Traveling via private planes is probably the most convenient way of transportation. The whole process is streamlined, from booking to arrival at the destination. The comfort and quality of service are top-tier that the flight feels like a trip to the spa.
Naturally, such a service comes with a hefty cost. The ability to fly on a private plane is a luxury only the extremely wealthy can afford. Corporate executives, business tycoons, celebrities – they were the target market for private aviation. But that was a thing of the past.
Recently, believe it or not, most of the passengers of these luxurious aircraft are middle-class families. These families are going on vacations and unlike before, they are now willing to spend extra dollars for private jet rides.
Who would have thought that of all things, a virus is the one that is behind this happening?
Why Are Families Choosing Private Jet Travel Now?
The Covid-19 pandemic has caused lockdowns across the globe. The fear of the virus spreading has made traveling with crowds almost synonymous with a death wish. These fear have kept many planes, especially commercial ones, off the air. The upper echelons of society have stopped flying as well since their companies have put them in a work-from-home setup.
2020 was dubbed the worst year for traveling in the modern era. Things were looking seriously bad for the aviation industry. That is until the private sector had seen a glimmer of hope.
As most commercial flights are canceled, people went to private jet travel to take them home. Even when there are commercial flights available, they still opt for the more expensive private flights.
“We’ve flown more families than ever. Those who can afford (private flights) have thought, ‘This is the time to use wealth to travel safely,’” explained Adam Twidell, CEO of jet booker PrivateFly.
And that was true. The way things work in private aviation, they are naturally socially distanced. Compared to hundreds of people lining up for commercial flights each day, there could be up to 30 passengers only for charter flights. Then your family would not need to share the cabin with others because all the space is yours. These facts reduce a person’s chance of contracting the virus by a lot.
Other Reasons Why Private Aviation Is Popular Now
Lockdowns right now are not as restricting as they are before. Most of them have already been lifted and quarantine lists have shrunk. Still, private flights remain a popular choice.
It is because safety against the virus is not the only thing private flights provide. They also offer convenience. Corporations in the private aviation industry believe that since people have had a taste of private flights, it will be hard for them to go back to commercial flights. The ability to book flights quickly, not wait in queues, and share space with a bunch of strangers is just too good to pass on.
Furthermore, private flights are flexible. They can access more airports than commercial planes, thus making it easier for the customer to arrive at their destination. Shy Aviation founder Giles Vickers told a story about one of their clients. He said that the family was in Spain for a vacation. The area they were in was about to get struck off the UK’s travel corridor list. They still want to extend their holidays, however. So they searched for flights that will take them to Italy. There was no such thing at that time. Luckily, that was not a problem for private aviation. So the family went to Shy Aviation and availed their service.
Aside from this example, there is so much more you can do with private jet flights. For instance, you can book for multiple destinations, and they would even allow you to change course mid-flight. Food and drinks are upon your choice too. For short, private jet travels are customizable which gives it the upper hand over commercial flights.
What you bring with you almost does not matter on private flights too. You can carry your instruments or sports gear without any problem. Even pets are allowed, so you do not have to worry about leaving them home. A recent PrivateFly flight saw a family who brought 13 cats with them. “Those who might have gone on holiday with friends are now doing so with extended family,” chief executive Adam Twidell, says.
Overall, you can describe private jet travel as similar to traveling by your car. You choose when to leave, pick your destination, and bring what you want to bring. The main difference is- the jet rides are more luxurious and relaxing.
How Much Does It Cost Them?
For obvious reasons, these flights are not cheap. But people have found ways to afford them.
The first step happens when they are still planning a trip. Knowing that they want to travel via a charter plane, people try to save more money to increase their budget. They are willing to do this in exchange for a less stressful flight. People now believe that they are spending money anyway, so might as well pay to remove the hassle.
Families who still can not afford bookings on their own have found another way. They look for another family going to the same destination. Then, they will group up, book a flight and pay 50-50. Through this method, they can enjoy private flights while spending as low as slightly higher than what they would have spent on a first-class flight.
How Beneficial Is This For Private Aviation?
With all the information above, it is safe to say that the private aviation industry was also affected by the pandemic. Though, unlike the other industries, 2020 was a great year for them. With more people taking in charter plane services, the industry has seen another leg of growth. More importantly, it made people realize that charter flights are not exclusive to celebrities and millionaires. They are for people in the middle class too.
Conclusion
Private aviation is no longer just for the ultra-wealthy—it’s now a convenient, safe, and flexible option for families seeking hassle-free travel. Companies like JetsOnset make this experience even more accessible, offering top-tier private jet services.
With their easy-to-use app available on Google Play and the Apple Store, booking a flight has never been simpler. Should you need assistance, their dedicated support team is ready to help.
Experience the luxury and ease of private jet travel with JetsOnset—because your journey should be as enjoyable as your destination.
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