If you run or work for a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) and you’ve never flown in a business jet before, read on. You might well be surprised by the benefits of business aviation and you might also be astonished by how easily your company could start enjoying those benefits.
Patrick Margetson-Rushmore, chief executive of leading business jet charter operator Luxaviation UK, offers eight reasons why entering the world of business aviation might be the best move you make this year.
Speed and efficiency: Who wants to waste precious time queuing and waiting in busy, noisy airport terminals?
When you fly in business jets, you stroll through dedicated private aviation facilities, away from the crowds of angry airline passengers dealing with delays and cancellations. The paperwork takes seconds, so you’ll have plenty of time to get everything done if you only arrive, say, 30 minutes before your flight leaves. By comparison, if you’re taking a commercial flight, you normally need to arrive at the airport at least two hours in advance.
Flexibility: In a business jet, you can usually fly from whichever airport or airfield you want and land as close as possible to your destination. So, you could easily make several meetings across Europe in one day. No airline can match that service.
For ultimate freedom, find a reputable operator with a large, global fleet. Then, you’ll always be able to choose the most economical jet for your purpose and aircraft availability will never be a problem. After all, if you’re at a meeting in Switzerland and you suddenly need to travel to Spain, you want to ensure that your operator has access to a range of aircraft models, so you’re never faced with, “Sorry, we don’t have that jet free at the moment.”
Privacy: In your spacious business jet cabin, you and your colleagues can discuss your plans for the meetings and events ahead in total privacy. You can choose to sit with your colleagues, or, find a space for quiet concentration.
Comfort: In a business jet, you control the entire cabin experience, not just your seat. Set the lighting to your exact requirements, whether you want to work, read or relax. If you want to sleep, leading jets such as the Embraer Legacy 650 or Bombardier Global 6000 allow you to convert your seat to a flat bed.
Minimise your stress. Let your rivals fly on cramped aircraft, woken and annoyed every five minutes by fellow passengers tripping over their feet. Sit back and relax – when you fly in a business jet, you’re always fresh and focused to win big deals.
High value: First- and business-class airline travel is hardly inexpensive, and the experience falls far behind flying in a private jet. Call an operator or take a look at an online ‘Quick Quote’. Compare the price of sharing a business jet (say, a London-Paris return) with six of your colleagues to the cost of buying seven first- or business-class seats on an airline. You might be very pleasantly surprised.
For particular value when chartering a business jet, look out for…
Empty legs: An ‘empty leg’ is the one-way journey an aircraft without passengers makes when repositioning, having taken a client to their destination. (Think of an empty airport taxi returning to the passenger collection point at Heathrow, having dropped off a customer in Knightsbridge.) As the aircraft operator needs to pay to fly that aircraft from A to B anyway, you’re likely to get a great deal if you want to hop on board.
Ownership options: As well as chartering aircraft, you might want to consider ‘fractional ownership’, giving you regular access to a jet but meaning you only pay part of the costs of ownership and operation. With fractional, you effectively buy a share in an aircraft, thereby removing the necessity of having to manage an entire private jet yourself.
Healthy eating: In a business jet, you’re not restricted to an airline menu. So, choose the exact ingredients you want in your ‘superfood’ salad and the perfect lean meats and fish for your diet. Successful entrepreneurs are increasingly aware of the importance of healthy eating for a sharp mind when making decisions.
Private aviation is a vital tool for numerous corporations. Many individuals and businesses are looking to minimise their carbon footprint and at Luxaviation UK we are just as committed. Currently, the business aviation industry is working on multiple new technologies to cut carbon emissions, including the development of sustainable aviation fuel, hybrid-electric aircraft and the implementation of carbon offsetting. Manufacturers, airports and industry bodies all have a part to play and we look forward to supporting the industry to reach the necessary goals.
The freedom of private aviation is an unmatched experience and a powerful boost to any company. If you really want your SME to soar, consider how flying in a business jet can help you.
