
The world of commercial flying is a modern-day nightmare of security ques, lost baggage, cramped leg space, and unwanted delays.
Which is why more and more individuals are choosing to step away from the complicated and frankly dissatisfying process of flying on commercial airlines and instead are choosing to fly with private jet services.
The growing number of private jets, as well as its opening availability, has made it a more attractive option for those that want to travel without the complications associated with commercial airline travel.
So, to help you understand everything you need to know about traveling on a private jet we have put together this article that explains flying private from start to finish!
What is a private jet?
A private jet is any charter jet aircraft that is used to transport a small group of people from one destination to another. They are also commonly referred to as business jets, corporate jets, or a bizjet.
While almost exclusively used for transporting private, corporate, or governmental individuals from one place to another, private jets have also been used for the express delivery of important parcels like organs or dispatches and also the evacuation of individuals from disaster zones.
The history of private jets.
The first small jet-powered aircraft was the Heinkel He 178 and it had its first flight all the way back in 1939, so beginning the start of the age of private jet charter flights.
Since then, the industry has boomed and a fascinating timeline of private jet businesses and ownership emerged.
- 1939-The Heinkel He 178 turbo-powered jet aircraft makes its first flight and becomes the world’s first jet aircraft.
- 1963– The Learjet becomes the first purpose-built private luxury aircraft after a flight out of Wichita, Kansas.
- 1966-The Grumman Gulfstream II takes flight and becomes a leading provider in corporate jets for nearly 20 years.
- 1977-The European business aviation association (EBAA) begins and encourages a professional standards environment for private jet ownership and charter companies.
- 1980-Paris Le Bourget airport becomes a dedicated airport for private jets and is still one of the largest and busiest private jet airports to this day, with over 50 000 flights a year.
- 1996-The Cessna Citation XL takes its first flight and is to this day one of the world’s most bought private jet planes.
- 2008-The Gulfstream G650 takes its first flight and becomes the world’s longest-range private jet with a maximum distance of 7500 nautical miles.
- 2016-The 747-8i Boeing Business Jet is released and becomes and is still to this day the world’s largest private jet in use.
- 2019-The Gulfstream G700 is unveiled and becomes the fastest private jet in the world with a max speed of 760 miles per hour.
The boom of private aviation has meant that there is now a greater range of private jet types available than ever before as well as the infrastructure to support them. With the boom of private aviation still firmly in motion many individuals are finding a personalized way to fly faster and better than ever before by using private jets.
Private jet classifications and examples
With so many different types of private jets available it is harder for people to know which is the right type for them to use when flying.
So, to help make this clear we have put together a list of the different business jet type models, their capacity, some advantages as well as the most common models used.
- Ultra-Light Private Jets-The smallest private jet model available this business jet can carry between 4 to 6 people and are the most cost-effective private jet types to operate. The most common model type of ultra-light private jets is the HondaJet HA-420 with a range of 1,223 nautical miles.
- Light Private Jets-One of the most popular business jet models, these private jet types can carry between 6 to 8 people and have access to smaller runways which means they can use the less popular airports and reduce travel time. The most common small light private jet model is the Cessna Citation CJ2 and it has a range of 1530 nautical miles.
- Super Light Private Jets-Super light private jets are more spacious and luxurious models of light private jets and can carry between 6 and 10 individuals as well as a larger amount of baggage. A popular super light private jet model is the Embraer Phenom 300 with a range of 1,692 nautical miles, as well as the Gulfstream G100 with a staggering range of 2,550 nautical miles.
- Mid-size Private Jets-These private jets are the perfect choice for travelers who require longer flight distances and greater space, with a passenger allowance of between 8 to 12 individuals. A popular model for this type of aircraft is the Gulfstream G150 with a range of 3000 nautical miles.
- Super Mid-size Private Jets-Similar to smaller mid-size classifications in terms of passenger seating with space for 8 to 12 people, super private jets provide a more spacious journey with standing room and an enclosed serving gallery. One of the most popular models of Super Mid-size private jets is the Gulfstream G200 which has a range of 3200 nautical miles.
- Large Private Jets-A premium in the world of business jets, these private jets easily accommodate two flight attendants to carry in-flight catering while still having space for entertainment facilities, enclosed bathrooms as well as dedicated sleeping areas. They are perfect for larger groups and can carry between 14 to 16 passengers and one of the most popular large private jet models is the Gulfstream 350 with a range of more than 3500 nautical miles.
- Ultra-Long Range Private Jets- Renowned as one of the best and most comfortable private jet classes in the world these business aircraft are perfect for long-haul travelers that regularly fly across the oceans. They can accommodate on average 16 to 19 passengers and one of the most popular models is the Gulfstream V which has an unbelievable range of 6250 nautical miles.
