Planning a lavish getaway this winter? If the idea of busy airports and endless queues doesn’t quite fit in with your vision of the perfect relaxing break, then it might be time to switch things up a bit. While flying First Class certainly comes with its perks, a strict schedule and plenty of time spent waiting around can’t be avoided, even with priority boarding and premium airport lounges as part of the deal. With this in mind, it’s unsurprising that a growing number of affluent jet-setters are opting to fly to their destinations of choice by private jet instead.
Flying private is one of the best possible ways to travel, allowing you to choose a departure time that works for you, enjoy personalised services, and spend your journey in the lap of luxury – plus, you get to avoid all of the usual annoyances associated with flying, like noisy passengers, lengthy airport security queues and frustrating delays.
Despite the Covid-19 limitations and travel restrictions, the private charter jet market remains strong. Entrepreneurs, business owners, and other high-profile individuals understand the benefits of flying privately versus with commercial airlines, and love the fact that by doing so, they can arrive at their destinations in a more timely manner, book same-day flights, and avoid the hassle of checking in at the airport.
If you’re a first-timer when it comes to private air travel and are eager to give it a try, then here’s everything you need to know about it, including how to go about booking your first flight.
1. Gather details on the price of a private jet flight – and compare
Although you might not be particularly concerned about the price of private air travel, it’s worth bearing in mind that they can vary wildly depending on which provider you choose to fly with, so it’s still worth researching beforehand to ensure that you’re not splurging more than you need to.
In most cases, paying higher fees for your journey does come with added benefits and services that will make the entire experience better, but this isn’t always the case – although if you do want the most luxurious experience possible then you’ll want to make sure you’re choosing the very best package on offer when it’s time to make your booking.
The price of the private jet rental can depend on sever crucial factors, including the fees associated with planes, how many crew members are required, airport fees, personalised services, flight length, special flight circumstances, and aircraft type.
All companies should be able to give you a quote for a specific destination and all accompanying services, as well as any optional extras. Many private jet companies even let you check the private jet charter cost using a simple calculator, which can be handy if you want answers now without sitting on the phone or waiting for an email response to your questions.
Getting a quote for your proposed journey through an online calculator tool is quick and easy, and will give you the information you need within seconds. Nevertheless, it’s worth bearing in mind that these only tend to give you a rough estimate of the price you can expect to pay, and for a more accurate quote, you’ll need to contact the flight operator in question to provide some more detailed information.
This might include the type of plane you wish to travel by, your preferred cabin type and the number of passengers and items of luggage the plane will need to accommodate, as well as your preferred airports, departure and arrival times.
2. Check available payment options
If you’d like to pay for your private flight using a particular method, then check that your chosen provider accepts this before moving ahead with the reservation. After all, you’ll most likely want complete comfort when flying private and that includes the booking process as well as the journey itself.
Luckily, most charter jet companies today are looking to provide various options, accepting most major credit and debit cards, as well as cheques and bank transfers. Bear in mind that if you wish to pay by cheque, then you’ll need to do this at least ten days ahead of your departure date to ensure there is ample time for it to be processed prior, while similarly, bank transfers will need to be made up to a minimum of 24 hours before you are due to fly.
If you’re one of the growing number of wealthy individuals sitting on a cryptocurrency fortune and wish to use your digital currencies to pay for your flight, then the good news is that private jet companies are increasingly moving towards accepting major coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum’s Ether. Today, anyone can book a private jet with crypto coins, and because all crypto transactions are almost instant and guarantee total anonymity, as well as being completely secure, doing so is a great way to go.
3. Check luggage options
When it comes to private jets, there’s no service money can’t buy. One of the biggest problems of flying commercial is the limited luggage allowances afforded to each passenger, and even paying for extras can still leave you feeling like there simply isn’t enough space or a large enough weight allowance to bring along everything you need.
With a personal charter, you can theoretically carry as much luggage as you like – up to the plane’s legal weight limit, of course. However, the amount you can take is still impacted by the size and type of plane you opt for, so if you have lots of luggage to transport then you’ll want to consider chartering a larger jet. If you’re in any doubt, then spend some time researching the different options before you book and make sure that you’re choosing a jet that can comfortably accommodate you, your travel companions and everyone’s baggage.
4. Check if you can book last minute
One of the major selling points for private air travel is the ability to arrive at your destination quickly and efficiently, so it’s wise to check how soon you can depart with your chosen provider. Some will allow last-minute bookings that will enable you to leave on the very same day, which can come in incredibly useful for spontaneous trips or for when plans change unexpectedly and you need to be somewhere sooner than you had originally planned.
Often, you’ll be able to book same-day flights, and will need to wait only a few minutes before boarding your plane and heading off to your destination – so check if your charter service offers same-day flights and you’ll always be able to turn to them when you’re in a hurry.
5. Check flight times
Time is valuable, especially to busy people – which is why private jet services allow passengers to check the exact flight departure time and duration before they fly, and plan accordingly. In fact, most will allow you to set the desired schedule, and will endeavour to make your chosen departure and arrival times work, guaranteeing the utmost in convenience. That means that you can organize your flight according to your needs without having to adjust your schedule to the airline company, and will never need to get up in the middle of the night or at the crack of dawn to make an awkwardly timed departure.
Some companies even have flight time calculators that help you get a rough estimate of your flights so that you can compare different options and find one that works best for you, so be sure to make use of these to gather the information you need to make a decision.
Be sure to take these five important factors into consideration before booking a private jet, and you’ll be able to quickly and easily identify the right charter company to travel with, with a smooth journey, impeccable service and plenty of lavish extras guaranteed.
