The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we travel and we are seeing a marked shift in the composition of our private jet charter clientele . Typically, three-quarters of flights are booked by clients who have flown on private jets before, but recently we are seeing an increasing number of requests from new passengers.
1) Find the right device according to your needs
There are a large number of jets available, in all sizes and categories. The most suitable aircraft will depend on the number of passengers, your budget, your luggage and your itinerary, but also, as with some of our customers, your personal preferences.
– Light and midsize jets like the Nextant 400XTi, Embraer Phenom 300 and Citation XLS can carry between 4 and 8 people. Small, but fast and economical, they are ideal for 2-3 hour flights. Most are equipped with a lavatory.
– Super-midsize and standard jets , such as the Challenger 350, Legacy 500 or Legacy 600, are ideal for groups of up to 13 people and non-stop flights of 5 or 6 hours.
– Ultra long-range jets and converted airliners can accommodate larger groups and travel very long distances for business trips or VIP transport. The largest cabins offer real beds, spacious bathrooms and multi-zone configurations.
2) Be advised on choice, price and peace of mind
Jets available for charter are managed by private operators: companies that own or manage aircraft on behalf of third parties.
The market is highly segmented. In Europe alone, there are hundreds of operators, each with a limited number of aircraft, so it can be complex to navigate. That’s where brokers like PrivateFly come in handy. Our mission is to help you find the best aircraft for your flight in a vast and confusing market. Our relationship is built on trust and accountability – something we take very seriously at PrivateFly.
A good broker works only with accredited operators, who meet strict criteria in terms of service and safety. In the spirit of our parent company, Directional Aviation, the largest private aviation group in the world, our approach goes well beyond industry standards. Thus, in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic, we are carefully ensuring compliance with hygiene and health safety protocols.
3) Understand the calculation of prices
When you book a private jet, you don’t pay an individual seat rate, but a lump sum for the entire aircraft on a specific route, regardless of the number of passengers. You can book a one-way, round-trip or multi-destination flight.
Airline operators prepare their quotes based on several factors, including the cost of an hour of flight on the desired aircraft (which includes crew pay, fuel, maintenance and other overheads), any repositioning fees if the aircraft must be flown back to its point of origin, landing fees and other taxes.
Our online booking platform allows our partners to quickly issue their quotes and position themselves on a unique marketplace. In addition to this service, we offer exclusive rates on certain aircraft managed by our group. Our offer is varied, with photos and detailed information on each available jet. Online access makes booking easy, but we can also assist you by phone: our team of experts is available 24/7 to answer your questions and manage the organization of your tailor-made flight.
To give you an idea of market prices, you should know that booking a private plane can cost around €4,500 for a one or two hour flight on a light jet and more than €112,000 for a long-haul round trip, between Paris and New York for example.
4) Be on familiar ground from the airport
When you fly privately, you don’t use the same terminal, or even the same airport, as you would for a traditional commercial flight. Since jets can land on shorter runways, they have access to dedicated facilities, such as Paris-Le Bourget or Farnborough airports near London.
These facilities are called FBOs ( fixed-based operators), a term that refers to the space and services at an airport reserved for private aviation. Using an FBO makes boarding much faster and easier. You can park right at the entrance of the building, where you’ll be greeted by your pilot and whisked to your plane in just a few minutes. You’ll still have to go through the mandatory security and immigration checks, but the entire process is quick and easy, so you won’t have to deal with delays or crowds.
Likewise upon arrival, you will quickly pass through the FBO to collect your luggage. Our flight managers can book a mode of transportation for your transfers to or from the airport.
5) Finding your bearings on board
Traveling by private plane is above all benefiting from all the advantages of an à la carte service: whether you are accompanied by your family, colleagues or a pet, you are free to organize your experience down to the smallest details. The crew, composed of two pilots and sometimes a flight attendant, is at your service to offer you a safe and relaxing flight.
Catering from top-of-the-line suppliers is included in the price of your booking. Options vary by aircraft type. On most light and mid-size jets, we can provide you with assortments of pastries, fresh fruit, sushi, sandwiches or salads. Larger aircraft have kitchenettes, allowing us to offer à la carte options or hot meals served by a flight attendant.
On all devices you will have a wide choice of drinks, including wines, champagnes and spirits. Any other product can be provided on request.
However, due to the current health crisis, operators are recommending a simplified service, so that passengers can serve themselves and maintain social distancing.
You will also find a selection of newspapers and magazines in the cabin. A multimedia system will allow you to listen to music and entertain yourself during your flight and on larger aircraft, you will have access to WiFi Internet.
Our flight managers are ready to meet all your requests to make your flight unforgettable. We can order cakes, flowers or decorations to celebrate a special occasion or a corporate event, provide toys for your children, arrange for your pet to travel with you in the cabin and much more… Just ask, we are at your service!