Posts Tagged ‘Private Jet Rentals’

« Older Entries

Stratos Jets Explains the Deceptive Business Practice of Phantom Aircraft Bidding

Tuesday, February 21st, 2012

A Lear 31A waits on the tarmac for its next charter flight.

A deceptive business practice, known as phantom aircraft bidding, has recently gained momentum with the increasingly-competitive atmosphere of the air charter market.  Phantom aircraft bidding occurs when a charter broker offers a firm quote on an aircraft that does not actually exist in the charter market.  These quotes, which are not based on actual aircraft avialability, are well-below fair market value.  This paints an inaccurate picture of the charter market and creates unreasonable pricing expectations in the minds of consumers.

What is phantom aircraft bidding?

         As we stated earlier, phantom aircraft bidding occurs when a charter jet broker offers a quote on a non-existent aircraft.  These charter brokers will typically try to lure you into a sale with a seemingly-great deal.  Once the charter broker has procured a contract with a client, he or she will attempt to find an aircraft operator willing to settle for the agreed price.  If the charter broker is unsuccessful in finding an aircraft, he or she will then tell the client that a mechanical, or some other unforeseen event, has occurred to prevent the flight.  The buyer is then left to find another aircraft at the last minute, usually at his or her own expense. 
 
How do you know if your charter broker is bidding on a phantom aircraft?   

     There are a few tell-tale signs that your broker is bidding on phantom aircraft.  If you have signed a contract with your broker, and he or she fails to provide you with the necessary details of the flight, such as departure times, FBOs, or tail number, that aircraft probably does not exist.  At the very least, your broker should disclose the operator of the aircraft you’ve chartered.

      You should also be wary of charter brokers who offer you the lowest-priced option, especially if the pricing is well-below other offers, as this is fair indicator of a phantom aircraft.  There are real costs associated with the constant upkeep and maintenance of a private aircraft, and these costs are reflected in the price of a charter flight.  A good rule of thumb is if a price seems too good to be true, then it probably is.  

       Another way you can arm yourself against phantom aircraft bidders is to refrain from “over-shopping” the market.  If you contact multiple charter brokers for the same charter flight, you will most likely cause a “bidding war.”  Due to the competitive nature of the air charter industry, some charter brokers will do anything to win a flight, even if it means bidding on a phantom aircraft.  We advise that you work with one to two charter brokers who you know to be honest, reliable and trust-worthy.  

  
Why might a charter broker bid on a phantom aircraft and what is the harm?  

       There are many reasons why a broker might in engage in phantom aircraft bidding.  Most of the time, the phantom bidder wants to “win the trip” by outbidding his or her competitors who are providing pricing on actual aircraft availability.  In other cases, a charter broker may simply seek to lock a client into a price that he or she honestly believes they can get from a charter operator. 

       Whatever the reason, phantom aircraft bidding is dishonest and puts the client’s safety at risk. A lot of times when a charter broker can’t find an available aircraft to fill the requirement, he or she may turn to an aircraft operator with poor safety ratings or even an unregistered aircraft that in privately-owned.  Even if the broker believes the aircraft to be safe, it may not have met minimum safety standards, have proper insurance levels, or be operated by a fully-certificated flight crew.  These standards are a vital part of ensuring your personal safety on a charter flight. 

How can you protect yourself against phantom aircraft bidders?

        As we mentioned in the last issue of The Getaway, the best way to avoid deceptive business practices, such as phantom aircraft bidding, is to commit yourself to only working with members of the Air Charter Association of North America (ACANA).  ACANA is a private collection of top industry professionals dedicated to promoting and upholding ethical business practices, safety, and consumer education.  ACANA members never engage in unethical business practices, like phantom aircraft bidding, which is a founding tenant of our organization.  

       The practice of phantom aircraft bidding has not escaped the notice of ACANA or Stratos Jets.  As a member of ACANA, Stratos Jets hopes to inform our clients about phantom aircraft bidding and help to remove this deceptive practice from the industry.  As a reminder, we will never engage in phantom aircraft bidding or any other deceptive business practice that puts our clients’ best interests at stake.  

