Private jet hire network

Archive for the ‘Celebrities’ Category

Karl Lagerfeld hosts private jet-themed show at Paris Fashion Week

Thursday, January 26th, 2012

Karl Lagerfeld's private jet-themed show at Paris Fashion Week 2012

Yesterday’s Chanel show by Karl Lagerfeld at Paris Fashion Week demonstrated the enduring appeal and glamour of private aviation for the fashion industry.

Chanel’s Haute Couture show at the Grand Palais in Paris was transformed into a ‘Chanel Air’ private jet, with numbered seats, strip lighting, emergency exits and of course, a bar.

Despite his unrivalled reputation for hosting lavish shows, Lagerfeld’s design was in fact far less lavish than the interiors of many real private jets. A real private aircraft would never have numbered seats – passengers can sit, recline or even sleep wherever they like. In fact some aircraft interiors have fully-fitted bedrooms and bathrooms, not to mention meeting rooms and spacious seating.

The interior of a Boeing Business Jet

The Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) is one larger private charter aircraft that offers a large, luxury interior that is suitable for the most discerning of fashionistas. The 5,390 cubic feet of cabin can be designed almost any way desired. Most configurations divide the cabin into four compartments. The four compartments generally consist of a board room, a lounge, a VIP bedroom, a business office, and two lavatories with showers. Separate galley, washroom and luggage storage are also included.

Other haute couture interiors in the sky are offered by the new Gulfstream G650 – which will be available for private charter later this year – and Embraer’s Lineage.

Posted in Aircraft, Boeing, Celebrities, Embraer, Gulfstream, Gulfstream G650, Karl Lagerfeld, Luxury travel, Private jet charter, VIPs | No Comments »

The world’s Top 10 famous aircraft

Tuesday, July 12th, 2011

It’s not an easy task to choose just ten aircraft that have played the biggest part in aviation’s rich history. But here, after much debate and deliberation, PrivateFly.com presents our Top 10 rundown of the world’s most famous aircraft:

1. The Wright Flyer
Length: 21 ft
Wingspan: 40 ft
Max speed: 30 mph

Why famous? The biplane aircraft, designed and built by the pioneering Wright brothers, is at the forefront of aviation history, performing the world’s first ever powered flight in 1903 over North Carolina, USA. It was built using giant spruce wood, with the engine and other parts all made by hand. A sprocket chain drive, borrowed from bicycle design, was used to power the twin propellers. To fly the plane, pilot Wilbur Wright lay on his stomach on the lower wing to reduce drag, with the steering controlled by with a hip cradle which pulled wires to warp the wings.
Where now? National Air and Space museum (Smithsonian Institution), Washington DC, USA.

2. Concorde
First flew: 2nd March, 1969
Length: 61.6 m
Wingspan: 25.6 m
Max speed: 1,350 mph (Mach 2.04)
Powerplant: 4 x Rolls Royce/SNECMA Olympus 593
Crew: 3 (2 pilots, 1 flight engineer)

Why famous? Widely regarded as one of the most significant aircraft in aviation history, the world’s first supersonic airliner regularly allowed passengers to travel across the Atlantic in just 3½ hours – with a record-breaking flight time achieved in 1996 of just 2 hours, 52 minutes and 59 seconds from London Heathrow to New York JFK. Concorde entered service in 1976 and continued commercial operations for British Airways and Air France until 2003. The tragic crash of Air France 4590 in July 2000 (the only fatal incident involving Concorde) ultimately brought about its retirement, resulting in lower passenger numbers and decreased confidence in the iconic aircraft – even after safety modifications were made. Famously Concorde featured a pointed, adjustable nose, enabling it to achieve optimum aerodynamic efficiency in flight while still allowing the flight crew a full view during take-off and landing.
Where now? 20 Concorde aircraft were built by manufacturer Airbus, 6 for development and 14 for commercial use. 18 remain preserved in locations including:

• National Museum of Flight, Scotland, UK
• London Heathrow airport, UK
• Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport, France
• Imperial War Museum, Duxford, UK
• Airbus Factory, Toulouse, France
• Airbus UK, Bristol, UK
• Manchester Airport, UK
• Museum of Flight, Seattle, USA
• Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum in New York, USA
• Grantley Adams Airport Bridgetown, Barbados

