Private Jets and Business Aircraft
With the well documented issues in commercial flying more and more people have found reasons to turn to private aircraft.
There are a variety of options to consider. The starting point is how often you want to fly privately.
If you only fly a few hours a year then on demand aircraft charter is probably the best way to go. As your number of hours of private flying increases look at charter cards and fractional cards.
Once you reach about 50 hours of flying a year then fractional aircraft ownership can start to make sense and above 300 or so hours per year whole ownership is worth looking into. Here is some core information to help you understand the options.
All of the major providers have expanded over the last few years. Many now offer a wide range of products and solutions to meet the needs of various clients. If you're looking at the different options and would like a good general overview then download our free Guide to Private Aviation, which includes details on charter, jet cards and fractional ownership. For detailed side by side comparisons of the leading jet card and fractional providers, a directory of charter operators, and our Aircraft Buying Guide then sign up for membership.
The latest news and research on private jets and aircraft is included below.
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- Written by Nick Copley
VistaJet has seen a rapid acceleration in corporate demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has launched a new Corporate Membership offering a full suite of flexible travel solutions for businesses and executives around the world.
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- Written by Sharon Vigoroso
Jet Linx recently announced a fourth level of jet card membership for corporate travel, entitled the Enterprise Jet Card Membership. With the introduction of its new membership level, the company plans to provide a higher level of services and solutions optimized for corporate travel.
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- Written by Nick Copley
The data from August and early September show further increases in business and private aviation. In contrast, commercial aviation continues to struggle.
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- Written by Fiona Young-Brown
There are many good reasons to use private jets when traveling, but 2020’s coronavirus pandemic has seen more people abandon commercial flights in favor of private aviation alternatives. This article explores why flying privately now makes more sense than ever.
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- Written by Fiona Young-Brown
SherpaReport recently noted how private operator XOJET Aviation had been able to retain all staff during the coronavirus downturn. Now they’ve gone one step further. As demand has increased, the company has not only taken on an extra 40 new pilots; they have also added several new aircraft to their fleet. We spoke with COO Kevin Thomas to learn more.
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- Written by Nick Copley
New hybrid fractional provider Jet It launched its program just a few years ago in 2018. It’s focusing on the relatively new HondaJet, with a days-based access model. June 2023 Editorial Update: Jet It has closed down. Details of the closure are in this linked article.
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- Written by Nick Copley
The large private jet operator, Qatar Executive, has launched a pre-purchase fixed-hourly rate jet card type program called The Diamond Agreement. This provides access to Qatar’s fleet of long-range and ultra-long-range private jets.
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- Written by Fiona Young-Brown
Commercial aviation is experiencing a dramatic drop in demand due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the ongoing uncertainty leaves many industry insiders wondering when things will get back to normal. This downturn has also carried over to manufacturers like Boeing, whose 777X long-haul jets are being delayed. But at the same time, private aviation companies are seeing an uptick in demand. One of these, VistaJet, recently took delivery of its first Bombardier Global 7500, the largest and longest range business jet in production. SherpaReport spoke to VistaJet’s Chief Commercial Officer Ian Moore about the company’s new fleet.
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- Written by Nick Copley
The private jet charter platform has launched a fixed hourly rate jet card for frequent flyers, after seeing a surge of interest in private jet travel following the COVID-19 outbreak. Card holders can also fly in the USA through a partnership with sister company Sentient Jet.
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- Written by Fiona Young-Brown
As the world comes to terms with the “new normal” of the coronavirus pandemic, business seems to be booming in the private aviation industry. Recent reports from Air Partner, NetJets and Sentient have shown a marked rise in flight bookings. Now, international broker Air Charter Services (ACS) has reported a 75% increase in inquiries during the months of May and June compared to the same time last year. Although July figures were not available at the time of writing, a glance at the first two weeks of the month suggest that this trend is likely to continue.
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- Written by Nick Copley
Just a few month ago, as the covid pandemic struck, NetJets said it was delaying aircraft orders and furloughing European staff, because flight volumes were depressed. But, in the space of a few months, things have turned around significantly in both North America and Europe. The fractional and jet card provider is now seeing “a steady increase in flight activity and a promising outlook for growth.”
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- Written by Nick Copley
Directional Aviation has launched FXAIR, the newest member of its family of private jet travel providers, which will specialize in premium charter on-demand. The launch was originally planned for later in 2020, but was brought forward with the rebounding demand for private aviation.
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- Written by Nick Copley
Jet Linx, a leading private jet management and jet card membership company, has continued its expansion in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut tri-state region by purchasing Meridian’s Aircraft Management and Air Charter business.
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- Written by Nick Copley
Private aviation operator XOJET Aviation kept all its employees employed during the coronavirus downturn. They used the time to cross train staff and prepare for global growth.
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- Written by Nick Copley
Private Aviation Company Magellan Jets is expanding its product portfolio with the launch of two new pay-as-you-go membership programs. In the age of coronavirus and uncertainty about commercial flying, these new offerings are partly aimed at new private flyers who are transitioning from commercial first- and business-class.
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- Written by Fiona Young-Brown
As society takes careful steps to reopen after the COVID-19 pandemic closures, there are several indications that private jets and business aviation flights are increasing.
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- Written by Fiona Young-Brown
Sentient Jet is among those private aviation companies seeing a surge of new business as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic. A recent study reveals that more than 50% of the company’s current business is from new clients. The findings reflect an industry-wide increase in demand for private aviation, due to broader concerns about the safety of commercial air travel.
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- Written by Fiona Young-Brown
As COVID-19 travel restrictions begin to ease worldwide, private aviation provider Air Partner announced last week that it has seen a marked increase in bookings. According to the Fort Lauderdale-based company, requests for future flights booked during May 2020 showed a surge of 210% compared to flight requests in the same time period last year.
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- Written by Fiona Young-Brown
As businesses consider reopening after the coronavirus shutdown, attention is turning to health and safety protocols. This roundup details the measures being taken by private aviation companies to provide a safer environment for passengers and crew alike. We will update it as more information becomes available and as circumstances change.
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- Written by Nick Copley
In a letter shared with owners, employees and prospects, leading fractional operator NetJets set out the steps it has taken to adjust for a covid-19 world. Parts of its business have seen some layoffs and its core fractional business has reduced the number of new planes it plans to add this year.
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- Written by Nick Copley
The large part 135 operator, flyExclusive, has been adding to its own fleet of aircraft. It just rolled out a newly redesigned Jet Club membership program and has made an offer to the members of JetSuite to help them recoup their lost memberships.
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- Written by Nick Copley
The Dallas based jet membership company, through its operating entity, Superior Air Charter LLC, has just filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware.
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