Tips for Getting a Deal on a Private Jet
Wondering how to fly private for cheap? Well, we’ve got you covered.
It might seem like a glamorous, hard-to-attain luxury reserved only for the richest people in the world. But in reality, there are several options available for those who want to indulge in a little comfort and convenience.
Below, we’ve gathered all the tips and tricks on how to get a deal on a private jet.
Different Types of Private Flight
Before we jump into the savings tips, it’s best to first familiarize yourself with the different types of private jets and flight options.
Charter Flights
These private flights involve renting out the entire aircraft for a trip. Charter flights allow you to customize your flight date, time, and destination.
Check out platforms like VistaJet and NetJets to find options that suit you best. Typically, average hourly rates for charter flights range from $3,000 to $12,000 depending on the type of aircraft.
Both companies also offer membership programs. With VistaJet you can take advantage of a pay-as-you-go model where you won’t have any ownership rights. However, with NetJets, you’ll get some ownership stake and access to a private jet card program.
Shared Charter Flights
These types of flights allow you to book a seat on a plane that’s also carrying other passengers. Of course, the costs of sharing charter flights are much lower than booking an entire private jet, ranging between $199 and $500 a seat.
Companies like JetSuiteX and Blade are known for offering the luxury of flying private without a hefty price tag. Average costs of sharing chartered flights vary on the number of people flying and the type of aircraft.
Fractional Ownership
This private experience involves you purchasing the share of a jet. Once you own a share, you’ll get access to the private jet for a select number of hours each year. If full ownership sounds like too big of a responsibility, then try and look up companies like Flex Jet and PlaneSense for fractional options.
With fractional ownership, you should expect to put down an initial investment. Average costs for initial investments range from $100,000 to $1 million. Plus, you’re most likely going to be responsible for some of the maintenance costs.
Jet Cards
With jet cards, you’re given a select amount of hours to use a private jet. Based on the type of aircraft and the amount of hours, you’ll find that the cost for these cards varies greatly. However, they tend to be more expensive than fractional ownership when compared by the hour.
The reason for this is that jet card providers cover maintenance costs and staff salaries themselves instead of share owners. On average, companies like Sentient Jet and Air Partner sell jet cards ranging from $150,000 to $350,000 for 25 hours of flight.
Benefits of Flying Private
Flying private isn’t just about luxury; it’s about maximizing your time and comfort in ways that commercial airlines simply cannot match.
Let’s take a look at the key advantages of private jet travel:
1. Time-Savings
When you fly private, you typically save two to four hours per trip. This is because flying private means bypassing security lines and other security processes, as well as flying directly to smaller and closer airports. With a private jet, you can arrive at the airport 15 to 30 minutes before your scheduled boarding time.
2. Comfort and Privacy
On a private jet, you have the entire aircraft to yourself or your guests. If you’re traveling for leisure, you can sit back and relax, enjoying conversations without the worry of noise complaints. If the reason for your travel is business, you can request privacy from the crew for an uninterrupted and productive work session.
Additionally, the luxury interiors and customized seating arrangements allow for a more laid-back and comfortable flight.
3. Flexible Routes
In terms of flexible scheduling and routing, a private flight is most convenient. You select a take-off time that works for you, a destination you’d like to fly to, and even change plans on short notice without having to rebook anything.
4. Access to Remote Destinations
A private jet can access smaller airports in more remote destinations. Most commercial airlines fly to larger airports. If you wanted to go to a less-visited, remote destination, you’d likely have to book additional travel with a commercial airline.
Flying private, however, can allow you to reach destinations that would otherwise be difficult or time-consuming to access.
5. Personalized Service
Of course, the level of personalized service on a private jet is unmatched. You can request customized catering and in-flight entertainment tailored to your taste. Essentially, most aspects of a private flight can be customized to meet your preferences.
How to Fly Private for Cheap
Ever dreamt of flying on a private jet without emptying your bank account? It might sound too good to be true, but there are actually several smart and savvy ways to make this a reality. If you’re wondering how to fly private for cheap, here are some insider tips and tricks:
Empty-Leg Flights
Empty-leg flights, or deadhead flights, happen when a private jet needs to return to its base or reposition for its next flight. These flights are often offered at a discount, sometimes up to 75% off the regular charter price.
- How to Find: Sign up for alerts from private jet companies like Victor, Stratajet, and Jettly, which frequently offer empty-leg deals.
Flight Sharing Platforms
When figuring out how to fly private for cheap, make sure to keep an eye on flight sharing platforms. Services like Blade and JSX specialize in flight sharing, and they could provide access to the private flying experience at a fraction of the cost.
Private Jet Pools
Similar to Uber Pool, jet pools involve a group of jet travelers splitting the cost of the private jet amongst themselves for money-saving purposes. This is a relatively new concept, inspired in part by wanting to make the private jet experience accessible, as well as help offset carbon emissions.
- How to Find: Companies like PlaneSense and Airshare offer programs where members share the costs and usage of private jets
Private Jet Auction
One option that rarely comes up when you search “how to fly private for cheap” is bidding on it at an auction. By bidding on a private flight, you can potentially get a lower rate compared to a regular charter. To participate:
- Register on an auction platform
- Create an account and provide basic information about yourself
- View flights that are up for auction
- Pay special attention to promotional offers and reduced rates
- Place your minimum bid on your desired flight
If your bid is the highest when the auction closes, you win the flight at your bid price.
Flying private for cheap is definitely possible with a bit of savvy planning and knowledge of the best options available. By exploring all of the tools at your disposal, you can ensure a comfortable, flexible, and personalized travel experience at a fraction of the usual cost.
