Noise Abatement Regulations at Private Airports in the U.S.

One of the hot topics at executive airports around the country centers on the issue of aircraft noise. Over the past few years, many municipal airports and private airfields have passed or are now considering passing noise abatement ordinances. For aircraft charter flyers, noise ordinances may play a role in establishing the scheduled departure or arrival of your charter flight.

Under Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 36, the FAA has established a noise classification system to determine the decibel level of an aircraft during take-off and landing. This classification system certifies aircraft in stages 1-4 and is based primarily on weight, the number of engines and passenger capacity of a given aircraft.

Stage 1 aircraft refers to the oldest (and loudest) aircraft; these planes are no longer permitted to operate in the United States as commercial aircraft, however a small number are still flown privately.

Stage 2 aircraft are the current subject of debate. Since January of 2000 stage 2 aircraft over 75,000lbs have been required by law to be phased out of commercial service.

Stage 3 and 4 Aircraft have become progressively quieter from earlier models. Stage 4 noise regulations became applicable to all new designs introduced after January 1, 2006.

The current issues surround Stage 2 aircraft – the oldest planes still in service. Out of the 16,000 or so business jets that are registered in the country, it’s estimated that about 1,400 of them are Stage 2 (or older). However, this small percentage of planes, about 9%, account for a much larger number of noise complaints.

Throughout the country a number of private airports, mostly near residential areas, have expressed a desire to reduce or eliminate the number of stage 2 flights that are serviced by their local executive airport. Independent organizations have formed proposing initiatives such as the “Sound Initiative” to lobby for the complete phase out of Stage 2 aircraft.

Many private airports have already put in place a number of restrictions. It is common to see increased landing fees, early morning/late evening departure and arrival restrictions and in some cases even outright bans on Stage 2 aircraft.

If you are renting a private jet or booking a charter flight into an airport with noise restrictions, you should check with your agent to see if the aircraft they charter on your behalf complies with the noise abatement ordinances of that airport.

The following private airports have implemented restrictions on Stage 2 aircraft:
Aspen, Colorado (ASE)
Burbank, California (BUR)
Jackson Hole, Wyoming (JAC)
Lake Tahoe, California (TVL)
Naples, Florida (APF)
Santa Monica, California (SMO)
Teterboro, New Jersey (TEB)
Van Nuys, California (VNY)

Finding Value in Experience - Selecting The Right Charter Agent

In the past few years a number of new entrants have arrived in the jet charter industry. Many of these startups have little to no experience. Trusting an inexperienced jet charter broker to properly execute the demands of your charter flight leaves the critical aspects of your schedule at risk.

In general people who charter private aircraft do so for flexibility and convenience. For many air charter users, the time savings afforded through the use of a private jet more than justifies the expense. When time and convenience is a critical issue, a flawless execution is essential. That is why it is so important to find an experienced air charter agent you can trust, to manage your busy schedule. Understanding the differences in the focus of a given charter jet company will play a valuable role in selecting your next air charter agent.

Experienced air charter agents with in-depth knowledge of Federal Aviation Regulations and extensive experience consistently arrange better quality charter flights. Their long established industry relationships allow them to quickly and effectively mitigate complications as they arise. They provide air charter consumers with more security, fewer complications and a lower financial risk. While hiring an inexperienced jet charter broker could leave you standing on the tarmac.

One of the key benefits of working with an experienced jet charter agent is the supplementary flight support they can provide. Recently-established charter jet brokerages don’t have the necessary longevity or the essential industry relationships to provide the security of a backup aircraft for every charter flight. Stratos Jets, on the other hand, has the resources in place to provide you with multiple aircraft options. Our charter agents have been trained to evaluate the market and to put in place precautionary measures in the event a complication may arise. Taking the chance on working with a jet charter broker could compromise the objectives of your flight.

