Frequent flyers often bemoan the time lost to TSA screenings at the airport, waiting for fellow passengers to board and de-plane and collecting luggage at the carousel. In some cases, it takes longer to wait for your flight than the duration of the flight. Private jet travel offers a solution, and the good news is it’s more accessible than ever before. You no longer have to be a CEO, superstar, entrepreneur or politician to fly in a private jet.
Bonus, the same service can also transport attendees to and from events. This reduces the likelihood of delays, cancellations and missed connections. By eliminating the headache of travel nightmares, you’ll have an easier time sticking to your itinerary.
1. Fly JetSuiteX
A big perk of private jetting is avoiding the security line. Passengers can arrive at the hangar only 15 minutes before takeoff. JetSuiteX is a west-coast based consumer-friendly public charter service. Each aircraft has 30 seats with similar legroom to business class on a commercial carrier.
They’re expanding service between Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay area later this month. Mid-November, they’re adding a new route that connects Burbank’s Bob Hope Airport (BUR) and Oakland International Airport (OAK)’s private terminals with three daily round-trips (one on Saturdays). They’ll also be offering a special pop-up service in January to shuttle passengers to and from CES, the consumer electronics trade show, in Las Vegas and the Sundance Film Festival in Salt Lake City.
“JetSuiteX was created to be the ultimate travel hack for time-starved travelers, especially those going between LA and the San Francisco areas, who are tired of waiting in line after line, just to wait some more,” Alex Wilcox, founder and CEO of JetSuiteX, says in a press release. “Our customers get to arrive refreshed when they skip things like spending more time in an airport than in air, getting herded through lines or feeling the discomfort of boarding a plane with 100 other people.”
The company launched this special service in April 2016 and currently flies to Concord/East Bay (CCR), San Jose (SJC), Burbank and Las Vegas (LAS). Ticket prices are comparable to the major airlines’ fares. The planes are also available to be chartered for corporate events. Passengers can even earn, but not redeem, JetBlue TrueBlue points between select destinations.
2. Incentivize NetJets’s New Partnership with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Photo credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
Fly the friendly skies and leave the planning to the experts thanks to a new joint effort between Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and NetJets. Gather up to 14 of your most valuable clients or colleagues to board a private aircraft to exclusive destinations in the U.S. and abroad. Groups are assigned a director of guest experience from Four Seasons to act as a personal concierge.
“Four Seasons has always been singularly focused on the luxury consumer–understanding their needs, looking at how they like to travel and recognizing opportunities to extend our offering in ways that fit their lifestyles,” J. Allen Smith, president and CEO of Four Seasons, says in a press release.
The program includes three customizable itineraries—a ski adventure in Jackson Hole, Wyoming or Vail, Colorado; an island getaway to Lanai in Hawaii; and an escape to Europe for a tour of France or Italy. While in each destination, these VIPs will be treated to exquisite cuisine and immersive, Instagram-worthy experiences. The schedule is flexible until July 2018.
The program includes three customizable itineraries—a ski adventure in Jackson Hole, Wyoming or Vail, Colorado; an island getaway to Lanai in Hawaii; and an escape to Europe for a tour of France or Italy. While in each destination, these VIPs will be treated to exquisite cuisine and immersive, Instagram-worthy experiences. The schedule is flexible until July 2018.
3. Host an Event Inside a Private Hangar
Photo from Hangar event
Meeting professionals can get inspired by the sky-high possibilities an airplane hangar offers. It is a blank canvas for a planner to create a work of art. Just like a movie sound stage, the big empty space lends itself to creating custom experiences.
Photo from Hangar event
During IMEX 2017 last month, The Venetian and The Palazzo hosted approximately 200 attendees for a reception held inside the Las Vegas Sands’ private hangar at McCarran International Airport (LAS). Three of the company’s planes were on display and guests were invited to board two of them. Pilots and flight attendants answered questions and shared a bit of history. The rare double-decker 747 was originally owned by a middle-Eastern royal family. It was built in the 1980s and is only one of five left in operation. The party also featured top-notch catering and live music. Guests were given personalized luggage tags as a favor.
