It turns out flying a private charter plane is not all that expensive; you do not have to be a millionaire to be able to fly these amazingly convenient and private flights. One thing is clear though, you must shop around, you must compare notes, and you must research before buying those tickets. This is the only way you will be able to make an informed decision and spend meaningful amounts on the flight tickets. It does not matter if you are alone, with your family, or with a large group of colleagues and workmates; private charter plane options are varied as well as all-inclusive. So, what exactly do you need to do if you want to charter a private plane? Read on.
From the experts, below are the ways to ensure you book a private charter flight without incurring too much on the general cost.
- Analyze your options. Expenditure is all about being economical. And the most economical way of flying private is by chartering one. A private charter plane does not require an upfront cash payment for you to pull it through. Essentially, all you need is only a deposit amount through some registered companies and you will be good to go. Another option is for the companies that sell a fraction of the jet, for instance, a sixteenth part for a specified amount of money. This is a good option to consider when you have a large group of people to travel with. Another valid option would be to use the jet card, a provision for you to buy valid flight hours from a registered company and using them on different planes. Better still, the club kind of plan would work, where subscriptions like those of country clubs are used. You will need to pay an initiation fee and a subsequent annual fee to be able to fly the particular company fleet.
- As for clarification. It is absolutely fine to ask questions anytime you feel like you need clarification. Some of the important aspects to ask about are whether the plane has one pilot or two, for instance, because regulations may vary for most private jets depending on the size. Do not forget to ask whether your flight operator is the same one that owns the plane you are flying in. Usually, if the operator is the owner of the plane, you tend to get better service. You should remember to ask around for the daily minimum costs as well as the taxi fees so that you can make an informed choice and avoid blanketing all decisions or making pure assumptions. Perhaps the most important aspect of your question should be based on the safety for you and other passengers on board. Consider getting information about the safety of the pilot who is flying you and if there is any health related issues they face, ask for how long they have been in operation, and also do not forget to ask about the validity of their license.
- Know the plane you will be flying in. There is usually a big difference between flying in a prop plane, a turbo plane, and a light jet. The seat arrangements vary from plane to plane; while some are designed to be face to face, others are not. Some planes like the jets fly faster and may cover more distance than the others, flying up to four of five hours or even longer trips, with their sleek and streamlined bodies.
- Request for pictures and photos. It is not enough to know the plane you will be flying in. Go an extra mile and ask for images for clearer ideas on your flight planes. The seat arrangements, the year of manufacture, and others are details you have to confirm beforehand.
- Compare notes as you shop around. Note that, you are not supposed to take the first quotation as it comes. You need to shop around and compare notes between two or three other flight companies to see the ranges. It is important to remember that these prices can vary greatly and the more you shop around is the more you will land a convenient price. Put into consideration the reposition fee, which you pay for the plane to come to your location, airport charges, as well as take-off fees and other added fees.
- Ensure you pack a light luggage. Especially for smaller jet planes, weight is of great essence. You might notice that the crew will try to arrange the passengers according to their body weights in most cases. This is in a bid to balance them out evenly to have a regular weight spread across the plane. On the same note, the luggage you pack will have to be vetted before getting it on board. Some of the heavier luggage might have to be shipped beforehand by courier companies at a specified fee. You are asked to register your luggage with your agency before travelling for all the logistics to be handled.
- You can try the empty leg lists on planes. This is a common case especially for situations where a particular aircraft has empty seats and wishes to bid them out to the public, because they do not want to fly back empty and yet they can make money by auctioning the seats. Take advantage of these ones because they come with huge discounts and offers for you.
Conclusion
As it stands, you do not have to be a millionaire to actually enjoy the convenience and privacy of flying with private charter planes. Just be ready to shop around for the best prices and offers as well as discounts. It will not only save you a lot of time, but it will also save you a lot of energy, and ensure you have an easy passage through the airport; they save you from the hustle and bustle of the airport crowds, protect your privacy, and still accord you the best VIP treatment ever!
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