Another benefit of working with highly-experienced jet charter agents is their knowledge of aircraft operators that exceed industry standards for safety. This invaluable information can only be acquired through years of market research and experience in the industry. Respected private jet charter agencies also have the ability to impose their own safety measures on aircraft operators. Stratos Jets, for example, requires minimum crew experience, insurance levels and maintenance practices. These operators are held accountable for achieving these standards by safety audits conducted on every charter flight. Stratos Jets reputation for expert advice and charter agents with first-hand experience make them one of the most prestigious air charter agencies in the country.

When it comes to cost, seasoned charter professionals offer the lowest financial risk. They can provide the best pricing on the safest most well maintained aircraft. Aircraft operators generally offer charter jet agencies deeply discounted rates to those they value and trust. Relationships between air charter operators and agents take years to form. Air charter consumers can take advantage of long established industry relationships by hiring an agent from Stratos Jets.

Stratos Jets reputation for expert advice and charter agents with first-hand experience make them one of the most prestigious air charter agencies in the country. Their reputation as a leader in the business aviation industry was built on their commitment to excellence.

Emergency Charter Evacuations and Humanitarian Relief Assistance

The recent major earthquake in Haiti provides another example of how quickly events can occur and evacuation needs can arise. When a catastrophe like this happens, it's hard to know what to do next. If you were impacted by a natural disaster while in a foreign country, who would you call?

If you or a loved one was seriously injured during a disaster like this one, would you receive adequate medical care? The needed medicine(s)?

The effects of the disaster itself, the added language barrier and the long distances involved can quickly turn a bad situation into a horrible nightmare for many families.

When you or loved ones are abroad and need emergency evacuation services, Stratos Jet Charters is always here for you. Stratos Jets will help get you out of your destination country and back to the U.S. as quickly as possible, sometimes within hours.

We also stand ready to arrange the delivery of life saving supplies - such as food, water. vital medicine and medical equipment, or shelter and clothing.
We also have a Spanish speaking staff member here at Stratos Jets, 24-hours-per-day, who can immediately assist you to arrange your safe return home or to medical facilities in the United States by emergency air charter transportation from Latin American countries.

Regardless of your situation, no matter what your needs may be, arranging for emergency evacuations or other critical, urgent travel needs is a forte here at Stratos Jets. It could save your life.

And of course we can facilitate other travel requirements as well, caused by potential violence or social unrest, medical emergency or life-threatening illness, or an emergency family situation back at home. The bottom line: we will always do whatever possible to assist you during a time of crisis!

For more information, give us a call at 888 478-7286 to find out more about your many options and all of our services here at Stratos Jet Charters.

We all wish we could avoid every natural disaster, like this current emergency in Haiti. But when the situation arises, we look forward to the opportunity to provide critical assistance during your time of great need.

Joel A. Thomas, Owner – Stratos Jet Charters
Phone: 888 478-7286
Email: joel@stratosjets.com

Super Bowl Charter Flights to Miami

Looking for a charter flight to Miami for this year's Super Bowl? Have the trip of a lifetime, and travel in style this season with Stratos Jet Charters.

The big game takes place on Sunday, February 7th this year, but the entire Super Bowl weekend is packed with free concerts, parties and other fan celebrations. You can find a host of great events by visiting the official 44th Super Bowl site.

Can’t score tickets to the Super Bowl? You can still have a unique NFL experience. How? This year Land Shark Stadium in Miami is also home to the 2009-10 Pro Bowl, taking place on Sunday, January 31st. Tickets are still available!

And of course, even without the biggest game in the world, you'll always find lots to do in Florida. It's probably no surprise that the Sunshine State is the most popular winter destination for leisure private charters from New York and the Northeast. Miami edged West Palm Beach for the top spot among Florida destinations, and ranks overall in the Top Ten nationwide.

Now is the time to reserve your charter flight today!

Charter Aircraft Profiles - Heavy Jets

We recently began a short series on the comparisons between different sizes, or classes, of charter aircraft.

