Advantages of Chartering a Private Jet

With the arrival of the Lear Jet in the 1960s came another option for air travel: the private charter.

As opposed to commercial air travel, which requires passengers to operate according to the schedules of the airlines and other issues, a charter flight on a private jet aims for just the opposite: to offer convenience, privacy and other benefits that you just can’t get at regular airports.
There are many advantages to private jet travel. And, while many consider chartering a private jet to be a luxury, they offer distinct options for convenience and efficiency. Unlike the commercial travel option, when you fly on a private jet, you usually will do so out of a smaller, general aviation airport, not a large one.

This means you don’t have to factor in all the traffic, waiting in lines, TSA check points and long chunks of time waiting in a terminal ahead of time. When you travel by private jet, you get the localized luxury of moving quickly through a regional airport with ease and significantly reduced traffic and unnecessary delays.

While some privately chartered jets will depart from what is known as a €fixed Base of Operation€ or FOB, there are still fewer hoops to jump through, saving you time and money. But keep in mind, in our post 9-11 culture, these FOB flights allow passengers to avoid many of the hassles of a commercial terminal check-in, you can still take advantage of privately monitored parking lots where shuttles await to take you right up the tarmac to board your plane.
In these situations, your luggage is also always right next to you as opposed to being tossed onto a baggage processing bay and potentially lost or put on the wrong flight.
Hate taking off your shoes in front of a bunch of strangers? When you charter a private jet you do not have to worry about the X-ray machines, removing your shoes, belt, jewelry and other items just to get to the other side. The captain of a private jet is usually the official greeter of any FBO flight, where they may ask to see identification, but traditionally little else.

Here’s another advantage you might consider. Airports are crowded and that means there is always the potential of missing a flight. With private charters, you don’t have to worry: the pilots typically won’t take off until you get on the plane.

Private jet travel also usually means faster travel times. Why? Because unlike with commercial travel, there are typically no plane changes or layovers. This means no mad-dashes for connecting flights between terminals, no holding up a flight and having to face the scorn of fellow travelers and airline crew members.

Many of the amenities offered to private jet passengers can be ordered and customized ahead of time. Need six vegan meals for a group of clients ready to invest in your restaurant? You can pre-order what kind of food and drinks you’ll receive on the privately chartered jet weeks in advance.

Of course the most coveted advantage of traveling by private jet is that it is exactly that: private. There are no other passengers on your flight except those who have been invited to join you, or those who may be sharing a charter with you. This means your business group can travel in confidence, conduct meetings and make critical decisions without having to worry about privacy issues.

Most all private jets offer in-cabin music choices, movies via satellite TV and overnight sleeping accommodations that surpass many first-class €beds€ provided by commercial airlines.

When you land via a privately charted jet things stay just as mellow. Your baggage is ready and waiting for you on the ground; no more rushing to the baggage claim area for more waiting before you’re finally on your way out of the terminal.

Sure, the costs are always a factor. But before you book a commercial flight in business or first-class for your team or a group of clients, consider the advantages of booking a private jet instead. You may be surprised at how easily the cost-benefit balance tips in your favor.