given to me for my inconvenience. The lack of observance of a signed contract was shocking and frankly showed a lack of integrity. I expect monetary compensation.
Bobbi Dent
Always a pleasure doing business with STRATOS, you make it a seamless booking from start to finish! Very professional! Thanks for your business.
Jack G.
Your company really cares about it's customer and made us feel so comfortable and confident. I would recommend your service to others.
Jeff P.
Would highly recommend anyone looking for charters to contact Stratos. Their team was second to none in handling our request from first call to post flight. The CEO was even kind enough to phone me to ensure that we had located our crew at the FBO just prior to departure. I have run multiple aircraft in flight departments for many years and can truly say that its hard to find this level of professionalism in the business.
Bill P.
Simon and your team made our overall experience excellent. The total process start to end was well done.
Tonio B.
The Stratos Jet Charters team provides a seamless & excellent experience from beginning to end. They are a forward thinking company that puts the customer first and never disappoints with any trip or itinerary. Would absolutely recommend to anyone!
Heather Converse
Great Trip Support Team We love working with Stratos Jets! They are fast to respond, reasonable to work with, and their brokers and trip support team are very detail oriented which leaves little room for error. I would highly recommend them!
Ray E.
I would recommend Stratos Jet to friends, we plan to try the service again soon.
Todd C.
All aspects of our interaction with Stratos was perfect. My wife and I will definitely use their services in the future.
Guy S.
we are pleased with the pricing and servicing we are getting
Gene A.
Joel and the team at Stratos Jet Charters were great. Even on short notice, Joel was able to charter a plane for me in California and made sure that it was a smooth process the whole trip. He was readily available when I had several last minute changes to the itinerary. Highly recommend.
Leonid S.
Perfect experience.
Caron P.
From start to finish, our experience with Stratos was totally professional, made very simple and the ultimate in how charter travel should be booked/enjoyed! We know it takes an entire team behind the scenes but all credit to Joel for his 'personal' touch and for making our return trip to New York a very memorable one indeed!!! We have used several charter companies worldwide over the years but Joel and his team beat them all!!!
MG.
Another great experience with Joel & his team. From rental car arrangements to being ready for three small children Stratos handled everything. The equipment was beautiful and the crews were very kind! I never can say enough praise for Stratos!
Michael D.
Stratos arranged a private jet to Toronto for me last minute. Everything went well and the Challenger 300 was very nice. Thank you
Yolanda Sandoval
Stratos Jets has always been Organized and on point through the booking process. Their clear communication has always made it possible to execute each trip smoothly and as planned. This consistency has made them a trusted and pleasant company for us to work with. True honest business people! Thank you!
Sam Weisenburger
Great communication, easy to work with
Rose D.
Working with Stratos vs other jet charter companies lends a personal touch that seems lacking in others. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Stratos to friends.
Shaundra G.
Great experience overall. Communication is always great and solving any unforeseen issues has always been a breeze.
Chris Hamblen
Zach and Leslie were very responsive and easy to work with.
Joseph M.
Ditto!
Drew K.
I had the pleasure to work with Joel on a last minute trip needed to transport several professional athletes to an event. Joel was fast-acting and completely professional every step of the way. He sent constant updates to make sure our trip needs were met every step of the way. I would recommend Joel and Stratos to anybody looking to book private jets who also values professionalism and accountability.
Darren G.
The company I represent was in a crisis situation where we needed to get halfway across the country within a matter of hours. The only available commercial flight was sold out and nothing would get us there in time. After doing some research, I found Stratos Jet Charters and called Joel at around 7 in the morning. He answered right away and were at the airport two hours later. Because it was a high stress situation in a short amount of time, I called Joel and his team countless times in a two hour window; they remained extremely professional and kind. Plus, Joel was able to get us an extremely competitive price, especially considering the short notice. I highly recommend using Stratos Jet Charters and know I will definitely use them again.
Daniel W.
Worked with Glenn and he really worked to find the right plane at the right time! Aircraft crew were professional and courteous. Two great cross country flights.
Keith G.
Everything was lovely, no hiccups. One piece of advice, when travelling to Turks and Caicos, make sure you have a clear address for your destination. The customs officer held us for twenty-five minutes trying to figure out where we were staying. That was a little frustrating, but it all worked out. We will most definitely use Stratos for our next trip.
Lisa Stanley
Joel Thomas and his great team at Stratos makes booking a private charter easy. They keep in contact with you from the start right through to after the flight, which gives my travelers a piece of mind. Everything is always exactly planned to our specifications. Stratos really goes above and beyond in their industry - they are simply the best at what they do.
David C.
The only glitch was the catering from New Orleans to Las Vegas. I don't know how you could correct the issue, but we didn't receive exactly what we ordered -- plus, they did not provide us with utensils, plates and napkins.
David R.
Terrance W
Would highly recommend EVERYONE ALIVE! Amazing service. Awesome team, from first call to post flight. Top flight!
Bobbi Dent
Always a pleasure to work with the friendly staff. The communication is concise and timely. Looking forward to future bookings!
Daniel S.
None that I can think of. Very Satisfied.
Tim L.
We were thoroughly impressed with all aspects of these operations. If at all possible, a method to protect the identity of passengers might be developed (whereby TSA rules are still met). If such a method already exists, my clients would appreciate knowing the details.