When booking a private jet, many enticing benefits often come to mind—indulgent luxury, bespoke service, and peerless accessibility. Understandably, there are also a few drawbacks. If you’re on the fence if chartering a private jet is right for you, weighing the pros and cons can help you make an educated decision.
Below are some of the advantages and drawbacks of booking a private jet:
Pros
Indulgent Luxury
When you hire a private jet, you get to experience a truly luxurious and one-of-a-kind trip. You can also look forward to enjoying unmatched privacy and exceptional amenities like big-screen TVs, customized catering, comfortable leather seats, and on-board Wi-Fi.
Flying private also means you have the option to choose your aircraft. Dining can also be a tasty and unforgettable experience. If you make a request ahead of time, you can have your preferred beer or your favorite halal meal. You can even have a private chef if you wish!
If your customization needs include luxurious seats, custom-made interiors, and the latest entertainment systems, it can be arranged for you as well. Luxury also means getting access to world-class and complimentary concierge services that oversee every detail and ensure everything is to your liking.
Moreover, indulgent luxury also means your safety is a top priority. In line with this, you can rest assured they already have specific guidelines to confront the COVID-19 pandemic. The personnel and staff also adhere to workplace best practices and activities designed to maintain a safe work environment and healthy business operations.
Consummate Privacy
If you have flown first-class or business, you can attest specific measures are observed to ensure you get some level of privacy. Case in point: there may be a curtain that separates different sections, or you’ll get a fancy seat that separates you from the rest of the passengers.
Of course, none of that compares to the absolute privacy only private jets can provide. Chartering a private jet can also ensure you have your own space free from interruptions. The flight team will also refer to you by name, and you can reserve all the seats for your loved ones, friends, or colleagues.
Unmatched Accessibility
When you fly commercial, you usually travel through a vast and overcrowded airport. You can also expect numerous check-in desks for passengers flying to other parts of the world. To avoid any hassles, you have to arrive hours in advance, secure your boarding passes, and check-in your luggage.
Going through check-ins and airport security can also be tedious and time-consuming. The perpetually long lines and the stringent procedures can also leave you feeling drained and exhausted. However, hiring a private plane is a totally different story—you practically get your own airport!
A fixed based operation or FBO is a small area that’s often situated next to a major airport. Reserved for private flights, it takes care of passengers separately. When you get there, you can breeze through all the security checks in minutes, saving you a significant amount of time and effort.
When landing the plane, a private jet provides another level of flexibility. For instance, it allows you to land in smaller regions not accessible to commercial airplanes. Simply put, hiring private jets can open up a world of possibilities when it comes to where you can land and take off.
Cons
High Cost
When it comes to flying private, price is always considered the first stumbling block. As expected, hiring a private jet is more expensive compared to flying commercial. However, flying private is a more practical (and smart) option for those who value their time highly.
Surprisingly, private flights may not always be as expensive as most people perceive. This is especially true when it comes to empty leg flights. Some private jet owners that fly one way sometimes sell slightly cheaper flights to avoid flying empty and losing money on an empty leg.
Meticulous Planning
Arranging a private jet flight can sometimes require more work compared to booking a commercial flight. Commercial flights pack hundreds of passengers onto one aircraft, so they follow specific rules to stay organized.
For instance, they have a fixed departure and arrival time, and they serve clients set meals. They also only provide basic amenities. Since everything is fixed, marking a reservation is also straightforward.
To ensure everything is according to your liking, you need to provide personal information, details about your flight, and other required information like dietary requirements, etc.
You need to also take into account potential mechanical issues that might postpone your flight. Most commercial airlines can easily find a replacement aircraft in case there are issues.
Conclusion
Choosing between a private and commercial flight can be difficult. However, as long as you consider all the pros and cons, you are a step closer to picking the option that’s best for you.
Melissa Hull is the Content Marketing Strategist for Aviation Charters, a West Trenton, New Jersey-based private aviation company that provides on-demand aircraft charter, aircraft management, and aircraft acquisition services. Aside from her passion for writing, she loves to travel and read espionage books.
