What Are Shared Private Jet Flights and Why Should You Avoid Them?
The concept of shared private jet flights has gained traction in recent years, becoming an increasingly popular choice among travelers. The idea behind shared private jet flights is simple: multiple parties split the cost of a private jet charter, each enjoying the benefits of flying on a private jet without shouldering the full expense individually.
This system, which mirrors the growing trend of shared economy models in the travel industry, sounds appealing at first. After all, who wouldn’t want to experience the luxury, convenience, and flexibility of private aviation at a fraction of the total cost?
However, while shared private jet flights do present a more affordable avenue into private aviation, this is something we strongly discourage at TruNorth Jets. It’s important to have an understanding of these limitations and why we suggest chartering your own flight.
In this article, we will delve deeper into what shared private jet flights entail and why they might not be the best fit for everyone’s travel needs. We’ll also explore alternative options that could better suit your preferences for comfort and privacy. For example, TruNorth Jets offers personalized private jet experiences tailored to your specific requirements and preferences.
Understanding Shared Private Jet Flights
Shared private jet flights are a unique type of private aviation where multiple passengers come together to charter a jet, even if they don’t know each other. This concept is based on the idea of the shared economy, where people pool their resources to get individual benefits.
Definition
Shared private jet flights are a form of air travel where individuals share the cost and space of a private jet with others.
Role of Flight Operators
Flight operators and brokers that recommend this type of flying, they play a crucial role in making shared private jet flights possible. They organize these shared experiences by:
- Matching passengers with similar travel plans
- Managing bookings and payments
- Ensuring compliance with aviation rules
- Handling customer service before, during, and after the flight
The involvement of flight operators and brokers is essential for planning a smooth shared journey, taking care of practical details while still aiming to provide the luxurious experience associated with private jets. These professionals work behind the scenes to make things efficient and convenient, striving to offer an exclusive experience despite the shared arrangement.
It is fairly uncommon these days for flight operators to be open to shared private flights. This is why TruNorth Jets, as your preferred charter broker, offers other solutions for your private jet travel needs.
The Benefits and Limitations of Shared Private Jet Flights
Advantages of Flying on a Private Jet
When you think about private jet flights, you probably imagine the luxurious perks that come with them. These flights offer a level of comfort and convenience that commercial airlines simply can’t match.
- Luxurious Experience: Private jets are all about luxury. From comfortable leather seats to gourmet food, everything is designed to make you feel pampered. Some large private jets like a Boeing Business Jet, even have features like full bedrooms. Many have top-of-the-line entertainment systems, and cabin hosts are often cross qualified as personal chefs. It’s like living in a fancy hotel while traveling through the air!
- Convenience and Comfort: Private jets offer a much more personalized experience. You don’t have to deal with long security lines or crowded airports. Instead, you can arrive just minutes before your flight and board the plane right away.
- Flexibility in Travel Plans: One of the biggest advantages of flying on a private jet is that you can often choose when you want to fly. Unlike commercial airlines that have fixed schedules, private jets can often be booked according to your own schedule. This means it’s easier to adjust your arrival and departure times based on your needs.
Limitations and Drawbacks of Shared Private Jet Flights
However, it’s important to note that while these benefits are appealing, they may not fully apply when it comes to shared private jet flights. Sharing a private jet does allow you to enjoy some of these luxuries at a lower cost, but it also has its own limitations.
- Lack of Privacy: When you share a jet with others, your privacy is compromised. While there will still be fewer people onboard compared to commercial flights, having other passengers in your private space takes away from the exclusive experience. Private jet cabin sizes are often much smaller than commercial airliners so sharing a compact space with others you do not know, is not appealing. Onboard lavatories can often be small and close to other travelers making it less appealing to be traveling with people you do not know.
- Limitation on Number of Travelers: Shared private jets also have restrictions on the number of people who can travel together. If you’re booking a single seat, you have no control how many other passengers are on the flight. If it’s a light jet that seats 8, your seat could be on a belted lavatory. When you charter the whole plane, light jets are typically most comfortable for parties of 2 – 6 passengers even when they might have up to 8 seats.
- Fixed Travel Schedule: The flexibility in schedule that private jet flights usually offer is reduced when you’re sharing the jet. Departure times are often fixed, similar to commercial airlines, which means you have less freedom in planning your travel itinerary.
Exploring Alternatives: Empty-Legs
When you think about the downsides of shared private jet flights, it’s worth exploring other choices. TruNorth Jets excels at booking empty legs for clients which often results in a larger airplane for less or a particular flight route at a preferred rate.
Empty-leg flights happen when a private jet needs to reposition itself for its next scheduled flight, is part of a floating fleet or needs return to its home base. There are several benefits to taking advantage of these flights:
- Significant Savings: You can get discounts off the regular price of a private jet charter.
- Flexibility Is Paramount: If your schedule is flexible, you can find great travel opportunities at a lower cost.
- Exclusive Use: You have the whole jet to yourself, so you can enjoy privacy and luxury during your flight.
While the destinations and times for empty-legs are already set, if they match up with your travel plans, they can offer incredible value for your money. Semi-empty legs also often offer preferred pricing to clients. Perhaps the airplane is departing from your preferred departure airport and is going in the same direction as your destination, or it’s moving to your destination from another airport. Airplanes moving in the same general direction as your travel need generate preferred pricing through a semi-empty leg.
By considering booking empty-legs, you open up possibilities for luxurious travel that better suit your personal needs—whether it’s privacy, flexibility, or cost.
Conclusion
Choosing the best way to travel in luxury is crucial, balancing cost-effectiveness with the exclusive experience of flying privately. Shared private jet flights have their place in the market, but is a service we do not recommend or offer at TruNorth Jets. Yet, for those seeking uncompromised privacy and comfort, full private jet bookings might be the more suitable choice.
TruNorth Jets stands out as a seasoned jet charter broker in the world of private aviation. We are well-known for our dedication to an exceptional customer experience and a smooth booking process. When considering your luxury travel needs:
- Assess the importance of privacy and space
- Consider how much flexibility you require in your travel schedule
- Determine if the exclusivity of private jet amenities is crucial to your journey
- Evaluate the cost against the value received
With these considerations in mind, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your expectations for luxury travel.
TruNorth Jets can facilitate your preferred flight experience with professionalism and ease.