What the Private Jet Charter Traveler Can Expect at a Private Jet Terminal
How the Luxury Hotel Business is Influencing Private Jet Terminals
Creating comfortable, beautiful and functional aircraft terminals was the biggest aspiration of airport designers over the last 75 years. But unlike other structures, airports are constantly evolving. Changes in aircraft, runways, security needs and passenger demand will impact an airport’s functionality. The good news for Private Jet Charter Travelers is that many private jet airports are looking to luxury hotels for inspiration. Here are some ways private jet charter airports are working to make your travels more comfortable.
Top 4 Ways Private Jet Terminals are Improving Your Travels
The airline industry refers to Private Jet Terminals as FBO’s (Fixed-Base Operators). Essentially, FBOs provide aircraft maintenance, fuel service, catering, ground transportation and hangar services.
Until recently, the aircraft would get lots of pampering, but the passengers had to make do with whatever facilities were available. However, times have changed, and terminals must compete with service in addition to price.
Here are some improvements you will love:
Upscale Lounges
This is the biggest change in recent years. The Private Jet Charter Traveler expects a certain level of style and comfort. FBO lounges are being re-designed with stylish, ultra-comfortable chairs, functional work-spaces, a bar and perhaps a spa area. Some even border on whimsical, with hammocks and foosball tables – just in case you miss summer camp.
WiFi Access
This is obvious when catering to business travelers, but some FBOs lacked the bandwidth and security to meet the demand. Many have invested heavily in upgrades, to provide a seamless wireless experience for passengers.
Luxury Partners
By catering to a more discriminating clientele, FBOs have attracted upscale business partners. For example, Harrods luxury department store opened FBOs at airports in Britain and intends to franchise out the brand. Hotel chains are also creating their own FBOs. Hilton recently opened a FBO/Hotel on St. Simons Island in Georgia, U.S.A. It is the height of convenience: passengers can literally walk off the aircraft and into the hotel.
High-level Amenities
This is everything else an astute Private Jet Charter FBO can offer. For example, here is a list of other amenities offered by the top 7 FBOs in the Los Angeles area:
- Gourmet catering
- Conference rooms
- Hot cookies
- Notary service
- Kids play areas
- Nap rooms
- Exercise facilities
- Concierge service
Long gone are the days of waiting in a shabby lounge while your private jet charter aircraft is being readied. Book a flight today, and discover the extraordinary comfort of the new FBOs!
If you’re looking for a private jet rental company that can arrange luxury charter flights to anywhere in the world, call Stratos Jets—888-593-9066.
Renting the Luxury Lifestyle
Enjoy an upscale lifestyle without the upfront capital investment
If there’s one thing the private jet rental crowd already knows it’s this: it is far less expensive to charter a plane than it is to buy one outright. We’re talking about a difference of thousands of dollars versus millions. Why not apply this to other aspects of your life so that you can enjoy the luxury lifestyle, without the upfront capital investment?
If you fly often enough, owning a jet might actually make some sense. However, if you only travel abroad once in a while, a private jet rental will be much more cost-effective. You won’t be responsible for the ongoing costs associated with ownership, such as:
- Hangaring
- Maintenance
- Staffing
Furthermore, you won’t have to worry about a depreciating asset or any long-term obligations.
Vegas or Bust
Let’s say you make it a point to hit up Las Vegas every year with the boys. If you were to charter a King Air 350 turboprop from Van Nuys Airport (VNY) in Los Angeles to McCarran International (LAS), it would cost you and average of $4,000 each way.
Coming from the east coast, a private jet rental departing from Teterboro (TEB) to Sin City would be somewhere around $32,000 aboard a Gulfstream G200 jet charter.
If you were travelling with six friends, you could share the cost of your private jet rental. Otherwise, to purchase a used King Air 350 in good condition, you’d be looking at a price tag of around $2 million. A G200 would cost even more. You could play a lot of blackjack for that kind of money.
