5 flights & prices this week – booking ahead
One of the benefits of private aviation is the ability to book at the last minute. And statistically-speaking, lead times for private jet flights are much shorter than for airlines.
In 2016, over half (57%) of our customers booked within a week of their departure date – and over a quarter to fly within 48 hours. So there’s not generally much hanging around! (Read more statistics in our latest Private Jet Charter Trends report.)
But some clients do book further ahead. Most often it’s to fly to a specific event. Aircraft availability is usually very good but can be more limited around certain major events. Other times, it’s for a family holiday or special occasion, or for larger group travel.
Here are five recent examples of private flights with longer than average lead times.
MANCHESTER TO NICE IN SPRING
The Monaco Grand Prix is a major draw for private jet travellers, from all over the world. Which means a spike in demand for both private jet aircraft and helicopters in the Cote d’Azur at the end of May each year.
It may be months away, but our client already has the Grand Prix tickets and wanted to secure an outbound private jet flight from Manchester to Nice, and a private helicopter transfer to Monaco. This is for him and three of his important customers and while they could fit in a 4-seater small jet, he opted for a medium jet Citation XLS, for a little more cabin space. The group are flying back by airline, so this was a one-way requirement.
How much does it cost by private jet & helicopter?
- Itinerary: Manchester to Nice Cote d’Azur (one way) + one-way helicopter transfer to Monaco.
- Aircraft: Citation XLS (8 seats) + Eurocopter AS350 (5 seats)
- Flight Time: 1 hour 55 mins + 7 mins
- Price: £12 300 + £860 helicopter
LONDON TO CHAMBERY NEXT SKI SEASON
With several weeks of snow still ahead, we’re busy booking ski flights for this season. Clients flying to ski resorts usually book between a few days and a few weeks ahead of time.
But this particular client is the type who likes to plan ahead! She contacted us to book a ski trip to France in late December, coming back early January 2018, with her husband and children and another family. They have already arranged their accommodation, so wanted to have the flights all set up too.
For two family groups travelling together, a Legacy 600 is perfect – offering plenty of cabin and luggage space for the whole party.
How much does it cost by private jet?
- Itinerary: London Luton to Chambery (5 day return)
- Aircraft: Embraer Legacy 600 (13 seats)
- Flight Time: 1 hours 15 mins
- Price: £27 700
LA TO VEGAS IN SEPTEMBER
Flights for wedding celebrations are usually arranged further ahead than average. When it’s the most important event of your life, you don’t usually leave things to the very last minute!
This special occasion flight was for a group travelling to Las Vegas for a stag party. The groom-to-be and 6 friends are travelling from their home base in Los Angeles, to Las Vegas for a 2-night stay in September. And to celebrate his last days of single life in VIP style, the group have booked private jet flights.
How much does it cost by private jet?
- Itinerary: LA Van Nuys to Las Vegas McCarran (2 day return)
- Aircraft: Citation XL (8 seats)
- Flight Time: 43 mins
- Price: $11 100
PARIS TO MYKONOS IN JULY
Last summer we saw a significant rise in demand for flights to Mykonos. The Greek island has become increasingly popular as a luxury travel destination in the summer peak.
So much so, that last summer the airport reached full capacity at peak times (especially on Fridays, the most popular day of the week). Some clients were not able to get their preferred landing slots – and pricing increased in some cases, due to extra repositioning requirements and availability issues.
This French client was one of those and, with firm plans already made to visit for a long weekend this summer, he decided to book several months ahead.
How much does it cost by private jet?
- Itinerary: Paris Le Bourget to Mykonos
- Aircraft: Learjet 40
- Flight time: 3 hours 5 minutes
- Price: €24 300
ZURICH TO ROME IN JUNE
Private charter of airliners, for large group travel is another type of flight that we often see booking further ahead. For corporate travel, coordinating a large number of people and a complex itinerary, means you need to plan ahead.
This client is flying a group of 70 from Zurich, to a 2-day conference in Rome, in June. We recommended a Fokker 100 regional airliner, which can seat over 100 people. Regional airliners can be amongst the most cost-effective private aircraft to charter, on a cost-per-head basis – this flight works out at €691 per person.
How much does it cost by private jet?
- Itinerary: Zurich Airport to Rome Ciampino Airport (2 day return)
- Aircraft: Fokker 100 (109 seats)
- Flight Time: 1 hr 6 mins
- Price: €48 400
Whether you want to take off in an hour or not until next year, our Flight Team are ready to help. For a personalised quote for your own flight itinerary, contact us (24 hours) or call +44 1747 642 777.
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