Flying by private jet is one of the most exclusive and luxurious ways to travel, but can private jets fly anywhere?
Private jets can fly anywhere – within reason. They have the ability to set whatever flight plan they desire and can land at many more airports than commercial airlines can. However, they are still regulated, subject to customs and air traffic control, and cannot fly in ‘no-fly’ zones.
Read on to learn more about private jets and their in-air abilities.
Whenever, Wherever
When it comes to luxurious modes of travel, private jets rank at the top of the list. They’re in leagues with yachts and chauffeur-driven cars but they’re not as exclusive as you might immediately think.
Although, once upon a time, private jets were the playthings of the super-rich. They boast private crews, exclusive interiors, and multi-million dollar price tags.
Today, the ownership of a private jet can fluctuate anywhere from ridiculously expensive, to a considerable investment. You could purchase an entry-level, minuscule jet for a few million dollars, or a retrofitted commercial jet for hundreds of millions of dollars.
However, the exclusivity has been watered down slightly by the fact that so many operators in the world are now running charter flights.
Put simply, anyone in the world can enjoy the luxury of a private jet, and it won’t break the bank. It’s often seen as a viable alternative to top-tier commercial flights, for many reasons.
Private jets have the ability to fly anywhere, and they’re not restricted to commercial flight paths. They’re still regulated and subject to air traffic control procedures, but they’re much more versatile than traditional airlines.
For example, a commercial airplane can only land at large, industrial airports. Private jets, on the other hand, can land at almost any airstrip, permission pending.
This allows them to manipulate their flight plans at the press of a button, with a moment’s notice. They can do this to avoid adverse weather or to satisfy the requirements of their passengers.
However, chartered jets might find this a little difficult to accommodate, given that the plane doesn’t actually belong to the passengers. They’re a little more strict than privately-owned jets, as they usually charge by the hour and have many clients.
Of course, private jets are still subject to the law. While it’s often quicker than flying commercially, they still need to go through customs and security.
So, You Want to Fly Private?
Throughout 2020, the private jet market saw an enormous rise in customer footfall. This was owed majorly to the COVID-19 pandemic, which effectively shut down traditional, commercial air travel.
There were now millions of people who needed to travel great distances, with no real means to do so. The immediate and obvious answer was to charter a private jet.
The cost of private airfare differs dramatically, depending on location, duration, distance, and the size of the plane you charter.
According to aircharterserviceusa.com, it can cost as little as $1,300 per flying hour for an ‘executive light jet’. However, this can climb to as high as $13,000 per flying hour for a large private jet.
It’s a considerable step down from the cost of private ownership, which can be as little as two million dollars just to purchase the plane. According to forbes.com, general ownership is incredibly expensive, as you need to consider storage, fuel, crewing costs, and maintenance.
Allegedly, it can cost around two thousand dollars to replace a single blown tire on a jet.
So, with the cost reduced massively, private flying begins to look a lot more attractive. In fact, the cost of some first-class tickets on top-tier airlines can exceed the cost of chartering a private jet.
Benefits of Exclusivity
Private jets give you that sense of luxury, but they also come with many other benefits. You’ll cut down on queuing times, be able to drive right up to the door, and will have one-on-one service with the flight crew.
You won’t have to worry about being crammed in with strangers, and you’ll have extra amenities on the flight as standard.
For businesses using private jets, it’s reported that they’ll reduce costs, increase client retention, and save valuable operating time. There are many huge corporations in the world that have a private jet to hand – some even boast an entire fleet.
So, if you need to travel cross-country soon and want to do so in style, a private jet might be for you.