3. Air Force One (currently the Boeing VC-25)
Length: 70.6 m
Wingspan: 59.6 m
Max speed: 630 mph
Crew: 26

Why famous? Air Force One has been immortalised in popular culture as a symbol of the American presidency and its power. However, unlike other aircraft on the list, it is not a specific aircraft, but an air traffic control call sign. Most often this will be used by the private aircraft that is primarily designated to transport the President of the United States – which then becomes known by the name. However the call sign can be used by any US Air Force aircraft while the president is on board. The term was developed in 1953 after a security glitch occurred when President Eisenhower’s plane entered the same airspace as a commercial airliner with the same call sign. Several aircraft have been used as Air Force One since, with Boeing now the exclusive manufacturer of choice. A Boeing VC-25 (a highly-customised 747) is used currently, with three further Boeing planes in development.
Where now? Several former Air Force One presidential aircraft are on display in aviation museums in the USA, including the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Dayton Ohio; the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, California; and the Pima Air & Space Museum, Tucson Arizona.

4. Supermarine Spitfire
Length: 9.1 m
Wingspan: 11.2 m
Max speed: 378 mph
Powerplant: 1 x Rolls Royce Merlin 45 supercharged V12 engine
Service ceiling: 35,000 ft

Why famous? The Supermarine Spitfire is arguably one of the most universally respected and loved aircraft in the world. Designed by RJ Mitchell to meet the RAF’s need for a new fighter aircraft, the single-seat aircraft first flew on 5 March 1936 and was produced in greater numbers than any other British aircraft before it. The aircraft, with its distinctive semi-elliptical wing design, is most famous for its role during the Battle of Britain in World War II, when it helped to secure air superiority over Britain. For this action and its continued success throughout the war, it won the hearts of the British public and was universally loved by the pilots that flew it.
Where now? Approximately 44 spitfires are left in airworthy condition in locations across the world (though there are many more in static displays) and feature regularly in airshows and ceremonial flypasts.

5. Airbus A380
Length: 72.7 m
Wingspan: 79.75 m
Maximum speed: 587 mph
Powerplant: 4 x Rolls Royce Trent 970/ Engine Alliance GP7270

Why famous? The A380, nicknamed the Superjumbo, is currently the largest passenger airliner in the world, and can carry up to 853 passengers in a double-deck seating configuration. It was designed by manufacturer Airbus to challenge Boeing’s monopoly in the large airliner market and entered commercial service in October 2007. Due to the enormous size of the components (fuselage sections are built in France, Germany, Spain and the UK), specially-designed ships and barges – and even new roads – had to be built for surface transportation to the assembly hall in Toulouse, France. The A380 features highly innovative passenger provisions and pilot technology – with an avionics suite based on that of advanced military aircraft.
Where now? 69 aircraft are currently in operation (with many more on order) at a cost of US $375 million each and are used by airlines including Singapore Airlines; Emirates; Qantas; Lufthansa; Air France and Korean Air.

6. Spirit of St Louis
Length: 8.4m
Wingspan: 14m
Max speed: 133 mph

Why famous? The single-seat monoplane executed the first solo non-stop flight across the Atlantic, from Roosevelt Airfield in New York to Paris Le Bourget in 1927. The feat, which took 33 hours and 30 minutes, netted pilot Charles Lindbergh a $25,000 prize. The aircraft – one of the most fuel-efficient and aerodynamic designs of its time – was designed by Ryan Airlines and named after Lindbergh’s home town of St Louis, Missouri. The fuel tanks were located at the front, to improve safety and balance; however this meant that there could be no front windshield in the tiny cockpit, requiring a periscope to provide front visibility.
Where now? National Air and Space museum (Smithsonian Institution), Washington DC, USA.

7. Lockheed Vega 5b
Length: 8.4 m
Wingspan: 12.5 m
Maximum speed: 185 mph
Powerplant: 1 x Pratt & Whitney Wasp R1340C

Why famous? The six-seater monoplane (named after manufacturer Lockheed) was made famous by Amelia Earhart, who in 1932 became the first woman to fly non-stop across the Atlantic single-handedly. At the time, it’s long-range and rugged design made it a popular choice for record attempts.
Where now? National Air and Space museum (Smithsonian Institution), Washington DC, USA.

