They are regarded as toys of the wealthy elite, but flying on a
private jet could cost less than you think - even beating the price of a
budget airline ticket.
private jet could cost less than you think - even beating the price of a
budget airline ticket.
An industry expert has revealed that by
booking a last-minute trip when a plane is 'repositioning',
holidaymakers can snap up a private jet experience for a fraction of the normal rate.
booking a last-minute trip when a plane is 'repositioning',
holidaymakers can snap up a private jet experience for a fraction of the normal rate.
Jet
company PrivateFy is encouraging travellers to buy up 'empty legs',
flying with a jet that would otherwise be travelling without passengers,
when tickets could be available for as little as £138 each way.
company PrivateFy is encouraging travellers to buy up 'empty legs',
flying with a jet that would otherwise be travelling without passengers,
when tickets could be available for as little as £138 each way.
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More and more people are paying for flights on private jets that are often available at competitive prices
By making the most of an empty private jet and negotiating directly
with the owner, the company claims groups can enjoy all the perks of
elite travel, without the sky-high prices.
with the owner, the company claims groups can enjoy all the perks of
elite travel, without the sky-high prices.
Adam Twidell, CEO of PrivateFly, explained: 'An empty leg comes about when a private jet is repositioning.
'As the aircraft is flying empty, the owner or operator will often be
happy to sell this one-way leg at a big discount – often a fraction of
the full price.
happy to sell this one-way leg at a big discount – often a fraction of
the full price.
'Europe’s private jet traffic sees a significant
peak in the summer, so there are many more empty leg flights available,
and amazing deals to be had.'
peak in the summer, so there are many more empty leg flights available,
and amazing deals to be had.'
With
flexibility around what date you travel, and with a group large enough
to offset the one-off chartering fee, everyday Britons are travelling at
rates which can rival or better those of the budget airlines.
flexibility around what date you travel, and with a group large enough
to offset the one-off chartering fee, everyday Britons are travelling at
rates which can rival or better those of the budget airlines.
A
brief search today on private jet price comparison website Victor
revealed you and six friends could travel from London to Corsica on
Thursday - on board a Hawker 400XP - for just £1,650.
brief search today on private jet price comparison website Victor
revealed you and six friends could travel from London to Corsica on
Thursday - on board a Hawker 400XP - for just £1,650.
That equates to just £235 per person.
Mr Twidell said: 'Some of
our flights this week beat their airline one-way equivalents. Deals
include London to Cannes for £171 per person and London to Paris for
£138 per person.
our flights this week beat their airline one-way equivalents. Deals
include London to Cannes for £171 per person and London to Paris for
£138 per person.
'Long
haul empty legs are also available further in advance that can beat
first class fares, including London to Hong Kong in a Gulfstream GIV for
£3,750 per person.'
haul empty legs are also available further in advance that can beat
first class fares, including London to Hong Kong in a Gulfstream GIV for
£3,750 per person.'
Star treatment: One company has revealed how tourists can fly for as little as £138 on a private jet
However, Clive Jackson, the chief executive of Victor, told The Sunday Times that empty-leg flights could be cancelled if the plans of the person chartering the plane at full price changed.
He
said: 'It is an unregulated industry and that worries me. There are no
obligations from the person selling you that plane as to what they have
to disclose.
said: 'It is an unregulated industry and that worries me. There are no
obligations from the person selling you that plane as to what they have
to disclose.
'Beware of the fact that an empty leg can get
cancelled an hour before you are due to fly on it and you have no
redress whatsoever.'
cancelled an hour before you are due to fly on it and you have no
redress whatsoever.'
Mr Twidell added: 'If people are prepared to
book last minute and travel as a group, the cost per person can be less
than business class – or even low cost airlines in some cases.
book last minute and travel as a group, the cost per person can be less
than business class – or even low cost airlines in some cases.
'They
are usually one-way flights and while a return flight can sometimes be
matched up, others enjoy a private jet experience in one direction, and
make their own way home. Private jets don’t have to just be for
billionaires, VIPs and rock stars.'
are usually one-way flights and while a return flight can sometimes be
matched up, others enjoy a private jet experience in one direction, and
make their own way home. Private jets don’t have to just be for
billionaires, VIPs and rock stars.'
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