In the modern world, private jets are a staple of the rich and famous. They can take you anywhere in the world at any time for less than what it would cost to fly commercial.
Private aircraft have been around for most of human history. However, they’ve only recently become accessible to those who don’t have billions in their bank account.
In this article, we’ll explore how these powerful birds work and why they’re so popular!
So, keep reading whenever you’re ready to learn more about the flexibility and availability of private aircraft.
The History of Private Aircrafts
The history of private aircraft dates back to the early 1900s.
The media mogul Henry Ford famously owned his plane and used it to fly over 100,000 miles in just ten years! That said, few people could afford their planes until recently.
Aerospace companies like Boeing or Airbus were building commercial airliners at the time. People paid very little attention to small personal jets.
They mainly existed as playthings for wealthy tycoons with deep pockets who bought them. They did this because they wanted bragging rights or simply because it was an expensive toy that let them go places no one else could.
Of course, this all changed when capital markets began loosening up around 20 years ago. This allowed more investors into the market without having billions of dollars to spend.
We’re now entering the third age of private jets, where technology is making them more accessible than ever before!
People worldwide are starting to look at planes to reduce travel times. They also want to reduce costs for business trips, vacations, or just moving between cities.
The truth is that they have always been complex machines. However, technological advancements have made them much easier to manage over time.
Today you’ll find some companies do nothing but fly people privately across continents on their schedule. This is so they can get things done quickly without wasting hours in airports waiting for delayed flights!
There’s still room for improvement, though. This means we haven’t yet reached ‘peak jet’ capabilities when it comes to everything these aircraft can offer.
Of course, this all depends on your budget and how much you’re willing to spend. The best part is that there’s a private jet for everyone!
The Private Aircraft Industry
The private aircraft industry is massive. There are thousands of companies around the world that offer everything from maintenance to flight training.
Some of these schools even train people for commercial flying licenses to fly huge jumbo jets rather than small business or corporate-class propeller planes.
Once you have your license, there’s no limit on what you can do with it! You could start a charter service where people would pay you to take them anywhere in the world.
It costs money to maintain and fuel a plane, but once those expenses are covered, it becomes very cheap (almost free) per mile traveled compared to flying commercially.
Furthermore, the private aircraft industry is also readily available to those looking for chartered flights rather than owning their own.
Private aircraft rental is much easier to find now because it’s become a popular business expense for those who can afford it. People will often pay others to fly them to different locations where they need to work or participate in events and meetings that require traveling.
The chartering process is pretty easy; you call up your favorite company and book the flight!
They’ll give you an estimate based on the size of the plane (small, medium, large) as well as where and when you want it picked up/delivered – all with no hidden fees whatsoever.
Once everything has been arranged, your jet will be ready at one of many private airports around the world whenever you are!
On Private Chartering
Chartering a private aircraft is often the most convenient way to fly long distances. Private jets have significantly higher speed and range than commercial planes, so that you can travel anywhere in the world at any time!
On top of that, there are no baggage weight restrictions or “no-smoking” signs onboard either – as if those things ever stopped anybody from doing whatever they wanted.
These planes tend to carry about ten passengers each, though, which can make them feel rather cramped compared to what many people are used to.
However, sometimes chartering a small plane with only one seat isn’t enough.
All flights must follow strict safety regulations, but you can trust that your pilot knows what they’re doing. People who own their private jets are often pilots themselves!
Like the small-to-medium-sized business or corporate class aircraft, the smaller planes generally seat between six and fifteen people while larger ones have room for about forty passengers.
These aren’t just empty seats either; each one has luxury amenities such as reclining chairs with footrests, adjustable headrests/lumbar support, in-flight entertainment systems (movies or TV), built-in bars, swiveling tables for eating on during flights… even “overhead” compartments where you store bags if need be!
There may not be a lot of room to move around, but the level of comfort is second-to-none.
These planes can be based at any airport in the world and are often privately owned by billionaires or other high net worth individuals who need reliable service without dealing with ordinary people (and their possible poor attitudes).
They’re not only for wealthy foreigners either; many charities also own jets that they use as donations to help raise money! Some companies will even let you pay everything up front, then give them a donation receipt, so it’s tax-deductible – which means free flights!
What Are the Most Common Planes Used for Private Charter?
There are several different private aircraft types, but they all have one thing in common: they’re the best way to travel.
Small planes used for charter can be very different from larger ones… and these airplanes vary even more than those!
There’s a wide variety of airplane sizes, shapes, configurations, and uses – so many that it could take you days or weeks to learn about them all! Here we’ll focus on some of the most common kinds instead.
The first is called a “light jet.” These usually hold four to six people comfortably and seat two pilots (one up front and another in the back). The lightest jets weigh less than seven thousand pounds when empty; this means that their maximum takeoff weight has to be no more than twelve thousand pounds.
Light jets are not as fast or luxurious as larger planes, but they’re still pretty darn nice! They tend to travel at about four hundred knots (four-hundred fifty miles per hour) and can go up to two thousand five hundred nautical miles (~two thousand six-hundred land miles).
