For Business or Pleasure, Why Private Jet Charters Are Riding High in 2021

By Hugh Courtenay, Owner, Private Jet Charter

As the reality of life with COVID-19 sets in, more people are turning to the private jet charter segment as a low-risk, hassle-free, flexible alternative to the traditional commercial airline. And it doesn’t just make sense for businesses; families are getting in on it, too.

Private Jet Charter has been a pioneer in the industry for more than 30 years, and I have seen many new trends emerge since the pandemic began. A lot has changed in the aviation industry since the spring of 2020. Commercial air travel has plummeted during the pandemic, as airlines have slashed their schedules and reduced their routes, and it has presented an opportunity in the private-jet industry. At Private Jet Charter, we’ve been able to pick up the demand by focusing on exactly what our clients want.

Although the aviation industry remains resilient, Ryanair cut a third of their network in winter 2020, while EasyJet is currently running at 25-percent capacity. Heathrow, the second busiest airport in the world for international passenger traffic, saw an 88-percent fall in passenger numbers during the summer of 2020.

So, what makes private-jet charters different?

COVID-19 safety

When people think of the benefits of chartering a private jet, many advantages spring to mind, such as convenience, privacy and luxury. But there’s another significant advantage, and that’s safety. People who have never flown private before are coming to us because they know flying with us means less risk.

A normal commercial flight contains up to 700 points of contact from check-in to arrival, whereas it can be as little as 20 with charter flights. There’s no queuing for our passengers at baggage claim, check-in or boarding; we use private terminals, where there are significantly fewer people; and once aboard the aircraft, our passengers don’t have to share the cabin with anyone else. Like all aviation experts, we’ve taken this pandemic very seriously. We disinfect the cabins fully and ensure crew and pilots are tested regularly.

Reactive, faster and flexible

But it’s not just the safety aspect that’s attracting clients. At Private Jet Charter, we’re a team of highly trained experts, and we use the most advanced technology to give us an edge over the competition. This means that we can react fast to changes in restrictions and contact hundreds of different aircraft types and owners in seconds.

People who are worried about being able to get on a commercial flight now have the opportunity to fly privately at short notice, and the best part is that they can leave all the details to us. Since the pandemic began, we have flown many clients to destinations before restrictions have been put in place or immediately after restrictions have been lifted.

With more than 5,000 aircraft at our disposal, we can make last-minute changes and arrange flights within two hours. Plus, flight times are significantly reduced. Private-jet charter flights are subject to the same restrictions as commercial airlines. But we can fly directly to airports that commercial airlines can’t reach, so our customers can get closer to their destinations quicker without taking lengthy connecting flights.

Some destinations remain challenging due to continuing restrictions. But we’re on top of all the latest updates, and we feel we’re best placed to inform our clients and get them to where they need to be without them having to worry about the details.

Business and pleasure

Business people working on private jet

Businesses still need their chief executive officers and employees to travel, despite the decline in conferences and sports-and-entertainment events. Many firms, which don’t want to risk travelling with commercial airlines for fear of compromising safety or of facing delays or cancellations, are taking advantage of private charters, and it’s proving cost-effective.

Working from home and conducting business by Zoom isn’t always viable. We fly some of the world’s top business people, executives and teams by private business jets; this is where we truly shine. We ensure a flawless travel experience, whether it’s a multi-sector trip, last-minute business meeting or one of frequent corporate charter trips. We guarantee that no matter how short the notice, we can get our business clients to where they need to be, as our team of experts are on hand 24 hours a day.

Executive airliners are the crème de la crème of the private-jet charter world. Many come equipped with business and conference centres, lounge areas and private suites ideal for conducting business in the air. For those looking for safe, reliable travel, flying private is the way to go.

It’s not only businesses that are experiencing the benefits of private flights. Families are increasingly looking at private-jet charters. They see the advantages of “bubbling up” with family members or other families to share the costs and travel together on vacation. They can bring their pets without worrying about the arrangements, and they can avoid queues and fly direct. It’s the ultimate in risk-free travelling.

More affordable

Private aviation is becoming more affordable. One way we offer great prices is by using empty legs. If clients are flexible with flight dates and need one-way flights, chances are an empty-leg flight is ideal. They can save up to 75 percent of the usual cost of a private-jet charter.

At Private Jet Charter, we go that extra mile to offer great value for money. All our prices include taxes where applicable, use of private-jet terminals and VIP (very important person) airport lounges, transfer to aircraft by luxury vehicle, superior catering—including a choice of menu and even a full complimentary bar with wines, spirits and Champagne.

Our customers are busy planning ahead, and in response, we have introduced two membership cards as well as the Reiva Reward Card, through which points mean spa days, vouchers and theatre tickets. We have always been committed to finding the very best rates based on the type of travel our clients need. With our Avier Card, customers can purchase a block of hours in advance, which means they pay for only the time they are on the aircraft. It’s perfect if they want a fixed price for their flights. Alternatively, we are the only private-jet charter company to offer a members’ card through which they can add money instead of accruing hours. The Avier Plus Card ensures that they get the best deal on the day and won’t pay for time spent on the aircraft if there are delays.

Responsible travel

When we are able to travel freely again, people may fly less but to more adventurous destinations, and they will be more focused on staying safe and flying responsibly. We’re committed to responsible travel, and we encourage our clients to offset carbon emissions through the Carbon Passport Plan. By purchasing Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) that equal the carbon produced, our clients are funding the reduction of carbon emissions through alternative projects, so their flights can effectively be carbon-neutral.

Travel by private-jet charter has come a long way from simple luxury to a reliable, safe and flexible way to travel for business and pleasure. Our message is that private flights are available, despite restrictions. At Private Jet Charter, we offer a hassle-free, convenient service, where we take care of all the details despite ever-changing restrictions. We’re flexible, so we can work according to your schedule, and it’s not as expensive as you might expect. In a lot of cases, you can save time and money. This pandemic can’t ‌stop ‌you‌ ‌from‌ ‌seeing‌ ‌the‌ ‌world, so why not fly safe and private with us?