Private Jet to Kickoff: A Luxe World Cup Escape from Austin to Dallas
Photos by Barbara Redding, except where noted.
Traveling from Austin to Dallas usually means either a grueling drive on I-35 or a tedious wait in the security lines at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. As someone who often makes the trip to visit family, I know the routine well.
With FIFA World Cup 2026 soccer matches expected to strain transportation in both cities this summer, one luxury package offers Austin soccer fans a much smoother alternative.
Private aviation company Cirrus Aviation and Hôtel Swexan have partnered to create the “Runway to Rivalry Experience,” a limited-availability package that pairs round-trip private jet service from Austin with a two-night stay at one of Dallas’ most design-forward hotels.
How to skip World Cup travel hassles
The package is available for select FIFA 2026 match dates — June 14, June 17, June 22, June 27, July 6, and July 14.
“Removing friction from travel and allowing guests to focus on the experience itself” is the goal, says Eric Grilly, president of Cirrus Aviation, a private aviation company that also curates jet travel for major sporting and entertainment events.
Julian Payne, general manager of Hôtel Swexan, adds: “We saw an opportunity to create something truly special for visitors seeking an elevated stay and a way to experience Dallas and the sport.”
I recently previewed the Runway to Rivalry Experience from Austin, without a World Cup match itself. I quickly realized this was much more than transportation and a hotel stay.
From ranch-style lounge to private jet
My morning began at Million Air Austin, a private aviation terminal south of Austin-Bergstrom that serves charter and corporate flights. Instead of long security lines and crowded gates, I walked into a calm lounge with complimentary lattes, plush couches, and the relaxed atmosphere of an upscale Texas ranch home.
As staff rolled my luggage up to the aircraft, I climbed aboard and settled into a cream-colored leather seat beside a table set with fresh flowers, bottles of Veuve Clicquot champagne, and orange juice waiting to become mimosas. Our flight attendant greeted us warmly, and before long, several of us who had just met were clinking glasses and chatting like old friends.
Once the pilot checked our identification and reviewed safety procedures, the 15-passenger jet lifted off for the 30-minute flight to Dallas Love Field. Looking out the window as Central Texas disappeared, I realized how different private air travel feels from the usual airport chaos.
Flying over road construction
As someone accustomed to driving on I-35, I may be permanently spoiled.
Founded in Las Vegas in 2009, Cirrus Aviation offers private aircraft management, on-demand charter services, and membership programs through Theos, its members-only club with by-the-seat routes. Cirrus operates 30 jets, providing aviation services from its base cities in Nevada, California, and Texas.
After fielding strong early interest in the Austin route, Cirrus has just added a Houston-to-Dallas version of the same package, featuring the same round-trip private jet service and a two-night stay at Hôtel Swexan.
Flying private set the tone for the experience, and the luxury continued after landing. A private car met us on the tarmac for the drive to the 134-room Hôtel Swexan, which opened in 2023 in Dallas’ Harwood District.
Swiss style meets Texas charm
Check-in revealed the hotel’s distinctive blend of Swiss elegance and Texas hospitality. That’s the inspiration for the name “Swexan,” a blend of “Swiss” and “Texan.” The boutique hotel balances European glamour with Texas warmth, creating an atmosphere I found sophisticated yet not stuffy.
The hotel anchors the Harwood District, a 19-block mixed-use development just north of downtown Dallas created by Harwood International beginning in 1984. Designed by acclaimed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, Hôtel Swexan and the landmark Rolex Building serve as architectural centerpieces of the area, which is filled with restaurants, office towers, gardens, and public art.
My room, one of eight themed suites, immediately impressed me with its colorful Moroccan-inspired décor, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a soaking tub so inviting that I began rearranging my schedule to make time for a bath. The hotel’s standard rooms also include marble bathrooms, curated artwork, Nespresso machines, and other thoughtful touches.