       At Stratos Jets, our company culture compels us to be honest and transparent with our clients.  Our goal is to offer realistic pricing and remain faithful to our standards for safety.  We promise to consistently provide our clients with the finest jet charter service in the industry that will make us their number one choice for travel.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Private Jet Charters and Aircraft Rentals | No Comments »

Explaining the Taxes You Pay as an Air Charter Consumer

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

A new bill would completely eliminate the tax paid by commercial jets, while increasing the general aviation fuel tax rate from 35.9 to 49 cents per gallon

As the U.S. economy searches for ways to regain its footing, and the state and Federal government look for more ways to balance their budgets, the subject of taxes has become more important than ever. Some jet charter users may have questions on the taxes levied on the air transportation services that are being provided to them. Here is a brief outline.

The primary way that taxes are levied upon both private and commercial aircraft operators is through the FET, or Federal Excise Tax. This fee due to the government is administered through either fuel taxes or percentage of total cost/headcount taxes.

FUEL TAXES

For recreational or otherwise non-commercial (FAR Part 91) flying, the fuel tax is set as a cents-per-gallon fee/tax. Aviation gasoline (most often used in smaller, propeller-driven aircraft) is taxed at the rate of 19.4 cents per gallon; jet fuel is taxed at the higher rate of 21.9 cents per gallon.

This tax is not a real concern for most jet charter users, except for those who are flying with illegal, Part 91 operators.

PERCENTAGE TAXES

For commercial transportation including jet charter (FAR Part 135), the FET takes the form of a percentage tax or a head tax, or both.

The traditional FET is a percentage tax on the total amount paid for air transportation. There is also a segment fee due on each domestic segment, and a head tax which applies to international transportation of persons and other specific flights. Commercial airlines and charter operations also pay a reduced rate of fuel tax at 4.4¢/gallon.

These taxes are used primarily to fund airport and Air Traffic Control operations throughout the country, and are thus very important to air transportation system in the U.S. However, it should be noted that commercial aviation (Part 121 businesses) is by the far the largest user of these services.

NEW CHANGES AND POTENTIAL ONES

There were a few increases in the FET that went into effect on January 1st of 2012. Thankfully the percentage tax of 7.5% for commercial flights was left unchanged, while the domestic segment fee (paid for each segment of a flight itinerary) increased 10 cents to $3.80. Other fees for international and Hawaii/Alaska-bound travelers have also been increased.

A bill has been recently introduced by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) and Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) that would completely eliminate the tax paid by commercial jets, while increasing the general aviation fuel tax rate from 35.9 to 49 cents per gallon.

ENFORCEMENT

In recent years, as government agencies like the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have become much more interested in their potential “revenue sources,” their auditors have become more aggressive in their audits of aircraft management companies and charter operators.

These auditors have begun assessing FET on a wide variety of non-commercial flight operations, including flights conducted by aircraft owners under FAR Part 91 when the aircraft is managed by an outside management company.

It’s also important to mention that the IRS and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) can have different views on what constitutes commercial and non-commercial operations. In certain cases, an operation that is viewed as non-commercial by the FAA may actually be viewed as commercial by the IRS for FET purposes. At Stratos Jets, we support straightforward tax laws and regulations, so that all operators clearly understand how their flights will be categorized and taxed.

We hope that we have given you a better understanding of the taxes you pay as a jet charter consumer. We believe that business aviation produces economic growth, and results in increased productivity and the expansion of companies nationwide.

This increases overall employment and thus the total tax base at the same time – creating a win-win situation for everyone. That’s why we would oppose any new legislation that would raise taxes on FAR Part 135 operators and their customers, who we believe are certainly paying their fair share already.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Private Jet Charters and Aircraft Rentals | Comments Off

Stratos Jet Charters Becomes BBB Accredited Agency

Thursday, December 15th, 2011

Stratos Jets was recently accredited with the Better Business Bureau

Stratos Jet Charters is one of the most reputable air charter agencies in the business aviation industry. As an industry leader, one of our main objectives is to engage in ethical operational and advertising practices that promote consumer confidence and better business. Since our inception, we have strived to perform honestly, and with integrity, to provide the highest level of air charter service in the industry. That’s why we are pleased to announce that we were recently accredited with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), a private, non-profit organization that promotes trustworthy businesses that engage in honest and fair advertising and selling practices.

The BBB Code of Business Practices represents sound advertising, selling and customer service practices that build consumer trust and confidence in business. The Code of Business Practices is built on the “BBB Standards of Trust,” eight principles that summarize the key elements of creating and maintaining consumer trust. At Stratos Jets, we believe that the principles of the BBB Standards of Trust closely resemble that of our own. As a fully-accredited BBB agency, we pledge to uphold the principles of the “BBB Code of Business Practices,” which we have explained in more detail below.

