Big Apple Jet
Your Guide For Requesting Private Aircraft Charters
Different types of private aircraft charters include:
- Business aircraft charter
- Private aircraft charter
- Cargo aircraft charter
- Group/Team aircraft charter
- Medical, ambulance or organ transplant aircraft charter
Utilizing an experienced aircraft charter broker rather than approaching an aircraft operator directly offers the advantage of not having your aircraft selection limited to what types and models planes are in one fleet. Other advantages include:
- The broker will source the most appropriate aircraft for your need across many fleets.
- The broker will vet the aircraft charter company, plane and flight crew to ensure the safest and most efficient selection meeting all Federal regulations. This advantage has taken on a significant importance over the last several months as the charter market has continued operating at record levels of activity, putting many more hours on airframes, engines and crew duty times. An experienced broker knows which operators have the better reputation for dispatch reliability.
- A broker should have experience in understanding all issues involved with aircraft maintenance and flight operations to present the most suitable aircraft charter options, as well as to anticipate any issues such as airport or airspace delays, as well as to respond to any issues that may arise during flight such as weather delays. Experience with international trip planning for international charters is a must to verify the operator is obtaining all necessary permits, etc.
- A broker should be fully aware of current market pricing trends and be able to use that knowledge to negotiate the most advantageous pricing and terms for the charter client.
- Lastly, a broker must be available 24/7 to handle client questions and needs.
Questions a broker will ask to source the most appropriate aircraft charter options for you include:
- Trip date, times and route. One way or round trip. If it’s a round trip with two or more days layover, it may be best to consider two one ways to avoid additional fees while plane remains on ground. Most operators charge a 2-hour daily minimum. The more flexibility you have in travel days and times, the better the opportunity to find attractive options. If you’re not sure of what airports to select, advise broker what address(es) you’re travelling to and the broker can determine most suitable airport options.
- Number of passengers and estimated luggage, with estimated passenger and luggage weights. Any infants 2 years or younger. Any items other than bags, such as skis, scuba gear, etc.
- Preferred size aircraft based on prior charter habits, such as piston, turboprop, helicopter, very light jet (VLJ), light jet, midsize jet, heavy jet or ultra-long-range jet (ULR). Any age limitation for year aircraft was manufactured and if WiFi is a requirement.
- Any special need requests, such as assistance boarding and deplaning for a medical issue, etc. It is recommended the broker be informed of any “nervous” fliers so they may advise the flight crew, who may be able to adjust certain flight maneuvers.
- Most operators stock standard onboard snacks and beverages, such as chips, cookies, protein bars, candies, bottles waters and sodas. Some stock, beer, wine and liquor. Any special catering request will be billed separately. It is important to advise any food allergies.
- If assistance is required with ground transportation at departure or arrival airport, your broker will assist and invoice the charges as an additional expense. If you arrange your own ground transportation, it is recommended you share the details with the broker, so they can advise the flight crew on what to expect and the broker should call the arrival airport at least thirty minutes from landing to verify the ground transportation is in place. Most often ground transportation is allowed on the airport ramp to park next to the aircraft to allow for planeside boarding and deplaning.
If considering an aircraft purchase before year end and the process has yet to begin, speak with a tax and legal expert to take advantage of possible Bonus Depreciation allowed by 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. You may qualify for one 100% depreciation in first year of ownership if you meet qualifications. You must act before year end to take advantage if you qualify. Normal depreciation is Five Year MACRS or Six Year Straight-Line ADS. This relates to whole aircraft ownership or owning a share of an aircraft.
We invite you to visit or Jet Shares page for more information on our shares program and the benefits of Jet Shares.
Private Aircraft Charter vs. First-Class
Pros and Cons for both examining time, productivity, security and cost efficiencies.
Differences between chartering a private aircraft and booking first class are narrowed down to these efficiency factors:
TIME: If time is worth as much as or more than money, private aircraft charter is recommended for saving the time of long lines in commercial airline terminals for security checkpoints, etc., as well as boarding, deplaning, baggage claim and connecting with ground transportation. Commercial airline delays and cancelations risks affect the time factor exponentially.
PRODUCTIVITY: In addition to time savings associated with private aircraft charters, if traveling with a group for business, the privacy of an aircraft cabin allows for much greater networking and production.
SECURITY: Private aircraft charters afford far better travel discretion when required for confidential business dealings, as well as avoiding the many confrontations and disruptions so prevalent in commercial airline cabins.
COST: If flying a heavily traveled route for personal reasons alone or with one other traveler, and your time value can allow for potential commercial airline delays and cancellations, then a first-class ticket may be preferred. If travelling in a group, private aircraft charters should be evaluated by price per passenger for the selected aircraft. Since flying internationally can be much more expensive for a private aircraft charter, first class may make more sense, depending on how many passengers are in your group and the accessibility and safety of your destination.
