Private jet travel – Costs, benefits, and drawbacks
Most people who fly first class have to pay a significant amount for the privilege of boarding and traveling in luxury. However, they still rely on taking the route of a commercial airline, which means flying in a group and spending long hours at the airport. To avoid this situation, many executives and business owners look at the alternative – chartering a private jet. If you have disposable income for this flight method, consider these factors.
Cost
A private jet usually costs a lot of money. The average cost may range between $1,300 and $13,000 or higher. This cost might cover the entire journey or be chargeable by the hour. Factors that may determine the cost of chartering a private jet include the destination, requested amenities, the wait period of the plane and crew, and also the size of the plane. Smaller plans usually cost less to hire. If you decide to buy a private jet, it could cost between $3 million and $660 million, which depends on factors like the number of passengers it can carry. Several people are often confused between renting and buying a private jet. If you spend at least 150 hours a year flying, consider buying the plane. Anything lower, and you’re better off renting the service.
Benefits
There are innumerable benefits to chartering a private jet.
- Flexibility and time saver
When you fly in a private jet, you can make multiple stops. Busy businessmen and executives who use this mode of transport usually reach three to four cities in a single day. Taking a private jet can also save people loads of time. They could visit these destinations early in the morning and even return home by dinnertime. - Hard-to reach destinations
Unlike commercial planes that only use about 1,500 airports in the country, private airplanes have access to over 5,000 airports, which allows individuals to reach remote destinations quickly. - Privacy
While business class in a commercial jet offers a personal cabin, it isn’t the most private space in the sky. A private jet is to give the passenger a substantial amount of privacy and comfort with only invited guests. Even the information of these passengers, destinations, and schedules are kept confidential. - Stress-free travel
Chartering a private jet also ensures you travel freely without any hassles and stress. There are no cramped spaces on board, no waiting lines, and clean bathrooms. You could kick back and relax or work on your laptop, the choice is yours.
Drawbacks
There are a few drawbacks to taking a private jet.
- Private charter companies might levy baggage restrictions. This is applied due to factors like the size of the aircraft.
- When you charter a private jet, you may have to arrange most of the details with the service provider. A few elements you might need to plan include the route, schedule, refueling stops, in-flight and other requirements. If you have a busy schedule and cannot handle this on your own, you could hire someone else to take care of these requirements.