One of the challenges of international jet charter travel is mastering times zones and jet lag. Today’s fast, ultra-comfortable jets mitigate those challenges somewhat, but time zones are still a consideration when booking an international jet charter. Knowing how to gauge time zones helps you plan a better itinerary, and allows you to adapt for jet lag. Here are some tips and terminology to help keep time on your side.
Terminology
Since the nineteenth century, Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) was the time zone all other times zones were measured against, around the globe. Every destination was either so many zones east or west of the Greenwich Meridian in London England. In 1972, this was changed to Coordinated Universal Time standard (UTC), a more accurate and politically neutral time standard. Some pilots and military personnel may also use Zulu Time, which is a variation of the UTC standard.
Tickets
When you receive a boarding pass, your arrival time reflects the local time of your destination.
When you receive a boarding pass, your arrival time reflects the local time of your destination.
To avoid confusion, almost every airline and air charter service such as Stratos will issue tickets with arrival and departure times in LOCAL TIME, using the 24-hour clock. So your flight from New York to Paris may leave on Sunday at 18:20 (6:20 pm), and arrive at 7:35 am Monday, Paris time. Your non-stop flight will last about seven hours, but because you have crossed multiple time zones, your watch will be six hours off. This time change effect is even more pronounced when you book an international jet charter flight across the Pacific Ocean. Since you will cross the International Date Line, your ticket may reveal that you leave Los Angeles on Sunday morning and arrive in Tokyo on Monday afternoon.
The huge advantage Stratos Jet Charter customers have over commercial air travelers is that you can choose your departure time. So, in consultation with our Jet Charter agents, you can customize the travel times that work best for your body and your itinerary.
Jet lag most often occurs when travelling across several time zones.
Jet Lag
Jet lag most often occurs when travelling across several time zones.
There has been significant research into jet lag and how crossing time zones affects our body. Sleep deprivation, mental fogginess and digestion discomfort are all symptoms. Although everyone reacts differently, here are some common experiences:
- The direction of travel matters. Traveling east can be more challenging because it shortens your body’s day. Traveling west lengthens your day, but our bodies can usually adjust fairly quickly.
- Preparation can help. Resting the night before your flight, and departing during daylight hours can help with your body’s internal clock.
- Stay hydrated. Drink more water and minimizing alcohol consumption while in-flight.
- Seek light. Bright sunlight is the most effective way to reset your body’s clock. Before you travel east, seek bright sunlight first thing in the morning at home. If you’re going west, expose yourself to light in the evening before you leave.
With some preparation and a little math, your next international jet charter will avoid the common pitfalls of multiple time-zone travel. If you are planning a flight to an international event, check out our tips at our Featured Events Directory.
Planning a trip across seas? At Stratos Jet Charters, our air charter agents and Trip Support team can take care of all the details for you. Just give us a call and tell us where you’re headed, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Biggest is Not Always Best in Private Corporate Jets
Private jet aircraft, like business clothing, should be tailored to the right size.
It’s easy to be seduced into believing “bigger is better.” We all want bigger profits, bigger homes, cars and boats. But in aviation, is bigger always better? Not always. Private corporate jet charters, like your shoes and clothing, need to be the right size for your needs. There are several variables to consider, including your budget, the number of passengers and your itinerary.
Stratos offers three different basic classes of private corporate jet. Here is a quick guide to help you find the perfect aircraft for your travels.
The Citation II is a smart choice for executives who want a comfortable a jet charter that can fly nonstop from Chicago to Dallas.
The Citation II is a smart choice for executives who want a comfortable a jet charter that can fly nonstop from Chicago to Dallas.
Light Jets
Light jets can carry six to eight passengers. They typically have shorter ranges, and smaller cabin sizes, which may limit movement inside the cabin, and available baggage space.
Consider two passengers traveling from Boston to Washington D.C. for a quick meeting, and then immediately returning to Boston. The best private corporate jet for this 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.
With its class-leading high cruise speed of Mach 0.82 (536mph), The Legacy 500 is ideal for business travellers who need to fly domestically on tight schedules.
With its class-leading high cruise speed of Mach 0.82 (536mph), The Legacy 500 is ideal for business travellers who need to fly domestically on tight schedules.
Mid-sized Jets
Mid-sized jets are also typically configured to seat six to eight passengers. However, their range, cruising speed, cabin room and cargo space are superior to a light jet.
For four passengers flying from Atlanta to Phoenix for a golf weekend, a mid-size jet will be the best option. On a three-hour hour flight, four passengers with four sets of clubs would be cramped on a light jet. They would fit, but the added comfort might be worth the upgrade. This is especially true if the trip is for a special occasion like an anniversary or for entertaining important clients.
The cabin in the Challenger 600 is very quiet and creates an ideal environment for passengers travelling for business.
The cabin in the Challenger 600 is very quiet and creates an ideal environment for passengers travelling for business.
Heavy Jets
Heavy jets are aircraft with greatly increased range and comfort. Heavy jets are configured to seat up to 16 passengers, offering a full “stand up” cabin with plenty of space to move around during the flight, large baggage capacity and a fully-enclosed lavatory. Flight attendants, not present on light and mid-sized business jets, are another nice addition.
Flying from Miami to London? Your best private corporate jet option is probably a heavy jet. You’ll have enough room to stand up and stretch your legs, or lie down for some sleep on the seven-hour flight. The cabin attendant will provide you with meal & beverage service, and with the extended range, you won’t need to make a fuel stop in either direction.