The BBB Code of Business Practices:

Build Trust: Establish and maintain a positive track record in the marketplace.

Stratos Jets’ industry reputation is why we are consistently able to offer our clients the best jet charter service in the industry. Our established reputation for honesty and integrity has enabled us to build and maintain close relationships with the finest aircraft operators in the world. Most of these operators prefer to work with Stratos Jets, which has allowed us to gain access to a wider pool of discounted one-ways and empty leg charter flights. Stratos Jets’ proven track record for providing honest, reliable service is the principal reason that Stratos Jets’ President, Joel Thomas, was elected president of the Air Charter Association of North America (ACANA), an industry-led organization promoting ethics, best practices and professionalism.

Advertise Honestly: Adhere to established standards of advertising and selling.

Some charter brokerages take advantage of consumer trust and confidence by presenting quotes that are devoid of applicable FET taxes, airport, landing and repositioning fees. Stratos Jets promises to offer clear, “all-in pricing” on every charter flight that we book through our agency. Unlike some charter brokerages that offer false discounts and promotions, with Stratos Jets, you can be assured that the price you are paying does not include hidden fees or taxes.

Tell the Truth: Honestly represent products and services, including clear and adequate disclosures of all material terms.

Stratos Jets was invited to join ACANA because of our continued commitment to honesty, integrity and professionalism. As an ACANA member, we stand against any charter broker that seeks to take advantage of consumers by misrepresenting products or services. This means that we will never engage in “speculative pricing,” the controversial act of bidding on “phantom aircraft,” or aircraft that are not readily available in the charter market. All of the quotes that we provide are based on actual aircraft availability.

Be Transparent: Openly identify the nature, location, and ownership of the business, and clearly disclose all policies, guarantees and procedures that bear on a customer’s decision to buy.

Stratos Jets is a worldwide air charter agency, not a Part 135 air carrier. We will never falsely identify or advertise ourselves as an aircraft operator, which is a direct FAA and DOT violation. We work with other ACANA members to promote transparency on all levels to other air charter service providers. Stratos Jets’ air charter agents, who are among the most knowledgeable and educated in the industry, are available 24 hours a day to explain all FAA and DOT regulations. At Stratos Jets, we openly and honestly represent all industry regulations, and we ensure that all of our vendors to do the same through the Stratos Jets’ Approved Vendor Program.

Honor Promises: Abide by all written agreements and verbal representations.

At Stratos Jets, our goal is to build long-term relationships with our clients instead of one-time transactions. We strive to honor our client relationships through our honesty and integrity. Our clients are important to us as invaluable members of our family, and we will never misrepresent ourselves or willfully deceive them. Stratos Jets is dedicated to meeting the individual needs of our clients. That is our promise to our clients. We faithfully meet and execute those demands each and every day.

Be Responsive: Address marketplace disputes quickly, professionally, and in good faith.

Responsiveness has always been a top priority for Stratos Jets. As experts in the field of private aviation, Stratos Jets agents are extremely knowledgable about the private aviation industry and current charter market. Should a marketplace dispute occur, we will react quickly and efficiently to settle the dispute with as little injury to our clients as possible. As an ACANA member, Stratos Jets is in the unique position to help represent the industry to the FAA and help shape future requirements in a way that positively affects business.

Safeguard Privacy: Protect any data collected against mishandling and fraud, collect personal information only as needed, and respect the preferences of consumers regarding the use of their information.

Stratos Jets handles our clients personal information safely and securely. Your information will never be shared with other organizations or individuals.

Embody Integrity: Approach all business dealings, marketplace transactions and commitments with integrity.

Stratos Jets is dedicated to being the best in the industry, which means fair pricing, deep industry knowledge, and representing ourselves honestly to our customers. These are standards that we have sought since our inception and ones that we will continue to pursue. At Stratos Jets, we believe our clients deserve only the finest charter service, and we aim to provide it on each and every charter flight.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Private Jet Charters and Aircraft Rentals | Comments Off

Stratos Jet Charters Launches Client Questionnaire

Thursday, December 15th, 2011

Stratos Jets will launch a client questionnaire to better serve our air charter clients

Since our beginning, Stratos Jet Charters has set the standard for excellence in business aviation, but what does it mean to be excellent? The dictionary defines excellence as “the quality of being outstanding or extremely good.” At Stratos Jets, we believe that a charter service is only as good as the level of service and customer satisfaction that it can provide. In our opinion, a valuable service is one that is constantly willing to improve upon its services.

