Chartering a Private Jet

Numerous methods of transportation exist, from buses in the city to taxis to passenger trains, but a popular method of travel for smaller parties is the use of private jets. What advantages to private jets offer to travelers, especially those traveling alone or in small groups? A popular way to get around is to charter a jet for a trip, and business professionals and vacationing families may look for the best private jet to take them wherever they want to go. Those interested may also purchase a new or used private jet, and whenever convenient, offer a charter quote to passengers who may want to ride it. What should someone who seeks to charter a private aircraft keep in mind? And when someone is on the market for private jets, what are some good buyer strategies to use for the best deal?

Why Fly?

Someone looking to charter a private jet or explore the market for private jets should know who flies on them and why. Business professionals often make use of them, and not just for the convenience. While a business person is taking a jet to go on a business trip, that professional may use that time on board the jet and get work done, and studies find that this actually boosts productivity. A 2009 survey, for example, showed that respondents were 20% more productive on board a company aircraft as opposed to working in the office. What is more, a private jet can take routes or visit areas that a train may not reach or may be too far away for a bus, opening up new possibilities for where a business professional might go. Crossing large lakes or small inland seas can be no trouble for a jet, such as flying over the Mediterranean sea from Spain to Turkey, for example, or flying over the Sea of Japan from South Korea to Japan. For North American fliers, going over the Great Lakes or to Alaska, for example, can be done much more easily on board private jets than land-based transport.

Jet Buyers

Anyone who buys a private jet can not only use it for their own professional or leisurely travel, but also offer flight charters to interested parties during times of the year when the owner will not need it for themselves. The owner of such a private jet, however, should bear in mind that the profits of chartering their jet are unlikely to result in substantial profits overall, and instead, offering their jet for chartered flights is more likely to help cover costs of maintenance, buying off the jet’s loan, or paying the pilot, so chartering a jet is best used for expense covering rather than a serious profit.

Buying a new jet is the more expensive route to take, and may be out of reach for some buyers, but there are some advantages to buying a new jet. For one thing, the jet’s warranty will be in place in case there is a problem. A new jet will be up to all modern standards of comfort, safety, and performance, and will have the most up to date communications system for regular communication and for emergencies alike. A new jet will also have the most powerful and fuel efficient engines possible, and a new jet may have amenities on board that older ones won’t.

Buying a used jet can save the buyer a lot of money, but buying such a jet will involve taking some extra steps to make sure that these private jets are worth the investment. Aside from probably not having a warranty in place, these older jets may have maintenance issues, big or small, that the buyer should look over in person. The paint may be worn out or damaged, or the engines may need some tuning or the interior will need work such as new carpets or upholstery. An older jet will have lower standards of fuel efficiency and power compared to new jets, though the exact specs will vary from one jet to another. A buyer should also find out where the jet was stored recently; being stored in a humid, damp environment may result in mildew and mold, or even rust or other issues. A jet stored in a drier environment may not have these issues.