Private Flies

FORGET THE DAY when private aviation was reserved solely for celebs, royals and high-powered CEOs. You don’t have to be a Logan Roy scion to travel on your terms. In 2024, private jets are taking off as a viable option for business travelers, shifting toward flexibility, cost sense, ease of use, and convenience.

- Lark Gould

For those itching to ditch the lines and layovers of commercial travel, we look to new ways to take to the skies.

Which Way to Up? Unlike commercial flights, you cannot just book a ticket. The cabin may no longer be exclusive, but access is granted through a hefty list of companies operating and managing planes on increasingly competitive tarmacs.

Jet Cards: Companies such as Volato and Jet Linx offer prepaid hour programs with guaranteed access to a range of aircraft for a fixed price. This eliminates the uncertainty of on-demand charters and allows travelers to budget their flying costs. Jet card rates can be pricey, but they offer a smart way to control private aviation fees compared to full or fractional ownership. Volato offers an Insider Program that presents capped charter rates for highly trafficked routes, adding some benefits to the jet card concept through its tiered deposit program.

Memberships: Wheels Up pioneered the membership model, providing access to a fleet of jets for an annual fee, ideal for frequent flyers with flexible schedules.

Charters for Large Groups: Splitting the cost among a team or delegation can bring private flights in line with commercial business-class prices, especially on longer routes. Companies such as Air Charter Service and Empty Leg create matches between travelers and available planes or seats to locate the right aircraft at the best price.