As an on-demand air charter agency, we understand that each of our clients has individual needs, and we strive to meet each and every one of them. Beginning in January of 2012, we will start sending out online questionnaires to all of our clients upon completion of their charter flights. The goal of our client questionnaire is to gain a better understanding of our clients’ individual jet charter needs, while learning how to improve our service and provide the best, possible customer experience.

In our quick and easy-to-complete online survey, you will first be asked to answer key questions about your flying habits, such as “how often do you fly private,” “what routings do you typically fly,” and “what business model(s) have you used in the past?” The answers to these important questions will help us determine the type of charter service that you need to meet your travel demands.

Through our survey, we want to learn about your experience with our air charter agency. Did we respond to all of your needs in a timely manner? Was your air charter agent professional and courteous? Were you were fully educated about the safety and history of your aircraft and operator? We encourage you to be as honest and forthcoming as possible. With this information, we can learn about the level of service that was provided by the air charter agent and from our company as a whole.

The Stratos Jets’ client questionnaire will also feature a separate section that will focus on the quality of your overall charter flight experience. In this part, you will be asked to answer questions about the cleanliness of the charter aircraft, friendliness and professionalism of the flight crew, and the services that were offered to you at the fixed-based operator (FBO). We will share this information with our air charter agents to determine the quality and trustworthiness of the aircraft operator.

Client feedback is a vital part of constantly improving our service, which is why we encourage you to participate in our survey. Only through your feedback can we learn about our service and how we can help you achieve your personal and professional goals. As we continue to work together, we look forward to reading your appraisal of our service. Please do not hesitate to contact us directly should you wish to offer feedback on your charter flight.

Contact Stratos Jets:

1.888.478.7286

info@stratosjets.com

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Private Jet Charters and Aircraft Rentals | Comments Off

Stratos Jets Certified as Wyvern Broker

Thursday, December 1st, 2011

Stratos Jets is a certified Wyvern Broker and can verify that charter flights are "Wyvern-Compliant"

What is the single most important factor in choosing your air charter service provider? Is it the safety and reputation of the air carrier, or is it the overall price and value of the charter flight? As an air charter consumer, you never have to choose between safety and service, provided that you make informed, educated decisions each time you fly. At Stratos Jet Charters, our job as air charter agents is to connect you to the safest, most reputable aircraft operators with the longest track record for providing excellent service at fair market price.

Stratos Jets recently became one of the few certified Wyvern Brokers in the Wyvern Pilot & Aircraft Safety Survey (PASS) program. Wyvern, Ltd. is the global leader in aviation safety auditing, consulting and information services. Wyvern specializes in performing on-site, safety audits on charter operators, and has conducted more than 1,700 safety audits worldwide, using the most experienced and highly-trained auditors in the industry.

During a Wyvern on-site safety audit, also known as a “safety evaluation,” Part 135 air charter operators are measured against “The Wyvern Standard” — a globally recognized seal of aviation safety. The Wyvern Standard is a set of safety measurement criterion that far exceed government regulations for safe flight operations and aircraft maintenance.

The information that is collected and analyzed during a Wyvern safety audit is compiled and maintained in a database that is accessible to Wyvern Brokers, like Stratos Jets, through the PASS Report program. For Stratos Jets, the PASS report system enables our agents to generate individual safety reports, called PASS reports, on both Wyvern-recommended and non-recommended aircraft operators.

Each PASS report contains invaluable safety information regarding the aircraft operator, aircraft and flight crew of individual charter flights. The pilot experience check, for example, verifies that the flight crew of any given charter flight is fully certified, properly type-rated, has met the necessary flight time requirements and has current medical and training records.

Stratos Jets has the ability to provide third party audits on all Part 135 Jet Charters, who are fully registered Part 135 and Part 121 carriers. Although any charter broker can access the PASS report system, only Wyvern Brokers like Stratos Jets, have the ability to run a PASS report on each and every charter flight, providing our clients with a greater sense of safety assurance.

Stratos Jets has long been a leader in promoting safety and best practices in the air charter industry. We developed the Stratos Jets’ Approved Vendor Program (AVP) to form an exclusive network of Part 135 aircraft operators that meet our safety standards, which are considered the strictest and most stringent standards in the industry. We have furthered these efforts by requiring all of our approved vendors to pass a Wyvern PASS Report or ARG/US third-party safety audit before induction into our program.

