What Are Shared Flights and Why Should You Avoid Them?

When booking travel by plane, you have plenty of options. You can fly with a commercial airline, or you can consider booking a private jet. And sometimes, you can even share the space on a private plane. But this comes with quite a few challenges and risks along the way.

Shared private flights might seem convenient and cost-effective at first glance, but it may not be worth it in the grand scheme of things. Let’s take a closer look at the potential pitfalls of shared flights, plus our suggestions for alternative options for air travel.

Understanding Shared Flights

Similarly to a commercial flight, sharing a private flight entails traveling with a group of people that may be outside of your party. The idea is to gain the comfortability and convenience that comes with the experience of flying a private jet, all while sharing the space with a group of individuals who may be headed to the same destination as you.

Think of it as a more deluxe version of ride sharing; you get on the private plane with another person or group of individuals heading to an identical location, and you split the cost for the travel.

Shared private flights are put together by a flight operator or broker. This person takes care of the booking and managing of the flight to ensure each traveler’s needs are met, and that they feel comfortable and confident traveling to a similar destination as others who are willing to pay for a private flight.

The perceived benefit here is that you can still gain the luxurious experience that comes with flying privately, but you get to split the costs to charter with the other passengers. Of course, there’s no guarantee that shared travel plans will be cheaper than flying on a private jet individually or with your own group.

6 Reasons to Avoid Shared Flights

Private jet seat sharing can sound like a simple way to get to your destination while avoiding the commercial airlines, but in many ways, it can take away from the private jet experience altogether. If you’re thinking about private jet seat sharing, but you’re still on the fence about it, here are some of the reasons why you might decide to avoid shared flights altogether:

1. Lack of privacy

Above all, the perk you’ll lose out on the most by traveling on a shared flight is privacy. If you’re going to share the private jet, you’re going to lose out on the biggest advantage of this travel experience.

2. Limitation on the amount of people you can travel with

If you’re planning to join a shared private jet charter flight, this can have an impact on the amount of people you can personally bring or travel with en route to your destination. Private jet seat sharing may be a better option for someone who is traveling solely alone and doesn’t mind sharing with a large group of people in a more private setting. For someone who wants to travel with colleagues for business may consider, however, a traditional private flight option may be better.

3. Tight-schedule travel

Depending on your desired departure and arrival times, private jet sharing can be more of a hassle than it is a convenience. When you book a private air charter, you have more flexibility in your arrival and departure times. Booking private aircraft travel with another group of individuals could have an impact on your ability to choose the time and date of your travel plans.

4. Commercial-flight similarity

Private jet seat sharing, in some ways, may be too comparable to commercial flight travel. You may be seated in a more intimate setting, but you’ll still be sharing the space with others you don’t know. This may not be the best option for a family looking for privacy, or a group of colleagues who want to work together on a confidential business plan.

5. Limitations on what you can bring on the flight

When more individuals are flying on a private jet, this limits the amount of luggage each person can carry. If you plan to travel via shared private plane for a move, for example, you may not have the space to travel with all of your belongings.

6. Shared amenities

One of the many perks of private jet travel is the amenities – and in many cases, you get to choose the luxuries that come with your time on the flight. If you’re sharing the room, however, you may have different preferences from the other passengers, which can have an impact on your overall experience.

The Alternative Option to Shared Flights

While traveling via shared flight might seem like the best option to save money, you may not get the same experience you were expecting on a private jet. If you’re looking for an alternative option to shared private flights, we recommend booking the plane for yourself (and your family members, friends, or colleagues) so you can enjoy your flight, relax, and experience the true serenity of flying privately.

If you’re worried about booking a private flight on your own and you’re not sure where to get started, Stratos Jet Charters can help. With nearly two decades in the private airline industry, we prioritize the customer experience. We make the entire process simple and straightforward, from the moment you get on the phone with one of our agents to book the flight until we land at your destination and hand you off to ground transportation.

At Stratos, we know a thing or two about charter operations. We don’t own or operate any aircraft, but we consider this our competitive advantage. This allows us to focus on managing your trip and recommend the appropriate aircraft and air carrier every time while avoiding conflict of interest.

Our private jet charter service is designed to give you everything you want out of private jet travel: The convenience, the serenity, the professionalism, and the satisfaction. With this mentality and approach, we enable all of our customers to soar higher.

Ready to book with Stratos Jet Charters? Get an online quote on your desired flight or call 888-593-9066 to speak directly with an agent.