Private Jets and Business Aircraft
With the well documented issues in commercial flying more and more people have found reasons to turn to private aircraft.
There are a variety of options to consider. The starting point is how often you want to fly privately.
If you only fly a few hours a year then on demand aircraft charter is probably the best way to go. As your number of hours of private flying increases look at charter cards and fractional cards.
Once you reach about 50 hours of flying a year then fractional aircraft ownership can start to make sense and above 300 or so hours per year whole ownership is worth looking into. Here is some core information to help you understand the options.
All of the major providers have expanded over the last few years. Many now offer a wide range of products and solutions to meet the needs of various clients. If you're looking at the different options and would like a good general overview then download our free Guide to Private Aviation, which includes details on charter, jet cards and fractional ownership. For detailed side by side comparisons of the leading jet card and fractional providers, a directory of charter operators, and our Aircraft Buying Guide then sign up for membership.
The latest news and research on private jets and aircraft is included below.
- Details
- Written by Robin Catalano
Elite sports are big business, and getting athletes from tournament to tournament - beyond the glare of cameras, and without the hurry-up-and-wait of commercial airport travel - has become increasingly complex. This is why many teams now choose to charter large aircraft, and turn to experienced brokers and charter firms to transport them from city to city efficiently and comfortably.
- Details
- Written by Nick Copley
The private jet provider has created a new membership program designed directly for corporations. It offers six categories of aircraft all at a fixed hourly price, available with as little as six hours’ notice.
- Details
- Written by Fiona Young-Brown
VistaJet, the global private aviation company founded by Swiss financier Thomas Flohr, continues to expand with the recent news that it has acquired California-based XOJet. The deal will add 43 aircraft to VistaJet’s existing fleet of more than 70 large private jets.
- Details
- Written by Nick Copley
One of the leading providers of fractional jet ownership, reported strong results for the first half of 2018. Flexjet saw sales increase 17 percent compared to the same period in 2017. As part of this increase, Flexjet saw a 76% growth in customers who were completely new to the company.
- Details
- Written by Nick Copley
SherpaReport visited NetJets headquarters in Columbus last month and had the opportunity to tour the Flight Center and meet several of the management team. I obtained great insights into the operations and how NetJets matches its aircraft and crews to the needs of its owners. Here’s what I learned.
- Details
- Written by Fiona Young-Brown
Earlier this year saw the launch of the Sky Access Program from Delta Private Jets. More recently, the program has been enhanced with new booking software. Members in the program have access to free empty-leg flights, giving last-minute access to one-way travel, and can also book fixed price private jet charters. The Northern Kentucky based company says it will “make luxury travel affordable.”
- Details
- Written by Robin Catalano
The music and entertainment industries have been using private jets for many years. In the 1970’s Led Zeppelin nicknamed their plane “The Starship” and there were several stories about the parties on board. But the real reason for using these planes is that they are the most practical way to get around, especially if you’re doing a multi-city tour. They also provide a sense of continuity, safety, and sanctuary, as well as privacy - away from the curious eyes of paparazzi and fans.
- Details
- Written by David Wyndham
If you want to control your company’s transportation, whole ownership of a business aircraft can be particularly attractive. And, with high enough utilization, it is also very cost effective. As a generalization, when your flying needs come close to (or exceed 200 annual hours), whole aircraft ownership can be more cost effective than fractional, charter or membership programs. Whole aircraft ownership offers the following benefits.
- Details
- Written by Robin Catalano
If it seems like it’s getting more difficult to choose between the many private aviation companies, that’s because they’ve been responding to customer demand to make their membership benefits and lifestyle perks increasingly more flexible and compelling. Today we take a head-to-head look at Sentient Jet and NetJets, two of the industry’s longest-standing and largest businesses.
- Details
- Written by Fiona Young-Brown
Eleven years ago, Sherpa Report looked at some of the statistics regarding flying commercially – delays, cancellations, lost baggage, and so on. More than a decade later, the most recent Department of Transportation statistics can tell us whether much has changed and whether flying privately may still be a good alternative.
- Details
- Written by Nick Copley
The private jet company, Jet Linx, likes to emphasize its local connections as it expands its network of bases across the country. The newest centers that are due to open are in New York, Boston, and Chicago. SherpaReport talked to CEO Jamie Walker about the expansion and the companies model for growth.
- Details
- Written by Fiona Young-Brown
Ride-sharing social media apps such as Uber and Lyft have helped to revolutionize the taxi industry, offering passengers a greater range of options for getting around town. By 2015, Uber was a household name and publications from USA Today to The Robb Report started to speculate about who might be a comparable giant in the private aviation market.
- Details
- Written by Nick Copley
The sales data from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) shows unit business jet deliveries in 2017 grew slightly last year. The annual databook reported 676 new business jets sold worldwide in 2017 compared to (a revised) 667 unit sales in 2016. The increase was helped by several new models entering full service during the year. Here are some of the highlights and the sales by manufacturer.
- Details
- Written by Robin Catalano
Both Flexjet and Wheels Up, have built reputable brands in the private aviation sector. They both offer access to a fleet of newer aircraft. But they have some significant differences in the planes and services they provide. Here’s a closer look at how they compare.
- Details
- Written by Nick Copley
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Trump’s Tax Reform Act) was passed in December of 2017 and includes some significant changes that impact anyone buying a plane.
- Details
- Written by Fiona Young-Brown
Fractional aircraft company PlaneSense celebrated a double first recently with the entry of the first jet into their fleet. To make things more noteworthy, the jet was the world’s first Pilatus PC-24.
- Details
- Written by Fiona Young-Brown
Jet cards have been getting a lot of press lately, and with good reason. For the right type of flyer, they can save both money and time. But a private jet card may not be the best option for you. It really depends on your flights, and where you fly, how often you fly and when you fly. In this article, we take a look at jet cards and the various alternatives.
- Details
- Written by Fiona Young-Brown
As technology continues to make some aspects of life easier and more efficient, it makes sense that booking a private flight should be as stress-free as possible. Most private aircraft companies now offer some sort of app for taking care of reservations. These are an additional and convenient alternative to booking online or via phone. We take a look at a few of the available apps and what they offer.
- Details
- Written by Nick Copley
Jet Card and Jet membership companies often have special offers to persuade new members to sign up. The latest offer from JetSmarter is for a limited-edition timepiece from luxury Swiss watchmaker Hublot, which is available when purchasing a JetSmarter 3-year Sophisticated Membership.
- Details
- Written by Nick Copley
The private aviation company has launched its first foray into membership-based products. The offering provides competitive, fixed hourly rates for on-demand jet charter.
- Details
- Written by Robin Catalano
Flexjet and NetJets, two private aviation sector giants, are both backed by firms run by some of the world’s savviest investors. They have developed similar luxury private jet ownership and card programs, that can be difficult to distinguish between. Here’s a closer look at how they compare.
- Details
- Written by Robin Catalano
The New England Patriots might not be feeling elated after their stunning Super Bowl upset, but they’re still flying high, thanks to the recent purchase of a pair of Boeing wide-body 767s (one as the chief in-season aircraft, and the other as backup).
Latest Aviation Research
- Updated Aircraft Buying Guide
- What are FBOs And What Services Do They Provide
- The Largest Fractional Aircraft Operators in 2022
- New Guide to Buying a Private Aircraft
- Used Business Jet Sales Are Surging
- Chartering a Private Aircraft: Primer for First Time Buyers
- Negotiating Fractional Jet Contract Terms
- An Introduction to Flying on Private Aircraft
- New Business Jet Sales Up in 2018
- Buying a Jet for Charter Revenue