Additionally, Stratos Jets is a long-standing member of the prestigious Air Charter Association of North America (ACANA), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting best practices and professionalism to air charter service providers. Wyvern has pledged its full support to ACANA, as do we at Stratos Jets. Our goal is to help ACANA further its mission of educating air charter consumers about the benefits of working with reliable and ethical service providers like Wyvern Brokers.

At Stratos Jets, we are very proud of our recent certification as a Wyvern Broker. One of the major benefits of our Wyvern Broker certifcation is that it will make it easier for our air charter agency to verify that every charter flight meets our safety standards, along with those established by the Wyvern Standard. We hope that our Wyvern Broker certification serves as further proof of our commitment to safety, best practices and transparency.

Contact Stratos Jets:

1.888.478.7286

info@stratosjets.com

www.stratosjets.com

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Private Jet Charters and Aircraft Rentals | Comments Off

The Importance of Booking Your Charter Flights Early for the Holiday Season

Thursday, October 27th, 2011

Book your charter flight early to secure your charter jet for holiday travel

Those who know Stratos Jets knows that we are a Christian-based organization. Every decision we make and every action we take is influenced by traditional Christian values and principles. As both a company and individually, we truly value the vital role that family plays in each of our lives, and the importance of spending time together to express the love we feel for one another.

This is especially true during meaningful times like the Holidays. The resulting spike in personal travel from Thanksgiving through Christmas and New Year’s Day creates the busiest travel period of the year for private jet charter, increasing aircraft demand to peak levels.

The increase in demand also coincides with the most inclement weather of the year. Ice, snow, freezing rain, extreme cold and other adverse conditions can reduce the availability of charter jet aircraft at a time when they are needed most. This can result in a significant increase in pricing and fewer planes available for your trip.

Many savvy private jet travelers book their trips weeks in advance to secure a charter aircraft for the Holiday season. This reserves the desired jet for their trip and avoids the higher costs associated with booking a last-minute flight charter flight during peak demand. In addition, they avoid missing out on charter availability completely — and then scrambling to fly commercially during the frantic Holiday season.

This is critical since delays, cancellations and full commercial flights are quite common during this time of year. Overcrowded, hectic airports add to the challenge. Something as simple as sitting next to another commercial passenger with the flu can ruin a perfectly good family holiday. Booking your charter flight early eliminates these obstacles.

At Stratos Jets, we have the ability to help you avoid adverse weather conditions by utilizing smaller, alternative airports with fairer weather conditions. This is not an option for commercial travelers. Our air charter agents can provide jet charter service on a wide range of aircraft that are well-equipped for cold weather flying, ensuring that you reach your destination safely and on-time this Holiday season.

We take personal pride in the role that we play for our clients, both in their business and personal lives. We feel honored in knowing that we have helped families and friends come together during for Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year’s.

By booking early through Stratos Jets, you can rest assured that we will connect you with the most appropriate aircraft for your flight at the best available price. At Stratos Jets, our goal is to make sure that you get home safely for the Holidays, or to whatever destination you and your loved ones travel to this year.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Private Jet Charters and Aircraft Rentals | Comments Off

Stratos Jet Charters: Who We Are, What We Do, and Why We are Different

Wednesday, September 14th, 2011

As we approach a brand-new Fall season at Stratos Jet Charters, we have some very exciting news to share with you about our company. Over the next few months, we plan on revitalizing our website; bringing a whole new look and feel to the Stratos Jets’ brand. In addition, we have streamlined our monthly newsletter, making it easier for you to learn more about our company. These changes reflect our growth as a company, from a charter organization that simply raised the bar, to an air charter agency that sets the standard for excellence for business aviation. Even with all of these changes, we want our clients to know that Stratos Jets is still a boutique air charter agency that is dedicated to servicing our clients’ air charter needs. We invite you to take part in reading the first edition of our redesigned newsletter, which we have dedicated to explaining who we are, what we do, and why we are different. We look forward to the launch of our new website, which highlights our constant pursuit of excellence.