Our first individual profile begins with the Heavy Jet category. They represent the biggest class of business jets and are the ultimate in traveling luxury, with long-range capabilities and large capacities for passengers, baggage and other cargo. Since they offer the most room of any private aircraft, heavy jets are often the best choice for larger groups or long flights, especially overseas travel.

The average width of their cabins is around 7.5 feet and the cabin lengths range from between about 28 feet and 50 feet depending on the make and model. Heavy Jets also have an average cabin height of a little over six feet, which gives them true "stand up" cabins. This offers passengers plenty of room to move around and get comfortable during their flight. Large reclining armchairs and comfortable couches (that can also convert to beds) certainly lend a hand in the comfort department!

Heavy Jets are usually configured to seat between nine and 16 passengers in complete comfort, and include the addition of a flight attendant, not generally present on smaller sized jets. The attendant can typically serve you with a hot meal to go along with your drinks. Office equipment or full entertainment systems are present on many Heavy Jets as well. A fully enclosed lavatory is yet another convenient amenity found on jets of this size.

During the winter season, it’s also nice to know that Heavy Jets are well-suited for bad weather conditions. They cruise quietly at up to 560 mph and up to an altitude of 50,000 feet, allowing these jets to travel above most inclement weather. Of course, ice or snow conditions on the ground - at your origination or destination airport - can also dictate your travel schedule.

Some common Heavy Jets are Gulfstreams, Falcons and Challengers. For more information on these aircraft and your many other travel options, please contact us at Stratos Jet Charters.

Differentiating Beyond Price – Your Tool Kit For Making Intelligent Jet Charter Decisions

Part 3 – Pilot Certification

When you hire Stratos Jet Charters as your air charter agent, it is our job to identify all relevant aircraft, ensure the proper certification, maintenance and safety of each plane and to create a competitive market for your charter flight. And determining the motivation of your broker can sometimes be difficult, especially those brokers with limited aviation expertise – who place a priority on their profits, not your safety. This is why we created this educational series, or “tool kit”, to provide you with the knowledge that you need to make well-informed jet charter decisions.

Our first two topics discussed aircraft insurance verification and aircraft maintenance, and how vital each is to your safety. Our third, and equally critical topic focuses on the issue of pilot certification.

First, some basics on pilot certification and training. To fly air charter, a pilot must progress through flight training and obtain a commercial pilot’s license, an instrument rating, and a multi-engine rating. After obtaining these licenses, every operator has a minimum number of hours of Pilot in Command experience which they require for a pilot to be eligible to fly air charter. As the aircraft becomes more complex, the minimum hours required by operators and also their insurance companies increase.

Pilots should receive a minimum of 5 to 10 hours of in-flight training covering every possible emergency that can happen in an aircraft. They should also have a primary concern for safety, including the safe condition or airworthiness of the plane; knowledge of weather factors affecting the safety of the flight; flight regulations; air traffic control procedures, and air navigational aids designed to provide maximum safety in the air.

After their training, pilots take an oral and written examination, as well as a flight check in which they must demonstrate their ability to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) examiner. Pilots need to demonstrate to the FAA that their flying skills, knowledge and state of health are at all times acceptable for the particular flying jobs they perform. These flight checks are demanding, and can be failed.

And while these standard FAA requirements are stringent, Stratos Jet Charters goes even further in our own pilot requirements. Each Pilot in Command of a charter flight arranged by Stratos Jet Charters is required to have a minimum of 3,000 hours of total flight time. And each Second in Command is required to have a minimum of 1,000 total flight hours.

Operators chosen by Stratos Jets are required to only hire pilots with a 100% training record and all pilots must attend Flight Safety School at least once per year. We also require that every aircraft contracted by Stratos Jet Charters be regularly audited by an independent agency, such as Wyvern or ARGUS.

