“To determine the net profit from flying privately, consider factors such as time saved, increased productivity, avoided business losses due to delays, and potential revenue generated from swift business dealings facilitated by a private jet,” says Michael Mikolay, CEO of Mikolay Jet Group. “Deduct from this figure the costs of chartering a private jet. It is often more economical for multiple business travelers to fly on a chartered jet than to purchase multiple first-class tickets and hotel rooms.”
According to Clay Lacy, private jets can be chartered by the hour for between $2,000 and $23,000, depending on the type of jet, the size of the plane, and the length of the flight. The hourly rate also includes crew members, fuel, and the use of the entire jet to any location in the world.
David McCown, president of the Americas for Chapman Freeborn, says when comparing private aviation to commercial travel, one must consider ticket prices, additional fees for luggage and upgrades and productivity losses due to layovers or missed connections.
“There’s also the time saved by flying direct to the destination without the delays inherent in commercial travel, as well as the time saved by having your pick of airports, including small, regional airports inaccessible to commercial flights,” McGown says. “Most importantly, there is the increased productivity and efficiency of our passengers during travel time, which can contribute significantly to the overall ROI. For high-level executives who are paid six or seven figure salaries, their increased productivity can more than make up for the higher sticker price of flying private.”
Joel Thomas, president and CEO of Stratos Jets, notes it’s a competitive advantage to quickly respond to business opportunities and threats in person and have the ability to meet with clients and business partners in hard-to-reach locations.
“Private flying allows executives to travel for confidential meetings without drawing attention to their travels, giving clients the assurance of discretion and enhancing reputation as an organization that can be trusted with sensitive dealings,” he says.
Flying private also increases productivity with in-flight WiFi, teleconferencing systems, and office work spaces that let business professionals maximize time in the air, Thomas says. “The private environment allows companies to host clients on board and create memorable and positive experiences that help build strong, long-lasting business relationships, an investment that can pay dividends for years to come.”
There are several intangible benefits like employee satisfaction and rest on the road, notes James Prinzivalli, president of Executive Fliteways. “One company we book flights for often books five-day trips, each day going to a different destination for a meeting with 14 employees,” he says. “Flying private for these types of busy trips reduces time and stress for employees and most likely increases the potential productivity and goals for their business.”
So, investing in a private charter flight is not just about luxury – it’s about reclaiming control and having tailored, flexible options for one’s time and travel experience.
Time Saver
Private aviation revolutionizes the travel experience for corporate travelers by streamlining every step of the journey. The time savings starts during the booking process, says Andrew Collins, co-CEO of Flexjet, Sentient Jet’s parent company. That’s why the company has streamlined this as much as possible for its clients, with a mobile application and automated-text-to-book feature, allowing companies to quote private jet travel on-demand.
“It’s all about efficiency,” Collins says. “By eliminating the hassles of un-ideal flight schedules, flight delays or cancellations, long connections, and crowded airports, we hope to free up some extra hours in a busy executive’s schedule to work on their business, ultimately increasing a company’s overall productivity level.”
Business travelers flying private can arrive at the airport 20 minutes before a flight vs. having to be at the airport at least two hours before a commercial flight. “You don’t have to wait in a long TSA line, and once you land you don’t have to wait for bags or take a lengthy walk through a massive airport,” explains Sean McClenahan, president of Rair Aviation. “When flying private internationally, there is a separate customs line, so you aren’t lumped in with everyone else and stuck at customs for a long time.”
Erica Merrill, director of business development for Air Partner, notes while it’s difficult to determine a direct formula to calculate the ROI of flying private precisely, there are a number of different factors companies should be considering, beginning with time. After all, unlike commercial flights, where travelers often spend significant time waiting in lines for check-in, security screenings, and boarding, private aviation eliminates these hassles.
"If you look at an employee’s annual salary vs. how time spent traveling, you begin to see the true impact lengthy travel has on performance,” she says. “Private’s ability to expedite pre-flight logistics and avoid potential delays and connections is something commercial airlines simply cannot compete with.”
For example, private jets can save companies time and money by reducing the number of flights needed, allowing them to reach multiple destinations in a single trip. They can also reduce the costs of accommodation, meals, and ground transportation since the passenger can fly directly to regional airports closer to their final destination.
Remain Flexible
Another big consideration is the unparalleled flexibility in scheduling and routes compared to commercial airlines. According to the National Business Aviation Association, there are roughly 10,000 commercial airports in the world and an additional 5,000 For Business Only airports in the world. “Private charter’s ability to land at both types naturally increases a traveler’s chance of getting to a specific destination by 50 percent,” Merrill says.
Furthermore, private jets offer access to a wider range of destinations, including remote and hard-to-reach locations, making it easier for companies to tap into new markets and reach new customers. “Our clients have the freedom to customize their travel itineraries according to their specific needs, including departure times, destinations, and even last-minute changes,” McCown says. “This flexibility enhances overall productivity by enabling executives to optimize their travel schedules and minimize downtime.”