Who We Are: 

          Stratos Jet Charters, Inc. is a worldwide air charter agency based in Orlando, Florida. We specialize in arranging on-demand charter flights on a wide selection of private jet aircraft, ranging from turboprop to large-cabin, ultra long-range jets. As a company, our goal is to build long-term relationships with our clients by providing exceptional service, in-depth industry knowledge, and meticulous attention to detail. We offer a unique alternative to fractional and jet card companies. At Stratos Jets, we do not require any upfront acquisition costs, monthly management fees or long-term contractual obligations. Instead, our on-demand charter service allows us to provide our clients with convenience and flexibility, without the inherent complications of fractional and whole aircraft ownership. 


What We Do:

           As an on-demand charter agency, we act on behalf of our clients to arrange charter flights on the safest, most well-maintained aircraft, under the command of a highly-experienced flight crew. Our air charter agents can provide access to approximately 2,500 aircraft that have been pre-screened through the Stratos Jets’ Approved Vendor Program, the industry’s first air carrier due-diligence program. All of the aircraft in the Stratos Jets’ Approved Vendor Program have met with our stringent safety standards, in addition to the rigorous requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Transportation.  Because we do not own or operate any of these aircraft, we are able to source the best-positioned aircraft that can meet the individual demands of our clients’ itineraries.  By analyzing the demands of the charter market, we can readily identify the location of multiple aircraft that can accommodate the specific needs of our clients. Our expert air charter agents can find the right aircraft for our clients, whether they need to travel on a tight schedule, acquire the most comfort, or simply obtain the best, available price.

How We Are Different:

         Stratos Jets’ company culture is what separates us from our industry peers. At the core of our company lies the fundamental belief that we were created for a purpose.  We believe that in order to achieve our purpose, we must live for something greater than ourselves.  As a Christian-based company, we seek to honor God through our relationships with our clients, vendors, and peers.  At Stratos Jets, we do what is right, simply because it is right, and this guiding principle has shaped all aspects of our company. 

Stratos Jets is engaged in a constant pursuit of excellence.  Our core focus of building long-lasting relationships with our clients has allowed us to set the benchmark of excellence in business aviation. It is this practice that has enabled us to excel at what we do best: providing honest answers, fair market evaluations and superior service. 

Stratos Jets is also actively involved in the Air Charter Association of North America (ACANA), an organization dedicated to promoting best practices and professionalism to its members and the industry as a whole.  It is our involvement with organizations such as ACANA that has helped establish our reputation for excellence within the air charter community.  As a recognized and trusted leader in the air charter industry, we will continue to raise the bar for excellence in private aviation.  

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Private Jet Charters and Aircraft Rentals | Comments Off

Shouldn’t Your Jet Charter Agent Be an ACANA member?

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011

As a consumer of private aviation, you have a choice when it comes to selecting an air charter service provider. Having confidence in the jet charter agent you choose to do business with is an important part of this decision. In recent years, the air charter industry has expanded to include many, new charter brokerages. At Stratos Jet Charters, we have become increasingly aware of charter brokers who are more interested in making a one-time profit than in providing an honest, reliable charter service. These charter brokers offer rock-bottom prices for services that are likewise at the bottom. Consumers who fly with these brokers are not likely to fly privately again, and thus miss out on the benefits afforded by private aviation.

With these concerns in mind, Stratos Jets has taken an active leadership role in the Air Charter Association of North America (ACANA). ACANA, the industry’s first and only self-regulatory organization, is comprised of the finest and most reputable charter brokerages in North America. ACANA members work together to promote best practices and ethics to the growing number of charter brokers emerging throughout the industry. Stratos Jets, along with other ACANA members, adhere to the highest standards of integrity, ethics and professionalism, thereby setting the benchmark for excellence in the air charter industry. With that said, shouldn’t your jet charter agent be an ACANA member? In the following article, we will endeavor to explain the benefits of working with an ACANA professional.

Commitment to Best Practices and Professionalism

ACANA membership is exclusive: Only the finest and most well-established charter brokerages in North America are invited to join ACANA. ACANA members are specifically chosen for their excellent business structure, emphasis on consumer education, and most importantly, commitment to best practices and ethics. The stringent membership criteria of ACANA ensures that each member adheres to ACANA’s best practices and rules for professionalism. By working with an ACANA member, you can rest assured that your jet charter agency is among the finest in the industry.

Financial Stability and Health

ACANA was founded on the idea that every charter consumer deserves to have confidence in their charter service provider. For this reason, ACANA requires all prospective and current ACANA members to provide certified documentation that proves their financial stability and health as a company. As an ACANA member, we believe that the financial history and standing of your charter agent matters, both in terms of the assurances that you will receive what you have paid for and in the overall performance and quality of services you receive.

