Did you know that according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, only 81.63% of flights were on time last year? That means that a whopping 18.37% were canceled or delayed, leaving people scrambling to get to where they needed to be.
Luckily, commercial travel is not your only option when you need to take to the skies. Although many people think that private aircraft charter is a luxury they can’t afford, there are many benefits that outweigh the cost.
Here are 10 reasons why chartering a jet makes more sense than flying on a commercial plane.
1. You Choose Where to Fly
One of the biggest advantages of flying on a private aircraft is the flexibility you will have when planning your trip. Although there will be some parameters to follow, you will work with the charter company to perfect your itinerary.
Commercial planes are limited on where they can go based largely on how big the plane is and the popularity of the destinations they are flying to. Because private jets are typically smaller in size, they can land at smaller airports that can’t accommodate the larger planes. This gives you more destination options than a typical commercial flight.
When you choose to fly on a private plane, your choice of destination is only limited by the location of the airports.
2. You Make Your Own Schedule
Rushing to get to the airport two hours before your flight will be a thing of the past when you choose to travel by private aircraft! When you hire an airplane, you are in control of deciding when the best time to depart is for you and your travel companions.
Having the ability to choose your travel schedule is particularly helpful if you are bringing small children along for the ride. When you can work around your children’s nap schedule and bedtimes, you will avoid meltdowns and tricky travel situations.
You won’t have to experience frustrating travel delays when you hire a private jet. Waiting for late-connecting passengers to arrive or mechanical delays aren’t things you will have to deal with when you charter your own flight.
3. Increased Safety Measures
Both commercial and private air travel are very safe methods of getting around, but there are a few safety advantages to flying privately.
Although private jets may seem more susceptible to bad weather because of their smaller size, they regularly fly at 40,000 miles above the ground, thousands of feet higher than their commercial counterparts. This means that these smaller jets can fly above bad weather, keeping the flight nice and smooth.
Many chartered jets go above and beyond when it comes to checking the safety of their planes. If you are looking for a chartered flight from the New York area, Republic Jet Center‘s operations are guaranteed to go beyond what is required for FAA safety and performance standards, ensuring that you will travel with the utmost sense of security.
In today’s world, hygiene is more important than ever. When you have a private aircraft charter, you can avoid the crowds and come into contact with as few people as possible. By limiting the people you are near during travel, you have less chance of contracting a serious illness.
Flying can make some passengers more than a little nervous. If taking to the sky in a large commercial plane is something that makes you break out in a sweat, hiring a private jet may help ease those nerves.
4. You Can Avoid Layovers
Nobody likes to spend hours waiting in an airport terminal to catch their connecting flight. Whether you are traveling for business or leisure, you want to get from point A to point B as quickly as you can. Layovers are another flying headache that will disappear if you choose to hire an airplane for your travel.
If you’re flying on a smaller private aircraft, the pilot may need to make a stop to refuel if your destination is a long distance. If you are flying on a newer or slightly bigger private jet, it should be able to handle the longer route without needing to stop.
When you create your itinerary, you will only travel to the places that you need to go. This means that you can get to where you need to be faster than flying a commercial flight, saving you valuable time along the way.
5. Choose Your Travel Companions
People need to travel for all sorts of different reasons, but no matter why you are flying, it is never fun to be stuck next to a stranger for a lengthy flight. This can be avoided when you hire a private aircraft charter.
If you are traveling for business, you can bring along your partners and turn your flight into a business meeting. Most private planes also come with internet access so that you won’t miss a beat if you need to get your work done while in the air. Private planes usually have tables on board so you could conduct a meeting while high in the sky.
Are you traveling for pleasure? You can bring along your friends and family and get your vacation started early! Sit back and enjoy a glass of champagne while you get to your vacation spot in style.
Choosing exactly who you are going to be flying with is especially helpful when traveling with the smallest of passengers. You won’t be stressed about disrupting other passengers with restless kids. Young travelers will also be more at ease with the flying experience as they will have just the people they are used to surrounding them on the flight.
Nothing is more uncomfortable than having to listen to unruly passengers while stuck on a flight. When you choose to charter your flight, those frustrating people will be ancient history.
