Programs: BAEC Gold, BD Gold, Lufthansa FTL plus lots of shiny hotel and rental car plastic
Posts: 17,131
Quote:
Originally Posted by elitetraveler
In fact quite a few Fortune 500 type companies have it written into their bylaws that the Chairman, CEO etc "must" fly privately for security reasons. That said, on a small percentage of the worldwide private jet fleet - probably about 10 percent - have nonstop range for North America - Europe so many times commercial can be faster.
That was the case for my former employer, although the use of the G-V extended to personal travel too.
__________________ 'There are only two emotions in a plane: boredom and terror' - Orson Welles
I think flying is flying even if it is in F. Folks just board, eat, watch a movie and sleep. Nice food/wine and comfortable bed but after a few trips, I think even the novelty wears off.
On a rare SQ F flight, I once picked up 3 extra sets of unopenned men's amenities kit left by other F pax as there is a nice Bvglari cologne in it. Since then, I always keep my eyes open if I get through walk through the FIRST cabin on any flight.
A perfect example of this used to be the Friday evening Concorde service LHR-JFK. A lot of extremely bored travellers, who got on the plane and dozed off as soon as possible ...no interest in the cellar , food or freebies. Probably viewed it as 4 hours wasted.
Programs: Hilton Diamond, BA Silver, Starwood something, AA something
Posts: 173
Our company used to charter jets from CDF about 5-10 years ago before KLM introduced intra-Europe services from Cardiff. I flew it a number of times but having been spoilt by F for many years I always felt jets were a bit of a step down and not as luxurious. We never chartered anything more than a small plane though so I have no experience with a BBJ and we just did it out of convenience as it was either that or a 2.5 hour trip to London or Bristol but flights were scarce there as well at the time.
If I had the money, I'd still choose BA rather than fly on a private jet. There's not enough bang for my buck there if I consider the extra benefits over flying BA F or CW. For me, there will always be an opportunity cost no matter how much money I had, so I'd look for value and be happy with CW and the occasional F trip. The same goes for hotels - I tend to prefer the bigger, mid-range ones rather than be cossetted away in a secluded villa somewhere (OK for a honeymoon type of holiday). Part of the fun is being able to interact with others, even though the idea of privacy and personal space is very appealing.
Programs: was Starwood and AA Gold once.I think I am HHSilver due to a CC promo.
Posts: 2,962
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pocket Aces
If I had the money, I'd still choose BA rather than fly on a private jet. There's not enough bang for my buck there if I consider the extra benefits over flying BA F or CW. For me, there will always be an opportunity cost no matter how much money I had, so I'd look for value and be happy with CW and the occasional F trip. The same goes for hotels - I tend to prefer the bigger, mid-range ones rather than be cossetted away in a secluded villa somewhere (OK for a honeymoon type of holiday). Part of the fun is being able to interact with others, even though the idea of privacy and personal space is very appealing.
I agree.... the people watching is a perk of going commercial or staying at a resort instead of a private villa.
Is the OP suggesting that Elizabeth Hurley is a valid celeb but Ricky Gervais/John Cleese are not?
On another thread interwoven here, I was formerly advising a large (since defunct) telecoms hardware manufacturer, owners of a TTL corporate jet for shipping execs and (sometimes) regular joes between Coventry and Pittsburgh. After a fairly dissappointing maiden experience on board with 5 other staff, I managed to avoid subsequent use of this perk due to 'scheduling inconveniences', preferring the (USAir ) scheduled flight ex-LGW
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat (5m+), BA GGL, LH Sen, DL Silver, SPG Plat, Mucci
Posts: 4,375
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fraser
That was the case for my former employer, although the use of the G-V extended to personal travel too.
Most of the do Also, many of the CEOs have written into their separation packages continued access to the jets (If you ever have a chance to watch the movie Barbarians at the Gate, the scary scene for the CEOs is not getting booted but the closing shot of James Gardner and his wife relegated to flying commercially).
Most SEC filings include amount of extra compensation to cover personal private jet usage. From what I've seen, the company also pays the tax on the benefit, but what is hard to find is the actual hourly value the company places on jet use. Is it the low incremental cost (fuel, landing fees) or a more fully loaded total overhead (cost of aircraft, labor, fuel, etc) divided by total flight hours for the year. Or is it the cost of the comparable first class ticket which is even lower, but can be "justified" since the CEO is required to use the jet.
Assuming most companies use the lower figures, some of these CEOs are using jets for 200 + hours per year for personal use! And of course the question of what's personal vs. business/personal is another one where it is hard to find a true answer.
) scheduled flight ex-LGW
Also, many of the CEOs have written into their separation packages continued access to the jets (If you ever have a chance to watch the movie Barbarians at the Gate, the scary scene for the CEOs is not getting booted but the closing shot of James Gardner and his wife relegated to flying commercially).
