How to Book Your First Private Jet Flight

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Maybe it happened when you had to stand in a “faster” PreCheck line that snaked back to ticketing. Maybe it was when your business class seatmate started coughing and sneezing – and didn’t stop for three hours – due to “allergies.” Maybe the breaking point was when one of the twin toddlers sitting right behind first class spent the whole flight screeching. However it occurred, you’ve decided that you’re ready to try private jet travel.

Now the big question is…what next? Commercial airlines may not offer a luxurious experience, but they do provide a fairly straightforward booking process with detailed flight and pricing information. First-time private jet flyers will want to do some work on the front end to ensure the right experience for them. The whole point of private jet travel is to escape the cookie-cutter approach of major airlines with a more specialized and pleasant experience – and first-time flyers will need to figure out what that looks like for them. Here’s a step-by-step guide that may help:

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1) Start in advance.

You may be used to booking last-minute trips on commercial air carriers, but in order to get the true level of service provided by private jet travel, your first flight requires more lead time. How much? If possible, one to two months is best to accommodate the research you’ll want to do.

2) Decide which level of private jet travel you’re seeking.

Private-style air carriers contract for the operation of an aircraft to and from a destination and then sell seats. While you have to share the flight with 20-30 other people, you’ll be able to fly out of private jet terminals not subject to the same ticketing and security rules as large airlines. If this is what fits best with your lifestyle and your wallet – it’s the least expensive option – your next steps are to go to the carrier’s Website, check out their options, and secure the one that works best for you, much as you would with a major airline.

Private jet membership programs, aka “jet cards,” let you book available aircraft based on a number of prepaid credits. With fractional ownership programs, you buy a share in an aircraft for a set time period and get a specified number of flight hours in return. If you’re looking to use either one of these options, most of your work will be researching companies in advance, then signing with the one that best fits your needs. The program you select should have a set process for booking your flights.

Charter flights are the most expensive private jet option per flight – and the one that offers truly customized travel. If you’ve decided that programs with pre-set parameters just won’t work for you, charters represent your best option. For a first-time flyer, a charter broker that works with multiple individual operators will probably most closely fit your needs. If this is your preference, read on.

3) Work out what your ideal trip looks like.

Where are you looking to fly, and when? How many people will be accompanying you (if any)? What level of comfort do you need? Which bells and whistles are nice to have, and which are vital? Will you be bringing any pets? How much luggage do you expect to have? You don’t need to have all the answers in advance, but you’ll want to put together a framework before moving forward.

4) Start looking into options for charter brokers online.

Brokers typically only offer flights in certain regions – start there to see which options are available. Google (or your preferred search engine) can provide you with options; more specialized search offerings such as Air Charter Guide’s broker search function represent another option.

Once you’ve identified brokers who offer flights in your preferred region, it’s time to dig a bit deeper. Yiannis Christodoulides, director at charter broker Zela Jets, recommends would-be first-time private jet travelers research potential brokers on LinkedIn to identify the number of employees who work there and what experience they have. Instagram accounts can also be helpful – if a broker has an account, is it a collection of stock photos, or one that shows images of the actual planes and trips offered?

While experienced private jet travelers may want to investigate newer charter brokers, first-time flyers are typically best off focusing on those with a history of service. Company Websites are one tool for investigating this – does the broker discuss its experience and provide details? For first-time private jet travelers, “I would stick with companies that have history and a reputation in the market,” Christodoulides recommends.

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5) While there’s an app for that – several, in fact – first-time private jet travelers will want to go with direct communication instead.

Remember, you’re looking for a personalized experience! After you’ve identified five or six broker options, start crafting your e-mail. While you’ll want to open with the basics of your trip – start point, end point, approximate date needed, number of travelers – you’ll also want to include details such as number of pets (if any), amount of luggage, necessary features (remember, wi-fi isn’t a given on private jets), and other considerations. While you can start with a phone call instead, having your specific parameters communicated in writing can help stave off confusion down the road, and provides documentation for both sides.

Omni Air Transport, a private charter and aircraft management service based in Oklahoma, advises U.S. private jet travelers to include safety in their checklists of requirements. Many operators take part in third-party safety-auditing entities such as ARGUS, ISBAO, and Wyvern. The U.S. FAA requires brokers to inform customers of who operators are for flights – travelers can request that any flights they take are with operators who share their data with safety organizations. The National Business Aviation Association has a discussion of air charter broker regulations for those interested in more details.

Travelers outside of the U.S. will want to investigate which safety monitoring options are available in their regions. Again, for safety purposes, first-time private jet travelers will want to lean toward brokers with longevity in the industry. “It’s a way you can verify the quality of the crew, the safety and maintenance precautions, and the level of service you’re likely to receive,” Priester Aviation President Rich Ropp shared in a Spotlight. “That might not always equate to the operation with the cheapest costs. But if you’re making the commitment to flying privately, you want the charter atmosphere to be everything you’re expecting it to be – with no surprises.”

After you’ve sent your request to five to six brokers, sit back and wait for replies. You should start receiving responses that include photos of aircrafts along with prices, jet sizes, and other information. See which options fit best with what you need – and which companies make you feel most comfortable. Don’t be afraid to start the research process again if nothing seems quite right. “The first flight should be a 10 out of 10,” Christodoulides says.

6) For first-time private jet flyers traveling to other countries, remember to do your own research on regulations that may affect your trip.

You can certainly ask brokers for advice, but ultimately, this is your responsibility. Don’t forget to include the rules for re-entry into your home country – just because you’re a citizen doesn’t mean they’ll let you back in unquestioningly. Private jet travel does not exempt flyers from customs officers, nor from requirements such as authorization letters for a solo parent traveling with children. A little advance preparation will ensure your first private jet flight goes smoothly.

7) When you’ve completed your legwork, figured out your needs, and settled on a broker – book your ticket! Congratulations, you’re a private jet traveler.

Ready to move forward? Check out Charter 101: Guide for New Travelers for more details and start your journey. Be warned, though – your first private jet trip is unlikely to be your last. “Once you do it, you realize it’s a whole different experience,” says Christodoulides. “The first time is so magical. You just have to break the ice.”