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When it comes to group travel, many people simply wind up paying too much. They don’t realize, for example, that a private jet flight can be significantly cheaper than flying commercial when you’re talking about a sizable group of people. Not only that, there are a number of tactics you can use to get even better prices when you book your private jet flights.
Here are some tactics you can use to charter a jet and save money for your company or group:
- Start by looking at “empty leg” flights.
When someone charters a private jet and is staying in the destination city for more than a day, the chartered jet often has to fly back to its home airport empty. The charter jet company factors this into the original flight’s cost, and so they’re not losing money in doing so.
However, most charter jet companies do try to recoup additional costs by offering seats on those return flights. An empty leg flight can cost as little as half of the normal cost of a private jet flight.
In order to take advantage of empty leg flights, you need to be flexible in your travel arrangements. You need to be able to postpone, reschedule, or extend your travel. In some cases, you can take an empty leg flight one direction (either going to or from your destination) and schedule a regular private jet charter for the other leg.
- Consider private jet “pooling.”
Some private jet companies will allow individuals to share a private jet with other passengers at a reduced cost. This is closer to the idea of flying commercial; you pay for your seat, rather than chartering the entire plane. You still get the benefits of flying charter, such as the private tarmac and luxury service, as well as direct flights.
Not all private jet companies allow pooling, but for those that do you can expect to save as much as 30-50% off the cost of chartering the jet.
- Look at fractional ownership.
If you’re flying 50 hours or more each year, fractional ownership might be a better option for you. Fractional ownership means that you own a portion of the private jet’s time. You might own 1/16 of a jet, for example, as well as being responsible for a portion of its maintenance fees as well as hourly flying charges. One of the obvious downsides to fractional ownership, of course, is that you need to work around scheduling with the other owners, and may find that you have to adjust your travel schedule during times where the shared jet is in demand.
- Take advantage of frequent flyer discounts.
Frequent travelers who regularly use the same private jet company like mango flights should expect and ask for frequent traveler discounts. These discounts may be an actual reduction in the hourly cost of your flight, or they may take the form of a reduction or elimination of certain fees associated with the private jet flight.
- Research a private jet exchange.
There are still a number of companies and individuals out there who have their own private jets. The expenses involved in maintaining those jets are often significantly higher than what their actual use dictates. As such, private companies that aren’t in the charter jet business may in some cases hire their jets out for private use.
These opportunities are nearly impossible to find unless you know where to look. A private jet broker can help identify potential opportunities in your area.
- Shop around.
It’s as true in the private jet world as it is anywhere else in the marketplace: prices can vary greatly from one company to the next. When you’re comparing pricing, make sure you get all of the relevant pricing information. You’ll want to ask about fees, fuel surcharges, and any other costs that might be involved in the flight. A given flight might have a lower price tag, but you’ll wind up spending more on it before it’s all said and done.
Private jet flights offer a level of convenience and luxury that you can’t get flying commercial. They also offer opportunities for businesses and groups to save money, especially when compared with the cost of owning a private jet outright. Spend some time today looking into your private jet options, and follow these tips to save yourself significantly on the costs of those flights.
These essential tips will help you in getting your best private jet flights at best deals.