Flying privately is the ultimate luxury, especially when compared with the typical in-flight experience on today’s cash-strapped airlines.
Given the cramped middle seats and lukewarm mystery chicken most of us contend with, the idea of tucking into pork belly and microgreens on Pickard China (the same brand that the Obamas use), and then sinking into a plush leather chair with a cashmere throw seems almost unfair—even if the experience costs upward of $1,600 an hour.
Yes, thanks to modern design advances, private flying is now more comfortable than ever before. Today’s jet-setters can enjoy the almost unimaginable pleasures of communal in-flight dining areas (set with fine silver and crystal), full-size pullout beds and bathrooms with modern shower stalls.
High-tech amenities in private jet cabins range from the entertaining (iPod docking stations and plasma TVs) to the practical—in-flight Wi-Fi, fax machines and international phones. Pilots and flight attendants, too, are handpicked and expertly trained, and put the smile back in service.
But when sensitive business is involved, many travelers say jetting privately only makes sense. Though exclusive trips come at a serious premium, the time saved (by not having to check in luggage, wait in security lines or work around an airline’s flight schedule) is considerable.
Where commercial planes have access to 450 airports in the United States, private jets can deliver passengers to more than 5,000.
The appeal—sometimes necessity—of private flying applies to a range of business travelers. “It’s a no-brainer, especially to inconvenient destinations,” says Lisa DeSimone, who works for an East Coast–based insurance company.
“What would take me six hours and a connection on a commercial flight is a direct 90 minutes on a private plane.” Notes comedian Dan Nainan, “I’ve been in situations where I wouldn’t have been able to do two shows in one day because of commercial flight schedules—so I ended up making more money by flying private.”
The many creative options these days for private-jet usage make flying privately a reality for many who thought it out of their reach. While fractional aircraft ownerships (pioneered by NetJets in 1986) still have a firm footing in the marketplace, today’s private jet companies are offering travelers new flexible solutions like hourly jet cards (prepaid cards sold in 15- or 25-hour increments) and pay-as-you-fly models.
Many private jet companies own or have access to a number of aircraft, so stellar service—ranging from fine onboard amenities to personalized bookings—ties the best of these owners, charter companies and brokers together.
For a rundown of our favorite private jets—and the companies that offer them—read on.
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Piaggio Avanti P180
The ride: While the Italian P180 isn’t new—the aircraft was first introduced to the market in 1990—this twin-engine turboprop, ideal for domestic flights, continues to be in high demand.
Its performance and efficiency allows it to land on short airstrips where larger private jets are banned, while still including a relatively spacious 14-foot main cabin with nine fully reclining leather seats. It’s faster than many midsize jets and 40 percent more fuel efficient than its direct competitors.
Book it with… Avantair, Inc. (avantair.com) has a fleet of 56 Piaggio Avanti aircraft and a management team made up of trained pilots. Along with selling fractional ownership, the company leases planes in 50-hour increments and sells 15-, 25- and 50-hour jet cards.
Bombardier Learjet 85
The ride: The first business jet designed with both wings and fuselage made primarily of carbon composites (allowing for enlarged cabin volume), the Learjet 85’s 24-foot main cabin is packed with haute touches like LED lighting, bathrooms with glass sinks and illuminated mirrors, a kitchen with a microwave oven—and servers to prepare your food in it. Seats fully recline into beds, ideal for longer hauls.
Book it with… Flexjet (flexjet.com), the first private jet company to offer fractional shares on the Learjet 85, has 85 planes in its collection of aircraft, all made by century-old parent company Bombardier. In addition to fractional shares, Flexjet has a 25-hour jet card program, operated by U.S. air carrier Jet Solutions.
Boeing VIP 757
The ride: Of the 5,000-plus jets available for charter in the U.S., there are only a handful of VIP airliners. These large Boeings, MDs and Airbuses are completely customized: private rooms with king-size beds, marble bathrooms with double vanities and showers, mahogany tables set with crystal and china, and a staff of attentive servers.
Fliers feel like they’re staying in a friend’s upscale penthouse—one where everything has passed rigorous flammability tests.
Book it with… Private Jet Services Group (pjsgroup.com), one of just a few charter companies to offer VIP airliners in its inventory (more than 5,000 aircraft). Staff members—paired one to one with clients—are also trained flight attendants, so the same person who makes a traveler’s reservation by phone serves the cocktails en route.
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