Buccan and Slate Aviation announce in-flight culinary partnership

Jake Nicholas
7 hours ago
2 min read

Slate Aviation® is redefining the luxury travel experience with a new culinary collaboration that brings one of Palm Beach’s most acclaimed restaurants—Buccan—into the skies. The newly launched premium shared-charter carrier has partnered with seven-time James Beard Award nominee Chef Clay Conley to deliver a custom in-flight menu exclusively available to passengers flying between South Florida and Nantucket, with service expanding to New York routes in Summer 2025.

For travelers familiar with South Florida’s dining scene, Buccan needs no introduction. The modern American grill has long been a pillar of Palm Beach’s restaurant landscape, credited with igniting the area’s culinary renaissance when it opened over a decade ago. Known for its globally inspired small plates, seasonal ingredients, and relaxed sophistication, Buccan has earned accolades from the Michelin Guide, Forbes, Condé Nast Traveler, and Esquire, among others. Conley’s restaurant group, Ember, will open a second Buccan location in Coral Gables in Fall 2025.

Now, through Slate Aviation, Buccan’s signature offerings are available at 40,000 feet. The in-flight menu features five fresh, rotating selections curated by Conley, alongside a selection of Buccan Sandwich Shop beverages and craft cocktails. Available on bidirectional flights from Palm Beach International (PBI) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) to Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK), meals can be pre-selected up to 48 hours in advance—complimentary to all ticketed passengers.

This marks Slate’s first official culinary partnership, with additional collaborations planned before year’s end featuring other world-renowned chefs. “If you’re from South Florida, you know no culinary experience is more special than Buccan,” said Heather Maguire, co-CEO of Slate. “We’re thrilled to partner with Clay for our debut menu and to bring something truly unique to our passengers.”

The partnership is just one part of Slate’s broader mission to elevate regional air travel. Operating under its new brand name, Slate Aviation is the reimagined identity of Tri State Charter—an ARGUS Platinum-rated carrier trusted by high-profile clients including government officials, former heads of state, and global artists. With over 3,500 flights annually and a fleet of nearly 30 Bombardier aircraft, Slate offers seamless service supported by in-house pilot training and maintenance operations.

Flights are operated aboard 18-seat CRJ-200 aircraft configured entirely for business class, featuring nearly 50 inches of legroom, extendable footrests, Avance L5 Wi-Fi, and streaming entertainment.

Slate’s routes prioritize convenience and comfort, with private terminal access at Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and New York-area airports including Westchester County (HPN) and member-only FBOs.

Earlier this spring, Slate expanded its network with the launch of seasonal service to Nantucket from South Florida and New York. This new route builds on the company’s existing Northeast–Florida operations, with bookings available through flyslate.com and the Slate mobile app.

By combining Slate’s commitment to personalized air travel with Buccan’s celebrated cuisine, this collaboration sets a new standard for inflight service on regional routes—blending convenience, culinary excellence, and luxury at every altitude.

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