It turns out that, once you fly private, it is difficult to return. Pandemia marked an important change in the private aviation industry: a completely new customer base, which may have flown business or first class before, crossed and entered the luxurious and exclusive world of private jets. While safety and efficiency could have been the initial lure, these new PJ clients have been difficult to return to their old forms of travel. And, in fact, the private aviation industry is at its highest point, with more people flying privately than ever.
“If we look at our book (the number of people we fly) for five years, from pre-pandemic to today, we are almost 65 percent growth year after year,” Michael Silvestro de Luxury Private Jet Company Flexjet, Cash Travel + Leisure. “And those new participants have been held at a rate of 90 percent in recent years.”
Another great trend of industry is a change in demography. “We are seeing younger (owners) for some good 10 years,” says Silvestro. “We see many private flyers in the mid -40s now, where typically beforehand (they would be) in the mid -50”.
With all these new owners (and, consequently, new guests), there are many newcomers in the heavens. For those who are lucky to meet among them, Silvestro has some quick advice on how to see and feel at home in a private jet.
“There are really two hard and fast rules,” says Silvestro. “One never is late.” Unlike the flying commercial, private flyers do not need to appear to the airport two hours in advance (arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled exit is fine), but keep anyone waiting. “You always want to make sure you are waiting for your host and not vice versa,” he advises. Many private terminals (also called FBO, an acronym for fixed base operators) are one step ahead of public commercial terminals. However, you will want to prepare for security controls. “It still needs a valid identification and to erase customs (when it flies internationally),” says Silvestro. “Although it could be a smaller and intimate experience with a border patrol agent, a little less for the masses.”
The other firm rule: “Don’t sit in the owner’s chair,” says Silvestro. “The club of the club forward on the right side of the plane is typically the owner’s chair.” Most hosts prefer to sit near the cabin to communicate better with the crew and the captain. Of course, it is good to ask where to sit. “It’s as if you were invited to someone’s house for dinner. I always ask: ‘Where would you like me to sit?’ It is only social decorum. ”
In terms of drinks, the champagne is always a solid option (it is easily covered and served in a plane), but rethinking any complicated coffee order. Some airplanes have coffee on -board machines (for example, the fleet of flexjet has Nespresso machines), but anything more elegant than that could be better in Terra signature.
Visions of celebrating in Nobu in the clouds? Of course, that can be organized, but there are some things to consider before making a request. “Remember where you leave,” says Silvestro. “If you like sushi, and you are leaving Miami, Los Angeles or New York, it’s probably a great idea, but maybe not if you leave a small west city.” Silvestro also recommends using a food order as a means to immerse yourself in local culture. “I would say to international travelers to adopt local specialties. Why ask for a turkey sandwich if you leave Venice, Italy? I could also have fun and enjoy something unique and fantastic from the location of the one. ”
Other tips for the best experience and to avoid seeing yourself as a rookie: try not to overload (the bras are limited in space and the soft -face bags are preferred); Do not publish images of the queue wing number in real time (as is traceable); And do not splash the cash. “Tips is not something to worry about,” says Silvestro. Instead, he suggests that the flyers express gratitude to the crew and the host with the general “courtesy and suitability.”
“You just don’t be a moron,” he adds. It is a good rule for private jet trips, and travel in general.
