When it comes to flying with a private jet charter service, it’s natural to have some questions. While there are several prominent private jet companies out there, figuring out which one is the right can be a time-consuming process.

Luckily, would-be customers can break each of these prominent companies down to compare and contrast the benefits and drawbacks of each carrier, and find the modern jet charter service that’s right for their upcoming flight or event.

While flying private is an exciting experience, it’s important to remember that choosing the right company involves understanding how the different operators work, what their business models look like, the differences between their membership plans, and what benefits they offer clients.

When customers have all this information, they’re better equipped to make a smart flying decision and ensure they’re getting the benefits they need and want from a private jet charter service.

Here’s what potential customers need to know about some of the primary jet charter companies in the industry today, and how to choose the best charter for an upcoming trip or event.

Private Jet Charter Options Made Simple: JetSmarter® vs. NetJets® vs. JetSuite®

Three of the main private jet charter companies on the web right now are JetSmarter, NetJets, and JetSuite. We considered the differences between the three. Here’s a good breakdown of the benefits and drawbacks of each, and a discussion of how you can conclude that Jettly might be the smartest choice of them all.

JetSmarter

JetSmarter is a private jet charter service that “puts flying in the palm of your hand.” Founded in 2012 by Sergey Petrossov, JetSmarter earned its founder a spot on the Forbes “30 Under 30” list. Currently based in Fort Lauderdale, FL, JetSmarter offers access to more than 3,000 aircraft available for booking.

While JetSmarter launched in 2012, the JetSmarter app wasn’t released until 2013, when it was made available on both iPhone and Android systems. JetSmarter’s initial investors included the Saudi Royal Family, Jay-Z, Goldman Sachs Capital, and American investor Wayne Chang.

Although the company has many positive online reviews, it has become involved in a controversy over stories that leaked alleging that JetSmarter offered free rides to members of the press, but only if they submitted their credit card numbers and wrote positive media articles about the company, agreeing to publish them within five days of the ride. If the piece didn’t appear, the reporters were allegedly billed $2,000.

Offering an app that allows users to make reservations, initiate payments, and connect with other users, JetSmarter offers a convenient way for customers to control their charter experience and access the features and functions they need for the best possible service.

Like most other private jet charter services online, JetSmarter allows members to access empty seats and established fixed routes from major city to major city. Members can also create on-demand shared flights.

Flight options with JetSmarter include the following:

• Private Charter. Private Charter flights allow users to create a fully customized private charter flight simply and quickly. Using the app, users can book the flight, even a custom itinerary, in a few minutes and choose the aircraft that best suits them. What’s more, the option offers a price and flight guarantee at the time of booking.
• Shared Charter. Shared Charter flights are for customers who don’t need an entire plane to themselves, and would be happy to share their flight with other members. Perks of this program include a fully customized but shared charter flight, complete in-app aircraft results, and simple booking options, which JetSmarter automatically extends to other members. Once other members book the empty seats, customers save money. This option also offers Instant Booking, which means the flight and its price are locked in as soon as a customer books a flight, regardless of whether the empty seats ultimately sell.
• JetShuttle is the service designed to allow users to book seats on pre-existing flights to and from major cities. Users can purchase “companion” seats for friends and family, or create a customized shuttle (Shared Charter) on one of JetSmarter’s posted routes. The user chooses the time and date of the flight and JetSmarter reaches out to its community to sell empty seats.
• JetDeals is a unique service that offers members the chance to book spontaneous seats on flights around the world. All users need to do is input their favorite locations into JetSmarter’s app, and then check notifications when JetDeals pop up for targeted cities. This service offers more than 250,000 annual seats and numerous exotic flights.

JetSmarter Safety

JetSmarter has strict safety and security standards. The company ensures extensive liability insurance on each aircraft, lots of pilot flight hours, luggage screening on shared flights, and 24/7/365 support.

These standards put the company on-par with private jet charter leaders, and allow members to fly without worrying about the safety or security of their upcoming flights.

