Everything You Need to Know About Shared Private Charter Flights
If you’ve ever searched for shared private charter flights, you’ve probably had a ton of questions. Well, you’ve come to the right place! As someone who has chartered plenty of private flights over the years both for work and vacations, I want to share everything I’ve learned to help make booking one of these flights a breeze. So whether you’re curious about pricing, scheduling or the overall experience, read on and I’ll do my best to answer all your questions.
What exactly is a shared private charter flight?
Basically, a shared private charter flight is when a group of passengers split the cost of renting an entire private plane. So instead of taking a commercial flight where you’re packed in like a sardine with hundreds of other travelers, you get to enjoy all the amenities and privacy of traveling on your own aircraft. But here’s the kicker – since you’re sharing the cost with other passengers also going to your destination, the per person price ends up being way more affordable than chartering the whole plane yourself. It’s truly the best of both worlds!
How does the scheduling and booking process work?
The logistics of booking a shared charter flight can seem intimidating at first, but here are the basics: Charter companies like FlyExclusive.com act as the middleman to find enough passengers going to the same place at the same time. Once a minimum number is reached to fill the plane (usually 6-12 people depending on aircraft size), a date is set. You’ll choose your preferred departure/return windows and the company takes care of the rest. Payment is collected upfront and confirmations provided about 2 weeks prior. Flights can be booked as little as 5 days out so it’s not like commercial where you have to plan months in advance!
What kind of aircraft are typically used for shared charters?
- Light jets (seating 6-8 passengers) – Great for shorter hops under 2 hours.
- Midsize jets (seating 8-12 passengers) – Perfect for routes up to 5 hours.
- Larger charter aircraft (seating 10-20+) – Best for cross-country or international routes over 5 hours.
In general, lighter, quieter jets are preferable for their comfortable legroom and amenities. But larger planes open up more scheduling options. The charter company will pick the ideal aircraft based on your route, number of travelers and other factors.
How much does a shared private charter flight typically cost?
Pricing varies depending on distance, plane size, time of year and more. But ballpark costs per person are:
- $500-1000 for domestic flights under 2 hours
- $1000-2000 for routes 2-5 hours
- $2000-4000 for cross-country or international trips 5+ hours
When you consider you’d be paying way over $10k to charter the whole plane yourself, sharing the cost with a group immediately makes it more within reach for a lot folks. Plus, amenities like meals, drinks and WiFi are usually included, which is majorly dope if you ask me!
What kind of amenities and perks you get on a private charter?
The flexibility and luxury of private air travel is truly amazing. Some things you can expect include:
- Bypass security lines and fly direct from small airports near your home.
- Bring any bags, gear or even pets you want without baggage or pet fees.
- Access to spacious cabins with super comfy leather seats that recline fully flat.
- Complimentary catering from gourmet food to top-shelf drinks.
- In-flight entertainment like streaming movies and live TV.
- Free high-speed WiFi so you can stay productive at 35,000 feet.
- Arrive feeling refreshed instead of exhausted like on commercial flights.
Many travelers describe it as basically their own personal lux lounge in the sky, if you can dig it. But hey, maybe I’m just fancy หฬโบฬ
What kinds of trips or situations make shared charters a good option?
Where shared charters really shine is for groups, families or business trips where timing is flexible. Some examples:
- Bachelor/bachelorette parties, reunions or other large friend trips.
- Multi-generational family vacations where grandparents or kids could be uncomfortable on a commercial flight.
- Business trips where multiple coworkers are headed to the same conference or meetings.
- Special events like weddings, graduations, sports tournaments, etc. where schedule is less set in stone.
- International destinations with limited or no nonstop commercial service from your local airport.
Basically anytime convenience, luxury and affordability for a group are priorities, shared charters kind of crush it, huh? For sure beats everyone flying separately and trying to coordinate.
Any gotchas or downsides to be aware of?
While chartering a private plane is dope as hell, there are a couple things to keep in mind:
- You’re at the mercy of other passengers’ schedules for departure/return timing.
- Last minute changes or cancellations are possible if minimum passenger requirements aren’t met.
- Weather, maintenance issues or air traffic can delay flights versus commercial’s set schedules.
- Domestic pets may not always be allowed due to sanitation or other aircraft policies.
- Upfront payment is non-refundable if you end up canceling your trip plans.
So it requires more flexibility than commercial. But in terms of privacy, luxury and value – the pros totally outweigh any minor cons if you ask me!
Any other tips or insider knowledge you can share?
A few parting words of advice from my charter flying experience:
- Book ASAP once dates are set since flights fill up fast, especially around holidays.
- Factor in ground transport costs to/from airports which may involve renting a car.
- Pack light if possible since baggage fees don’t apply – the less you haul, the better experience!
- Bring snacks, drinks, music etc since catering quality or options vary per aircraft/operator.
- Consider travel insurance in case plans change and deposit is non-refundable.
- Relax and take in the views – chartering is a true luxury experience you won’t forget ๐
Hope this helps give you insight into shared charters from someone who’s been there! Let me know if you have any other questions before you book your next adventure in the sky.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Private Charter Flight
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Number of Passengers | Charter flights accommodate groups of up to 20 passengers. Consider number traveling for cost estimates. |
Departure Airport | Check if the charter company serves your local airport. Alternate airports may affect convenience and pricing. |
Destination | Verify the charter plane has permission to land at your desired location. International trips involve more clearances. |
Amenities | Inquire about onboard amenities like meals, WiFi, and entertainment to customize your travel experience. |
Booking Window | Last-minute bookings tend to be more expensive. Reserve well in advance for better rates. |
FAQ
-
How do shared private charter flights work?
Basically, shared private charter flights allow folks to book a whole private plane but split the total cost among all the passengers. So you get the comfort and convenience of flying privately without needing to pay for the full charter yourself.
-
Who organizes these shared flights?
Companies that run private jet charters basically put together these shared flights. They find folks going between the same locations around the same dates and combine them into one larger reservation. Then they take care of all the operational details like booking the aircraft and pilots.
-
Do I need to know the other passengers?
Nope, you don’t need to know any of the other folks booked on the shared charter flight. The company matches up passengers going to similar destinations. Although you may make some new traveling buddies!
-
Is it more expensive than a commercial flight?
While still costing more than an regular commercial ticket, shared charters can be far cheaper than chartering a whole private plane solo. Prices vary depending on destinations and dates, but you may be able to score a shared charter for basically the price of a first class ticket.
-
What are the advantages over commercial flights?
Some perks are no long security lines, skipping check-in crowds, bringing any kind of luggage including surfboards, and picking your exact departure/return times. You also land at smaller handy airports near the heart of cities instead of massive mainstream airports far away. But is it really worth the higher cost?
-
What if not enough passengers sign up?
If a shared flight doesn’t meet the minimum passenger requirement, the company will either cancel it or switch to a full charter where each flyer pays the entire rental cost. They sometimes negotiate lowerrates in that case too though. It’s always possible no one else may sign up, so there is a bit of uncertainty.
-
Any disadvantages to consider?
While shared charters offer appealing flexibility and luxury, some drawbacks include tighter booking windows than commercial planes. You need to plan further in advance. And of course, there is the higher cost despite being shared. Flying commercial may be a better deal if money is a major concern. On the other hand, shared charters save a bundle compared to solo charters.