Adherence to FAA and DOT regulations

Unfortunately, low-cost charter brokers can offer greatly reduced prices by ignoring critical safety and maintenance regulations required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT). By working with an ACANA member, you are afforded the assurance that such illegal and dangerous practices will never occur. In addition to FAA and DOT pilot training and aircraft maintenance requirements, many ACANA brokers, including Stratos Jets, enforce their own enhanced safety and professional standards. As the industry’s only self-regulatory organization, ACANA provides key information to the DOT to help craft future air charter safety regulations for the industry.

_____________________________________________________________

Stratos Jets is proud to be a leading member of ACANA, and to represent the best of what the industry has to offer. The philosophy of building close, long-term relationships with our clients has been a hallmark of our business since its foundation, and we are glad to see more charter agencies joining the ranks of ACANA. We will continue to set the benchmark for professionalism and excellence in business aviation and encourage more charter brokers to adopt the standards of ACANA. The goal of this article has been to teach you of the value and importance of ACANA, so that you can make wise decisions for private jet charter. Moving forward, we hope that you will put every charter broker to the test by asking if they are apart of our prestigious organization.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Private Jet Charters and Aircraft Rentals | Comments Off

Explaining the Consumer Confidence and Safety Issues with Shared Flight Programs

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011

In these difficult, economic times, private jet travelers may be looking for alternatives to the high cost of charter flights, but how can you be certain that you are getting the safest service at the best available price?  Over the past few years, a new method for air charter has emerged in the air charter industry known as the shared flight program.  A “shared flight” or “fractional charter” occurs when a group of travelers share all the costs and expenses of an individual charter flight.  Shared flight programs can significantly reduce the cost of private jet travel, however, they also pose serious problems for consumer confidence and safety.  Shared flight programs are not technically illegal, but aircraft operators that sell shared charter flights have been called into question for skirting FAA and DOT regulations in order to sell a charter flight.

In order to ensure passenger safety, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) have established specific safety regulations and guidelines to govern different types of aircraft operations.  Shared charter flights are conducted on on-demand charter aircraft and are therefore governed by FAA Part 135 and DOT on-demand air carrier regulations.  Under these regulations, on-demand air charter flights are not allowed to be “scheduled” or arranged by aircraft operators without additional authority as a scheduled air carrier.  This means that your aircraft operator can not tell you about an available seat on a pre-arranged charter flight.  However, you are allowed to share the expense of a charter flight with other passengers, as long as the operator is not involved in that part of the booking process.  This is how aircraft operators sell shared flight programs without violating FAA and DOT on-demand air charter regulations.

Given the deceptive nature of shared flight programs, wouldn’t you prefer to work with honest, transparent aircraft operators that adhere to all FAA and DOT regulations?  An easy way to identify air charter service providers that meet the highest standards for safety and excellence is through the Air Charter Association of North America (ACANA).  ACANA is an invite-only, non-profit organization comprised of the finest air charter service providers in North America.  ACANA members promote the highest level of best practices and professionalism in order to enhance the industry as a whole.  As an ACANA member, Stratos Jet Charters ensures that its approved vendors adhere to all FAR Part 135 and DOT regulations, and we never arrange shared charter flights to ensure your personal safety.  Our goal as an ACANA member is to educate air charter consumers about the added advantage of working with honest, reliable service providers and avoiding the grey area of shared charter flights.

Contact Stratos Jets:

1.888.478.7286

info@stratosjets.com

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Private Jet Charters and Aircraft Rentals | Comments Off

Stratos Jet Charters, Inc. Acquires Air Charter Access

Tuesday, March 22nd, 2011

Furthering our strategy to meet the growing demand for private jet charter, Stratos Jet Charters, announced today that we have acquired Air Charter Access, one of the finest and most reputable air charter brokerages in the industry.

Recently, the air charter industry has seen the return of business and personal travelers seeking alternatives to the long lines, invasive security screenings, and route cancellations of commercial travel. We believe that the increased demand and heightened interest for private jet charter serves as a positive indicator of economic recovery.

Stratos Jets has already received an influx of charter flight requests, and we expect to see a significant increase in jet charter activity and traffic over the next few months. Stratos Jets recently acquired Air Charter Access, a leading air charter brokerage firm, to meet the increasing demand for jet charter, while still providing the same high level of service that our clients have come to expect from Stratos Jets.

