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Private plane or First Class?

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Old Aug 5, 2010, 12:11 pm
  #1  
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Question Private plane or First Class?

Even if I was rich enough I would love to experience First on airlines such as Singapore and BA at least once then fly on my private plane

Having aprivate plane would seem to be the better option but are there any downsides?
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Old Aug 5, 2010, 12:15 pm
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The cost.
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Old Aug 5, 2010, 12:25 pm
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oops forgot to say apart from the cost :P
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Old Aug 5, 2010, 12:48 pm
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Originally Posted by GodAtum
oops forgot to say apart from the cost :P
Other than the cost, absolutely no downside. Private is better.
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Old Aug 5, 2010, 12:50 pm
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Originally Posted by SFO777
Other than the cost, absolutely no downside. Private is better.
Indeed. If you exclude cost, this is basically no contest.
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Old Aug 5, 2010, 12:52 pm
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I'd take first class -- you don't earn miles on private planes.

This is Flyertalk, after all
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Old Aug 5, 2010, 1:01 pm
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Besides, on a private plane, no one gets to see that you're flying FC!
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Old Aug 5, 2010, 1:28 pm
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Originally Posted by Palal
I'd take first class -- you don't earn miles on private planes.

This is Flyertalk, after all

lol love it!
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Old Aug 5, 2010, 1:30 pm
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Originally Posted by stevens397
Besides, on a private plane, no one gets to see that you're flying FC!
Yeah you cannot gloat

And you might miss out on the lounges!
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Old Aug 5, 2010, 2:09 pm
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I would have thought private jet > FC in the gloating department but what do I know...
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Old Aug 5, 2010, 2:10 pm
  #11  
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Great post by the OP!
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Old Aug 5, 2010, 2:24 pm
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The cost is not much of an issue if you are travelling as a family. Private plane's can be economical since they are fixed cost, regardless of passengers. From a time standpoint they are hands down winner. No TSA, you can't miss your flight, weather is actually less of an issue (at least en-route weather is) and NO connections.

The drawback is that if you buy a jet, then you are stuck with one profile/size. Advantages of fractional ownership is that you can choose which plane you need for the particular mission. Raleigh to Vail for a weekend of skiiing with some friends is a slightly different aircraft than a Chicago to Paris summer trip for two weeks with the wife and kids.

Most people don't realise that the purchase cost of the jet is not the problem. They have low relative depreciation, as long as you do the upkeep.

Unless you are a CEO though, a private jet just for your one-person business trips will never cut it. A General Aviation piston or turboprop aircraft may meet the bill if the distances aren't that far. Just ask the oil industry.
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Old Aug 5, 2010, 2:27 pm
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Originally Posted by Palal
I'd take first class -- you don't earn miles on private planes.

This is Flyertalk, after all
^ My thoughts exactly.
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Old Aug 5, 2010, 4:06 pm
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Originally Posted by Palal
I'd take first class -- you don't earn miles on private planes.

This is Flyertalk, after all
Not true. See Lufthansa Private Jet.
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Old Aug 5, 2010, 5:26 pm
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International or domestic? If domestic, then private plane. Else, commercial. Private planes don't seem to have sleeper seats.
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