So when chartering a private corporate jet, bigger isn’t always better. The best jet is always the one best suited to your individual needs. Stratos Jet Charters can also use other criteria to help our clients choose aircraft. We compare high-altitude capabilities, aircraft that are better suited for bad weather conditions or that can take off and land on short airfields, or that have specific cruising speeds or cargo capacity.
If you’re ever in a pinch and need to get to a meeting pronto, an air taxi is another excellent travel option for executives. Our previous post provides a lot more information: Take the Stress out of Commuting with an Air Taxi.
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.
Looking for a private jet charter broker that can arrange a flight to anywhere in the world? At Stratos Jet Charters, we have access to every type of jet, from turbo-props to commercial airliners. Contact us for a complimentary quote.
A Private Charter Plane Traveler’s Guide to Toy Museums
See your favorite toys, and introduce them to a new generation.
Toys and games are always popular around the holidays. We get bombarded by toy advertisers throughout December. But when the holiday rush is over, it’s pleasant to remember our favorite toys and games. If you are considering spring travel with young family members, or just enjoy the nostalgia of seeing the best toys from your childhood, we have some great travel suggestions.
Here are some of the best toy museums available to Stratos private charter plane travelers.
Branson MO, USA.
The World’s Largest Toy Museum Complex is not just one museum, but a complex of six unique museums. The Toy Museum Complex displays over one million toys! You’ll see everything from antique 19th-century playthings to modern favorites like Barbie, GI Joe and more. Kids can play with HotWheels tracks, Lincoln Logs, and coin-operated rides. Everyone, no matter their age, will find something to marvel at.
European Toy Museums
Taking a private charter plane to Europe? Add one of these museums to your itinerary. Edinburgh Scotland has an excellent Museum of Childhood on the Royal Mile. Established in 1955, the museum was recently renovated to improve the displays and facilities. You’ll find rarities like a doll from 1740 and some early Steiff teddy bears and Beatrix Potter animal characters. The museum engages visitors of all ages with performances, crafts, and interactive displays.
The Lydia Bayer Toy Museum in Nuremberg Germany has a vast collection of nearly 87,000 items! Though the museum was founded in 1971, the building itself was once an elegant Bavarian-style home, dating back to 1517. Each of the museum’s four stories is dedicated to a particular era or type of toy. You can start by looking at simple wooden toys, then dolls & dollhouses, metal toys and model railways, and finally, toys created after 1945, such as Barbie and Lego. The museum has thoughtfully provided two plays areas: one outside for sunny days, and one inside for crafts, construction toys, and children’s books.
Asian Toy Museums
If you are taking a private charter plane to Singapore, check out the Moment of Imagination and Nostalgia with Toys (MINT) museum. Though the name is a bit cumbersome, the intent is to display vintage toys and collectibles in mint condition. The museum has an impressive array of toys from Asia and beyond. Spread across six levels, the galleries are divided into categories such as Childhood Favorites, Outer Space, Our Favorite Characters, Grand Prix and Winnie the Pooh. The museum also hosts Make & Play events, allowing kids to make their own toys, or try a game their grandparents once played.
Planning on checking out some of these fun-filled destinations with little ones in tow? Check out our previous blog article, “Travelling With Children – What You Need to Know” for tips on how to make your flight as family-friendly as possible.
We hope this list has sparked some Stratos private charter plane travel plans. After all, work pays for the things we need, but play keeps us young.
If you’re looking for a jet charter broker that can arrange luxury charter flights to anywhere in the world, including some of these great toy-loving destinations, call Stratos Jets—888-593-9066.
You Want to Bring What?! Oddest Animals on Planes
Not all creatures were meant to fly
Animals are an important part of our lives. Whether it’s a beloved household pet, a registered therapy animal or a trained guide dog, we value their companionship. However, no matter how much we appreciate them, not all animals are appropriate for jet travel. We’ll give you some tips on flying with animals on planes.
But first, let’s take a light-hearted look at some of the unusual creatures that have tried commercial air travel.
In 2014, a pig became disruptive on a United Airlines flight. The 50-pound pig and its human owner were asked to leave the aircraft before it would depart. (ABC News reported it as proof that “pigs do fly… almost”.)
Ducks usually fly south for the winter, but one chose an unusual method. In 2016, an emotional support duck named Daniel Stinkerbutt took his first commercial airline flight, much to the amusement of the other passengers. Unlike the disruptive pig (above), Mr. Stinkerbutt the Duck enjoyed posing for photos, and became a social media sensation.
Turkey isn’t just found on the in-flight menu. It’s actually been on the passenger list too. In January 2016, a passenger brought a live turkey on a Delta Air Lines flight as an emotional support animal. Delta allows customers to travel with emotional support animals on planes as long as they’re ‘trained to behave properly in public settings’. The turkey did not comment on the behavior of the other passengers.
These unusual examples were gleaned from a variety of commercial airline flights. But what are the rules for traveling with animals on a Stratos private jet charter?
Here are four tips:
1. Some larger dog breeds require prior approval and may need to remain in a crate for the flight.
2. Cats will need to remain in a travel crate. Many cats actually prefer the familiar comfort of a safe crate.
3. You may need to bring specialized equipment, like a muzzle or a seat restraint harness.
4. Pet details must be provided at the time of booking. Breed, gender, weight and age are crucial pet details when booking animals on planes.
With a little planning, you and your animal companions will have a comfortable, stress-free private jet flight. You can also check out our previous blog article: 5 Tips for Four-legged Travelers. Talk to our professional agents to find out more about bringing your animals on your next trip.
If you’re looking for a private jet rental company that can arrange luxury charter flights to anywhere in the world and accommodate pets in any size, shape or color, call Stratos Jets—888-593-9066.
