Flying Private Jet - Truth

The vast majority of people view flying by private jet as a glamorous and exciting mode of transport, reserved only for the lucky few. Non-commercial flights offer greater privacy and comfort, and open up a wider range of destinations (reaching around ten times more airports). Although it is clearly a tremendous privilege to be able travel this way, things aren’t always as portrayed in the movies. Here we will take a look at some of the common misconceptions surrounding flying by private jet.

You Can’t Take off Within Ten Minutes

Unfortunately, you can’t just call your pilot on the way to the airport and say, “Get the plane ready, we’ll be there in five minutes. I feel like going to Ko Samui tonight.” Of course, short notice flights happen all the time. However “short notice” in this context usually means a few days, or several hours at the very least. Taking off with less than an hour’s notice is extremely rare, for simple reasons:

  • You and your crew need time to reach the airport and pass through customs and immigration.
  • For many countries, it takes days to process the required overflight authorizations and landing permits.
  • Your aircraft needs to be fueled and made ready for take-off.
  • You may also have to queue for take-off at the airport, as private jets are rarely given priority for slots (especially at busy international airports).

You Cannot Go Everywhere in One Shot

Generally speaking, business jets tend to be smaller aircraft, as they are designed to carry fewer passengers. Unfortunately, this usually means the aircraft’s range is much shorter than that of an airliner. A 12,600km direct flight from Dubai to Miami, for example, wouldn’t be possible in a single trip for most business jets. The Cessna Citation X is one of the world’s most popular bizjets, however its maximum range is only 5,956km. The Gulfstream G650, classified as a Long-Range Business Jet, has a 12,960km capacity and so would be suitable for this journey.

The maximum ranges of private jets go from just 1,111km for the Cirrus Vision SF50 (classified as a “very light jet”), up to over 15,000km for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The majority of models have ranges in the region of 2,000km to 7,000km, meaning you will most likely have to land and refuel if your trip involves traveling from one continent to another.

Cessna Citation X

The Cessna Citation X is one of the world’s most popular bizjets, with an operating range of 5,956km.

You Still Need to Go Through Security Check Points

You may have seen movie characters going straight from their car to the aircraft, with nobody checking their passport or screening their luggage. In reality, passengers and crew members must go through customs and immigration when flying internationally. Their identity and luggage are always screened, and a visa is required just like everybody else. Even for short domestic flights, there will still be some security checks.

Most international airports have their own separate facilities for private and charter flights. This means you are unlikely to find a billionaire, a Forbes Top 10 company CEO or a well-known celebrity queuing with you for clearance in the terminal. Sometimes there will even be a dedicated airport for private aviation, like in Paris where the majority of business jets go through Le Bourget Airport instead of Charles de Gaulle or Orly.

Certain VVIPs may benefit from fewer security checks, however these are mostly diplomats, heads of state or important government officials. Procedures can also vary depending on the country you are flying to/from, and your nationality.

You Cannot Transport Anything and Everything

Once again a lot depends on where you are flying to/from. For example, some African countries tend not to check what you have in your luggage, whereas Germany is very strict and will look into every detail. Every year, we hear stories of people being arrested and having their aircraft seized because of illegal items found on board. Laws vary from country to country, and so it is important to be aware of any restricted items before setting off on your journey. For instance, some categories of prescription medications which are available over the counter in your home country may be prohibited at your destination.

Private Jet Passengers Aren’t Always Who You Think They Are

When you ask people who they think are flying in private jets, they will most likely suggest the passengers must be celebrities, famous athletes, singers, presidents or rich heirs. In fact, most of the people using business aircraft are businessmen and companies. Relatively speaking, a smaller proportion of business jets are registered to private individuals. Most are registered as corporate, meaning that the majority of passengers are employees flying in aircraft belonging to their companies. For these organizations, owning a jet is more efficient and often less costly than booking business or first-class tickets every time the CEO, chairmen or top executives have to travel.

If you don’t fly that often, for instance less than once a month, owning an aircraft is probably the least economic solution. Maintenance, fueling and crew’s salaries all need to be taken into account, together with your aircraft’s lifespan. For this reason, many celebrities or businessmen prefer to hire jets from charter companies to use whenever they need to fly.

Arrange Your next Flight with Jetex

Private aviation offers increased freedom of movement, together with the convenience of flying to your own schedule. However as we have seen, there is a lot of preparation involved behind the scenes, which is not usually shown in the movies. Making all the necessary arrangements for a successful flight requires extensive knowledge, experience and connections, particularly for last-minute journeys. It is vital to have the support of a dependable trip planning partner. This is where Jetex comes in!

Our extensive network of FBOs and Ground Support Stations enables us to provide a full range of services, wherever you may be traveling. We offer global trip planning, ground handling, fuel uplifts and bespoke concierge services. Our dedicated operations teams are on standby to assist you 24/7.

To find out more about how you can benefit from our services, please contact our team on +971 4 212 4000 or email info@jetex.com.