Erina Pindar, COO of SmartFlyer

Travel has been a part of Erina Pindar’s life since her childhood in Jakarta and Singapore, exploring corners of Southeast Asia long before she started working in the travel industry. Now the COO and managing partner of SmartFlyer, a NYC-based luxury travel agency, she’s still on the move at a dizzying pace. Trying to keep tabs on where she’ll pop up next is nearly impossible—cruising the rails of the Eastern Oriental Express in Malaysia, zipping across northern Madagascar in a helicopter, and holding court at some of our favorite hotels in Italy are just a few of the things she’s been up to in the past few months. But despite the (literally) high-flying lifestyle, it’s her grounded energy that’s most intriguing; no matter how glamorous it is, she never loses sight of how transformative and impactful travel can really be.

How often do you travel?

I travel for different reasons that are all somehow tied together, whether it’s as an advisor and strategist to hospitality brands or cultivating our business at SmartFlyer—travel is very much woven into my every day.  And, while I’m fairly early in my collecting journey, I’ve recently found myself traveling for art quite a bit as well. My schedule varies—some stretches are more ambitious than others. There have been moments when I find myself on four continents within six weeks.

One of my big focuses for work is to scout new destinations, experiences, and properties for our extremely well-traveled clients. That said, being in New York is just as important to me. I’m currently on a mission to really dig deep into certain neighborhoods in NYC, West Chelsea where our company is based, Tribeca where I call home, and parts of Brooklyn that I still think are very exciting.

A recent passport stamp?

Madagascar. I lost myself inside The Gardens of Mars for a few weeks prior to arriving, but getting to see the destination come to life outside of John Gimlette’s words was fascinating. I spent a little bit of time in Nosy Be, stayed at two different incredible spots, and went on many lemur expeditions. Madagascar felt like traveling back in time and a cross between Africa and Southeast Asia. I started at Tsara Komba, which is incredibly earthy and soulful, followed by Miavana, a 45-min helicopter ride, and worlds away in the sense that it’s incredibly chic and glamourous while still maintaining a sense of place. 

What’s your travel uniform? 

I swear by James Perse for any travel uniform, 10/10, no notes. Also, slip-on shoes, because airports. Specifically, I have been wearing a pair of Freda Salvador sneakers a lot lately.

Go-to luggage for a short trip? Long trip?

Rimowa Original Cabin Plus coupled with some sort of large hand luggage. I’m partial to my Il Bisonte one, or the Longchamp XL Le Pliage for carry-on/short trips, and Rimowa Original Trunk Plus for extended trips. I currently travel five to six months out of the year, and I’m hard on my luggage—but these suitcases are absolute tanks. Their multiwheel system offers exceptional control, making it a dream to maneuver efficiently around the world.

Hardest-working item you bring?

My MacBook Pro (of course), navy Panama pocket notebook for random thoughts and inspirations on the go, and my passport always, even domestically, because you just never know where inspirations will take you.

Airport routine?

On days when I’m hand-luggage only, especially when flying out of JFK, I hop on a Blade flight about an hour out, which usually gives me about 45 minutes to navigate security. Between TSA PreCheck and CLEAR, I’m at the gate just in time to walk onto the plane. But, on luggage heavy or international flights, I tend to arrive extra early and get situated at the lounge to finish the day’s email and calls, maybe grab an early dinner before an overnight flight, and wait until the last possible minute to walk to my gate.  Once on-board, I change into my PJs and go straight to sleep on take-off.

I do everything I can to remove friction from the travel experience. I rely on TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and CLEAR to move through security quickly, and when traveling internationally, I often opt for VIP airport services to ease the customs process. I’m especially looking forward to seeing how Private Suite continues to expand their footprint across major U.S. hubs—it’s a game-changer for frequent flyers.

Favorite airport?

Gustaf III in St. Barths and Skukuza Airport tucked in Kruger National Park feel more like private airstrips than transit hubs. And, the Wolf’s Fang ice runway in Antarctica, White Desert’s gateway on the continent, is a pretty spectacular runway to experience.

Favorite airport lounge/club?

My favorite all time aviation lounge is The China Clipper Lounge at The Peninsula Hong Kong. I do love the PS lounge at LAX and The Deck at HKG airport.

Best duty-free you always stop in/best duty-free score?

I love Clarins sunscreen and will always refresh my stock at duty free when I need to.

Window or aisle? Go-to seat number? 