6. Bypass Airport Stress
When you fly commercial, there are many steps you will have to take before you set foot on the plane. From the check-in process to the baggage claim, to waiting in long security lines, there is nothing quick about getting through an airport.
When you choose to fly on a smaller private airplane, you have much more freedom with where to fly. This is because many of these planes fly through a Fixed-Based Operator or FBO. Because these terminals are usually away from the hustle and bustle of the main airports, you will have a much more easy and private boarding experience.
We all know that kids are not the most patient of people, and there’s rarely anything quick about going through an airport. Flying on a private plane will let you skip the lines that are usually unavoidable during travel.
7. Enjoy Delicious Catering
Anyone who has flown knows that airplane food is not one of the top culinary dishes that you’ll get to taste, but that can change if you fly on a private jet.
Instead of the one or two options typically offered on commercial flights, many private jets allow you to choose the cuisine that you want to eat during your flight. In addition to catered custom meals, most chartered flights will also have an array of in-flight snacks for you to choose from as well.
It’s not just food on the plane that will be an upgrade. By flying on a private plane, you won’t have a need to kill time at the airport with only a handful of food choices, as you’ll be able to arrive at your plane without much waiting time.
If you are using our New York FBO and want to get a meal when you arrive, our concierge service can make you a reservation at a local restaurant so you can satisfy those hunger pangs.
8. There Are No Baggage Fees
One of the biggest hassles of flying commercially is the restrictions that are placed on the amount of baggage you can bring. You must pack your items carefully to ensure that your luggage meets the airline’s size and weight requirements.
Flying on a private airplane greatly reduces the constraints that you will have when preparing for your flight. Although some smaller private planes will have a size and weight limit, you have much more freedom with the items that you can bring.
This is especially helpful when you are traveling with small children, as you can bring the items they require for a safe and happy trip with much more ease.
There are more perks than just looser baggage rules when flying on a chartered flight. When you use a private aircraft charter, you don’t have to spend time any time checking your bags before your flight or waiting for them once you land. You also won’t have to worry about annoying liquid rules that most passengers need to abide by.
9. Pet-Friendly Flying
If you need to bring your furry friend on a flight, there may be a complicated set of hoops to go through to get them to fly with you. All pets require an additional fee for travel and paperwork showing that they are up to date on their vaccines.
Although smaller pets are usually allowed in the cabin on commercial flights, they need to stay in their carriers for the duration of the flight. Larger animals have to stay in the cargo compartment of the aircraft, which may cause unnecessary stress on them during the flight.
Needless to say, flying with animals can be a nerve-wracking event for both you and them, but it doesn’t have to be that way!
When you choose to hire an airplane for your travel, your pets will get to sit close to you the entire flight. They won’t be stuck in the constraints of their carriers and can move about the plane to stretch their legs. Both you and your furry companion will have a more relaxed flight when you fly on a chartered plane.
10. Travel in Comfort
When you choose to fly on a chartered plane, the comfort you’ll experience will be unmatched. From the moment you arrive, you will be taken care of so that everything from your boarding process to your departure goes without a hitch.
Many times, when you fly in a chartered plane, you will have access to a private terminal or lounge to relax in before you board your flight. These exclusive areas will allow you to prepare for your flight in a quiet and stress-free manner. Many private airlines will personally chauffeur you to the tarmac when your flight is ready for takeoff!
You won’t be stuck in a crowded aisle with no leg room when you fly on a private plane. Instead, you’ll get to sit in soft, high-quality seats with lots of room to stretch out. There are no assigned seats on a chartered flight so you can sit where you are most comfortable.
Flying by Private Aircraft Charter Is More Accessible Than You May Think!
Despite what you may think, flying by private aircraft charter is not just for celebrities. Although charter flights are more expensive than first-class, the benefits outweigh the additional costs.
If you are in the New York area, Republic Jet Center is here to help you fly with comfort and ease! You will never want to fly commercial again after you experience firsthand the excellent customer service you receive flying with us.
Contact us today to set up a reservation for your flight into or out of New York.