If you’ve traveled anywhere on a major airline recently, you already know the biggest appeal of private aviation is that it’s not commercial aviation. Private air travel avoids the rigidity, inconvenience and even occasional humiliation of today’s commercial carriers and airports. Squeezed between rising costs, fierce price competition and ever more intrusive security requirements, today’s airlines unavoidably shift much of the pain to you, the paying customer.
Instead of cutting corners to slash prices (and losing service and convenience along the way), private air travel offers benefits that commercial airlines will never match.
Here’s my top ten:
Even though commercial carriers service some 500 airports in the US, their “hub–and–spoke” routing means that over 90 percent of flights pass through fewer than 50 hub airports. This results in unpredictable delays, fewer direct flights, misrouted luggage and more. Private jet travel allows direct access to over 5,000 airports in the US alone, putting you much closer to your departure and destination and greatly reducing your time on the ground.
2. Flexibility in Scheduling and Flying Private aircraft can be available 24/7 on as little as just a few hours notice, allowing you the flexibility to travel when and where you want. You set your own schedule to suit your needs.
3. Avoid Crowded Commercial Terminals Hub–and–spoke routing virtually ensures that part of every commercial flight will be spent in a noisy, overcrowded terminal – often with intrusive security procedures and long treks between connections. Private aviation shifts your time on the ground to smaller general aviation airports with far more personal service. Most feature comfortable, well–appointed lounges, easy and accessible parking and a far more pleasant overall experience.
4. Streamlined Airport Process Smaller airports also allow you an alternative to mass security screening, lengthy baggage handling queues and other large airport time–wasters. Imagine the convenience of pulling into a parking space only a few minutes from your departure, and knowing for certain your luggage is onboard – because you’re the only passenger that counts! While some security screening is still required, your greatest comfort is in knowing everyone on your flight.
5. Time savings & In–flight Productivity By eliminating airplane changes/connections and minimizing driving to and from distant airports, private air travel can often cut overall travel time in half or better. The privacy and comfort of the cabin allows you to make the most of your time while in the air. Whether you choose to work on a laptop, catch up on your reading or just relax and watch a favorite movie, distractions will be at a minimum. You’ll arrive at your destination refreshed instead of exhausted and irritable.
6. Business Entertaining There is perhaps no better way to make a strong first impression than to greet business associates in the inviting cabin of a private jet. Face–to–face seating, premium furnishings and amenities from beverage service to in–flight entertainment allow you to meet in secure surroundings for the “face time” that’s essential to your business.
7. Special Cargo Handling The old adage, “If you want it done right, do it yourself,” unquestionably applies to handling sensitive cargo and baggage. Entrusting valuable cargo to the impersonal workings of airline baggage handling is a sure ticket to increased anxiety. Whether transporting valuable documents, an irreplaceable prototype or fragile and sensitive equipment, you’ll enjoy far more peace of mind in a private aircraft, where you’re in complete control every step of the way.
8. Controlled Access Instead of the elaborate and time–consuming checkpoints of major airports, where there’s plenty of inconvenience but not much security, private air travel puts you in control of who and what you travel with. Schedules, associates and conversations can be kept confidential when needed. When traveling with family and friends, you can emphasize speed and convenience, and still maintain strict security when business needs demand it.
9. Five–Star Service In the early days of commercial aviation, travelers were treated as honored guests – catered to by well–trained attendants and treated with respect. Nowadays, the only place you’ll find that level of service is in private air travel. Charter and aircraft management firms provide a premium level of courtesy and professionalism, from in–flight catering, ground travel and accommodations to supplying complete concierge services. With private aviation, the journey itself can be as rewarding as the destination.
10. Advantages Anyone who has worked hard to achieve financial success knows the value of time management and quality service. Private aviation offers the chance to not just travel when and where you want, but travel well. You can arrive at your personal aircraft at 9:00 am and be on the slopes of Telluride by noon. No longer is it necessary to sit at the airport terminal hours before your flight. When it is possible to arrive at your personal aircraft at 9:00 am for a 10:30 am business meeting in Dallas. From your family vacations to your business trips, private aviation allows you to maximize the hours of the day.
Exploring Your Options Only you can decide how much your time, comfort and convenience are worth. To explore the many benefits of private air travel in more detail, contact San Antonio–based FLIGHTIME Business Jets at 210–930–3613 or visit their website at http://www.flightime.com.
