Commercial airlines are getting a bit of a bad rep at the minute. With so much bad press, it seems that flying commercial is continually getting worse – this for a country that prides itself on great customer service.
Unfortunately, American travel has been making the headlines for all the wrong reasons. After a passenger was dragged from a flight in 2017, Twitter called for a boycott of United Airlines. They’ve recently made waves again, when it emerged that a puppy had died during a flight from Houston to New York, after being placed in overhead storage for several hours.
While these are stand-alone incidents and thankfully not the norm of air travel, it’s made people feel uneasy about flying. Could this be the push that allows private jets to finally take on and rival big commercial airlines?
Perks of Private Jets
Aside from the obviously, of course, bad press and low levels of customer service alone are not reasons enough to consider private jet charter. That being said, flying privately offers a lot of perks – why else would the rich have their own jets?
No Waiting. What’s the worst part about flying commercially? The waiting. You wait at check-in, wait to go through security, wait before departure, and wait again at baggage claim. There’s none of this with a private jet. Arrive just before flying and board carrying your luggage.
More Privacy. There’s no trying to squeeze past someone when you need the bathroom. Or another passenger taking up the armrest. Or crying babies and children – that is, unless you’re travelling with babies and children.
More Choice. Because a private jet is smaller, it can use smaller airports. This means your choice of departure and arrival points is endless. You can choose more convenient locations and enjoy less time commuting to and from the airport.
It’s Getting Cheaper
So, private jets offer a better experience – you probably already knew that. But what does that matter if you can’t afford it in the first place? Well, chartering a private jet is getting cheaper and more accessible. The times of having to buy your own jet and pay to house it is no more.
Private jet companies are increasingly offering lower and more competitive pricing, to attract new customers. The likes of Private Jet Charter for example, offer empty leg flights – a return journey that has no passengers – which can be secured for a huge discount. While others are introducing membership programmes that function as subscription services – simply pay a standard monthly fee and you can fly as many times as you like.
They’re Using Tech
In another bid to compete with leading commercial airlines, private jet companies are also using technology.
Previously, booking a private jet would have been a difficult process – would you know how to go about chartering a flight? Nope, neither would we! But with many now offering mobile apps, customers are able to book their flights in a quicker and easier way, making it more accessible.
The Verdict?
Although you might not be boarding a private jet tomorrow – we wish! – who knows, with cheaper prices and apps, more of us could soon ditch crowded commercial flights and travel in style.