Companies invest in private travel for their employees to be able to get from one business meeting to the next, sometimes in the same day, driving efficiency and ultimately its bottom line. “For example, an employee can attend a meeting on one coast in the morning, on the opposite coast in the afternoon for another meeting and be home and rested in time for dinner, ready for a full and productive work day the next day,” Collins says.
Fly in Comfort
While private aviation may entail higher upfront costs compared to commercial travel, the overall cost-effectiveness must be evaluated holistically. The ability to conduct uninterrupted business coupled with the made-up time traveling in comparison to commercial flights only adds more of an ROI incentive for businesses. “The convenience and comfort of flying private adds to traveler satisfaction, performance and overall ROI for businesses,” Merrill says.
In fact, a recent study released by GBTA cites that every dollar spent on business travel equates to $153 in sales. “It’s about looking at private aviation as an investment in not only sales results, but the individuals who are responsible for the result,” Merrill says.
“Aside from the luxury setting,” she adds, “private aviation provides employees the opportunity to hold business conversations that are otherwise impossible on commercial flights. They also don’t have to worry about drafting confidential e-mails without privacy or reviewing classified documents in the presence of outside passengers.”
Safety & Security
Nearly all serious business travelers want the ability to work during the entire flight. Thanks to high-speed Internet, now almost standard or available on all aircraft, private travelers can stay productive from takeoff to touchdown.
“Private aviation also provides an extra layer of safety and security for business travelers, especially considering recent snags like flight delays and cancellations sparked by pilot shortages and supply chain hiccups in the original equipment manufacturer realm,” Mikolay says. “Plus, with the longer security lines in commercial airports these days, the perks of flying private shine even brighter. When you hop on a private jet, you control who gets on board, which means less risk of any security breaches or leaks of sensitive information.”
Private aviation offers enhanced safety measures, including rigorous maintenance standards, experienced flight crews, and personalized security protocols. “Private jets depart from private jet terminals in the airport rather than a crowded commercial terminal and have their own security protocols, many of which vet travelers ahead of time saving an average of one to three hours in boarding and security for every leg of their trip,” Thomas says.
McClenahan says private aviation enhances safety and security for corporate travelers by offering controlled environments with fewer passengers, rigorous sanitization protocols between flights, efficient screening processes at private airports, personalized service tailored to travelers’ needs, and greater flexibility in accessing smaller, less congested airports.
“These factors help minimize the risk of exposure to illnesses and disruptive individuals while providing a comfortable and reliable travel experience, making private aviation an appealing option for companies prioritizing the safety and security of their employees during business travel,” he says.
Bypassing crowded airports and minimizing exposure to potential security risks, private aviation provides a secure and reliable travel solution for executives and VIPs. “Private jets offer exceptional privacy and connectivity unafforded by large, crowded, commercial aircraft, enabling passengers to continue their business throughout their journey,” McCown says. “By minimizing travel-related disruptions and maximizing efficiency, private aviation enhances the ROI of business trips.”
Additionally, should an issue arise inflight, a private jet has more options for emergency landings. With more than 16,000 airports available domestically, private jets can divert and land immediately, whereas commercial aircraft are much more limited to the 500 airports equipped for jets of that size.
Greener Skies
Environmental factors are becoming increasingly important in the choice to utilize private aviation, with mounting concerns about carbon emissions and sustainability. Although private jets generally emit more carbon per passenger compared to commercial flights, the industry is actively pursuing innovations to mitigate its environmental impact. These efforts encompass advancements in fuel efficiency, exploration of alternative fuels, and the implementation of carbon offset programs.
As this awareness grows, companies are seeking ways to minimize their carbon footprint while still enjoying the benefits of private aviation. One immediate method some in the industry use is offsetting emissions.
“At Air Partner, our carbon offsetting program in partnership with Climate Impact Partners, is designed to ensure that our customers give back to the planet every time they fly with us,” Merrill says. “Each one of our flights is also designed to be mission specific and because we are not beholden to a specific fleet (as with legacy carriers) we can select an aircraft that is bespoke to how many people are on board and where we need to move them.”
Similarly, Chapman Freeborn has a strategic partnership with 4AIR, enabling the company to provide high-quality carbon reduction options to clients, such as forestry creation and protection projects, renewable energy technology, access to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and contributions to an aviation innovation research fund.
The NBAA has put together a “Climbing. Fast. Advocacy initiative” to enable the industry to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Thanks to investments in a host of innovative technologies, emissions from business aircraft have been slashed by 40 percent in just four decades, and new business aircraft are up to 35 percent more efficient than the previous generation.
Future trends in private aviation will be influenced by technological advancements and regulatory changes, with a focus on innovation, sustainability, and evolving transportation demands. “Advancements in aircraft design, propulsion systems, and automation are anticipated to improve efficiency and lower operational costs,” Mikolay says.
“Regulatory developments, including changes in airspace access and environmental standards, will also shape the future landscape of private aviation. With increasing demand for convenience, flexibility, and sustainability, the industry will continue to evolve to meet the needs of business travelers.”
