Lighter and more cost-effective private jets are no longer reserved for the elite. Several business concepts cater to the first-class flyers wary of the inconveniences plaguing commercial air travel. Besides, under unusual circumstances private jets might be the only way to go.
Whereas one concept was started when companies bought fleets of light aircrafts with the occasional corporate travelers and individuals in mind, another concept is the airways version of a taxi.
Private Charter Flights
Specialized companies can charter planes with a capacity of up to 16 passengers. Because they can land in smaller airports the arrival process is simplified, saving time for corporate travel in particular.
The Swiss company Tag Aviation has one of the largest fleet in Europe. A private jet management company, it also offers charter services for 5-16 passengers.
Blue Star Jets is a New-York-based brokerage company acting like a travel agent. With access to the operators of 4000 jets, a flight can be organized within a four-hour notice. Blue Star Jets offers the sky card concept with a menu letting the client choose the type of jet, the itinerary, the departure time, and any special needs on board such as catering, masseuse, hairdresser, and anything a concierge would provide upon arrival, including privacy.
At Toronto-based Bookajet, fares for a light jet seating 5-7 passengers start at $ 3,000 per hour.
Taxi-jet Prices Compared to First-class Air Travel
In France, Wijet offers taxi-jet travel all over the world with very light Cessna Citation Mustangs that fly at low altitude. A return trip Paris-Milan costs about 1,300 Euros, almost a bargain compared to business and first-class flights.
UK-based Blink operates the largest fleet of Mustang Citation in the world, marketing the four-passenger jets as Boardrooms in the Sky with their 2x2 face-to-face seating configuration. Blink believes in complete cost transparency; the traveler can choose between two regional airports when the landing-tax at one is significantly higher than at the other. Blink claims that its prices are competitive with commercial business-class fares based on a four-passenger jet.
Cheap Flights from Empty Legs on Private Jets
The Swiss start-up Lunajets offers seats in private jets at 50 to 80 percent less than market fares for private aviation. Since private jets often return empty, Lunajets feeds its database with the number of seats available on a specific day. From four-passenger jets to 300-passenger airliners the choice is yours, with some flexibility.
Empty leg flights can be especially advantageous for island destinations, such as Western North America, Polynesia, or the Bahamas.
The Virgin Airlines Charter Concept
In 2007, Richard Branson launched Virgin Charter in the United States. The concept is similar to the empty jet database except that seats are sold by auctions. Clients bid, and eventually accept or refuse a counter-offer.
Source
- Baboo Time. Aviation Privée. Une Offre pour tous les Goûts. Feriel, Turler and Veillon. 2009. Flybaboo SA.
Marie-Claude Arnott - Marie-Claude Arnott writes about topics that interest her, from experience and with passion.
