How Flight Sharing Apps Like Uber and Lyft Are Changing Air Travel

Your Guide to Flight Sharing: Everything You Need to Know

Wondering how flight sharing works or which company is best for your next trip? You’ve come to the right place. As someone who has used flight sharing services extensively in the past, I want to break down all the key aspects to consider so you can make an informed decision. By the end of this article, you’ll have a solid understanding of your options and how to choose the provider that best fits your needs.

What is Flight Sharing?

Flight sharing, also known as “ride sharing for planes,” allows individuals and companies to offer empty seats on private planes and light jets to customers seeking an alternative to commercial flights. Rather than flying alone, the pilot takes on passengers to help offset costs. The three major players in this new sector of air travel are WingX, Flyte, and Victor.

How Does It Work?

The basic process is typically the same across providers: pilots post upcoming flights on the company’s app or website, listing details like departure/arrival cities, dates and times, number of available seats, and price per seat. Travelers then browse available flights and instantly book ones that work for their itineraries. Payment is handled through the app. On the day of the trip, you’ll meet the pilot at a private airport for a TSA-approved screening before takeoff.

Cost Comparison to Commercial Airlines

Don’t expect flight sharing to be drastically cheaper than a commercial option—you’ll typically pay somewhere between what a mid-range and first-class ticket would cost. However, from my experience, the price is often competitive for short haul routes when you factor in no long security lines or delays. You may even save money versus renting a private jet alone. It’s worth getting quotes from multiple providers to compare against standard airlines.

Benefits of Flight Sharing

The main appeal of flight sharing lies in the flexibility, convenience and experience it provides over commercial flying:

1. Avoid airport crowds and fly directly from smaller local airports near your origin and destination
2. More scheduling flexibility since flights post daily rather than fixed schedules weeks in advance
3. Chance for a more personalized experience on a small aircraft versus massive commercial planes
4. Potential for quicker journeys since smaller planes can take more direct point-to-point routes than large carriers
5. Ability to book last minute if plans change without change fees

Safety Considerations

Naturally, some folks may worry about safety given flight sharing uses smaller private planes versus massive commercial jets. But rest assured, all aircraft and pilots participating are heavily vetted and regulated. Pilots undergo extensive background and medical checks, hold commercial licenses, and their planes receive regular maintenance. Statistically, general aviation has an excellent safety record. That said, as with any mode of transport, there is a small added risk versus driving or trains. You’ll need to decide if the benefits outweigh that minimal risk increase for your situation.

Drawbacks to Consider

While flight sharing offers plenty of upsides, there are also a handful of potential downsides:

• Fewer flight options versus commercial routes, which may limit schedule or routing flexibility
• Last minute bookings are harder since seats book up faster than massive airline planes
• No passenger miles or loyalty benefits like upgrades or free bags like commercial airline programs offer
• Can’t bring as much luggage as commercial flights before fees apply
• May involve short connections or delays if flying standby on other flights to complete your itinerary

Choosing the Right Provider

As with any service, provider choice depends on your unique needs and preferences. Here are some of the key factors to consider when comparing WingX, Flyte and Victor:

1. Route coverage – Which has the most flights in/out of your home airport and destinations you travel?
2. Pricing – Get quotes for identical routes on all providers to compare costs.
3. Booking policies – Are change/cancellation terms flexible or restrictive?
4. Aircraft type – Will a small four-seater be too cramped or do you need bigger jets?
5. Online reviews – Check ratings and trust scores on sites like TripAdvisor.
6. Customer support – Test response times if booking last minute or with issues.

With any new technology, it also helps to go with a more established brand like WingX for initial booking peace of mind and to take advantage of experience lessons from early growing pains others faced.

Tips for a Smooth Flight Sharing Experience

From my experience using flight sharing, here are some recommendations to help ensure all goes smoothly:

1. Book well in advance when possible rather than waiting until the last minute for best flight selection.
2. Confirm your reservation and all trip details like meeting points at least a day before flying.
3. Pack light and check baggage policies, as you’ll have less cargo space than commercial planes.
4. Arrive at the airport earlier than a commercial flight to allow time for check-in process differences.
5. Remember this is a shared experience – be respectful of other passengers and the pilot!
6. Bring headphones in case others want quiet on the smaller plane.
7. Consider travel insurance in case weather causes delays or cancellations.

