If you’re looking to upgrade your travel for business or leisure, you have more options than ever before – because private air travel can be more accessible than many would first assume. With apps popping up and private jet services offered worldwide, flying in style is more accessible now than ever before. Not surprisingly, it’s also experienced a huge spike in popularity, with an increase of 20% in private jet usage since the start of the pandemic.
Below, we’ll explore the different ways to ensure you get where you’re going with the utmost comfort and style.
What is private air travel?
Far removed from the hassles, crowds, and lines of commercial airlines and airports, private air travel is an exclusive flying experience that’s a huge upgrade from first class, which, in many commercial airlines, no longer exists.
Passengers enjoy extensive legroom, luxurious seating, customizable travel schedules, and superior privacy. If you’re on a business journey, it also represents premium comfort as a space to work while you’re on the move. The level of personalization involved makes private flying a preferred choice for those who value their time and comfort at a premium.
Private jet rental
Renting a private jet is ideal for those who require flexibility without the commitment (and pricetag) of ownership. This option allows travellers to choose specific aircraft types and configurations for different trips, which is perfect for business and leisure travel. The cost can vary widely based on the size of the aircraft and the journey’s duration, but it provides a tailored experience that meets the exact needs of the traveller without the long-term financial commitment. It’s also often possible to take advantage of a range of jet charter deals that can get you to your destination in a stress-free manner without stretching your budget.
Shared charter
Shared charter services offer a cost-effective way to enjoy the benefits of private air travel. By sharing the flight with other passengers, like colleagues or friends and family, you can significantly reduce the cost of your trip. This option is excellent for individuals who are flexible with their travel times and want to enjoy the perks of private jets at a fraction of the cost.
Empty-leg flights
The private aviation industry must increasingly reckon with its environmental impact – with high-profile travellers like Taylor Swift drawing headlines on the subject – and empty-leg flights are part of how it is responding to the need to go green. These flights come into being when a private aircraft needs to travel between locations to meet different obligations, opening up seats for that interstitial journey for anyone who can take advantage of it. In practice, these operate similarly to shared charters and are often much cheaper. Many providers will also enable you to set up alerts for when empty-leg flights become available.
Just note that you might have to do a little extra research to find these sometimes hidden deals.
Ownership
The most expensive option is to purchase a private jet outright and fund it yourself, which gives you ultimate control over your travel. This can be a good option if you travel a great deal over a year, but for a middle ground, you can also explore fractional ownership, a system by which you purchase a number of flight hours on an aircraft, which can then be reserved for you for that much time over a year.
Since most of us will never own or co-own a private jet, shared flights or empty-leg flights might just be our way of enjoying some premium travel on a private flight. It might just take a little research, patience, and time, but trust me, as someone who’s been lucky enough to do it, it’s well worth it in the end.
Until next time, happy travels.
markmunroe
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