Selecting transportation plays a huge role when organizing travel for business travelers, VIP arrivals, or anyone who seeks the service. Regardless of whether you are arranging a bachelor party, going to a prom, or even going to the airport, coming in style and class definitely puts an additional spice to it. Anyone who has ever appreciated elegant and cozy modes of transportation Regular Limos vs Stretch Limos would likely acknowledge the long-standing popularity of limousines, often associated with special events.
Here in this guide, it will be a look into the difference between Regular Limos vs Stretch Limos, especially using the classification of standard and stretched models. With the popularity of limousine hire moving up really fast, most people have wondered about this difference. We shall explain to you what both types are and their characteristics, and, how you can select the right one to use for your occasion, whether traveling alone or looking to travel in limos in large groups.
What Exactly is a Standard Limousine?
A standard limousine or regular limos, can be described as simply a chauffeured luxury car with the major responsibilities of driving and ensuring the car remains as comfortable as possible and stylish as per the requirements of the VIP traveler. While a taxi is just a means to transport people from one place to another, a limousine has luxuries such as a leather interior and water stocked in bottles. Regular limos can range from a sedan, or town car, to a hybrid, and even the classic traditional limo expands to about a foot longer than a traditional car and usually can accommodate four to six passengers. The main characteristic here is the availability of large, comfortable rear seats and the presence of a multilingual driver with local expertise.
How Regulars Limos Came to Being
The whole concept of chauffeured vehicles dates back to the early 1700’s, and this was used in horse-drawn carriages, which were used mainly by the wealthy. The interpretation of the word ‘limousines’ dates back to carriages used in the French province of Limoges which had a separate partition that was home to the driver. It was in the 1930s that airport transfers in limousines and sightseeing tours came into the picture, and the term, Airporter Stretch Coach, came into use. Thus, shortly, the movie industry adopted limos to deliver crews and stars, which made the transportation means a symbol of prestige. Today, limousines are technologically advanced, can accommodate a group of people, and are found useful for partying, weddings, and touring, among other occasions.
Characteristics of Regular Limos
Spacious and Comfortable
A regular limousine like a sedan can accommodate three people with a lot of space for their legs and other belongings in the boot. Regular limos are somewhat shorter than stretch limos but are quite comfortable to travel in, thus suitable for business people, clients, and other executives.
Luxury Amenities
Modern regular limousines afford such things as heated seats, CD players and stereos, and heights of headrests. So, to increase safety, many models are equipped with armor and bulletproof glass at some models. Contrary to the stretch limos, normal limos also offer fantastic, comfortable, and stylish standards of packaging.
Ideal for Business and Personal Use
For general, daily, or normal use, extending its utility, standard limousines are designed for the successful planning of financial roadshows, airport transfers, business meetings, and more. Their appearance is very attractive, they are polished with a professional look and can also be personalized for both formal as well as informal events.
Chauffeur’s Expertise
In general, a regular limousine car needs a professional driver, however, his/her driver skills will be different to those in stretch limos. This is acquired by engaging the service of a trained chauffeur; thus, passengers can be assured of a comfortable and luxurious ride.
So, what are Strech Limos?
Stretch limos are fancier than the regular limos that are driven by a professional driver, those are normally big enough to accommodate multiple passengers. An important point, which should be noted, is the fact that these car models are significantly longer than other cars of the luxury class, thanks to the increased wheel base. Earlier, stretch limos were designed for luxury cars and were available in black or white mostly. In the modern world, new variations on the basis of SUVs, trucks, and vehicles of other classes are created. The sophistication of stretch limos and the services that come with them can be differentiated from low to high by the manufacturer, so it feels so exclusive that every time you hire a stretch limousine ride, it is all so luxurious.
How Stretch Limos Came to Being
Motorized stretch limousines were first built in 1902, for the passengers’ seats, there was an enclosed compartment with the driver seated in an open area. Originally, these limos had three to five seats and were not stretched or any longer than normal cars. This type of car was not manufactured until 1928, when Armbruster, based in Fort Smith, Arkansas, began to build the’stretch’ limousine to suit jazz musicians and their big bands. Gradually, as the people demanded more space on the interiors of the cars to sit and lean, the stretch limousines started getting famous. Stretch limos are still today viewed as a sign of luxury, with such companies as Hummer, Cadillac, and Rolls Royce manufacturing their own models.
Characteristics of Stretch Limos
Space and Comfort
Stretch limousines offer by far more space than what regular limos have to offer and have the ability to accommodate more people. They are spacious enough to seat 20 passengers at once, and, for that reason, preferred for occasions such as weddings, proms, business related conferences, and other corporate events . The wheel base has been stretched to afford leg space and areas for conversation, which creates comfort and elegance in traveling for all the passengers.
Fine Amenities
The stretch limos with added features offer so many comforts, which can make the travel very comfortable. Examples are full-length glazing of roofs, lavish internal lighting, full-size bars, telecommunication, and hi-fi stereo systems. The new stylish stretch limos also have features like air-conditioning, comfortable and stylish leather interiors, and entertainment systems that make the ride a luxurious experience. Thus, these amenities make stretch limos ideal for occasions that are said to have a bit of luxury and class.
Who Is It For?
The stretch limos are especially suitable for anyone who would love to arrive in style or for a group of people who need transportation in style. These are employed in prom nights, weddings, concerts, sports events, and other prestigeful corporate events. The interiors of the vehicles are very large, and the quality of the finish means they are perfect for any event where comfort plays a vital role and the passengers must feel comfortable throughout the journey.
Driver Expertise
As mentioned earlier, stretch limos are quite spacious than the above and are more challenging to operate. Professional drivers are supposed to be trained enough and should have the know how and skills to operate these large limos without causing any problems to both the vehicle and the passenger. They always possess such experience to deal with traffic density or when acting in and around the congested urban environment. Regular limos can be driven by any qualified driver, while stretch limos require drivers with a higher level of professionalism as well as skill.
| Feature | Standard/Regular Limousine | Stretch Limousine |
| Size | Slightly longer than a traditional car, can accommodate 4-6 passengers | Significantly longer than a regular car, can accommodate up to 20 passengers |
| Seating | Spacious rear seats, comfortable for business travelers | Extremely spacious with ample legroom for large groups |
| Amenities | Luxury features like leather interior, water bottles, stereo system | Expanded amenities like full-size bars, entertainment systems, large sunroofs |
| Purpose | Suitable for business meetings, airport transfers, formal events | Ideal for proms, weddings, corporate events, group transportation |
| Driving Expertise | Can be driven by a regular chauffeur | Requires highly skilled professional drivers to maneuver the larger vehicle |
| Cost | More affordable than stretch limos | Generally, more expensive due to the additional size and features |
Choosing Your Limo with airssist
Whether you need to organize a financial road show or an exhibition, or a musical band that requires help in airport assistance or with instruments and their transportation, airssist steps in to offer unconditional support. We provide experienced multilingual chauffeurs and always have the cleanest and most luxurious fleet of limos. Also, regular and first- and business-class passengers who are in need of professional meet & greet services and VIP terminal services can explore airssist’s extensive airport companion services to provide a luxurious experience.