College football fans traveling to Dallas for the Red River Showdown now have a luxurious new way to make the trip.
Cirrus Aviation Services has teamed up with Theos and Hôtel Swexan to launch the Runway to Rivalry package, which combines round-trip private flights with a two-night stay at the Uptown Dallas hotel.
The limited-availability experience is being offered for the highly anticipated Oct. 10 matchup between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners.
Private flights from Austin and Oklahoma City
The package includes round-trip private air travel to Dallas from either Austin or Oklahoma City aboard Theos, Cirrus Aviation’s members-only, by-the-seat private flight service.
It is available for stays between Oct. 8 and Oct. 11, and guests must book at least two nights at Hôtel Swexan. Reservations can be made through Oct. 5, although the package is subject to limited availability.
A minimum of four participating guests is required before an aircraft can be reserved. Travelers must also book at least 48 to 72 hours ahead of their desired departure to guarantee their seats.
Once a reservation has been made, Hôtel Swexan’s Guest Services team will contact the guests to confirm their party size and departure city. The hotel will then coordinate the flight arrangements with Cirrus Aviation and Theos.
Cirrus aviation wants to simplify game-day travel
Cirrus Aviation Services President Eric Grilly said the package reflects the type of experience Theos was created to provide.
“This is exactly the type of experience Theos was built to deliver,” Grilly said. “Red River Showdown weekend brings tremendous energy and travel demand to Dallas, and our partnership with Hôtel Swexan allows us to offer guests a more intentional way to experience the weekend from start to finish.”
He added that combining private aviation with an upscale hotel stay removes some of the difficulties commonly associated with traveling during a major sporting weekend.
“By pairing private aviation with an elevated hotel stay, we’re removing the traditional friction of game-day travel and creating an experience centered around convenience, hospitality and the event itself,” Grilly explained.
The experience is aimed at fans who want to avoid crowded airports and turn the annual rivalry game into a complete weekend getaway.
Hôtel Swexan offers a luxury dallas stay
The hotel portion of the package includes accommodations at Hôtel Swexan, a 134-room boutique property located in Dallas’ Harwood District.
The family-owned hotel combines Swiss influences with traditional Texas hospitality, which inspired the Swexan name. Its exterior was designed by acclaimed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, while its guestrooms and suites feature European-inspired interiors.
Guests have access to five dining concepts, including the Michelin-recommended steakhouse Stillwell’s. Hôtel Swexan also features a martini bar, afternoon tea service, wellness and entertainment facilities, and a Mediterranean-inspired rooftop infinity pool overlooking the Dallas skyline.
Julian Payne, the hotel’s general manager, said Longhorns and Sooners supporters already make the property part of their annual game-weekend plans.
“Every year, we welcome Longhorns and Sooners fans who make Hôtel Swexan part of their Red River Showdown tradition, so we see firsthand it’s more than a football game to our guests, it’s an annual celebration,” Payne said.
He continued, “By pairing the ease and comfort of private air travel with Hôtel Swexan’s stunning accommodations, five unique dining concepts and Mediterranean-inspired rooftop pool, it’ll be a getaway that’s every bit as memorable as the game itself.”
Red river showdown draws more than 90,000 fans
The Red River Showdown is one of college football’s oldest and most recognizable rivalries.
Texas and Oklahoma meet annually at the Cotton Bowl during the State Fair of Texas. Although the game is played on neutral ground, the stadium is divided at midfield, with Longhorns fans filling one half and Sooners supporters taking over the other.
The rivalry dates back to the early 1900s and has produced decades of memorable moments between the two programs. The matchup frequently carries major implications for conference standings and the national championship picture.
More than 90,000 spectators are expected to pack the Cotton Bowl for the sold-out game. The event also brings hundreds of thousands of visitors to Dallas and is estimated to generate approximately $51 million for the city’s economy.
The package is available for a limited time
Fans interested in the Runway to Rivalry experience have until Oct. 5 to make a reservation, but the number of available hotel stays and private-flight seats is limited.
Theos members also receive access to a 24-hour concierge team, preferred availability on empty-leg flights, and private ground transportation through Kaptyn’s black car service.
Cirrus Aviation, founded in 2009, operates out of Las Vegas, Van Nuys, and Dallas. In addition to Theos, the company offers aircraft management, on-demand charter flights, and other private aviation membership programs.