8. Gulfstream GIV
Length: 29.6 m
Wingspan: 23.7 m
Maximum speed: 581 mph (Mach 0.88)
Powerplant: 2 x Rolls Royce Tay 611-8C
Service ceiling: 45,000 ft

Why famous? The Gulfstream IV has a firm place in the hearts of all aviation enthusiasts across the globe as the first truly global business jet. The private jet aircraft became a firm favourite, following its launch in 1987, as its unmatched range allowed private jet passengers to travel anywhere in the world with just one fuel stop. It also offered slick design and a spacious interior.
Where now? The GIV ceased production in 2003, replaced by Gulfstream’s other long range jets including the latest addition, the Gulfstream G650. Gulfstream jets are operated worldwide by private owners, fractional ownership companies and private jet charter operators.

9. Cessna Citation XL
Length: 16 m
Wingspan: 17.17 m
Max speed: 506 mph
Powerplant: 2 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545B
Service ceiling: 45,000 ft

Why famous? Since its first flight on 29 February, 1996 the Citation XL revolutionised the private aircraft market by offering a cost-effective competitor to the twin turboprop aircraft – and has since become the most popular selling private jet in the world for the past 5 years. The XL quickly became a favourite with private jet passengers and aircraft operators alike due to its speed, high passenger capacity and relative low cost in comparison to its competitors. Following the success of this aircraft, manufacturer Cessna has also developed the Citation XLS and Citation XLS+ which featured new engines and other improvements to performance.
Where now? A total of 308 Citation XLs were built before it was superseded by the XLS. Aircraft in the Citation XL family are currently operated across the world by private owners, fractional ownership companies and private jet hire operators.

10. SpaceShipTwo
Length: 18.3 m
Wingspan: 8.23 m
Powerplant: 1 x RocketMotorTwo liquid/solid hybrid rocket engine

Why famous? SpaceShipTwo is a suborbital spacecraft designed to carry space tourists. The aircraft, which offers an open cabin and large viewing windows, is currently the frontrunner in race to take commercial air passengers into space. Currently undergoing later stages of flight testing, manufacturer Virgin Galactic has announced that it intends to launch flight operations in 2012 with a maiden voyage carrying Virgin founder Richard Branson and his parents. In the meantime, the operation is funded by a pre-booking down-payment of $20,000 from ‘passenger astronauts’ on the full ticket price of $200,000.
Where now? Virgin Galactic will operate space flights from its Spaceport base in New Mexico, USA.

Posted in Airbus, Aircraft, Aircraft manufacturers, Airlines, Airports, British Airways, Business, Business travel, Celebrities, Cessna, Concorde, Gulfstream, Gulfstream G550, Gulfstream G650, History, Innovation, Korean Air, Lists, Lufthansa, Pilot, Private jet charter, Sir Richard Branson, Space, Top 10, Virgin Atlantic | No Comments »

Seeing is Believing: Airbus unveils plans for transparent aircraft

Tuesday, June 14th, 2011

Aircraft manufacturer Airbus has unveiled a new ‘concept’ aircraft with a see-through cabin, which will allow air travellers of the future a thrilling, uninterrupted view while they fly.

Airbus states that the concept could become reality by 2050.

In what reads like a script from a James Bond film, the company describes how at a touch of a button, the cabin walls and ceiling will become fully transparent, allowing incredible 360 degree views.

As with most aviation developments, PrivateFly predicts that the military will bring in the technology first, closely followed by the private aviation industry.

Fully transparent cockpits already exist in military aircraft, with pilots of F16 fighter aircraft sitting in a bubble-style cockpit, giving a staggering panoramic view.

Leading edge technology

Other details revealed about the Airbus futuristic concept aircraft are focussed on flight and environmental efficiency.

Its wings will be much longer and thinner with the engines embedded inside, thus reducing drag and fuel consumption – and providing lower emissions and noise pollution.

The conventional T-tail has also been re-shaped into a slick U shape, which gives the impression of being more spaceship than aircraft.

The concept aircraft’s cabin is to be a bionic structure that replicates the strength and efficiency of bird bone.

This use of bio-engineering to replicate animal structures in transport is not new. Indeed the designers of Japan’s new bullet trains redesigned its nose to reduce noise and improve fuel-efficiency by 20%, by borrowing nature’s design for the Kingfisher’s beak.

The Airbus concept aircraft is still many years away from take-off, though who knows what developments will overtake it in the meantime?