Next is the “mid-sized” business jet. These kinds of private aircraft fly faster than light jets – usually between three hundred sixty and four hundred ninety knots (three-sixty to five-oh land mph) depending on how heavy it is when empty – so you’ll get where you need to be much sooner. Mid-sized corporate jets weigh anywhere from seven thousand pounds up to thirty-five thousand pounds.
The top speed of these planes is around five hundred twenty miles per hour, which makes them the fastest private jets on Earth! They can travel up to four thousand nautical miles (~four-hundred forty land miles).
Finally, there are “heavy” business jets… but don’t let their name fool you! These aircraft weigh more than fifty-two thousand pounds when empty and have three engines.
They’re also incredibly fast at over five hundred seventy knots (six hundred ten mph) with a range of about two thousand six hundred nautical miles (~three thousand land miles)! Remember that every plane has its perks – so choose carefully based on your personal needs or desires for each trip you want to take.
How Much Does It Cost To Charter A Private Jet?
It’s easy to get a quote from any number of companies online because most will offer free quotes without dealing with pushy sales reps.
Even the most miniature planes – like the Cessna Citation CJ and Learjet 31A models that seat up to six people – have tons of amenities, including leather seats, marble floors, wet bars… even hot tubs if you want them (for when you land in your home country)!
The cost varies based on many factors: size/type/range of airplane; distance traveled; how long the flights are scheduled for; whether or not there is heavy air traffic at your destination(s); availability (some days might be busier than others, so the flights cost more); etc.
You may have to pay for a minimum number of hours, which includes all taxes and fees. Prices can increase during peak seasons or holidays, too – just like commercial airlines!
Chartering a small plane might be cheaper per person, though if you’re only taking eight people with you instead of forty, it’s still going to cost plenty no matter what, though!
That being said, some companies will work with your budget by offering discounts on bulk rates (or even free flights). Still, they’ll need advance notice anyways because these types of planes are in high demand from both businesses and individuals alike.
Private jets aren’t everyone’s idea of luxury travel. However, those who can afford them will tell you that it’s still not as expensive as everyone thinks.
Should You Buy Or Rent A Private Aircraft?
Owning a private jet is expensive! Instead of purchasing one, why not just rent it out instead?
This way, you only pay for the time that your plane(s) are being used and everything else – maintenance/upkeep, pilots’ salaries… even catering if need be.
Renting costs will change depending on what kind of aircraft or number of flights you’re looking at.
There’s no doubt about it: It will always be cheaper than buying in almost every situation. Just don’t forget to factor in all the other expenses (fuel costs, parking fees, etc.) because they’ll add up quickly!
And then there’s also something to consider called “time value”. This is where renting might wind up costing you more in the long run because there are times when it might be cheaper to buy instead.
Remember that buying or renting will still cost thousands of dollars every month (even for small planes). Make sure your company can afford it before agreeing to something like this!
And don’t forget that hiring pilots and crew members are also very expensive. They’re only human after all, which means mistakes sometimes happen. However, most companies who own jets will tell you otherwise.
Leasing a Private Jet
Leasing an aircraft or making one available for lease can offer similar benefits to ownership without the long term financial commitment or the other elements or challenges of ownership.
Leasing gives you access to or makes available an airplane for you without the ownership requirements. This may mean only payments towards the lease but still covering individual expenses (such as fuel costs, pilot salary, hangaring, etc..).
But If these things aren’t managed properly, your company could wind up spending more than you think.
Some people “lease” their planes making the payments but also allowing others access and use (for a fee). This can be a great option if you need access to private aircraft for business purposes only.
You still have to pay taxes on it though, because there’s no such thing as free money. There are even programs that will help employees get loans for these expenses, which is much easier than coming up with thousands in cash every month!
The best part about leasing – especially compared to renting – is that companies usually Lessors have the ability to walk away at the end of the lease, without the depreciation that owners often face when they would like to offload or sell their aircraft. They also generally have the freedom and ability to renew their contracts, with a new private jet.
And since most leases automatically renew until you cancel them, it’s not a bad idea to leave your lease in place for longer than needed – especially if the rates are still low!
And don’t forget that there will be maintenance costs too. These can run into thousands of dollars per year or even month depending on what kind of plane(s) you’re leasing and how much they cost, beginning with!
So make sure these fees fit within your budget before making any decisions…which shouldn’t take long since most companies offer free quotes when asking about prices.
Your Private Charter Needs Met
Private aviation is a fascinating and complex world wrapped into one for those who aren’t already familiar with the ins and outs.
Whether you choose to buy or rent a plane will ultimately depend on your financial situation at that specific time. Still, both options have their pros and cons if carefully considered beforehand (especially monthly expenses!)
Now that you understand the principles of the private aircraft industry and charter, you are well on your way to deciding if you would like to partake in either.
If you’re interested in renting out a private jet for your travels, get in touch with us, and we will happily accommodate your needs.
