An Addison pilot is using his ability to take to the sky to give lovebirds a scenic view during their Valentine’s Day dinner.
TikTok has been raving over a unique Valentine’s Day date idea for couples in the metroplex: dinner and a flight with Delta Charlie’s, located at Dallas Executive Airport.
The restaurant is always open to the public, but on Valentine’s Day, their $300 special lets you and your date enjoy a three-course meal and a 30- to 45-minute private flight on light aircraft.
Your pilot will fly at an altitude of 1,000 feet directly over the iconic Dallas city lights, said to be the Best International Skyline.
The experience seems a must for Dallas natives who have yet to see the city from a bird’s eye view, so The Dallas Express headed over to check it out. The pilot was 28-year-old Ken Hawk (yes, Hawk), who said this flight is the adventure of a lifetime and never gets boring.
“Getting to see the city you live, work, and thrive in from that perspective with someone you care about, is an all-around fulfilling experience,” said Hawk.
After making reservations, customers are asked to arrive at the restaurant an hour before their scheduled flight to enjoy dinner. Although dinner is included in the reservation price, there is a flight tax of about $25, and any beverages or gratuity will incur separate charges.
Remember to check Groupon for specials and deals: There is currently a Groupon offer for Valentine’s Day reservations that includes dinner and a flight for two passengers for as low as $169.
The three-course meal includes a Caesar salad, an entree (choose between grilled or blacked tilapia, grilled chicken and linguine, rotini pasta, or a ribeye steak), and a dessert, either raspberry cheesecake or a brownie sundae.
A variety of cocktails and a wine selection are offered at an additional charge.
After dinner, it comes time for liftoff.
Boarding a small aircraft built in 1976 and being flown by a stranger may sound crazy, so getting to know your pilot may ease your nerves a bit.
Hawk is the chief of operations of Optisky in Addison, who partnered with Delta Charlie’s to create this sky-high experience. He has been flying since he was 17 years old.
Since relocating to Dallas from his hometown, Tyler, five years ago, Hawk has flown thousands of people over the city to appreciate the breathtaking view, something that hasn’t always been so easy for humans to do.
“Statistically, you are one of the first to see the Earth from that perspective. The millions and billions of years this planet has been around, planes have only been here the last 100 years,” he said.
Hawk said this date night experience has led four people to fall in love with the sky enough to pursue their own pilot licenses. To fly a small plane like this requires about six months of training and a private pilot license.
Whether you’re a daredevil or afraid of heights, this unforgettable view will make your stomach flutter. Hawk’s best advice to those nervous is to charge toward what scares you.
Reporter Kaylin McGlothen, a frequent flyer, assures you that this experience is very different from commercial flights. With the city of Fort Worth’s skyline glittering in the distance, you hover over popular Dallas landmarks like the AT&T Center and the Omni Hotel.
To top off this gorgeous view of downtown, Reunion Tower displayed a pink heart and arrow that was perfect for Valentine’s day.
Dallas Executive Airport is located at 5303 Challenger Dr., near the interstate of Hampton and Hwy. 67.