The world of aviation is truly developing at an astounding rate. Who could have predicted that just 108 years on from the Wright brothers first airborne endeavour, Virgin would be just a year away from operating the first passenger space flights?
So in fifty years from now, prepare to expect the unexpected.

Aircraft design images copyright of Airbus

Posted in Airbus, Aircraft, Aircraft manufacturers, Celebrities, Environment, Green issues, History, Innovation, Japan, Luxury travel, Private jet charter, Sir Richard Branson, Time-saving, Travel trends | No Comments »

The Space Race: The new frontier for commercial air travel

Tuesday, May 10th, 2011

The founders of Virgin, Paypal and Amazon are neck and neck in the race to take you into space. PrivateFly.com compares the options and the entrepreneurs.

Virgin Galactic

Who & when: Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin empire and travel adventurer, teamed up with designer Burt Rutan in 2002 to launch his current commercial space program after several prior attempts to design a passenger space flight vehicle were rejected on safety grounds. In 2005 it opened for business, helping to fund the development by asking for a $20,000 deposit to pre-book a seat. Richard Branson is expected to take his parents on an official launch voyage in spring 2012.

Price tag: $200,000 per seat

Experience: 3 day experience including 2 days of ground school training followed by a 3-hour flight in passenger ship SpaceShipTwo. This is similar in size to a Falcon 900 business jet, with an open cabin and large viewing windows both to the side and above. ‘Passenger astronauts’ are able to float freely within the cabin in zero gravity while the pilots provide a changing view.

Technology: The passenger ship is transported and released by a twin-fuselage mothership, WhiteKnightTwo, the largest all-composite aviation vehicle ever built, able to carry a heavy payload of 35,000lbs to high altitude (50,000ft). SpaceShipTwo is released at the height of a commercial airliner then, fired by a hybrid rocket motor, accelerates into space at almost 2500mph, over 3 times the speed of sound. For re-entry, the wings fold back into the cabin in a unique aerodynamic ‘shuttle cock’ design. The re-usable aircraft reconfigures as a glider once back within the earth’s atmosphere, making a runway landing back at the New Mexico base.

Blue Origin

Who & when: Jeff Bezos, chief executive and billionaire founder of online retailer Amazon, has recently confirmed that he too is developed a passenger space program at his ranch in Houston, Texas , after accepting a $22m grant from Nasa to develop low-cost spacecraft. Bezos, who is said to have a lifelong fascination with space travel, is working with partners including aircraft manufacturer Boeing. The company has not yet disclosed full details of its plans but industry insiders are tipping a launch in spring 2012 – around the same time as Richard Branson’s launch flight.

Price tag: Not yet announced.

Experience: Blue Origin’s spacecraft New Shepard (named after Alan Shepard, the first American in space), will launch from the private spaceport near the Texas town of Van Horn site, carrying seven people in total, including at least 3 commercial passengers. The company says it expects to conduct up to 52 launches per year once operational.

Technology: New Shephard is a vertical take-off/vertical landing (VTOL) suborbital shuttle which comprises of a crew capsule atop a launch rocket. The aircraft takes off from the ground in a similar way to existing space shuttles and is controlled by on-board computers, without ground control. Then, after accelerating for two and a half minutes, the rocket engines will shut down, using momentum to continue before releasing the crew capsule in space. After re-entry the capsule deploys parachutes for a ‘splashdown’ landing in water. The technology is less innovative than Virgin’s but is expected to be much cheaper to operate.

SpaceX

Who & when: Elon Musk, founder of online payment system PayPal, established his space development company in 2002 in Los Angeles using $100 million of his own money and in 2005 announced plans for manned commercial flights. Musk has subsequently also received venture capital funding for his SpaceX business, which has a clear focus on undercutting other players in the commercial market via largely in-house processes and a simplified management structure. No official launch date has been announced for passenger flights though last year Musk suggested a 2 to 3 year timeline.

Price tag: A passenger price has yet to be announced although operating costs of $7M per rocket launch have been disclosed.

Experience: SpaceX describes its long-term goal as ‘enabling humanity to become a space-faring civilization’. Its Dragon spacecraft orbital vehicle is intended to carry up to seven people and is launched atop a rocket launch vehicle. The company has launch facilities at Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, Cape Canaveral in Florida and at the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

Technology: SpaceX has developed a family of partly-reusable, two-stage ‘traditional’ rocket designs. Its Falcon 9 has been designed for manned spaceflight, carrying the passenger craft Dragon, a conventional blunt-cone ballistic capsule which, after re-entry, deploys parachutes and lands in the sea. SpaceX plans to eventually use the passenger vehicle’s thrusters to achieve a land-based landing.