Wyvern and ARGUS have the two most recognized safety auditing standards in the industry. During an on-site safety evaluation, Part 135 charter operators are measured against the demanding ARGUS or Wyvern operating standards, both which far exceed government regulatory oversight. The reliability of audit results depends on the application of well-defined, consistent audit processes and standards. The strength of both Wyvern and ARGUS safety audit programs lie in the experience, qualifications and superior training of their audit teams, reviewing operators' aircraft fleets, crews and maintenance. Every area of the operation is scrutinized.

And meeting these standards does make a real difference in safety. This can be observed in historical safety records. A miniscule percentage of both fatal and non-fatal FAR Part 135 accidents from January 1991 to April 2009 involved ARGUS or Wyvern-compliant and recommended aircraft or aircrew, far less than 1%. Having an ARGUS or Wyvern compliant operator, crew and maintenance program is your assurance that the pilots of your flight have a record clear of accidents, incidents and enforcement actions, are adequately experienced in the aircraft they will be flying, and have all proper certifications and type ratings.

When it comes to the safety of your charter flight, know that Stratos Jet Charters will never, ever cut corners. Which is why, once again, that you should not choose a charter broker based solely on price. The safety and security of you and your fellow passengers MUST be the primary consideration for every charter flight. This is just another aspect of our commitment to you – our invaluable clients!

Joel Thomas – President, Stratos Jet Charters

Stratos Jet Charters Now Rated By Dun & Bradstreet With "Strong" Financial Ranking

As our regular readers know, we at Stratos Jet Charters have always felt that having confidence in those you do business with is a critical component of the decisions you make every day. The financial history and standing of the charter company you choose to do business with matters, both in terms of your assurances that you will receive what you have paid for, and in the overall performance and quality of services that relate directly to your travel experience.

This explains why we are proud to announce that Stratos Jet Charters has recently received the rating of STRONG regarding the financial condition of our company from Dun & Bradstreet (NYSE: DNB). D&B is the world’s leading source of credit information and reports, commercial information and insight on businesses in both the US and internationally. They provide their customers with the financial foundation that their customers rely on to make vital business decisions.

In both the Financial Stress Class score and the Credit Class score, Stratos Jet Charters received the highest possible ranking of 1. This places Stratos Jets above the national average for the Jet Charter Industry, the South Atlantic Region, within our Employee Range and for the Number of Years in Business by significant margins in both categories. Here is a link to our official release announcing our rating, with more detailed category descriptions.

Dun & Bradstreet also compile payment performance data independently from the various trade references of each rated company to create a D&B PAYDEX score. This score is a unique, dollar weighted indicator of payment performance based on the payment experiences of a company’s business partners and vendors. Among the 58 vendors reporting to the D&B file regarding Stratos Jet Charters, we paid within credit terms in 100% of all reported cases, for a total score of 80 – compared to an industry median PAYDEX score of 70 – which places Stratos above the 75th percentile in PAYDEX ranking.

Our Dun & Bradstreet rating is just another of the many reasons why you can travel with confidence when you choose Stratos Jet Charters as your agent, and partner, for your next flight.

We believe that enduring client relationships are created by providing both great travel experiences and the best charter pricing possible on every flight. With every client interaction and customer service opportunity we are presented with at Stratos Jet Charters, our goal is to create long-term, repeat business relationships with our clients.

With Stratos Jet Charters you will always have the Right Plane, for the Right Trip, and at the Best Price.

Thanks,

Joel Thomas – President, Stratos Jet Charters

When Comparing Charter Jet Aircraft, Is Bigger Always Better?

In the competitive world we live in, the general consensus in most comparisons is that bigger always equals better. We all want bigger homes, bigger cars or bigger boats.

But in matters of aviation, does size really matter? Is bigger always better? Well, first you need to understand the difference between the size options in corporate jets. There are three different classes of jet, starting with the smallest or Light Jets, moving up to Mid-Sized Jets, and continuing on to the largest, or Heavy Jets.