Window, always. I fly United a lot and prefer odd number seats on those flights as they offer more privacy.

Any in-air rituals?  

I get on my destination’s time zone the second I get on the plane, prioritize sleep, a lot of water, and usually skip meal services so I can hit the ground running.

What’s always in your carry-on?  

A camera (or two!) depending on the destination and timeline, and always a pair of noise-canceling headphones. My favorites are either the Leica Q3, which is such a gorgeous camera to shoot with or the Fuji X100. On trips where I have a bit more time, I always try to bring my vintage Pentax K1000, it’s been a lot of fun to shoot with film – it forces you to take your time and think through the images a bit differently. For headphones, it’s the Airpods Max for me.

Three favorite hotels in the world?

Choosing just three is nearly impossible, my favorites tend to change with the season. But there are a handful that are near and dear to my heart. Hotel Esencia and COMO Parrot Cay are favorites for their ease of access from New York and their ability to feel worlds away. And then there’s Sterrekopje Farm in the winelands of Cape Town—a place that’s as grounding as it is soulful. And I must say that Miavana has shot up the list to one of my favorite places of all time.

Consistently favorite hotel brand?

I love the Maybourne Hotels brand, needless to say their London properties are iconic, but their newer ones like Maybourne Riviera and Beverly Hills, as well as the latest one that’s about to open in Paris, are not to be missed. Simon Scoot, the brand’s CMO, is also one of the most creative minds in the business and has done such an incredible job blending lifestyle and hospitality.

I also just love the Royal Portfolio and Singita brands, both rooted in Africa, yet they are so different from each other. Each is doing extraordinary work in delivering world-class hospitality alongside their stewardship of the land and commitment to local communities. Their properties feel deeply connected to place in a way that stays with you.

Most memorable meal you’ve had while traveling?

I found myself in Antarctica about two years ago on Thanksgiving Day. And while our trek took us by the India station, our little group chatted about how amazing it would be to have curry for dinner. Someone somewhere must have heard, because somehow for dinner, the most luscious curry appeared on the dinner table. There was something surreal about enjoying the warmth and spice of these beautifully prepared dishes while being surrounded by endless ice and sky, very much a memorable meal not soon to be forgotten.

Any jet-lag wisdom?

I firmly believe jet lag is as much mental as it is physical. The moment I’m in my seat, I get on my destination’s time zone. I do my best to stay away from screens and prioritize sleep.

Go-to room service order?

A good club sandwich is worth its weight in gold.

Tricks for making a hotel room feel like home?

I think the most indulgent thing while traveling is the unpacking service that some hotels offer, and I always take them up on it. There’s just this beautiful sense of grounding seeing all your clothes beautifully steamed, hung, and ready to wear that never fails to quickly help me slip into a familiar rhythm and routine.

Best in-room amenity you’ve come across?

I love fun accessories that make sense for the destination, maybe a safari hat or a great beach bag. The sort of things that are essentials but I refuse to pack. Bonus points for great hair tools, too; it’s just the best when a hotel has the complete Dyson hair tools.

Best hotel gym?

JANU Tokyo is easily one of the most impressive hotel gyms I’ve experienced.

Your favorite airline/hotel rewards program?

United and Delta offer some of the most rewarding point conversion value. The airline rewards game has grown increasingly complex, so I often advise clients: if sitting at the front of the plane is a priority, book the seat—don’t bank on upgrades based on status alone. That said, there’s still significant value in loyalty programs, particularly when it comes to the points earned per dollar spent.

Your dream airplane would have…

They would all have private en-suites with showers.

Best in-flight conversation/seat-mate encounter?

On a flight to Italy, I was seated next to a woman traveling for the first time since losing her husband. She was on her way to meet a group of girlfriends, embarking on a new chapter after a period of standing still. We spoke about where she was headed, what inspired her to go, and the emotions tied to simply being back in motion again. It was one of those rare, grounding conversations that reminded me of why we do what we do. As travel advisors, we’re not just coordinating logistics—we’re shaping moments that hold deep personal meaning. Travel has the power to heal, to connect, and to mark milestones. Being part of that process is something I’ll never take for granted.

First thing you do when you get home.

I unpack right away; it’s my way of mentally closing the loop on a trip. Then, I head straight to the infrared sauna. It’s the perfect reset after long flights and time zone shifts, helping me return into my routine while giving my body a moment to recalibrate.