PrivateFly’s view

Of the three contenders, there is no doubt that Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic is currently the front runner. Closest to completion, on the cusp of FAA approval and backed by Virgin Atlantic’s experience and safety record, it is now a very real prospect on the (suborbital) horizon.

Posted in Aircraft, Aircraft manufacturers, Airlines, Celebrities, Environment, Falcon 900, Innovation, Pilot, Price comparison, Prices, Pricing, Private jet charter, Sir Richard Branson, Space, Special occasions, VIPs, Virgin Atlantic | 2 Comments »

EasyJet or Private Jet – the growing breed who shun the middle ground

Tuesday, April 12th, 2011

Following the news that Prime Minister David Cameron and wife Samantha are back from their short break in Spain, where they travelled by Ryanair (and were snapped waiting to board at Stansted), comes the announcement the Deputy PM Nick Clegg will shun his holiday home abroad this Easter for a holiday in Norfolk (Sunday Times). These travel arrangements have provoked some considerable reaction in the British media, including a letter to the Telegraph on Saturday saying that UK PMs needed to “have more balls and travel in style”.

Similarly, showbusiness and media mogul Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber mentioned in a weekend TV interview with Piers Morgan that he uses a combination of private jets and low cost airlines (in his case it was Flybe to Majorca). These are a couple of high-profile examples of a small, but growing group of travellers: Those who choose to travel by low cost airlines or by private jet – rarely on scheduled airlines.

We see this type of customer more and more at PrivateFly.com. Their (post-recessionary) attitude is that it’s all about efficiency: One option reflects the most cost-efficient way of getting from A to B; the other, the most time-efficient. While they have the income required to travel by private jet, they are savvy enough to pick and choose the occasions where a low cost airline represents a better bet. This is normally when they can use airports close to home; when the route is (very) direct to their destination; and when the low cost carrier offers a higher frequency of flights or suitable take-off times. If these boxes are not ticked, then they will hire a private jet instead (naturally at the most cost-effective market rate) and get there in the shortest possible time, often driving right up to the aircraft’s steps, sidestepping all queues and departure lounge delays – and working solidly on the flight.

A more cynical view of the Camerons’ and Lloyd-Webbers’ travel choices might point to a certain awareness of their media profile but, certainly for the rest of this breed of traveller, efficiency is at the heart of their travel choices. Private jets are more about time-saving and less about luxury.

Posted in Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Business, Business travel, Celebrities, David Cameron, easyJet, Flybe, Holidays, Luxury travel, Nick Clegg, Politics, Price comparison, Prices, Pricing, Private jet charter, Ryanair, Time-saving, Travel trends | No Comments »

Mixed messages from Lord Sugar

Wednesday, March 9th, 2011

Lord Sugar appeared on stage yesterday at the British Business and General Aviation Association’s annual conference in St Albans. During his informal interview by George Galanopoulos (MD of London Executive Aviation) he made a series of surprising and contradictory statements. He certainly knows his stuff when it comes to business aviation but, in this instance, I couldn’t help but wonder: Was Lord Sugar making any sense?

At the outset of the interview, Lord Sugar wooed the audience of private jet operators and service providers by describing how he was introduced to private aviation. He talked about how, in the early days of his career, he was required to visit an factory in Aalborg, Denmark twice a week. By chartering a private jet he was able to leave his home at 8am, fly directly to the factory, spend a full day’s work in Denmark and still be home by 6pm. Inflexible airline schedules and long ground transfers were just not an option for his business needs and there was a clear argument for private jet charter in order to significantly increase his efficiency.

This was the music to the industry’s ears and the room was warming to our celebrity business guru. However then Lord Sugar switched approach rapidly and stated that, actually, he and other business leaders used private aviation fundementally because they were lazy and enjoyed the luxury of avoiding busy airports and the masses.

So which Sugar is your cup of tea?

Lord (white) Sugar A: “Private aviation is all about efficient use of executive times”

Lord (brown) Sugar B: “Executives use private aviation because we are lazy and enjoy the luxury of avoiding airports and people”

Self-deprecating humour perhaps? Or playing up to the bloated tycoon stereotype? Many of us in the room weren’t quite sure.