Rooftop dining with city views
One of my favorite moments came during lunch at Léonie, the hotel’s casual Italian restaurant near the rooftop pool. Sitting with fellow travelers, enjoying beautifully plated dishes and skyline views, I began to understand why the Swexan has become a Dallas destination.
Later that evening, we sipped martinis at Isabelle’s cozy bar, which also serves afternoon tea. Then it was on to dinner at Stillwell’s, the hotel’s Michelin-recommended steakhouse. The classy restaurant brims with Texas flair, from creamy deviled eggs to ranch-sourced prime steaks to a wall display of cowboy hats.
During a walking tour of the 22-story hotel, Payne showed off the hotel’s fitness center, saunas, cold plunge tub, and outdoor yoga space. We also visited the hotel’s extensive wine cellar and Babou, a hidden cocktail lounge and library inspired by Salvador Dalí’s pet ocelot. Even the public restrooms surprise — whimsically designed and worth the detour.
Cowboy hats, samurai armor, and soccer fever
The experiences continued beyond the hotel. Our group visited the McKinney Hat Company, where the staff helped us customize a Stetson straw hat. Mine featured a selection of ribbons and feathers. As part of Hôtel Swexan’s year-round “Cowboy Concierge” package, guests leave with a Texan souvenir that is more personal than anything you could find in an airport gift shop.
Another highlight: touring the Samurai Collection, an intimate museum displaying centuries-old Japanese armor and artifacts collected by Harwood International’s founders, Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller. The vests, helmets, and swords showcase Japan’s artistic metalwork.
For World Cup guests, the package also includes private car transportation from the airport to the hotel. Nine FIFA World Cup matches will be held at Dallas Stadium, the tournament name for AT&T Stadium, including a semifinal on July 14 featuring teams such as Japan, the Netherlands, England, Croatia, Argentina, Austria, and Jordan.
From kickoff to the ride home
To celebrate the tournament, Hôtel Swexan is adding globally inspired cocktails to its menus, including Japan’s Yuzu Tonic and England’s Pimm’s Cup.
For soccer fans, the package offers more than transportation and luxury lodging. It transforms World Cup travel into part of the experience. I found myself appreciating that from my first sip of champagne onboard to the final moments back on the runway in Austin.
After flying private between Austin and Dallas, I couldn’t help but think the concept would appeal to Texas Longhorns fans traveling to Dallas for the annual Red River Rivalry football game against the Oklahoma Sooners. That has been discussed, a Cirrus spokesperson said. Stay tuned.
More information about the package and World Cup options is available at Special Offers — Hôtel Swexan.
Common questions about World Cup travel to Dallas
When are the FIFA World Cup 2026 matches in Dallas?
Nine FIFA World Cup 2026 matches will be held at Dallas Stadium, the tournament name for AT&T Stadium, including a semifinal on July 14. Match dates are June 14, June 17, June 22, June 27, July 6, and July 14.
What is the Runway to Rivalry Experience?
The Runway to Rivalry Experience is a luxury travel package by Cirrus Aviation and Hôtel Swexan. It includes round-trip private jet service from Austin or Houston to Dallas, a two-night stay at Hôtel Swexan, and car transportation to the hotel.
What makes Hôtel Swexan unique?
Hôtel Swexan blends Swiss elegance with Texas hospitality — its name is a blend of “Swiss” and “Texan.” The 134-room boutique hotel, designed by acclaimed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, opened in 2023 in Dallas’ Harwood District. It features eight themed suites, three restaurants, including a Michelin-recommended steakhouse (Stillwell’s), a rooftop pool, a hidden cocktail lounge inspired by Salvador Dalí’s pet ocelot (Babou), and a year-round “Cowboy Concierge” package that includes a custom Stetson hat.
Is the Runway to Rivalry package available outside the World Cup?
The World Cup version of the package is limited to select 2026 tournament match dates. However, Hôtel Swexan’s year-round “Cowboy Concierge” package offers customized Stetson hats and Texas-themed experiences for guests visiting at any time.
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