By Alex Morgan
Mar 5, 2024 Lashay RainI used a luxury bus service in Texas and it was one of the most relaxing coach rides I've been onI took Vonlane, a luxury motorcoach company that operates between major Texas cities, from Dallas to Austin.The $109 bus ride was comfortable and filled with complimentary WiFi, foods, and beverages.The plush seats, steady WiFi, and great service made it feel like a business class flight.Why take a personal car when you can take a bus.Brittany Chang/InsiderUnless you're a public transit enthusiast, you might not hear that very often.Brittany Chang/InsiderBut when the bus run by Vonlane, I bet you'd be more inclined to agree.Brittany Chang/InsiderVonlane is a luxury intercity motorcoach service that operates between major Lone Star State cities for $109.Brittany Chang/InsiderThis ticket price can be double, maybe even quadruple, the price of your typical Megabus or Greyhound ticket …Two Megabus buses in New York in 2012. Hyungwon Kang/Reuters… but that's because Vonlane isn't your average discount bus service.Brittany Chang/Insider"I was never very happy with what I saw on the inside of a motorcoach," Alex Danza, founder and CEO of the company, told Insider. "It was almost worse than a commercial aircraft."Brittany Chang/InsiderOn Vonlane, there are no crowded rows, slow Wifi, or uncomfortable fabric seats that are often associated with budget motorcoach companies.A Greyhound bus in Texas in 2021. Jose Luis Gonzalez/ReutersInstead, picture plush leather seats, complimentary snacks, and a friendly attendant. A sort of "private jet on wheels," according to the company.Brittany Chang/InsiderThe Texas-based company isn't the only bus service targeting the luxury segment.Brittany Chang/InsiderSource: VonlaneIn fall 2021, the Jet launched a luxury motorcoach service with motion-canceling seats starting at $99.The Jet on a cold January morning. Brittany Chang/InsiderSource: InsiderBut unlike Vonlane, which was founded much earlier in 2014, the Jet only operates between Washington, DC and New York City.The Jet on a cold January morning. Brittany Chang/InsiderSource: InsiderAnd the two companies service different markets and target customers.Brittany Chang/InsiderVonlane picks up and drops off its passengers at hotels in Texas cities like Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio …Brittany Chang/Insider…as well as a stop in Oklahoma City …Brittany Chang/Insider… providing Texans an alternative to Amtrak, budget bus services, and personal cars.Brittany Chang/Insider"We've got a really good position in Texas. We're very defendable" Danza said, citing Vonlane's "robust" schedule.Brittany Chang/InsiderThe company is now also exploring routes outside of Texas, including plans to begin services between Nashville and Atlanta this year.Brittany Chang/InsiderAfter the Nashville and Atlanta launch, it'll potentially begin a route between Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee.Brittany Chang/InsiderAnd while the Jet targets leisure travelers, Vonlane's biggest customer base before the COVID-19 pandemic was business travelers, a once steady repeat customer base, Danza said.Brittany Chang/InsiderBefore Vonlane, most Texans either drove themselves or flew between cities, an "exhausting endeavor" for busy business travelers, Danza said.Brittany Chang/InsiderBut unlike flying, Vonlane doesn't have any long security lines, boarding wait times, and slow WFi, saving travelers hours in their day.Brittany Chang/InsiderHowever, the once-reliable business traveler base became practically nonexistent overnight with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Vonlane was forced to cut back its schedules.Brittany Chang/InsiderIn an attempt to supplement this slow-to-recover segment, the company has begun targeting leisure travelers by offering more weekend routes.Brittany Chang/InsiderAt the start of the pandemic, Vonlane's customers were approximately 70% business and 30% leisure travelers. Now, that's been flipped.Brittany Chang/InsiderRegardless, Vonlane's services and amenities could appeal to any traveler.Brittany Chang/InsiderI decided to try the service from Dallas to Austin, Texas, and my ride's driver Marvin and coach attendant Liz were two of the friendliest and warmest people I met on my Texas trip.Brittany Chang/InsiderI was so comfortable, it felt like my nearly three-and-a-half