Posted in Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Business, Business travel, Celebrities, Closest airports, Lord Sugar, Luxury travel, Private jet charter, VIPs | No Comments »

Mobile airport terminal showcased at Geneva

Thursday, February 10th, 2011

Interesting news this week from Geneva Airport where a mobile airport terminal design was showcased – a world-first. The mobile terminal, developed by Austria’s TMT Management GmBH, provides the same facilities that would be found inside a conventional, fixed airport terminal but within an outdoor structure that resembles a large marquee.

The mobile terminal can be constructed and taken down within a week and is intended to provide overloaded airports with an extra means of processing and handling passengers during peak demand – such as extra ski season passenger traffic at Geneva, major sports or arts events, or for natural disaster back-up.

It will be interesting to see if the idea catches on within the private jet sector. I could see it being a successful idea for smaller private jet airports or FBOs, which can find themselves under pressure during nearby major sports or arts events – or those which are overlooked altogether because their facilities are not perceived to meet demand, even though their location may be better.

Examples that spring to mind are Cranfield airport, which could be an ideal hub for Silverstone during the F1 Grand Prix. It already handles multiple helicopter flights and could become the de facto landing spot for other aircraft if the terminal facilities were bigger. Similarly Southend Airport in Essex could become a competitive landing site for events in London and the South East if something like this could be deployed – especially with the London 2012 Olympics just around the corner.

One ‘tented’ FBO that already operates successfully - albeit as a permanent structure – is Signature’s terminal at Toulon Airport, in the South of France. This offers very good facilities within a stylish tented structure and adds another, much-needed option for private jet customers arriving during the peak summer season on the Cote D’Azur, for events such as the Cannes Film Festival.

The ability to add FBO terminal space for a short period of time would allow smaller airports or terminals to market themselves more successfully to private jet operators and private jet customers (IF the facilities were of the right quality for the private jet customer of course). So this really is an interesting development which could open up the market and provide more choice to the private jet customer – something we always celebrate at PrivateFly.com.

Posted in Airports, Celebrities, Closest airports, FBO, Helicopters, London 2012 Olympics, Luxury travel, Private jet charter, VIPs | No Comments »

Private jet trends – summer 2010 hotspots

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

PrivateFly.com‘s member search data shows the following holiday hotspots for the private jet set this summer. For those with an eye on hot travel trends, these are the most popular luxury holiday destinations 2010 for the private jet traveller:

Olbia

Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda has exploded in popularity with the luxury traveller in recent years and this summer it remains a firm favourite for those seeking relaxation in one of world’s most beautiful settings. Its asset is its simplicity – an exquisite natural coastline, combined with the exclusive 5-star hotels, renowned restaurants and other facilities required to unwind in VIP style. On arrival at Olbia’s airport, private jet customers have use of an exclusive terminal, allowing the utmost in privacy and convenience. And from there, it’s just a 40 minute drive to the Costa Smeralda’s prestigious resorts such as Porto Cervo.

From £16,540 return (from £2,757pp) London – Olbia in a small jet, seating 6.

Mykonos

One of this summer’s party hotspots, the Greek island of Mykonos attracts designer-clad hedonists from across Europe. There are a host of venues to choose from including Caprice, one of the island’s oldest cocktail bars, and the open air clubs on the beaches of Paradiso and Super Paradiso – playing host to many top international DJs this summer. Luxurious resorts, boutique hotels and beautiful beaches offer respite from the party going, as does the sanctuary of a private jet to take you home.

From £23,690 return (from £3,948pp) London – Mykonos in a small jet, seating 6.

Majorca

Well away from its mainstream package holiday reputation, Majorca remains a classic favourite for the private jet set. A dedicated private jet terminal awaits to streamline arrival at Palma and from there, the opportunities to relax in style are endless. Palma itself is a cosmopolitan city offering internationally-renowned restaurants and boutiques, and there are a number of exclusive hotels and resorts catering for the luxury traveller in some of the island’s most prestigious locations such as Portals, Deia, Soller and Illetas. It’s a popular destination for the luxury family holiday too.

From £9,300 (from £1,550pp) London – Palma in a small jet aircraft, seating 6.