Covid Flying – Is The Boom In Private Flying Still Soaring?
As many steered to private flying due to COVID-19, flying private was a necessary luxury in order to be safe from possible spread of the virus. Private flying was typically associated with wealthy executives, athletes and entertainers. However, this was no longer the case. Due to the pandemic, there are now more first-time jet owners, families and smaller businesses flying private.
Commercial flying was down from 90% to 80% in 2021. Private flying now accounts for a quarter of U.S. flights. With the ease of
boarding and safety and having the flexibility to save time, many still continue to fly private as it remains a necessary luxury. The demand for more jets is an understatement, as private jet operators are needing aircrafts in order to fulfill their clients charter requests. Whether you’re looking to continue to fly private
or have interest in a share in an aircraft, we have access to fulfill your jet charter needs.
We invite you to visit our Jet Shares page for more information on our shares program and the benefits of Jet Shares.
Do I Use A Broker Or An App For My Next Private Charter Flight?
We all use apps nowadays for pretty much anything. But would you use one to book a flight on a jet?
In private aviation there are many more details and safety features brokers look into when securing their client’s flights, such as insurance certificates, crew briefings and duty times, flight permits and catering requests.
Booking on an app does not cut the middleman out. It actually works the same way as they do not own or operate aircrafts. As well, not all operators are affiliated with the App companies, which can result in less options to choose from and may not be cost effective for the client.
Securing a broker with expertise and effective communication with crew and operator will ensure the client a safe and smooth trip.
Big Apple Jet is excited to announce our Jet Shares Program – the fractional alternative to charters.
Check out our website for more information on our Jet Shares Program.
According to WingX’s latest Business Aviation Bulletin, business aviation activity is currently outpacing 2019 numbers, with flights up 6% from two years ago in the first week of December. However, the business aviation data specialist claimed activity has slowed week to week, possibly reflecting incremental constraints from the introduction of the Omicron Covid variant, as well as usual seasonal variations.
The increase in the first week of December is “noticeably slower” than a week before, when global activity was up 14% from the same time last year, according to WingX. However, this is still better than scheduled passenger traffic, which is down 30% from last year’s levels. Business aviation traffic increased by 48 percent in the first week compared to the same period last year.
North America has accounted for 3.5 million of the 4.6 million business jet and turboprop flights so far this year, and activity is on par with that of last year. Business jet travel is up 3% year to date and 5% in December in the United States alone. In the United States, there was a 20% increase during the Thanksgiving season.
However, fractional operators saw a 13 percent increase in traffic in December compared to the previous year. Charters are slowing, with only a 1% increase this month.
So far, European business aviation flights are up 8%, but that’s still down from the 30% increase in November. In Germany, activity has returned to pre-pandemic levels, but in the United Kingdom, it has decreased by 10% in December. Flights are down 20% in Austria and Belgium, which are also experiencing lockdowns, compared to December 2019. Flights to Spain, on the other hand, have increased by 42%. Eight of Europe’s top markets are also up, according to WingX.
Flights in the rest of the world are down 4% in 2021 compared to 2019 levels, with Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco performing the worst this year. Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey are performing the best.
What You Should Know
- If you want to travel internationally, you must have a COVID-19 viral test no more than 1 day before flying into the United States (regardless of immunization status or citizenship). Before boarding your flight, you must show the airline your negative result.
- If you have recently recovered from COVID-19, you may travel with proof of recovery (a positive COVID-19 viral test result on a sample taken no more than 90 days before the flight’s departure from a foreign country and a letter from a licensed healthcare provider or a public health official stating that you were cleared to travel).
Read more on the CDC website.
According to statistics from Jefferies Equity Research and Amstat, the aggregate number of preowned business jets for sale last month plummeted by 53% from a year ago and 8% from October. There were 795 business jets available for sale, accounting for 3.2 percent of the active fleet. The inventory of newer-model business jets—those that are in production or have been out of production for less than seven years—fell 62 percent year over year (YOY), corresponding to 2.2 percent of the fleet for sale.
According to Jefferies, the fall has been widespread across market segments, with the biggest drop in inventories occurring in midsize aircraft, which fell 57 percent year over year to 2.8 percent of the active fleet. Large-cabin jet inventory fell 48 percent year over year to 3% of the active fleet, while light jet inventory fell 51% to 3.8 percent of the active fleet.
Last month, Bombardier had 2.4 percent of active fleet inventory, Textron Aviation (Cessna Citation) had 1.9 percent, Dassault Falcon had 2.7 percent, Embraer Executive Jets had 2.1 percent, and Gulfstream had 2.5 percent. Most manufacturers’ list prices increased, with Gulfstream topping the way with a 27 percent year-over-year increase. Bombardier was next, with pricing up 10% from a year ago, followed by Embraer (up 8%), and Textron Aviation (up 4%). According to Jefferies, Dassault Falcon pricing fell 3% year over year.