Private jet Blog

Flying business private jet style

Flying business class is the preferred means of travel for most executives and professionals these days.  It offers more amenities and comfort than economy class while still being cheaper than flying first class.  Most airlines that offer long haul flights will have a dedicated business class and they are becoming more common on domestic and short haul flights as well.

There are a number of reasons flying business class is so popular and they start before the plane is even boarded.  British Airways for example allows business class travellers to check in and choose their seat up to 24 hours before departure.  Business class travellers also have the exclusive use of British Airways lounges in more than 70 airports around the world.  Complimentary food and drink is provided and even spa and massage facilities at the JFK and Heathrow airports.

It is when the plane is actually boarded that the advantages of flying business class become really apparent.  There are no worries about leg room or feeling a little cramped when you fly business class with any of the major airlines.  Instead you will be able to relax, stretch out and enjoy a good night’s sleep if that’s what you want to do.  Most seats offered on business class flights and now able to be fully reclined transforming them into comfortable beds.  You will also have your own touchscreen TV with a good choice of films and facilities for using and charging your laptop.

The dining experience is one that can actually be looked forward to.  There will be a good choice of meals and snacks available all through the flight and a choice of accompanying wines to go with them.

Some of the top rated business class airlines include Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines and Thai Airways.  They are regularly voted in the top 5 business airlines for service and all round experience.

However while there is no doubt about the benefits of flying business class it still does not quite match up to a private jet charter for business reasons.  Chartering a private jet means that you can conduct business while in the air, eliminate time wasted at airport, schedule meetings in several countries in the same day and change your schedule at a moment’s notice.  Private jet charter services are the ultimate in convenience and luxury and they are tax deductible as well.

How much does it cost to fly a jet private

Taking a trip in a private jet is an experience that you are unlikely to ever forget. Whether it is a short flight or a long haul trip it is definitely the ultimate way to travel.

While it may be the ultimate way to get where you want to go is it a realistic one? While private jet hire was once just for rock stars and the mega rich it is now much more affordable. While still being far from cheap it is not out of the reach of anyone with a decent job or for groups travelling together. To start with here are some of the reasons why private jet charters are so popular.

First of all it is all about you. You decide exactly what time you want your flight to take off and exactly where you want to fly to. Private jets can fly to thousands of private airfields that are never used by commercial airlines. This makes your journey on either side of your flight super quick and easy. Secondly none of the usual airport hassles apply when you charter your own jet.

There is no check in queues to deal with, you don’t have to be at the airport hours before your take off, customs are a breeze and you can take as much baggage as you can reasonably fit on board. When you are in the air you have your personal choice of food and entertainment and enough space to stretch out and relax in comfort. So private jet hire gives you the ultimate in convenience and luxury but is it affordable? The cost of a private jet hire will depend to a large extent on the type of jet you want.

A turboprop such as the King Air 200 will have an hourly fee of between $1,200 to $1,800. As they can comfortably seat 9 passengers this isn’t incredibly expensive.Heavy and business class jets will however cost a lot more to charter.

Heavy jets such as those in the Gulfstream range, Falcon 2000 or Boeing Business Jets will be in the region of $10,000 per hour. You may also be liable for wait fees, cost of overnight stays and positioning fees. Private jet hire costs are usually calculated to the nearest quarter of an hour while the jet is in operation.

The luxury of a private jet holiday

A private jet hire is without a doubt the most luxurious way to travel in the air.  While flying first or business class with a commercial airline offers a fantastic service it still can’t compare with the luxury and indulgence of a private jet charter.  While your jet may not have solid gold washbasins like the Sultan of Brunei’s or be decorated with chestnut and gold like the Boeing 767-33A owned by Roman Abramovich it will still be an experience unlike any other.

In general the larger the jet you charter the more luxury you can expect.  Large jets such as the Gulfstream III and the Boeing Business Jet are designed with luxury and comfort and mind.  They have the largest cabin space and every facility needed to make your flight as comfortable as possible.  Even smaller jets such as the Learjet 45 and the Citation CJ2+ offer an unrivalled flight experience.  Once you are on board every one of your desires is catered to from your choice of drinks and food to the inflight entertainment.

While flying private is undoubtedly a luxury for many people who use private jets it is not the most important factor.  Instead it is the convenience and the ability to save time that make flying private so attractive.  Having the choice of where and when the flight departs and not having to deal with mile long security and check in queues are the real reason many people use private jets.  Rather than having to turn up hours before a flight takes off a private jet charter means you can turn up minutes before your flight takes off and be greeted by your captain.  A quick check of your ID and you will be shown on to the plane with your entire luggage.

