Private car services are ubiquitous. Whether for airport transfers, weekend getaways, or long-distance driving to business meetings, wave a stick and a luxury private car service will arrive. However, not all private car services are created equal. For very discerning customers, what sets one apart from the rest? The answer: the perfect experience.
Germany-based Blacklane chauffeur service is a premium stem-to-stem mobility experience. When the goal is to step out of your hotel, office or front door and have everything done for you, seamlessly and discreetly, Blacklane has cornered the market to deliver the perfect experience.
Highly trained drivers
A beacon of sophistication, Blacklane service begins with expertly trained drivers. The Blacklane Driver Academy offers trainee drivers a comprehensive 1 to 2 day training program including defensive driving techniques, peer-based practices and service standards. These include safety, courtesy and discretion. Driver Academy training is ongoing in America, Europe, Dubai and, from September, Asia.
“The Blacklane Driver Academy is designed to strengthen the relationship between drivers and Blacklane, while raising the level of service provided. This initiative enhances Blacklane’s premium service offerings, enables drivers to deliver high-quality service, ensuring sustainable revenue and maintains Blacklane’s competitive edge in the market,” said Kyle Fackler, Head of Market Management for the Americas and EMEA. in an email.
Once a driver is an approved Blacklane driver, the benefits work both ways. When customers build a rapport with a driver, it also expands the driver’s customer list. “The business model helps us work with more drivers and helps them grow their business elsewhere,” Fackler said.
A stress-free experience
The make and model of the car matters
“We have extremely strict standards on the year and model we will accept. Our partners have the newest machines available and always maintain them,” said Fackler. “It’s little details like this that make all the difference. It’s the things we usually don’t notice, and it’s better if you don’t.”
For pre-booked services, Blacklane offers three vehicle classes: Business Class, First Class and a Business van/SUV. For cities and classes of service, there is a list of approved vehicles, which may include:
- Business class: Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5 Series, Audi A6, Cadillac XTS, or similar
- First Class: Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series, Audi A8, or similar
- Business Van: Mercedes V-Class, Chevy Suburban, Cadillac Escalade, Toyota Alphard, or similar
Blacklane also offers special vehicles in selected cities, including:
- Electric Class: Available in select cities worldwide.
- Electric SUV: Guests in Dubai can also book an Electric SUV vehicle.
- Sprinter Class: Available in Miami and Orlando only.
Devil in the Details
Sure, Blacklane drivers help travelers with doors and bags, but here’s where the details come in: The Blacklane driver predicts when you’ll need that help. They are intimately connected to the needs of passengers, whether it’s getting out of the car or walking in with mountains of shopping bags—they know when you’ve left the department store or Starbucks and are waiting for you.
The temperature in the car is accurate to each passenger’s comfort level and adjustments are made on request. The same level of detail is given to music, music genre, volume, all adjusted according to the passenger’s preference.
“Blacklane drivers are ready to help from the moment they meet their customers, including opening doors, assisting with luggage and supporting any disabled passenger, extending to providing in-car comfort, including temperature , a free bottle of water, WiFi and a multi-charger cable,” said Fackler.
Professional, courteous and discreet
Have you ever wondered if the driver is listening to your conversations? Fackler wants to be clear that with Blacklane, there’s no need to worry about the details you might share during the luxury ride.
“We know we have a lot of business people who get our cars and often use them to work on the car,” Fackler said. “We emphasize the prudence of our leaders. All conversations are confidential.”
A Premium Experience, Everywhere
A Blacklane customer can pick up a Blacklane driver from a New York hotel at JFK, then fly to Heathrow and be picked up by another Blacklane driver. The premium experience blends seamlessly with your next destination with the same cocoon of luxury and indulgence wherever you sit. How do they do this?
According to Fackler, the emphasis is on quality.
“We have an extremely high standard of care when it comes to the driver partners we work with,” he said. “We ensure that before anyone partners with Blacklane, they have a full understanding of the quality Blacklane guests have come to expect. We rely on feedback from our guests and our internal ride quality controls to give us the feedback we need to share with our driver partners in order to continually improve the quality of Blacklane’s service.”
Blacklane City-To-Beach Service
The recently launched City-to-Beach service is aimed at titans and high-powered business executives who take weekend breaks with their families and don’t want the hassle of driving. It’s a more convenient and time-saving option on short-haul flights or the many distractions of travel, including flight cancellations, cramped seats, unforeseen costs, and the frustration of driving and trying to find a place to park.
The perfect experience encompasses all the Blacklane brand promises. “All vehicles come equipped with features tailored for coastal travel, including temperature control, spacious vehicles and complimentary bottled water,” Fackler said.
Blacklane launched its City-to-City service in 2023 with connections between metropolitan areas, which now spans 187 routes in 14 countries. City-to-Beach service includes 38 global routes with 14 in the US City to Beach drop off service areas include:
New York
- New York – Atlantic City
- New York – East Hampton
- New York – Greenport
- New York – Montauk
Miami
- Miami – Fort Lauderdale
- Miami – Palm Beach
Boston
Philadelphia
- Philadelphia – Atlantic City
Los Angeles
- Los Angeles – Santa Barbara
San Francisco
- San Francisco – Carmel by the Sea
The future of electric vehicles for Blacklane
According to Fackler, by the end of 2023, 15% of Blacklane’s global trips were by EV.
“While we see demand for premium driver services increasing, we also see demand for consistent driver services growing,” he said. “Blacklane sees EVs as a key part of its future in pushing towards a more sustainable world of mobility. We have seen great success with our two-tone Mercedes EQS EV fleet in Dubai and London and will continue to expand our EV options across the globe.”
According to IBIS World, the use of luxury car service has increased along with the increase in disposable income per capita. Among competitors, Blacklane is poised to be the premier luxury car service for discerning travelers seeking refined leisure and high point-to-point travel satisfaction.