Stratos Jets’ acquisition of Air Charter Access will benefit our clients by enabling our company to provide the highest level of personalized service and attention to detail in the industry. As a result of the acquisition, Stratos Jets will have the necessary resources to respond to the growing demand from charter clients for flights at or below market value. By acquiring Air Charter Access, Stratos Jets agents will be able to improve their work flow and consistently provide the highest level of service, while managing the increase in traffic and demand for jet charter.

Stratos Jets has developed a close relationship with Air Charter Access because of their similar philosophy for building and maintaing close personal relationships with their clients.  The business model of Air Charter Access closely resembles that of Stratos Jets, with an emphasis on client development and retention. Air Charter Access flight coordinators are as equally committed to best practices and excellence as Stratos Jets agents, and bring a wealth of air charter knowledge and expertise to the table.

As the demand for jet charter continues to rise, Stratos Jets agents will work diligently with Air Charter Access flight coordinators to tailor our services to meet the exact needs of our clients. We would like to remind our clients that Stratos Jets and Air Charter Access will be available 24/7 to arrange jet charter flights to any destination in the world.

Contact Stratos Jets:

1.888.478.7286

info@stratosjets.com

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Private Jet Charters and Aircraft Rentals | Comments Off

« Older Entries
Home | Private Jet | Private Jet Travel | Private Jet Prices | Determine Private Jet | About Us | Contact Us
News| Refer A Friend | Flight Tracker | Weather Reports | Newsletters | FAQ | Glossary | Eco Jet Charter
Stratos Jets Partners| Charter Purchasing Guide| Air Charter Careers| Media Relations| Featured Events| Site Map
Group Charter Flights| Last Minute Charter Flights| Air Cargo Charter Flights| Luggage Forwarding| D&B Ranking
Member of Air Charter Association of North America Member of National Defense Transportation Association TerraPass - fight global warming, promote clean energy National Business Aviation Association member - NBAA All air charter flights chartered by Stratos Jets are ARG/US approved
Stratos Jet Charter Services is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Aircraft Charter, Rental & Lease in Winter Park FL

QUOTE YOUR TRIP

Trip Type:
Passengers:
Departure City OR
Airport Code:
Departure On:
 
Destination City OR
Airport Code:
Return Trip On:
 
One Way Charter Flights
ONE-WAY FLIGHTS

From: Casper, WY

To: Pittsburgh, PA

Contact Stratos Jet Charters for information on One-Way Charter Flights from Casper, WY to Pittsburgh, PA at 1.888.478.7286

Discounted Empty Leg Air Charter
DISCOUNTED EMPTY LEGS

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, US (KPWA) - WEST PALM BEACH, FL, US (KPBI) Hawker 900XP - 8 Passengers Available:04-Mar-2012 11:00PM

BURLINGTON, VT, US (KBTV) - WASHINGTON, DC, US (KIAD) Citation Excel XLS+ - 8 Passengers Available:23-Feb-2012 12:59PM

MORRISTOWN, NJ, US (KMMU) - MORGANTOWN, WV, US (KMGW) Citation Excel XLS+ - 8 Passengers Available:24-Feb-2012 9:51AM

BURLINGTON, VT, US (KBTV) - TETERBORO, NJ, US (KTEB) Citation Excel - 7 Passengers Available:29-Feb-2012 6:31AM

WALTERBORO, SC, US (KRBW) - ATLANTA, GA, US (KPDK) Beechjet 400 - 8 Passengers Available:22-Feb-2012 5:00PM

RICHMOND, KY, US (KI39) - MEMPHIS, TN, US (KMEM) Learjet 60 - 7 Passengers Available:23-Feb-2012 5:50PM

JACKSON, MS, US (KJAN) - ATLANTA, GA, US (KPDK) Citation Jet 2 (CJ2) - 7 Passengers Available:23-Feb-2012 5:54PM

FT LAUDERDALE, FL, US (KFXE) - NAPLES, FL, US (KAPF) Citation Jet 2 (CJ2) - 7 Passengers Available:24-Feb-2012 1:48PM

Point to Point Jet Charter
POINT-TO-POINT PRICING

From: Dallas Fort Worth

To: Boca Raton, Florida

Contact Stratos Jet Charters for Point to Point Pricing on charter flights from Dallas Fort Worth to Boca Raton, Florida at 1.888.478.7286