A private jet hire or private jet charter is quite simply the most luxurious and convenient way to get where you’re going wherever it may be in the world.  While flying private is a luxury it is a lot more affordable than you might think.  The use of private jets is no longer exclusively for the mega rich and chartering a jet can be an economical way to travel for families and groups.  Smaller jets can be chartered for in the region of £2,000 per hour and with the ability to carry between 8-10 passengers it can be an affordable way to fly.

Becoming a private jet pilot

Being a jet pilot is a dream for many people and while it may be hard to achieve it is far from impossible.  With the right level of dedication and commitment it is possible to become a jet pilot with all of the perks the lifestyle brings.  There is a constant demand for private jet charter and private jet hire pilots and many companies find it hard to get the pilots they need to cover all of their flights.

Before we look at the qualifications and criteria you need to meet to be a jet pilot let’s take a quick look at some of the reasons why being a pilot is such a coveted job.  To start with being a jet pilot is far from being your usual 9-5 job.  Instead of being stuck in an office all day you will be at the controls of some of the most advanced machines ever created flying to destinations all around the world.  Doesn’t that beat selling insurance for a living?  Secondly jet pilots of all types are very well rewarded for their services. 

The captain of a medium sized jet can expect to earn well over £50,000 each year and there is the potential to earn much more working for the biggest commercial airlines.  Finally there are lots of stewardesses to flirt with (only joking!).

Are there any downsides to being a pilot?  Well as it isn’t a regular 9-5 job the working hours can be very irregular.  You will also be spending a great deal of time away from home and there is of course a lot of responsibility that goes with being a pilot.  The safety of passengers, crew and the plane itself is in the pilot hands and it is not something to be taken lightly.

To be a pilot there are a number of physical and academic requirements that must be passed before you can obtain a licence.  Good hearing and eyesight are essential although they do not need to be perfect. 

A pilot must also have no medical conditions that could interfere with his or her ability to fly a plane.  Academic qualifications up to A-level standard are generally required for most pilot training programs.  If you meet these criteria there are a number of ways that a pilot’s licence can be obtained.  Most people choose to pay for the training themselves and this will cost in the region of £80,000 to gain a full licence.  Some of the large commercial airlines run their own pilot training programs although these are notoriously hard to get into.  Many jet pilots are former military pilots and obtained their training through service in the armed forces.

Being a pilot for a private jet charter or private jet hire company offers many rewards and is a job unlike any other.

New and best charter jets

If you are fortunate enough to enjoy a private jet charter or a private jet hire this year you may be travelling on a jet manufactured by Gulfstream or Learjet.  These two companies have become synonymous with private jet ownership and travel and manufacture a range of superb jets.  Over the years they have both established a reputation for building the finest business and private jets and their services are now more in demand than ever before.  There is a booming market in China for private jets and it is set to overtake the US as the largest marketplace for the private jet industry.  Some of the jets manufactured by Gulfstream and Learjet include:

Gulfstream G650
The latest addition to the Gulfstream family the G650 entered service in 2009.  Designed primarily as a business jet the G650 raised the standard for the whole of the aviation industry.  The G650 is able to fly further and faster than any other jet in its class and carry up to 18 passengers in a degree of comfort and style unmatched by any other private plane.  The exceptional speed and range of this jet have been two of the largest factors in its success.  With a cruising speed of 0.85 Mach and a maximum operating speed of more than 0.9 Mach no other private jet comes as close to breaking the sound barrier.  With a maximum range of more than 12,000 km it is one of the few private jets that can fly non-stop from London to Buenos Aires or from New York to Dubai.

It is not just the speed and range of the G650 that is exceptional.  The interior of the plane is taller, longer and wider than any other jet in the same class.  12 different seating and sleeping arrangements are available and the interior features all of the technology and finishes you would expect from Gulfstream.

Learjet 85
The Learjet 85 is the fastest and most technologically advanced ever manufactured by Learjet.  With a top cruising speed of 0.82 Mach and a range of more than 5,000 km it has one of the longest ranges in the mid-jet class.  Designed to carry 8 passengers in supreme comfort the Learjet 85 has one of the largest cabins in its class and each passenger has more space than on any other comparable jet.
Both the Learjet 85 and the Gulfstream G650 are available for private jet charter or private jet hire.  There are a number of jet charter companies in the UK who can arrange charters of these and a wide range of other jets and helicopters.