Everything You Need to Know About Shared Private Jet Flights
If you’ve been searching online for information on shared private jet flights, you’ve come to the right place. As someone with experience chartering both private and shared aircraft, I want to address all the common questions people have about this unique mode of air travel.
What is a shared private jet flight?
A shared private jet flight involves joining other passengers on a private aircraft that is chartered specially for that trip. Unlike commercial airlines where you simply purchase a seat on a crowded plane, a shared jet allows you to experience the amenities and convenience of flying privately while splitting the high costs among multiple travelers going to similar destinations. Essentially, it’s a way to enjoy private plane travel at a more affordable price point by sharing the charter with other passengers.
How does sharing a private jet save money compared to chartering your own aircraft?
Chartering an entire private jet just for your group can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars or more depending on the aircraft size and destination. However, by sharing the jet with other passengers going to nearby airports, the per-person price is dramatically reduced. For example, on one trip I took with my family on a shared jet, the total charter would have been around $50,000 if it were just us. But by joining up with another party of 4 heading to a location a few hours away, we each paid only $2,500 thanks to sharing costs.
How does the booking and travel process work?
Most private jet charter companies that offer shared flights have an online system where you enter your travel details like number of passengers, dates, destination airports. Their software then searches for matching itineraries to join. Once a suitable shared trip is found, you book your spot. On the day of travel, you’ll meet the other passengers at a private terminal for security screening before boarding together. Then it’s a relaxed flight experience just like having the whole plane to yourself.
- Search flight sharing platforms for matches to your itinerary
- Book your seats once a shared trip is found
- Meet other passengers at a private terminal
- Board the charter jet and enjoy the relaxing flight
How many passengers typically share a private jet?
The number of passengers that can share a private jet flight varies based on the aircraft size. For small to midsize jets that seat 4-10 people, you may fly along with 1-3 other individual travelers or families. Larger cabin jets seating 10-16 passengers are ideal for accommodating larger bookings of around 6 people who split the higher costs. In any case, you rarely have more than a handful of other passengers to enjoy the spacious cabin with during travel.
What kind of aircraft are used for shared charters?
The jets chartered for shared flights range from small cabin Light Jets perfect for 2-4 passengers up to super midsize aircraft that seat 10-12 comfortably. Popular models include Citation Excel/XLS, Phenom 300, Cessna Citation X, and Challenger 300 series jets. No matter the size, all provide ample legroom, wi-fi, refreshments and a relaxing atmosphere. One bonus is that larger cabins mean potentially lower per-person rates by carrying more sharers.
Is it worth paying more for higher seating capacities?
From my experience organising both small and large shared jet charters, the larger cabins do tend to provide better value. Sure, 4-seater jets are kinda intimate – there’s no personal space. But even just upping it to an 8-seater opens way more flexibility. You’re basically ensuring the minimum number of sharers needed to split costs reasonably. There’s also the chance of extra empty seats translating to an even cheaper price for your group. So if the rates aren’t too different, I’d suggest opting for 10-seater aircraft or above.
What kinds of amenities can you expect on shared jet flights?
Despite the lower per-person cost, flying privately still affords some nice comforts. Most charter jets offer plush leather seats, onboard wi-fi, and a full catering service with hot meals and snacks. Complimentary beverages like coffee, wine and spirits are also standard. And with more space per person versus commercial flights, you can stretch out and relax in style at cruising altitude. Some aircraft even provide entertainment systems with the latest movies and games to help pass the time. It’s essentially like a luxurious VIP lounge in the sky!
Is flying shared private different from chartering my own jet?
While the experience is quite similar in terms of services and amenities, there are a couple differences flying shared versus private. First, you’ll have other passengers onboard, so it’s not quite as exclusive. The crew also has to tend to multiple groups. And departures are scheduled to coordinate with everyone’s itineraries versus being fully customisable. But ultimately, it’s still a very comfortable and enjoyable way to avoid commercial travel hassles at an economical rate.
What kind of flexibility is there with shared jet bookings?
Most private jet companies allow changes to shared flight plans for a nominal fee if dates shift around. Just give them adequate notice like for scheduled airlines. Last-minute upgrades to a fully private charter are also possible for busy travel periods if your dates are flexible. And some operators offer empty leg programs where you can charter the return portion of a one-way flight for an even lower rate. Overall, flying shared provides nice perks while still maintaining good flexibility when needed.
Is flying private with others as safe as a solo charter?
