10 August 2017

10 things you can do on a private jet (but not on an airline)

Private jet charter is the ultimate in tailored air travel. And while a luxury travel experience is certainly part of the appeal, it’s the flexibility and personalisation that drives most customers to fly privately.

Our new clients are sometimes unclear about the ways in which private jet flights differ from airlines. So here are ten things you can do when you fly by private jet, that you can’t when you take a commercial airline flight.

1) Take off when you want to

Whether you want to take off very early to make a breakfast meeting, or fly back late to avoid an overnight stay, with private jet charter, the itinerary fits around you – not the other way around.

2) Park right outside (or even drive up to the steps)

There’s no need for lengthy transfers from the car park at private jet FBOs – the private jet terminal at the airport. You can park your car right outside and at some airports, even drive right up to the aircraft steps.

3) Meet your crew

While the cockpit door is kept locked on airline flights for security reasons, on a private flight you’re welcomed onboard by your captain and crew. You’re also welcome to talk to them during the flight and visit the flight deck.

4) Fly into more (remote) places

Airline schedules are necessarily designed according to demand. So while there are 3,000 airports in Europe, only around 300 are served by an airline route.

But when you fly on a private charter, you choose where to land. That means smaller airports and more remote spots, such as islands or mountain runways. Or no airport at all? That’s when helicopters come in…

5) Experience no airport queues or delays

Airports are usually synonymous with long queues and waiting times. That’s why you have to check in at least two hours before for most airline flights.

But FBOs – the private jet terminal at the airport – are a different experience altogether. After seamless immigration and security checks, you quickly move through, usually boarding within 15 minutes of arrival.

6) Take your pets in the cabin

Rather than have your dog or cat travel in a crate in the hold, on a private flight pets can travel with you in the cabin. This significantly lessens the stress of air travel, for both pet and owner. Read more: Private flights with pets.

7) Choose who you share with

It can be pot luck who you share the cabin with on an airline flight – or even on a private shuttle or seat-sharing private jet service.

But with a private charter you get the whole aircraft cabin to yourself – just for you and your group. That’s a whole different travel experience, when it comes to space and privacy.

Find out more about the difference between seat sharing, shuttles and private charter.

8) Eat what you want, when you want

Airline meals – even in premium seats – can leave you feeling less than satisfied. And meal service can come along at the wrong time for you. But on a private flight, you choose what you want to eat and drink, and when you’d like it.

From a specific brand of herbal tea or unusual craft beer, to restaurant quality dinners, or your children’s favourite breakfast… you can specify what you would like to eat before the flight, and we’ll arrange your perfect menu. Read more: The top 7 things eaten on a private jet.

9) Change your plans at the last minute

Life doesn’t always go according to plan. So if a meeting overruns, traffic builds up, or the weather closes in, you don’t need to cancel your flight – if it’s on a private aircraft. The aircraft will wait for you, and can take off later than planned. And you can change your destination at the last minute (even during the flight) if plans change.

10) ‘Go now’ – within the hour

Sometimes you need to fly unexpectedly, and in a hurry. But with an airline flight, that realistically still means take-off is a few hours away.

But we can organise ‘go now’ private jet flights, that can take off much faster than that. In fact we recently arranged a flight between Nice and Dublin in just 29 minutes – the client was close to the airport and we identified an aircraft already in place. Read more: How fast can a private jet take off?

Our expert Flight Team can answer any other questions you have about private jet travel. For advice or pricing, contact us or call +44 (0)20 7100 6960.

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