Heavy jets are the biggest class of business jets, but are they better than mid-size or light jets? That certainly depends on your definition of “better.” At Stratos Jet Charters, we define “best” dependent on what you are trying to do. Based on this definition, there are number of variables to consider, including your budget, the number of passengers you are traveling with and your itinerary.

Light jets are configured to seat six to eight passengers, have shorter ranges, smaller cabin sizes - which may make moving around inside the cabin more difficult during long flights, and baggage space can also be limited. Another consideration is that the lavatory configuration may consist of a potty seat with a curtain providing the only source of privacy. Although mid-sized jets are also typically configured to seat the same six to eight passengers, as expected their capabilities such as range, cruising speed, cabin room and cargo space all increase within this class of jets.

Continue upward to heavy jets, and you now have aircraft with greatly increased range and configured to seat up to 16 passengers, offering a full “stand up” cabin with plenty of space to move around during the flight, large capacities for baggage and a fully enclosed lavatory. Flight attendants, not present on light and mid-sized business jets, are another nice addition. Jet charter rates per hour and the speeds at which they travel also increase as the aircraft size increases.

If you have two passengers trying to hop over from Boston to Washington D.C. for a quick meeting, and then they will jump right back on and head home to Boston, the best jet for the trip would be a light jet. They are fast, efficient and inexpensive. With just two passengers on a one-hour flight, the comfort level is fine.

If you have four passengers flying from Atlanta to Phoenix for a couple days of golf, a mid-size jet will be the best option. On a three hour flight, 4 passengers with four sets of clubs would probably be a bit cramped on a light jet. You would certainly fit but the added comfort might be worth the added expense, especially if the trip is for a special occasion like an anniversary, a birthday or for entertaining important clients or good friends.

Flying from Miami to London? Your best option is probably a heavy jet. You’ll want to have enough room to stand up and stretch your legs, or lie down to get some sleep on the 7 hour flight. The cabin attendant will tend to all of your needs by providing you with meal and beverage service, and with the extended range, you won’t need to make a fuel stop in either direction.

So when chartering a business jet, bigger isn’t always better. The best jet is always the one best suited to your individual needs – one that has enough space for you and your luggage, enough range to get you where you want to go non-stop, if possible, and that has all the amenities you will need and expect for your trip.

There are also other specific flight requirements that we use to assist our clients in choosing the right aircraft for their trip, including things like high altitude capabilities, aircraft that are better suited for bad weather conditions or that can takeoff and/or land on short airfields, or that have specific cruising speeds or cargo capacity.

We will shine the spotlight on each of these individual capabilities, and the market leading jets in each category, in future posts. But the bottom line will always remain the same – at Stratos Jet Charters, we always focus on providing our clients with “The Right Jet for the Right Trip.”

Thanks,

Joel Thomas – President, Stratos Jet Charters

Our Aviation Security Partners Can Provide The Complete Protection That You Want And Need

At Stratos Jet Charters, our jet charter agent experts often arrange transportation for government officials, dignitaries, public figures, athletes and other high-profile clients who require additional security or support during their travel experience. International travel can also present unique security and safety issues that we have the ability to handle efficiently. As yet another component of our complete client service capabilities, we work in close proximity with our security partners every day to provide the protection that our charter clients want and need.

Our highly-professional security providers are exclusively dedicated to the aviation community, and have a long history of meeting and exceeding our clients’ expectations. They deliver total security solutions and service that is consistent, responsive and innovative – designed for the complete physical safety and protection of our clients and their passengers, as well as their property and their financial interests.

Our security partners are also committed to providing us with the best personnel in the business, trained to utilize state-of-the-art techniques in preparation of the challenges they face in today’s post-9/11 security environment. Our providers are also State Department approved, and include many former members of the US military. They also provide qualified security screening and security personnel for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Department of Homeland Security, and in support of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA).

