You don’t have to be a celebrity or politician in order to charter a private jet. The demand for private flights are higher than ever before and it’s slowly becoming more accessible for those who don’t own a fortune 500 company. There are many opportunities to comparably save money while you charter a private jet as long as you know where and how to book a private flight.
If you are interested in taking a private charter for your next vacation or have been tagged by the company to take one for your upcoming business trip, there are a few things that would be helpful for you to know before you get to the airport.
Timing is Everything
If you are looking at private flights for personal use, it is important to time buying your ticket so that you can get the best deal. When looking at charter pricing, you will often get the best deal by booking last minute–which is typically one to two weeks in advance. Once you find a price that is comfortable for you, be sure to book your place without negotiating prices with your pilot, because there are other people out there who would be willing to pay what the pilot is asking for.
Know What You Can Afford
Although you don’t have to be a millionaire to charter a private jet, there are some fees that private flights will have that commercial flights will not. You will be paying for your flight, and depending on your travel plans, daily minimums, taxiing fees, overnight fees and staff fees. For many, this additional price is worth being able to bypass TSA, crowded commercial flights and knowing that there likely won’t be any flight delays. Ask for a charter quote up front, and then decide if it is within your means.
Ask Questions
Whether it’s your first or 12th chartered flight, it is important to ask all of the safety questions you have. A few good questions to ask is if there are going to be one or two pilots (this will depend on the type of the private aircraft). You can ask for the pilot’s history and how many hours they have flown in an aircraft like the one you’ll be flying on.
It’s also wise to ask how much weight you will be allowed to carry in your bags. With private flights, weight is even more important to measure and it will be good for you to have that number in mind when packing the night before your trip. If your luggage doesn’t fit, there are a few companies that will ship your luggage for a small fee and it will arrive on the same day as your flight lands.
Whether it’s for business or pleasure, knowing these simple tips will ensure that you have the best private jet experience possible.
