Everything you need to know to charter your first flight with Villiers Jets

After a time of lockdown due to the coronavirus, a growing number of nations around the world are beginning to reopen their borders to foreign travellers in preparation for the summer season.

Vaccines and treatments for the virus are still in the research and development stage. Because of this, it is crucial to travel securely.

You would not be the only one if the thought of shelling out the cash for your very own private jet has ever crossed your mind as a potential answer.

In the first two weeks of June this year, the number of enquiries received by PrivateFly, a private jet charter broker, was up by 85 percent when compared to the same time period the previous year. In the meantime, flight bookings through the international aviation services provider Air Partner increased by more than 210% in May when compared to the same month in the previous year.

According to David McCown, president of Air Partner U.S., “this summer we are seeing a lot more clients selecting for experiences that are more wellness-oriented and loaded with natural elements.” “They are looking for off-the-beaten-path locations that can serve as secure alternatives to the typical major tourist spots.”

So, as a first-time flyer on a private aircraft, what do you absolutely need to know? CNBC’s Global Traveler talked to brokers to get a rudimentary understanding of the situation.

What is the price tag attached to it?

Prices shift in a manner comparable to that of a standard plane ticket, changing in accordance with the length of the journey. The price also differs depending on the length of your stay as well as the type of plane you take.

According to Edward Reid, co-founder of Villiers Jets, the hourly rate for the majority of aircraft ranges between $5,000 and $10,000. In a similar vein, Adam Twidell, CEO of PrivateFly, stated that a short journey of one to two hours on a tiny jet may cost roughly $5,000, whereas a long-haul travel on a larger aircraft, such as from New York to London, could cost upwards of $130,000.

According to Andy Christie, the global head of private jets at Air Charter Service, the price of a charter flight can start at £5,000 ($6,272) and go as high as £1 million ($1.27 million).

Some airlines now offer subscription services or customer loyalty programs to passengers who wish to become frequent fliers on private aircraft in the wake of the pandemic. For example, VistaJet has introduced a short-term leasing scheme, through which tourists can charter a jet for one to three months for a fixed monthly cost. This cost covers up to 50 hours of usage each month, and additional hours can be purchased at a discounted rate.

According to Reid, fuel, crew, and handling fees are typically included in packages. Additional costs often consist of “technical issues like de-icing and overnight hangarage,” which is the term for the storage of the aeroplane.

According to him, private charters would often come with basic catering, but if the client has particular meal demands, additional costs may be incurred.

What kind of private jet should I use for my charter?

According to Twidell, the type of plane that you charter is determined by the number of people travelling together, your budget, the amount of luggage you need to transport, and the route.

“Ultra long-range jets and private airliners like the Gulfstream G650, Global Express, or Boeing Business Jet are suited for long-haul flights, as well as for bigger groups or VVIP travel,” he said. “These aircraft can fly more than 15,000 miles without refuelling.” “They seat up to 18 or more passengers and come with flat bed options for sleeping, larger restrooms, and multi-zone cabin layouts — giving passengers the sensation of a luxury hotel suite in the sky,” the company says. “They provide passengers the option to sleep on a flat bed.”

According to Christie, the Hawker 900XP and the Citation XLS are two of the most often utilised examples of mid-sized jets. They have a range of between four and five hours, can seat a total of eight passengers, and provide space for approximately eight items of luggage.

On the other hand, he went on to say that individuals are free to fly by themselves if they so choose.

How far in advance do I have to make my reservation?

As is the case with the majority of areas of trip preparation, the earlier you book, the better, but for those who are looking for a quick escape, According to Twidell, the record for PrivateFly’s booking and take-off times is 16 minutes.

According to him, not more than a week in advance of their trip, nearly half of PrivateFly’s customers make their reservations for their flights.

According to Reid, Villiers Jets lets customers to make reservations as close as two or three hours before departure.

During this time, the Chief Commercial Officer of VistaJet, Ian Moore, suggested that a flight reservation be made with at least 24 hours’ notice.

What is the procedure for getting me to my private plane?

Handling private traffic is the responsibility of many airports, some of which have private terminals or permit private charter brokers to function as “fixed-based operators.”

“These are quiet, efficient, and well-equipped to facilitate a quick transition from arriving at the airport to departing on the aircraft,” said Reid. “This will facilitate a smooth transition from arriving at the airport to departing on the aircraft.” “The most significant advantage of private charters is that they make available to our customers a wide selection of local and regional airports, which are frequently located in much closer proximity to and provide more convenient access to their final destination.”

I’ve decided where I want to go, but is it possible to extend my trip or change my mind?

There is some leeway in terms of where you travel and how long your trip lasts, but according to Reid, the more advanced notice that is given, the better. Because of this, revised flight plans and permissions to land at the new destination can be granted. According to him, in the case of Villiers Jets, there is typically an additional cost to account for additional flight time or higher landing fees at the new destination airport.

According to Twidell, alterations to the itinerary of a trip can almost always be made to accommodate the traveller, even up until the day of the flight itself. He mentioned that there may be an additional fee if, for example, the crew needs to stay overnight, but that this depends on the extent to which the changes were made.

Are animals of any kind permitted on the aeroplane?

According to the aircraft providers that CNBC spoke with, passengers are free to bring their animals with them on board private flights.

Christie brought to everyone’s attention the fact that this may be subject to requirements for pet passports as well as other animal international travel limitations.

It is possible that passengers on Air Partner flights will be required to keep their dogs in a “authorised kennel” and to give advance notice of their travel plans to the account manager who is organising their vacations.

According to Twidell, a plane chartered by PrivateFly flew from London to Alicante, Spain carrying ten people’s animals along for the ride. The animals included two dogs, two cats, and six birds in addition to their owners.

Moore stated that one in every four VistaJet customers often travels with their dogs. As a result, the company developed a service called VistaPet to cater to the needs of four-legged pals by providing amenities such as care kits, sleep mats, menus, and even fear of flying courses.

Do I need a particular type of insurance?

Even though the carriers are covered by insurance, Christie strongly suggested that passengers purchase their own ordinary travel insurance just as they would for any other holiday.