There are a few misconception out there about how private flights are booked. One common one is that booking the whole jet is the only way to rent a private jet. This isn’t necessarily true, though.
There are several ways to charter a private jet flight, and getting the whole aircraft is undoubtedly one of them. But you don’t need to book an entire jet every time.
On-Demand Charters
If you don’t plan to travel regularly with a regular schedule, a charter broker, jet card, or fractional ownership probably isn’t for you. There are no service contracts or memberships needed when booking one-off flights.
On-demand private jet services are your ticket to unrestricted travel. You can book short-notice trips with no long-term obligation, and still get the same high level of service and planes as any other passengers.
By the Seat
A great way to save a little on the cost of an on-demand flight is to catch a ride on an open seat in somebody else’s charter. We list the seats available when a chartered flight is booked, and the seats aren’t filled, so you can come out on top if it happens to be headed where you need to go. Bonus points for a great networking opportunity!
Empty Leg Flights
Let’s be honest: we don’t like to fly empty legs on our jets for apparent reasons.
You can benefit from these empty legs by booking a single-leg trip that would otherwise be wasted space and fuel
Jet Cards & Memberships
The beauty of private aviation is the options it affords you. Instead of the monotony of commercial airlines’ A-to-B and B-to-C legs, you get A-to-anywhere.
If your plans and travel budget entail extended and routine travel, the on-demand option isn’t your best fit. You need a program that affords enough flight hours for your anticipated travels. A membership or card program locks you in for a predetermined number of hours you set up.
Unlike fractional ownership or outright ownership, jet card programs require no large capital expenses upfront. Also, unlike ownership, where you are locked into one specific aircraft, a membership card allows flexibility in aircraft type and size.
Fractional Ownership
For travelers who intend to fly a lot, fractional ownership or even outright ownership are the best options. Be forewarned, though: you will need to fly many flight hours annually before you see the benefits of ownership, especially sole ownership.