Additional Features

JetSmarter offers many additional benefits. These include VIP events, such as gallery openings, meet-and-greets, and celebrity parties, Heli transfers, which are ideal for members who want to bypass traffic and arrive at their destination in style, and 24/7 concierge service, which is ideal for booking reservations at the world’s hottest restaurants, spas, and resorts.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Like all companies, JetSmarter has its benefits and drawbacks. Here’s what we see as a breakdown of each:

Benefits:

• Rapid service
• Reliable pricing
• Flexible flight options
• Ample customer support

Drawbacks:

• Many flights are crowded, and customers have complained of not being able to move freely during their air time
• Minimal client screening
• Customer service leaves something to be desired
• Expensive membership fees

While JetSmarter looks shiny and exciting on the surface, services like Jettly offer great customer service, affordable prices, and an enhanced feeling of luxury.

NetJets

NetJets is a private jet charter service that advertises itself as catering to “family, business, and life.” Established in 1964, NetJets is one of the oldest private jet companies out there. In 1964, it was known as Executive Jet Aviation, and claimed the title as the first business jet charter company in the world. By 1987, it had become the first fractional aircraft ownership company in the globe.  Warren Buffet came onto the scene in 1995 and, under him, NetJets expanded its reach to Russia and Europe. By 2006, it was the largest supplier of European business jets, and the continent’s ninth largest carrier overall.

Today, NetJets sells fractions of its aircraft to owners who then get to use them for a guaranteed period of access, which is generally between 50 and 400 annual hours. In the past, the company has come under fire for being involved in tax disputes. Today, it has the largest private jet fleet on the globe, with upwards of 700 aircraft around the world.

The company uses its website to boast about its exceptional pilots, global reach and comprehensive ferry waiver program, large, advanced fleet (of over 700 private aircraft), high safety standards, ample experience, and outstanding customer service.

Like JetSmarter, NetJets offers a series of different programs designed to suit a wide assortment of members. The company offers three different flight programs. These are as follows:

• NetJets Share. NetJets Share is designed for people who intend to use the service for fifty or more hours per year. Members who hold this plan own an asset and have access to 13 types of aircraft, including large, midsize, and light varieties. Flight options require as little as 4-6 hours’ notice and the plan offers ten peak period days.
• NetJets Lease. The NetJets Lease is like the Share plan, except that there is no acquisition fee. The minimum commitment is 24-60 months, and members have access to 13 types of aircraft.
• The Marquis plan is the least intense of all the NetJets plans. It is designed for people who intend to use the service for 25-50 hours annually, and offers pay-as-you-go convenience. Members have access to ten types of aircraft and are required to provide as little as ten hours’ notice time for flights.

NetJets Safety

NetJets takes the safety of its clients seriously. The company has rigorous safety and maintenance standards, and requires that all its pilots have ample training. They are currently certified at Level IV of the FAA’s Safety Management System Pilot Program.

Here are a few of the benefits of their safety program:

• Strict Maintenance. The maintenance on each plane in the fleet is performed by original equipment manufacturers and authorized support facilities. The company employs more than 400 maintenance technicians and staffs a fully operational and FAA-certified repair station in Columbus, Ohio.
• Strict Operational Guidelines. Pilots who fly for NetJets adhere to strict operational procedures that dictate flight take-off, safety standards, and peace of mind. This helps clients fly at ease, knowing their best interests are being seen to by the team.
• High Liability Protection. Each NetJets plan maintains a minimum of $300,000,000 of liability insurance. This is indicative of the company’s culture of safety, and helps puts clients’ minds at ease.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Owned by Warren Buffett, NetJets got itself into some hot water in 2015 when pilots went on strike, using the slogan, “Management greed is destroying NetJets.” Their complaints rose from the fact that NetJets, Inc. was hosting a lavish party for its wealthiest customers, where poker games offered prize money near one million dollars. NetJets has been around since the early 2000s, which is longer than many private jet charter companies. Like everything else out there, though, there are benefits and drawback to using the service. Here are a few of each:

Benefits:

• Flexible membership options
• A large selection of aircraft to choose from
• Highly trained pilots and staff

Drawbacks:

• Price prohibitive for many people
• Membership plans are principally suited for frequent flyers
• Pilots can create reliability issues if they organize

At the end of the day, NetJets has many benefits. Clients who want reliability, affordability, and accessibility, though, are better off using a private jet charter marketplace like Jettly.

JetSuite

Last but not least is JetSuite. JetSuite is a private jet charter service that is affiliated with jetBlue. Founded in 2006 by Alex Wilcox, Brian Coulter, and Keith Rabin. The company is based in Irvine, CA, and came about when Magnum Jet’s owners decided to rebrand their company.  In its early days, JetSuite gained notoriety for offering a four-passenger Embraer Phenom 100 as its most-used aircraft.