Through our security partners we can provide highly specialized and customized services such as:
• Checkpoint and Baggage Screening Services
• Command and Control
• Ground/Airfield Security
• Cargo Inspections and Security
• Canine Screening and Patrol

So when traveling with Stratos Jet Charters, know that we can make arrangements for any safety and security needs or concerns that you may have. Please share your specific travel security requirements with your Stratos Jet Charters agent, and we will take it from there.

Your safety is of utmost importance to us, and we are dedicated to offering you the best, most highly-trained and professional security staff for your protection. This is just another of the world-class services that we are proud to offer our invaluable clients.

Joel Thomas – President, Stratos Jet Charters

Differentiating Beyond Price – Your Tool Kit For Making Intelligent Jet Charter Decisions Part 2: Aircraft Maintenance

Part 2 - Aircraft Maintenance and Your Safety and Security During Jet Charter Flights

When you hire Stratos Jet Charters as your air charter agent, it is our job to identify all relevant aircraft, ensure the proper certification, maintenance and safety of each plane and to create a competitive market for your charter flight. While there are some charter brokers who may understand all facets of the air charter industry, there are others with limited aviation experience who place a priority on their profit, and your needs second.

Determining the motivation of the broker you are working with can be a difficult task. So in order to help you read “between the lines”, we are actively working to educate our clients. With your safety in mind, we have created this educational series, a “tool kit” to arm you with useful information that will help you make the best, most educated decisions when you are chartering your next flight.

Our first topic centered on the issue of aircraft insurance verification and how important is for your protection. Now we move to a second and equally critical topic, the issue of aircraft maintenance.
When it comes to the maintenance of a Part 135 aircraft, there are different programs that can be utilized, such as CAMP, AAIP, factory maintenance or in-house maintenance. Aircraft maintenance is a major component in the hourly rate of your private charter flight. While the FAA has strict guidelines on the standards of maintenance for charter aircraft, the quality of that maintenance can vary when comparing maintenance facilities. If you are working with a broker, do they know who does the maintenance on the aircraft you will be flying? And if the maintenance is done in-house, for example, does your broker know what type of experience and certification this crew possesses?

With charter brokers who are not in business for the “long haul”, not only will your level of customer service almost certainly be diminished, but they may be willing to take more risks when it comes to your charter flight and your safety.

In their pursuit of profits, they may choose an aircraft operator who is also running at the lowest possible margins to remain profitable. Operators who run at such tight margins inevitably run into problems down the road. They can only run “thin” for so long, before they are forced to cut corners; from routine maintenance, to paying the best pilots and even retaining a quality dispatch crew. The business philosophy of these operators doesn’t leave much, if any, leeway when it comes to the issue of aircraft maintenance. This is certainly not a situation that you, your family or business associates want when boarding your next charter flight. Knowing that the operator(s) that your charter broker selects aren’t experiencing any financial difficulties or cash flow problems can give you the confidence and peace of mind you want and need during your next charter flight.

This is why you should never choose a charter broker or an aircraft operator based on price, and price alone. The safety and security of the passengers must be the primary consideration for every charter flight.

When you choose to work with an air charter broker, you will want to inquire about the broker’s aviation industry experience and knowledge of Federal Aviation Regulations as well as ensure the air charter broker provides you with the information requested in this Stratos Jet Charters Aircraft Charter Purchasing Guide so that you will be familiar with the air charter operator(s) that may conduct your flight(s). If the air charter broker is unwilling or unable to provide you with this required information, you should consider working with another agent, such as Stratos Jet Charters, who can provide you with the necessary information.

Of course, sometimes there are legitimate mechanical issues or problems that will arise, ones that are not the result in any way of improper maintenance or cost-cutting measures. After all, these are extremely complex machines we are talking about! In these situations, how will your charter broker handle the situation? If there is a mechanical problem of this nature during a Stratos Jet Charters flight, you can rest assured that we have backup aircraft sourced and waiting on standby for you. Our promise to you is that we will have another aircraft ready and available to you within 4 hours. This is all just another part of our commitment to you – our invaluable clients!

