If you have ever spotted a private jet flying above you or have watched one taking off from the airport, then you may have wondered which A-list celebrity or politician was on board. However, the fact is that most private jets are actually chartered, rather than being owned by pop stars or fat cats, and for the most part they are used for business travel rather than glamorous getaways.
Whether you’re considering hiring a private jet for business travel yourself or are simply interested in how they operate, there’s no denying that the world of private aircraft is, for the most part, shrouded in mystery. Many of the things that people believe about private jets just aren’t true, especially private jet costs. We’ve put together these common myths about private air travel to bring clarity to the falsities.
#1. You Need to Be Filthy Rich to Fly Privately
The first myth about flying in a private jet is that you need to be as rich as the president or a world-famous pop star to be with a chance of even seeing the inside of one, let alone using one for your travel needs. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Yes, you’d have to have quite a bit of disposable income to be able to buy your own private jet and hire a full-time pilot and cabin crew, but thankfully, this isn’t the only option available when it comes to flying privately and private jet rates are affordable. Private jets are available for anybody to hire, and often private jet rental prices are more reasonable than you expect. If you fly a lot for business, then you can enjoy lower private jet hire costs by signing up for a membership program.
#2. Private Jets Have to Cancel or Delay When Commercial Flights Do
Another common myth about private jets that you may have heard is that if bad weather forces commercial airlines to delay or cancel their flights, then your private jet will also be delayed or forced to cancel.
However, whilst delays and cancellations are not unheard of in the world of private jet travel as safety is always a top priority, they are far less likely to happen than when traveling with a commercial airline. This is because private jets have the ability to take off from and land at far more airports around the world; they can use the services at not only the major airports but also many more private and smaller airports worldwide. Because of this, they are able to change flight plans very quickly to ensure that your journey remains on track, unlike the commercial airlines that tend to be far more restricted.
#3. You Still Need to Go Through Airport Security
Although it’s advisable to go through airport security whenever you fly to increase your safety, it’s a myth that you’ll still be required to do this when chartering a private plane. Since private jets can take off from smaller and private airports, you may be able to arrange your flight so that you can simply get on and go, without having to worry about lengthy queuing for airport bag and security checks.
The pilot or cabin crew will likely check your ID and do some quick security checks as you board to ensure that they are taking the right passenger. In some cases, you may even be able to pull your car up to the runway, so that you can board within minutes. So, whilst airport security is still involved, it’s much faster and there’s no need to wait in line.
#4. Private Jets are Not as Safe
If you think that flying with a private jet is unsafe compared to booking a seat on a commercial airline, then the good news is that you are mistaken. Whilst flying commercially is still an extremely safe method of travel, statistics show that there have actually been more passenger fatalities on commercial aircraft than on both private and chartered jets.
This is not only due to the law of averages and the fact that more people tend to fly commercially, but also because pilots that operate chartered and private jets tend to have flawless records. In most cases, you’ll find that private jet pilots tend to come from a very experienced background, having been chief pilots for some of the top Fortune 500 companies and the best commercial airlines in the past.
#5. Commercial Airlines Fly Faster
Many people believe that if they want to save time on their journey, it’s best to opt for a commercial airline since their aircraft fly faster. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Some of the fastest aircraft in the skies are private jets, so it’s certainly worth considering jet charter costs if you want to get to your destination in no time at all.
Private jets tend to fly at a higher altitude, above the commercial airlines, meaning that they’re more likely to avoid bad weather and resulting turbulence. Many private jets have the ability to fly above the weather up to 51,000ft and some private jets can even fly close to the speed of sound. In addition, private jet hire is often a faster option due to the fact that the aircraft can be chartered from smaller airports located closer to your home, and again when landing in an airport closer to your destination. Since there’s no queuing before boarding, this will also cut your total journey time down significantly.
#6. Owning a Jet is Better Than Hiring One
Many people believe that in order to benefit from the complete flexibility of flying privately, it’s better to own your own private jet, rather than hiring one. However, the good news is that there’s no reason to shell out for your own aircraft if you want to reap the benefits of private air travel. Today, many private jet charter companies can have your aircraft ready and waiting for you within the hour, which is why they are so popular with business owners who may have to quickly get to an overseas destination and don’t have the time to wait for a commercial airline to have a seat available on flight. Private jet pricing for rentals is more affordable than you think.
#7. Chartering a Private Jet is a Tricky, Confusing Process
Whilst this may have been closer to the truth some years ago, the fact that private jet charter is rapidly increasing in popularity means that it’s now easier than ever before for the general public to access. Today, booking your flight with a private jet charter company has become a simple, hassle-free process, especially for those who are signed up to private jet charter membership programs and no longer have to worry about filling in forms and entering details each time they charter an aircraft.
You can easily charter aircraft by visiting company websites and entering your details; you will then be able to pick from the aircraft available and book it for the time and amount of people that you need. Some private jet hire companies will require you to telephone them to finalize the booking, whilst others allow the whole process to be completed online.
Did you believe any of these myths about private jet travel? Are you surprised to learn the truth? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.