Do you fly private?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 53
Do you fly private?
Long time FT browser - first time poster.
As a frequent flyer who has always flown commercially for business, I have recently crossed the bridge into the world of private flying. I have saved time, increased efficiency, and my travel experiences have become something to look forward to - not dread.
I was wondering how many members of the FT community charter private aircraft. Am I the only one?
As a frequent flyer who has always flown commercially for business, I have recently crossed the bridge into the world of private flying. I have saved time, increased efficiency, and my travel experiences have become something to look forward to - not dread.
I was wondering how many members of the FT community charter private aircraft. Am I the only one?
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Marriott or Hilton hot tub with a big drink <glub> Beverage: To-Go Bag DYKWIA: SSSS /rolleyes ☈ Date Night: Costco
Programs: Sea Shell Lounge Platinum, TSA Pre✓ Refusnik Diamond, PWP Gold, FT subset of the subset
Posts: 12,509
Welcome to FlyerTalk!
A number of folks here use General Aviation.
A number of folks here use General Aviation.
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,098
Long time FT browser - first time poster.
As a frequent flyer who has always flown commercially for business, I have recently crossed the bridge into the world of private flying. I have saved time, increased efficiency, and my travel experiences have become something to look forward to - not dread.
I was wondering how many members of the FT community charter private aircraft. Am I the only one?
As a frequent flyer who has always flown commercially for business, I have recently crossed the bridge into the world of private flying. I have saved time, increased efficiency, and my travel experiences have become something to look forward to - not dread.
I was wondering how many members of the FT community charter private aircraft. Am I the only one?
Corporations can also hammer out block charters on a monthy contract, making an ac available to a group of people at anytime for a flat monthly rate. This is especially good for multi-nationals and entertainment companies.
#4
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: EB*G, BT VIP
Posts: 770
Saving time, increasing efficience etc is nice as long as it fits the bottom line. I used to fly privately say 1-2 times a year, bit less than that now Anyway I used it only for mission-impossible trips, usually a scenario was that some urgent meeting was falling in between two other very important meetings same day or overnight and it was virtually impossible to make it with scheduled services. Even then I had to take a deep breath and think twice if attending this particular meeting really worth anything between 10 to 30k EUR (as opposed to conference call for almost free or 500-900 EUR ticket a day later). Here I'm talking about light or mid-size bizjet for intra-european trip. Going across the pond (US East coast) will settle you for some 60-80k EUR, Far East even more than that. Probably I'm in a wrong business.
If you have a group of people to travel, especially 5+ it becomes not so prohibitive, but flying solo is simply too expensive unless you heading to conclude an 7-digit+ contract on spot which will not happen otherwise. We are not talking here about hiring a piston Cessna-172, are we?
If you have a group of people to travel, especially 5+ it becomes not so prohibitive, but flying solo is simply too expensive unless you heading to conclude an 7-digit+ contract on spot which will not happen otherwise. We are not talking here about hiring a piston Cessna-172, are we?
Last edited by another_shot; May 17, 2010 at 6:15 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: NYNY
Programs: Marriott Ambassador & LT Titanium, UA Silver, AA PLT
Posts: 842
I think the amount of AmEx points you'd get off of a single private flight would more than make up for the loss of miles... assuming you're the one putting down the plastic
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
Flying private is no question the cats meow to service, efficiency and status.. and no question the highest priced of all options. that is unless your private jet, is a two seat chugger, single engine, lucky to cross states..
Last edited by Ancien Maestro; May 17, 2010 at 8:10 pm
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,916
Easy....
Lufthansa Private Jet
Delta Air Elite
Korean Air has just announced a partnership w Bombardier Flexjet
Each of the above provide the ability to earn status and miles or perks...
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: FLL -> Where The Boyars Are
Programs: AA EXP 1.7 M, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*, AARP Sophomore, 14-time Croix de Candlestick
Posts: 18,669
Wirelessly posted (Nokia E71-2: Opera/9.80 (S60; SymbOS; Opera Mobi/448; U; en-US) Presto/2.4.18 Version/10.00)
My company has half-ownership of a twin-engined plane (don't know the make or model, but it seats 8). Half of the time the plane goes to visit vendors and suppliers, some of which are in rural areas not well served by commercial aviation.
(Of course, the other half of my company's time with the plane is used up flying the owner/CEO on trips to follow his college's sports teams)
My company has half-ownership of a twin-engined plane (don't know the make or model, but it seats 8). Half of the time the plane goes to visit vendors and suppliers, some of which are in rural areas not well served by commercial aviation.
(Of course, the other half of my company's time with the plane is used up flying the owner/CEO on trips to follow his college's sports teams)
#13
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: EB*G, BT VIP
Posts: 770
Normally it will wait. Except if you dealing with considerably bigger organisations or Govermnental structures, where they decide when they want to meet you. That's life...
#14
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 376
A) as you mentioned, your going to the middle of nowhere
or
B) where time really is money. If you have a technical problem keeping a factory from running or holding a large ship in port (two recent examples) the cost of the time lost can quickly exceed the savings from flying commercial.
or
C) you have to take a lot of expensive/sensitive equipment. its just easier to take it as opposed to taking a couple 400lb pieces of electronics and 8 people
The people I work with who use charters aren't management, they are engineers in a hurry. That doesn't usually include me
#15
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 41
I fly on private aircraft when I travel. Taking the obvious aside, it always amazes me that the press has never picked up on it that a potential terrorist could walk onto a private aircraft and load pretty much anything he/she wants while the TSA is standing on its head harassing commercial travelers.
I will say though that I do not miss the security theater courtesy of TSA.
I will say though that I do not miss the security theater courtesy of TSA.