- Ultra Large Bizliner Private Jets-The best of the best in the world of private jets, these are commercial aircraft that have been specially designed or modified for private or business use and are the planes used by heads of state and the world’s elite. The 747-8i Boeing Business Jet is a great example and has an immense range of 8,875 nautical miles, that’s more than the distance from New York to Johannesburg, South Africa!
The huge variation in private jet types and models means there is a business jet out there to suit every individual need or business trip and you can be confident that you will enjoy quite possibly the best flight of your life when flying on any one of these deluxe private jet types.
Understanding the private jet industry
The private jet industry is one of the largest aviation markets across the world and has grown rapidly year on year ever since that first flight all the way back in 1963.
The private jet industry is divided into two markets, the European and American markets, so to help you understand how important private jets have become within the aviation industry we have listed some comparatives between the two markets.
American Private Jet Industry.
- Economy size – $16.7 trillion gross domestic profit
- Total flights per year – 2.5 million flights
- Global Market share – 73%
- Fleet size- Over 21 800 business aircraft
- Number of Private Jet airports – 4,211 private jet airports
- Largest Private Jet airport – Teterboro Airport in New York City
- The busiest month for private jet flights – October
- The busiest weekend for private jet flights – Superbowl Weekend
- Most popular route – LA to Las Vegas
- Most popular aircraft – Cessna Citation XL
European Private Jet Industry
- Economy size – $15.8 trillion gross domestic profit
- Total flights per year – 705 000
- Global Market share – 20%
- Fleet size- Over 1500 business aircraft
- Number of Private Jet airports – Over 3000 private jet airports
- Largest Private Jet airport – Paris Le Bourget
- The busiest month for private jet flights – July
- The busiest weekend for private jet flights – The Grand Prix
- Most popular route – Milan to Rome
- Most popular aircraft – Cessna Citation XL
The United States is a world leader in the business jet aviation industry and its growing market means that more and more people are choosing to use private charter flights every year.
Reason’s people choose to fly by private jet charter
There are two main reasons why a person or group chooses to fly on a private jet and they are either for a business flight or personal leisure.
Private jet flights provide a host of advantages for both types of flights and we have listed all the reasons why below:
Business Jet Flights
- Allow senior management to stick to strict schedules and keep a company’s meetings on track and so save the business and themselves valuable time.
- Allow company site coordinators to visit multiple sites across the country in a single day and improves overall company productivity.
- Allows space for employees to complete work while on the move by providing a corporate board room in the sky.
- Eliminates the need for employees to waste hours moving through airport processing by providing speedy take-off in just 15 minutes.
Personal Private Jet Flights
- Provides a fantastic start to any personal journey by allowing you a speedy path through security and the fastest airport check-in times throughout the entire world.
- Gives you a fantastic range of location choice with thousands of unique airports available that are also away from the hustle and bustle of central city international airports.
- Faster aircrafts means faster flights and so by flying on a private jet, you can reach your destination faster, saving precious time to enjoy the rest of your holiday.
- You have the flexibility to leave when you want to and with a private jet, you can delay or reorganize your flight at your pleasure, meaning if you want to stay longer you can.
Private jets provide the ultimate way to travel by letting you fly with flexibility, speed, and confidence in service and are hands down one of the fastest and most convenient ways to travel.
A first-time flyer’s guide to private jets
So, you have understood the history, the industry, and all the benefits of flying on a private jet and you want to book your first private jet charter flight and the question on your mind is what now?
To help you understand we have put together a handy first-time flyers guide for private jets which will walk you through the whole process from start to finish.
- Select the right private jet classification for you and your group basing your needs on how far you will have to travel, the size of your group as well as the level of luxury you want to enjoy.
- Find out your luggage allowances and pack appropriately to ensure you don’t go over the weighting capacity as the weight allowances on your private jet will vary.
- Once you arrive at the airport you will need to find the fixed-base operator location which is an area-based within the airport dedicated solely to private aviation and this location helps you avoid the queues and chaos found at the main airport. The area will be highlighted in your flight itinerary.
- Make sure to bring your ID or passport as you will be required to present it to board the aircraft.
- Listen to the pre-flight safety briefing that is provided by the private jet cabin crew, buckle up for take-off, and once you are in the air settle back and enjoy the luxurious seating and cabin service.
- When you land you will be allowed to exit the aircraft and will find a private vehicle waiting for you right on the tarmac which will then take you on to your final destination.
- HINT: Make use of a high-quality private jet charter cost estimator to be sure you’re not overpaying for the aircraft
To finish
Whether you are flying for business or pleasure you know that by flying with a private jet, you will be able to enjoy a service that has been growing exponentially for nearly 60 years and provides the highest level of professionalism, luxury, and efficiency throughout the entire aviation industry.
By flying private not only can you escape the chaos and stress-inducing nature of the traditional airport check-in system, most importantly you save your own precious time by flying further and faster than ever before. Flying with a private jet allows you to spend that time saved on the things and people that matter without any of the stress found when flying on a commercial airline.