Performance On-demand
We’ve all dreamed about driving a Lamborghini, Ferrari, Aston Martin or some other exotic sports car. There’s just something about having that much horsepower at your disposal, not to mention the bold styling and throaty roar of the engine.
While it is certainly a ton of fun to cruise around Miami or Santa Barbara with the top down in one of these supercars, they don’t exactly make great ‘daily drivers’ 
because:
- Gas mileage is atrocious
- You can’t fit anything in them
- They’re quite uncomfortable to ride in for long periods
- They require constant cleaning and maintenance
Plus, to buy something like a Lamborghini Huracan, you’re looking at about a $200,000 bill. On the other hand, you can rent one for about $1,500 a day, so you can get your thrills and then happily trade it back for your Prius when you’re done.
Bon Voyage
Is there anything that screams ‘celebrity lifestyle’ quite like a private yacht? Island hopping from one tropical paradise to the next sure seems like an idyllic way to spend your holidays.
By renting a yacht for your next Caribbean getaway, you get all of the perks of owning the boat, at a fraction of the sticker price. For instance, you can pay about $15,000 per week to rent an entry-level vessel capable of housing up to eight guests.
If you’re looking for a private jet rental company that can arrange luxury charter flights to anywhere in the world, call Stratos Jets—888-593-9066.
Take the Stress out of Commuting with an Air Taxi
Say goodbye to traffic and other ground transportation hassles by booking a jet charter
You’ve got an important meeting to attend in a nearby city, but you know the traffic is going to be bumper-to-bumper all the way. Normally, you’d either have to drive the night before, or wake up extra early to beat the rush. But what if we told you there was a more convenient way to travel: chartering an air taxi.
Air taxis provide short-haul flights between two destinations aboard a smaller aircraft, such as:
- Helicopter
- Turboprop
- Light Jet
To learn more about aircraft selection for air taxi flights, read our post: When Are Turboprop Charter Planes Preferable to Light Jets.
Similar to booking a cab ride, arranging a charter flight is an on-demand service, albeit a little more complex than simply waving your arm from a sidewalk curb. Another similarity is that you get the whole plane, rather than just a seat. That’s why the cost of an air taxi is calculated by flight time, rather than per seat.
While an air taxi will likely be more expensive than flying commercial, it can be a cost-effective option for business travellers to whom the mantra ‘time is money’ is gospel.
It is also a worthwhile option for people heading away on holiday who feel the added convenience and time savings warrant the extra expense. For instance, if you’re facing an eight-hour drive to visit relatives, or to reach your summer vacation rental, renting a private jet will alleviate much of the hardship.
Greater Travel Flexibility
One of the primary benefits of private aviation is that you enjoy access to a greater range of airports than you would when flying commercially. This is even more evident when chartering an air taxi, as smaller aircraft invariably have better runway
performance compared to larger planes such as heavy jets and airliners.
This opens up a range flight planning advantages:
- Access smaller airports with less infrastructure
- Fly into remote areas
- Access airports underserviced by commercial airlines
Having more points of departure and arrival means you’ll be less likely to experience a delay or cancellation. If there’s an issue at one airport, you can usually reroute your aircraft to land at one nearby.
No Road, No Problem
In some cases, there might not even be a road where you’re heading, in which case,
flying might be your only option. A good example of this would be a family that wants to do some island hopping in Hawaii or the Bahamas (you could take a boat, but it would significantly add to your transportation time).
Furthermore, many industrial companies rely on air taxis to transfer personnel to and from remote worksites, such as mines and oil fields, as the roadways are either inefficient or nonexistent.
Eliminate Other Travel Costs
Flying on an air taxi can reduce other travel expenses. With the ability to fly in and out for a one-day business meeting, you won’t need to stay at a hotel. In many cases you won’t even require a rental car.
If you’re looking to reduce travel time while increasing convenience and comfort, talk to a Stratos Jets charter associate about booking an air taxi. We can help you select the most suitable aircraft and airports for your unique travel needs.