Safety is the top priority no matter if you’re sharing or flying alone privately. All jet operators are tightly regulated and pilots highly qualified with many flight hours. Aircraft undergo rigorous maintenance checks too. Statistically, private aviation is much safer than commercial flying on a per-mile basis. And with shared jets, you benefit from a highly experienced charter company’s operations versus DIY organising. So while commercial carriers have sheer numbers in their corner, shared private flights maintain excellent safety standards thanks to regulation and quality operators.
What kind of costs can I expect with shared jet flights?
Pricing depends on a variety of factors like aircraft size, flight length, season and destination remoteness. But as a general idea, expect to pay somewhere between $1,000-$5,000 per person each way on most popular routes in summer months. Longer haul international itineraries obviously increase that range. Off-season sees 15-30% lower rates on average in my experience. And flying with just 1-2 other passengers dramatically cuts per-person costs compared to commercial travel. So do the math – it’s worth considering as a budget-friendly private jet solution.
In summary, shared private jet flights provide an accessible way to experience the luxuries of flying privately at a fraction of solo charter rates. As long as you’re comfortable sharing legroom with a handful of fellow travelers going your way, it allows stress-free travel in style. From coordinating multiple flights over the years, I can say shared charters deliver efficiencies that make flying private jet affordable without comprising much enjoyment. Just check online flight sharing platforms to search and book your next luxurious but economical shared jet getaway!
Key Factors for Choosing a Shared Private Jet Flight
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Destination | Consider flight paths and locations served by sharing services |
| Date & Time | Check availability for desired travel dates and times |
| Number of Passengers | Services have standards for minimum/maximum passengers per flight |
| Amenities | Services offer a range of aircraft types with varying amenities |
| Pricing | Rates depend on destination, aircraft type, number of passengers, and other factors |
| Booking Timeline | Earlier booking of shared flights ensures best availability and pricing |
FAQ
-
How much does a shared private jet flight cost?
The price of a shared private jet flight can vary a bunch depending on different factors like how many people are traveling, the size of the plane, and where you’re flying to. In general, expect to pay between $2,000 and $10,000 per person each way. However at times flights can be cheaper if the jet has empty seats to fill.
-
How does booking a shared jet flight work?
Basically you submit your travel dates and destination to a private jet charter company. Then they try to find other passengers traveling to the same area around the same dates to share the flight with. Once they get enough people signed up, they’ll book the plane and send out flight details to everybody. Kind of like how public bus routes work based on demand.
-
What’s the maximum number of passengers on a shared jet?
This can differ relying on the size of the plane. Small jets can carry 4-6 passengers while the bigger ones go up to 16 travelers. Most charter companies try to keep groups under 10 people though so the flight doesn’t feel too packed. Beyond a certain number it starts to lose the personal experience of private air travel.
-
Is it more relaxing than commercial flights?
While commercial flights have gotten busier in recent years, taking a shared private jet can still offer a calmer journey. You pass through smaller airports with less lines and crowds. Most jets also have more legroom, wifi, and snacks than coach class. But is it worth the much higher price tag? Perhaps if the money and time saving are important to you, a charter flight can be worth it.
-
What kinds of amenities do the planes have?
Private jets come equipped with pretty sweet features not found on commercial planes. Most offer things like spacious leather seats that fully recline, satellite tv/wifi, power outlets, microwave ovens – basically anything to make the flight feel like being in a nice lounge. There’s even rumors some jets have tiny bars and showers! While this all seems amazing, I wonder how much the owners use these fancy gadgets.
-
Is taking shared flights safe during COVID?
While no form of travel is risk-free nowadays, charter planes appear to have some COVID safety benefits compared to commercial flights. The small passenger loads allow for better social distancing. Shared jets also tend to do less multi-stop itineraries that could expose travelers to more potential virus spreading. Nevertheless, it’s still a good idea to check what safety rules like mask requirements the specific company has in place before booking a charter during the pandemic. Your health has to come before fancy amenities.
-
How can I find out more about shared jet companies?
Probably the easiest way is doing a quick web search for “shared private jet flights” along with the region you need to travel in. Some of the largest operators in the US include JetSuiteX, FlyExclusive, and PrivateFly. You can check out reviews of different charter brokers on sites like TrustPilot too. According to experts, looking at how long they’ve been in business and their safety records can help you decide who to go with. On the other hand, don’t forget word-of-mouth – maybe your pals have taken a nice shared jet before and can recommend their operator.