Private jet travel may be cheaper than what you were led to believe. Find out the best times to find discount private jet flights.
There are some of us who love to travel. We want to get on board an airliner and fly from one place to the next. If we didn’t ever have to come home and get back to reality, we probably wouldn’t. And then there are those travelers who go because they have to. They are traveling for business or seeing a sick relative. Those in between? Well, those are the individuals who travel when they find a good deal and decide they’d like to go somewhere – yet they don’t travel enough to rack up (and benefit from) those frequent flier miles.
While everyone would love to fly private, this latter group is especially important. They would love to reap the benefits of private travel, but they aren’t even sure where to begin. Frequent travelers may know the ins and outs, but the rest of us? Not so much. All we know is we’d like to get from one point on a map to the next without spending too much money. And, yes, we’d love to find comfort on a private jet.
Is it possible? It sure is – when you book during one of the best times to get discount private jet flights!
Benefits of Discount Private Jet Flights
We often hear how many benefits there are to flying private. And we’ve surely seen inside those luxurious private jets on tv screens. But, just how different is private travel from commercial travel? What are the benefits?
First, you get comfortable seating – and can sit just about anywhere you feel comfortable. Depending on your jet, this could be a couch, a captain’s chair, or even a bed. You aren’t restricted when it comes to moving around and can kick and relax without worry.
Private travel is also flexible and time-saving. There are so many things that can prevent you from getting on your flight on time. And while your commercial flight may leave you for taking too long in the terminal restroom, your private jet isn’t going anywhere without you. If you need an extra few minutes or prefer to fly out in the afternoon instead of the morning, no problem. You arrive at the FBO and hop on the jet when ready. No long security lines – and no need to arrive two hours before your flight.
The fact that your jet is private is another great perk. You don’t have to worry about being in the company of hundreds of strangers. No weird elbow or knee touching. And, in the era of COVID, no unnecessary germs.
The benefits list could keep going and going. But that’s not really why you are here, is it? You know that a private jet can be incredibly enjoyable – which is why you need to know how to afford to fly on one, right? OK, here are some of the best ways to make the experience affordable.
Empty Leg Flights
Empty leg flights (sometimes referred to as empty seat flights) are those that are on their return flight – and are flying home empty. Let’s say, for example, that someone booked a flight from LA to NYC. That private jet needs to get back to its base in LA after it drops off its guest. It can either fly back empty. Or, it can sell you a seat on that flight at a discounted rate. You save money, and they make money – it’s a win-win for everyone involved.
Empty leg flights are much more common than you may think. They offer you the opportunity to travel in luxury without all the added expense.
Time of Year
The time of year also plays a role in finding discount private jet flights. Because you want to save money, you will want to avoid traveling during the busy times when everyone else is traveling. For instance, around holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s – travel is up. Everyone is looking to fly everywhere, so it should be no surprise that traveling during this time will see premium rates. But, what about the days between Thanksgiving and Christmas? Or how about the month of January after the holiday rush has subsided? Or the fall months of back-to-school in September and October?
During the quiet travel times, you can find some of the best rates.
Supply and Demand
Supply and demand, as with anything, also impacts the cost of discount private jet flights. Think about COVID-19 for a moment. When this struck our country and brought everything to a screeching halt — people still had to travel for necessary reasons. Many turned to private travel due to a safer, more socially distanced environment. Demand was up.
During holidays or natural disasters or just busy times of the year, the demand goes up, and supply goes down — increasing the cost of private travel. So, when you find those times when demand wouldn’t be so great, you are sure to find a big supply of jets waiting to fly you anywhere – for a discount.
Private Travel with a Small Group
Another idea to get discount private jet flights is to travel with a small group. Sharing the cost of a flight can significantly reduce your portion. Many private jets hold more passengers than you may think. With room for 8 or 9 passengers, you could easily split the cost of your private jet 9 ways! And that’s quite a bit of savings.
You can look online for travel groups or even speak to some charter companies. Whether you are a part of the group or not, you may be able to join them for the ride – and everyone saves.
Private travel used to be one of those glamorous travel methods that only the elite could afford. While they have surely not lost any of their luxurious accommodations (if anything, they’ve gotten better), they have become more affordable to those looking to travel.
If you are looking for the best times to get discount private jet flights, pay attention to the quiet travel times, avoid the peak times when demand is high, check for empty leg specials, or join a small group of travelers. You should never feel that private travel is not within your reach.
