Shining a spotlight on celebrities and athletes who love to travel. Created and developed by Stacy Steponate Greenberg.
Imagine walking from your car to a plane to anywhere in the world you want to be. No security lines, no delays, no removing your shoes, no placing your toiletries into a plastic bag and displaying them to anyone who happens to be traveling at the same time as you. Imagine a scenario that removes all the stress from air travel. Kenny Dichter imagined that scenario, and now he has perfected it. From Marquis Jet, which he helped found, to his latest venture Wheels Up, Kenny Dichter has helped countless people ease the angst of air travel. And along the way Kenny has brought us Tequila Avion, and most recently Juice Press; the man is a serial entrepreneur with a magic touch. The Overhead Compartment was thrilled to catch up with Kenny Dichter between flights to learn a bit about what makes him tick.
The Overhead Compartment with Kenny Dichter starts now….
OC: As CEO of the private aviation company, Wheels Up, how often do you travel during the year?
KD: I’m up in the air over 300 hours per year.
OC: What’s your favorite city for: A football game?
KD: Madison, Wisconsin to see my Wisconsin Badgers.
OC: What’s your favorite city for: A family vacation?
KD: Los Angeles, California…my kids love it there.
OC: What is the one thing any aspiring entrepreneur must be ready to do?
KD: Work hard.
OC: What is one thing no aspiring entrepreneur must ever do?
KD: Don’t give up.
OC: You’re a busy guy, what do you do in your down time for leisure?
KD: Work out. Box.
OC: What’s the strangest thing that ever happened to you on an airplane?
KD: Flying from Los Angeles to New York in three hours and fifty minutes on the fastest, non-military jet in the world, the Cessna Citation X.
OC: Top three hotels anywhere in the world?
KD: The Lanesborough in London, Hotel Red in Madison, Wisconsin and when I’m looking for a fabulous villa experience I log onto luxuryretreats.com for suggestions.
OC: First thing you do when arriving at a hotel in your room?
KD: Put my Juice Press on ice and lower the air conditioning to 65 degrees.
OC: Biggest pet peeve about hotels?
KD: When there are no healthy food choices readily available.
OC: Complete the following sentence: I never leave home without…
KD: ….my business cards because you never know who you will run into.
OC: Go to snack when on the road?
KD: Juice Press’ raw granola.
OC: Worst travel experience?
KD: Sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic anywhere.
OC: Best travel experience?
KD: Flying Wheels Up over bumper-to-bumper traffic!
OC: Top three favorite restaurants any where in the world.
KD: Ming Tsai’s Blue Ginger in Wellesley, Massachusetts, Campagnola in New York City, and David Tang in London, England.
OC: You went to University of Wisconsin/Madison and are known for being a big Badger fan, what are three things every visitor to Madison has to see?
KD: The Student Union on Lake Mendota, Camp Randall Stadium and the Kollege Klub.
OC: What would you do if the Badgers won the NCAA championship?
KD: Re-enroll as a Freshman.
OC: What is one secret about you that no one knew until now?
KD: I’d like to run for President in 2020 or 2024.
Kenny Dichter, please use care upon departure as items may have shifted in The Overhead Compartment during our journey. Thanks for choosing us for your travel tips! Have a wonderful day!