hours on the road went by in a flash.Brittany Chang/InsiderThink of Vonlane as a business class plane ride on wheels, albeit much slower.Brittany Chang/InsiderThere's even a safety video at the start of the ride reminiscent of the ones played on airplanes.Brittany Chang/InsiderVonlane also has an onboard attendant that functions similarly to a flight attendant …Brittany Chang/Insider… a clean, well-sized bathroom …Brittany Chang/Insider… complimentary snacks, beverages, and, on select rides, meals …Brittany Chang/Insider… and stable WiFi that was strong enough for me to feed my TikTok addiction.Brittany Chang/InsiderThere were also plenty of outlets right by my seat.Brittany Chang/InsiderLiz was the point person for all things amenities and services related: She checked the passengers in, passed out snacks and beverages, and patiently fielded every question.Brittany Chang/InsiderShe was chipper and accommodating throughout the entire journey, and checked up on the passengers more than most flight attendants do.Brittany Chang/InsiderShe even asked to hang my coat in the closet for me, a luxury I've never experienced on a motorcoach.Brittany Chang/InsiderThe bus is separated by rows of single and double seats, which means there are no middle seats.Brittany Chang/InsiderI opted for a single-seat, leaving me neighbor-free and relaxed during my approximately three-and-a-half hours on the Texas road.Brittany Chang/InsiderAnd thankfully, the passenger seats were more comfortable than any budget bus I've ever been on.Brittany Chang/InsiderThe leather seat was so large, it felt like I was being swallowed by the plush sides.Brittany Chang/InsiderWhen my seat was reclined and my footrest was up, it felt like I was sitting on an old but comfortable lounge chair.Brittany Chang/InsiderVonlane also offers its customers noise-canceling headsets, blankets, and pillows, creating a cocoon of plush padding and relaxation.Brittany Chang/InsiderSource: VonlaneBut if I had wanted to work during the ride, I could've used the tabletop stored in the seatback in front of me. All you have to do is pull it out and click it into your seat.Brittany Chang/InsiderAnd while the rows weren't as spaced out as the Jet, I still had a comfortable distance from all the other passengers.Brittany Chang/InsiderThe seats were great, but in my opinion, Vonlane's strongest suit was its complimentary mid-ride offerings.Brittany Chang/InsiderWhile I didn't take everything that was offered, it was nice knowing I had the option to.Brittany Chang/InsiderAt the start of the trip, Liz offered the passengers a tray of items like eye masks, tissues, earplugs, toothbrushes, and Advil.Brittany Chang/InsiderShe then came around and offered us an assortment of snacks like Oreos, granola bars, and nuts …Brittany Chang/Insider… as well as a variety of beverages like sodas, juices, and water. I ended up ordering hot tea to soothe my travelers stress.Brittany Chang/InsiderPassengers were also given several options for lunch, including my pick of a satisfyingly sweet croissant sandwich that was big enough for two meals.Brittany Chang/InsiderAnd towards the trip, Liz offered us a piping hot hand towel, the perfect send-off after hours on the road.Brittany Chang/InsiderBut the ride was so comfortable, I could've easily spent another hour or two on the road with no complaints, and I've been known to get carsick.Brittany Chang/InsiderAnd unlike flying, I didn't have to spend hours in a security line and at the terminal. All I did was check in with Liz and find my pre-booked seat.Brittany Chang/InsiderMy Vonlane experience had all of the luxuries of flying business class, but none of the airport lines, downtime, or inconveniences.Brittany Chang/InsiderAll in all, my ride with the Texan service was one of the most relaxing coach rides I've ever been on.Brittany Chang/InsiderBut in my opinion, Vonlane's small touches — from the attendant to the seemingly endless options of food — made riding in the motorcoach a truly luxurious experience worthy of the $109 ticket.Brittany Chang/InsiderncG1vNJzZmivp6x7o8HSoqWeq6Oeu7S1w56pZ5ufonyqedOroJ6cXaHCucHRsmSbraNiwKa%2B1aKanmWmpLutrc2eZKKmXamyua3Sa2dral1o←I tried Oreo frozen desserts at 7 major fast-food chains, and the winner was clear Roy Williams said Michael Jordan once ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash. If he'd done that at the 2020 →