Joel Thomas – President, Stratos Jet Charters

Differentiating Beyond Price – Your Tool Kit For Making Intelligent Jet Charter Decisions Part 1: Insurance Verification

Part 1 – Insurance Verification and Your Safety on Jet Charter Flights

In highly competitive markets, many smaller companies seeking to compete will cut corners to offer the lowest price. But cutting corners in aviation could mean the difference in arriving safely, or not. So how does one seeking to charter an aircraft differentiate beyond just price?

Our role as your air charter agent is to identify all relevant aircraft, ensure the proper certification, maintenance and safety of each plane and to create a competitive market for the proposed routing. Which is why as your trusted agent, Stratos Jets has created an educational series, a “tool kit” of information so that you – our deeply valued clients – can possess the means to make the best, most educated decisions when you are chartering your next flight. Our first topic centers on the subject of insurance verification.

Often times you will find that some our competitors are chartering flights that are NOT inclusive of the recommended or required insurance policies necessary. And when you book an aircraft for your customers, boss, or you and your family, don’t you need to be 100% sure that the flight meets your safety standards?

That’s why before every flight, you should demand to see the insurance policy that will be covering your trip. You should also be looking for a minimum of $20 million in coverage for turbo props, and at least $25 million in coverage for jets.

In this way, you can vet the companies and operators you are working with; to ensure that they have the proper insurance required to protect you and your passengers’ well being in every way possible. If they cannot produce this document, that’s your first sign, sadly, that your safety is NOT a top priority to the broker in question!

Stratos Jet Charters requires all flights are ARGUS or WYVERN certified and that the pilots, aircraft and charter operators meet or exceed all FAA requirements. Every one of our flights are operated by Part 135 carriers with exceptional safety records (including no safety breaches in the last 10 years), have pilots with the proper certifications, and the most hours on your specific aircraft and exemplary safety records, and our operators carry reliable and appropriate insurance policies, suitable for the importance of our clients.

At Stratos Jets, our top priority is to ensure your flight is the safest it can be. You won’t find another company more committed to your safety and your security. You should not settle for anything less!

Joel Thomas – President, Stratos Jet Charters

Jet Charter Travel Tips

The convenience of a jet charter flight allows travelers to avoid many of the problems that can occur during a commercial trip.

Your flight departs on your schedule, and there are no “middle seats”, terrible in-flight food, or lost luggage. (And the only crying babies are the ones you bring with you!) Here are a few tips to help ensure a low-stress flight.

Utilize the Services Offered By Your Charter Flight Coordinator

They are your single point of contact for arranging all aspects of your travel. They are experts at coordinating seamless air to ground transfers, and they can make your rental car arrangements, book your hotel, or make event reservations. Stratos Jets will also be tracking your flight, and will make changes to your transportation reservations on the ground if necessary, dependent upon your schedule. Discussing travel arrangements or itinerary changes with the pilots rather than your charter flight coordinator can cause confusion and less than desirable level of service.

Print Your Itinerary…and Keep It Handy

Your coordinator will provide you with all of the details of your flight in a single page print out. Be sure to bring a hard copy, as your itinerary acts as a boarding pass and contains aircraft information, departure times and locations along with your passenger manifest and trip notes. If your charter flight coordinator has arranged a rental car or ground transfer, the confirmation # along with direct line of the local rental company will be conveniently found within your trip notes.

Keeper of the Keys

Most people experience a big sigh of relief when they get off a return flight and find their house or car keys exactly where they expected. For the same reasons that you probably put your keys in the same place every day when you’re at home (it’s the best way to keep track of them), you need a spot in your carry-on bag that will hold your keys (and other important items, such as a passport) for the duration of your trip.

Of course these are just a few of the many pieces of advice that could be mentioned. But the point is, often times it is the small details that can “make or break” a vacation or a business trip!

And always remember that when you travel with Stratos Jet Charters, we will do whatever is in our power to help you and your family or other companions have the best possible flying experience.

Joel Thomas