Today, JetSuite promotes its deals through social media platforms like Facebook and offers a wish list functionality that allows members to access notifications about current and upcoming SuiteDeals.

Just recently, the company added a branch known as JetSuiteX. This branch offers scheduled flights under DOT 14 CFR Part 380. These on-demand charter flights serve various airports throughout California, Nevada, and Montana. This partnership was undertaken with jetBlue.

Dedicated to providing exhilarating private jet travel at an affordable price, JetSuite offers attention to detail, dozens of different membership and aircraft options, online quotes, and outstanding customer service.

If someone becomes a member of JetSuite, they’ll get a few things most other private jet charter companies don’t offer. These include low hourly rates, domestic service areas and plenty of competitive pricing, and a longer grace period (30 minutes past scheduled time of departure at no additional charge). Membership also affords flexible cancellation policies, higher-priority booking, peak day fee waiver, and access to something called the JetSuite Insider Program, which allows a member’s family and friends to get a deal on their first trip with the company.

While other companies offer only a few membership plans, JetSuite offers four – ranging from the 50K to the 400K level. Each membership level offers special pricing on in-demand aircraft, and no hangar or de-ice fees. What’s more, funds never expire and members are never billed for more than their planned flight time, even when the actual flight runs longer than anticipated.

JetSuite Safety

Like other private jet charter services, JetSuite takes its safety seriously. The company uses in-flight, real-time weather mapping and innovative safe taxi technology, which allows pilots to be as aware as possible about the circumstances surrounding their flights. What’s more, JetSuite uses a young aircraft fleet and ensures all machines receive top maintenance from companies like Cessna and Williams International. Pilots with the company average upwards of 8,000 hours of flight time and are top-rated, complete with Airline Transport Pilot Certificates.

JetSuite also has a PLATINUM rating from the independent safety company, ARG/US.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Like all companies, JetSuite offers its share of benefits and drawbacks. These include the following:

Benefits

• Top-tier safety standards
• Newer, well-maintained aircraft
• Multiple routes from popular airports
• More membership options than many private jet charter companies

Drawbacks

• Expensive flights
• Limited benefits for non-members
• Somewhat limited flight routes

Again, JetSuite offers a series of exciting features, but it falls short in the areas of functionality and user-friendliness. While it’s a good option for very wealthy passengers, it makes leg-sharing and last-minute charter difficult. Customers who want these benefits are better off opting for Jettly.

Choosing a Private Jet Charter Service

Today, private jet charter has become a popular service. In addition to providing a more glamorous alternative to commercial flights, private jet charter also offers more flexibility and functionality and makes getting to and from a destination simpler and more exciting than ever before.

Unfortunately, the concentration of private jet charter companies that have popped up has made it tough to distinguish between truly reputable companies and those that leave something to be desired. While the three companies on this list, JetSmarter, NetJets, and JetSuite, all offer a unique set of benefits, none of them offer the competitive features of  Jettly. Designed to cater to people who want to fly private, but aren’t billionaires or VIPs, Jettly is the private jet charter service for the everyman.

Designed to be convenient, functional, and approachable, Jettly stands out as the innovative leader in modern jet charter, and is devoid of many of the frustrations and issues of other jet charter companies. To learn more about how Jettly can help you, or to book a flight today, just visit the site. www.Jettly.com.

Thanks to benefits like the Jettly app, and flexible aircraft options ranging from helicopters to executive jets, Jettly stands out as the most flexible and customizable private jet charter service in the modern marketplace. As if that weren’t enough, Jettly operators offer an outstanding safety record and an ongoing focus on transparency, hospitality, responsibility, and security. Dedicated to flexibility and customization, Jettly is private jet travel as you would have it.

The go-to private jet service for clients and pilots alike, Jettly stands out as the potential ruler of the modern marketplace and the best way to charter a private jet for an upcoming trip. To learn more about Jettly, request a quote today or view the Jettly membership options!

Disclaimer: Jettly is in no way affiliated with JetSmarter, NetJets, or JetSuite. JetSmarter, NetJets, and JetSuite are registered trademarks of those companies respectively.