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.

Charter
Fractions
Jet Cards
Whole Ownership

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, and a directory of charter operators, then sign up for membership.

The latest news and research on private jets and aircraft is included below.

Details: Written by Elaine Day; Published: 26 July 2012

Following on the heels of a $1.3 billion order in 2010 and a $6.7 billion purchase in 2011, the fractional ownership firm NetJets recently placed two separate deals for Bombardier and Cessna planes totaling $9.6 billion. NetJets plans to introduce as many as 425 new aircraft to their global fleet.

Details: Written by Nick Copley; Published: 27 June 2012

Leading charter provider Sentient is currently offering a 15 hour jet card at the same hourly rates as their regular 25 hour card.

Details: Written by Barbara McHatton; Published: 27 June 2012

Appealing to those clients who value both their time and money, private jet charter company, JetSuite, is pioneering a new class of service. "We're attempting to make private charters more affordable and accessible," says Keith Rabin, president. The provider offers the same level of luxury as other branded operators.

Details: Written by Nick Copley; Published: 19 June 2012

ARGUS, the leading audit organization for aircraft operators around the world, has recently re-awarded its Platinum Rating, the highest level of safety ratings, to private aviation company Flight Options. This means Flight Options has now held this award for 12 consecutive years.

Details: Written by Nick Copley; Published: 22 May 2012

Research group Ascend recently published their annual report on Business Aviation Safety. Business jets continued the trend for improving safety that has seen the accident rate more than halve in the past 10 years.

Details: Written by Barbara McHatton; Published: 15 May 2012

Jet cards have become an increasingly popular way of accessing private aviation. They provide confirmed levels of pricing, aircraft types and access. One thing to be aware of is the peak travel days that have slightly different reservation and travel requirements.

Details: Written by Nick Copley; Published: 04 May 2012

The company, owned by aircraft manufacturer Cessna, has stopped selling fractional aircraft and is focusing on its other jet card and jet management programs.

Details: Written by Nick Copley; Published: 01 May 2012

The company recently launched Europe's first direct financing product for the fractional aircraft industry. This follows the successful launch of financing in the USA, which the company started in 2010.

Details: Written by James D. Butler; Published: 18 April 2012

Is fractional aircraft ownership right for you? Or would a jet-card program, a block-charter card program, on-demand charter or maybe even whole aircraft ownership better suit your needs?

Details: Written by Nick Copley; Published: 20 March 2012

The new program from XOJET is targeted as an alternative to fractional jet ownership and jet card programs. XOJET Elite Access offers program members guaranteed access to the XOJET fleet of Citation X and Challenger 300 jets, with as little as 12 hours notice.