Seatmates: Erina Pindar
On redefining luxury through connection, what makes a trip truly seamless, and the green flags she looks for in every hotel stay
This interview is part of Seatmates, a Window Seat series where tastemakers and creatives share how they move through the world—what they pack, where they stay, and the travel rituals that shape their lives.
Erina Pindar has made a career out of knowing exactly where to go, how to get there, and why it matters. As the COO of SmartFlyer, she’s turned the art of travel into a deeply personal science, leading a global team of advisors who design unforgettable, high-touch journeys for clients around the world. But her own travel style is anything but templated. Whether she’s sleeping under the stars in Kenya or sprinting through a terminal with her Rimowa in tow, Erina brings curiosity and care to every mile. Her philosophy? Luxury is about connection—and the best trips always end on a high.
Read on to learn the exact moment a Kenyan sleepover under the stars redefined her idea of luxury, her take on what makes hotel service deeply human, and which recent trip left her speechless.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m the Managing Partner and COO at SmartFlyer, a NYC-born travel consultancy. We work with 250 of the most talented travel advisors in the business, designing thoughtful, over-the-top itineraries for private clients and families around the world. At its core, my work is about building community and crafting experiences.
I live in Tribeca, which has long felt like the heart of the city to me. I’ve spent my entire adult life in New York and can’t imagine a better home base. Even after all these years, I still find it inspiring and such a joy and privilege to return to between all the flights, projects, and seasons.
I care about meaningful connections, beautiful design, exceptional storytelling, and, well, always having a reason to look out the window.
As a seasoned traveler and the COO of SmartFlyer, how do you personally define a “seamless” travel experience? Has that definition evolved over time?
Logistically, it’s about using the right combination of tools to move from point A to point B with as little friction as possible. It’s smart routing, intuitive service, and support that anticipates your needs before you even voice them. This is where traveling with a trusted advisor makes all the difference. There’s truly no better feeling than sitting on a canceled flight and knowing you’ve already been rebooked before you’ve even stepped off the plane.
But beyond logistics, seamlessness is when the pace of the journey matches your own. When everything just makes sense. The right property for you, a guide who gets your rhythm, and an itinerary that builds naturally to a crescendo, ending your adventure on a high. An advisor who truly understands you and what you’re looking to get out of a trip can create that kind of alignment.
How do you help clients move past a “checklist” mentality and into something that might actually stay with them long after they return home?
Our SmartFlyer advisors aren’t just seasoned travelers—they’re curious. They want to go deeper, not just further. And luckily, we get to work with clients who feel the same. They’re not here to check boxes. They’re here to feel something.
Luxury is deeply personal. When we design a trip, we’re not just chasing what’s traditionally luxurious; we’re focused on how the experience can feel more authentic. How will the days and moments enrich our travelers’ lives? We don’t travel just to see things—you can do that from your phone. What makes a place unforgettable is the people. The guides, the artists, the chefs. They’re the ones who bring a destination to life through their own lens.
Our job is to create opportunities for travelers to return home with something new. Maybe it’s inspiration. Maybe it’s a new learning. Maybe it’s simply the feeling of being moved. We go beyond the stars to find the layers. Culture. Context. Conversation. To me, real luxury is when a place offers real connection.
What are the little details—the “green flags”—that instantly tell you a hotel or airline really understands luxury travel?
It’s always the quiet signaling that a property or airline truly gets it. For me, luxury is never about the obvious display of flash; it’s about feeling known. A coffee order remembered and waiting at breakfast, a “welcome back” nodded at the end of the evening, a bookmark placed exactly where you left it dog-eared from the night before; those are the green flags. It’s also in the way the team engages with ease and authenticity, without ever feeling rehearsed. When service feels both intuitive and deeply human, that’s when you know you’re in the right place.
What’s been your most memorable stay?
One of my favorite stays, and I have a feeling that it will remain as my top three for a very long time, was a small family-owned lodge in Kenya called Ol Malo. For my last birthday, I took a group of friends to the property’s very remote, very bare-bones South Island camp. Along the way, we went through what was seemingly seven different worlds: white sand dunes, copper lakes dotted with pink flamingoes, craters, volcanoes, salt pans, and technicolor sunsets, and wrapped it all up with a sleepover under the stars. Just epic.
Is there a destination or property at the top of your wishlist?
I just returned from Madagascar, staying at Miavana and Tsara Komba, and I am absolutely blown away. It’s a destination beyond my wildest imagination. Between the fascinating history, surreal landscapes, and a sense of otherworldliness that’s hard to put into words. It’s a place I know I’ll return to. There’s so much more to uncover, and I can talk for hours about it.
What are your must-haves when it comes to luggage and items you travel with?
My silver Rimowa Original Cabin Plus is my most trusted travel companion for every trip. There’s really nothing like that compression technology and multiwheel system; it makes such a difference when, if you’re like me, you pack every square inch of your luggage and/or find yourself sprinting from terminal to terminal at times. I couple that with an additional hand luggage (I’m partial to my Il Bisonte or Longchamp XL Le Pliage ) for short trips, and I use my Rimowa Original Trunk Plus for extended trips. For safaris, I use my Filson Twill Duffle Bag.
I also bring a camera or two: Leica Q3 has taken me from Antarctica to St Barths, and I’ve had a Fuji X100 for close to a decade now—long before this camera became a cult classic—and it’s truly one of the best compact cameras out there. And when the opportunity allows me to slow down, I love to shoot with my vintage Pentax K1000, and I'm currently eyeing my next film camera.
I also always have my navy Smythson Panama notebook for notes and inspiration along the way.
What is your go-to airport outfit?
I swear by James Perse for any travel uniform and constantly borrow from the boys for my tried-and-true pieces: the Brushed Jersey tee & the Mixed Media Pant (the OG).
And layers, layers, layers:
AYR’s The Deep End button-down can be thrown over anything and everything, dressed up or down. I have a few Oxford Blues and White. Another one that I love is the Andrew linen shirt in white from Auto-Reply.
And depending on the time of the year, an additional layer for the plane is a men’s cashmere hoodie, which is so easy to throw on. Thom Sweeney has the most incredible one. As well as Nili Lotan. Always in grey.
Also, slip-on shoes for a frictionless experience, because airports. Specifically, I have been wearing a pair of Freda Salvador sneakers a lot lately.
Do you have any rules or rituals when it comes to air travel?
I get on the destination’s time zone as soon as I board, which means focusing on getting as much rest as possible, staying hydrated, and usually skipping the in-flight meals—anything to land feeling refreshed and ready to go.
Last question: aisle or window seat?
Window seat, always.
For more, follow Erina on Instagram. Interested in being featured in Seatmates or know someone who should be? Drop me a line here.
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Tori Simokov is a Travel Writer and Graphic Designer/Strategist based in New York. To get in touch, email tori@v1projects.com. Want more? Check out Instagram, TikTok, or shop her curated favorites.
I might be biased, but I loved this one! Nothing hits like the hotel surprising you with a bookmark on exactly the right page. Just came home with two new hand-painted wooden ones from Belmond Maroma that I'll long treasure!