Posted in Celebrities, Holidays, Lists, Luxury travel, Travel trends | No Comments »

The ash settles

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010

Eyjafjallajokull and it’s volcanic ash cloud have provoked a media storm over the last couple of weeks – not to mention huge disruption for passengers across Europe and beyond. It’s been an unprecedented time for the private aviation industry as vast numbers of stranded travellers who would not normally consider taking a private jet have sought to do just that. For the most part, it’s been a great opportunity for us at PrivateFly – and the whole of the industry – to showcase the flexibility of private aviation charter: With such a large operator network at our disposal, we were able to help clients in a number of ways – including using European airports and operators outside of the no-fly-zone (organising ground/rail transportation to get clients there) and, for shorter journeys, using traditional piston aircraft which were still able to fly.

Our clients over this period included:

Michelle McGovern from Dublin, who was left stranded in London after a planned business day trip and unable to get home to her newborn baby. Within three hours of her call, PrivateFly arranged a PA31 Piper Chieftain propeller aircraft from Lydd airfield in Kent to Dublin Western airport with operator LyddAir. Michelle said “It was very worrying but thankfully PrivateFly were able to respond so quickly. It was such a relief to get back to my family”.
The US-based board of a leading international publishing group were in London for meetings and urgently needed to get back to New York. The Executive PA called PrivateFly on the Monday morning and at midday the clients departed from London in a mammoth 14-hour limousine transfer to Barcelona, via the Eurotunnel. Operator Aerodynamics Malaga arranged a Legacy 600 from Barcelona to Teterboro airport, which departed on the Tuesday morning via a refuelling stop in Santa Maria in the Azores. By Tuesday evening they were back in New York. The Executive PA commented “I cannot thank you, and your team, enough for the help and assistance you have given us. You have all been fantastic! Your calm and reassuring manner throughout made my job a whole lot easier”.
Telecommunications executive Andrew Reid and his wide Katy were facing the prospect of missing the Scottish wedding celebrations of Olympic cycling star Sir Chris Hoy. PrivateFly arranged a flight from Kemble airfield to Aberdeen International with operator PropStar on a Cessna 182 piston aircraft. Andrew said “We were so thrilled to make it against the odds and it certainly added a note of drama to the occasion! We enjoyed the flight too – it was a great way to travel”.

Andrew & Katy Reid with their Cessna 182

Posted in Aircraft, Business, Business travel, Celebrities, Private jet charter, Time-saving, VIPs, Volcano, Weather | No Comments »

Beckhams make use of private jet

Thursday, March 18th, 2010

With this week’s newspapers dominated by David Beckham’s Achilles injury, it was interesting to see how the Beckhams used a private jet as part of their itinerary. This demonstrates a couple of ways in which customers make use of private jets.

Firstly the itinerary itself – Victoria Beckham’s outward journey from LA to Turku and their joint return trip - would have been very complicated by scheduled airlines. Turku, where Beckham was being treated at the Mehilainen Clinic, isn’t serviced by overseas flights from the US or UK. So Mrs Beckham’s scheduled options from LA were a 3-leg marathon changing in Newark and then Copenhagen, which would take almost 24 hours including connections. Or to connect via London, a similar length journey including a change in Helsinki. Like the Beckhams, many private jet customers will choose a combination of scheduled airline and private jet for a long range trip across continents. Travelling the whole distance by private jet would probably have been cost-prohibitive and unnecessary but by using a jet for the European leg, they would have saved several hours of travelling and connection time.

Lufthansa realised this requirement to offer their long-haul first class passengers a connecting private jet to complete their journey to the final destination. After initially partnering with NetJets, Lufthansa now have their own a fleet of Citations and Challenger aircraft. Either strategy makes sense to an airline, as the important issue is offering the end customer a one-stop shop for both the commercial scheduled airline leg and the connecting private jet charter flight. We can expect post-recession, that many other airlines will start offering a private jet connecting service.

For a high profile celebrity, a private jet may be a frequent mode of transport when in full health. But private jets are particularly useful when a passenger is ill or injured. Not everyone has the option at their disposal of course, but there’s no question that the private jet experience – no queues, no hassles and of course the privacy and comfort offered onboard – would be first choice for most people in that situation if cost wasn’t a consideration. I’m often asked how much a journey would cost by private jet charter - in this case, to charter a medium jet from London to Turku return would cost around EUR 17,000.

Posted in Airlines, Celebrities, Private jet charter, Recession, VIPs | No Comments »