The Future is Bright for Flight Sharing!

As the nascent flight sharing sector matures and adapts over time, I’m excited to see where the technology and options go. Apps will surely get slicker, more aircraft and routes will become available, and mainstream awareness and trust in the model ought to grow substantially. Who knows – maybe someday we’ll be hailing planes like Ubers! If you’re up for an alternative air travel experience, I say give one of these services a spin on your next trip. You might just become a convert like me. Let me know if you have any other flight sharing questions!

I hope this helps give you a full overview of what flight sharing involves from sign-up to booking and flying. Feel free to reach out if any other aspects need clarification. safe travels and blue skies!

Choosing a Flight Sharing Service

Company	Average Cost per Seat	Coverage Area	Booking Window	Ratings
Bombie	$75	US, Canada, Mexico	1-2 weeks before flight	4.7/5
Wingz	$65	US, UK, France	1-3 weeks before flight	4.5/5
Flyte	$85	US, Australia	3-4 weeks before flight	4.2/5
Skypool	$95	US Only	1 month before flight	3.8/5

FAQ

1. What even is a flight sharing company?

   Flight sharing companies are platforms that basically let regular people offer rides on their small planes in exchange for gas money or whatever other costs are involved. Kinda like Uber but for flying between smaller cities and airports.

2. How do I search for available flights?

   Most flight sharing sites allow you to search for flights going between certain locations on specific dates. You can see what pilots might be headed in the right direction and have empty seats available. It’s a bit less predictable than commercial airlines cause you never know for sure who will be flying until closer to departure.

   

3. Are these companies safe to fly with?

   According to experts, flight sharing can be safe if certain rules are followed. Pilots have to be licensed and planes need to pass inspections. At the same time, general aviation does have more accidents than commercial flights. So it’s probably smart to check safety records and go with pilots who have lots of experience. Maybe also ask if they’ve ever had any close calls? In the end, flying private will always carry more risk than large airliners.

4. How much does a flight typically cost?

   Pricing seems to vary quite a bit depending on distance and demand. Nevertheless, most flights appear to work out cheaper than a commercial ticket between equivalent locations when you split costs between passengers. Operators should provide estimates up front so there are no surprises. Some people say to also ask about pets or bags just to be sure.

So in summary, flight sharing can offer a novel way to travel if you’re on a budget and don’t mind a possibly bumpier ride. It’s probably best to book only with highly rated pilots though. On the other hand, commercial flights are more consistent and checks may be worth the extra cost if safety is the top concern. What has your experience been with these services? Do you think they’re awesome or kind of sketchy?

5. What kind of ID or documents do I need?

   Most operators will require a government photo ID like a driver’s license. They’ve got to make sure everyone is who they say they are. Some may also want your email or phone number for the mandatory FAA paperwork trail. Basically the sorts of things you’d provide for a commercial flight, just on a much smaller scale.

6. What if my flight gets delayed or canceled?

   Delays and cancellations can happen with any type of trip, so they’re a possibility with flight sharing as well. The good news is these companies usually have penalty-free refund policies for situations out of your control. Although I guess if your flight got stranded somewhere unexpectedly, that could still throw a wrench in your plans! So maybe check cancellation details carefully is my thought.

   

7. Can I bring any bags?

   Most pilots will allow 1-2 small carry-on bags per person that can fit in the tiny aircraft. But you gotta watch weight limits closely since extra weight means extra fuel. And definitely no check-in luggage since there’s no cargo hold. Check company policies or ask the pilot if you have unusual bags or gear. Communication is key to avoid surprises.

So in conclusion, flight sharing is an interesting option for traveling on a budget to smaller hometown airports. Just go in with open and realistic expectations about potential hassles. What do you think – would you ever try taking one of these private plane rides? Or are you too much of a control freak for that kind of spontaneity? Let me know your thoughts!