Private Jets Fractional Ownership Explained

We've all experienced it - the commercial flight. After a mad dash to make it to the airport on time, including the hours allotted for getting through security, where you'll have to take off your shoes, empty your pockets, and prove that your laptop is not a bomb, you sit and wait for a couple hours before they decide to start boarding, and give you the privilege of sitting in the cramped seat that you paid a couple hundred dollars for.

The mega-rich have always had the option of private aircraft available to them. If you're Donald Trump, you can think nothing of equipping yourself with a Boeing 727 that costs probably close to $50 Million (not including the costs of pilots, flight attendants, support staff, insurance, fuel, maintenance, etc.).

For others, however, the idea of a private jet has been outside the realm of possibility. An exciting concept in private aviation, however, is allowing private jet travel to make more sense for those who have seriously considered it as a possibility.

Fractional jet ownership is a fairly new concept. It is based on the idea that an individual can purchase a fraction of a plane, and pay management and operation fees to a company that will be responsible for safety, pilot training, hiring of crew, and all those other things that you don't want (or wouldn't know how) to deal with. Fractional ownership can substantially cut the costs of owning your own aircraft.

Fractional jet ownership is provided by a number of companies, including Cessna's CitationShares, Bombardier's Flexjet, and NetJets, the company that started the trend. As consumer interest in fractional jet ownership has increased, so has the competition between these companies. CitationShares and Flexjet are owned by aircraft manufacturers, their respective fleets composed mainly (if not entirely) of the planes they make. NetJets, on the other hand features a broader spectrum of aircraft, and is the industry leader. As such, that's who we'll be focusing on today.

It is true that the fractionals substantially cut the costs related to owning an aircraft. That's not to say that private jet ownership is for everyone, however. The primary target of the fractionals consists of those who have considered owning (or sharing) a jet, but found the arrangements too complicated or expensive to justify, as well as those who are used to first class air travel, but want to make a step up. The fractionals are also an attractive deal for mid-sized companies who need the convenience of a private aircraft without the premium price. According to NetJets's website, purchasing a 1/8 share in a Raytheon Hawker 400XP would set you back $793,750 plus a $10,582 monthly maintenance fee, and an hourly charge of $1,501. That 1/8 share works out to about 100 occupied hours per year.

Yeah, it's expensive, but when you consider the price of seven first class tickets from New York to Miami, it suddenly becomes more reasonable. In fact, as a little experiment, I attempted to get the price on such a flight on very short notice. NetJets claims that your plane will be waiting on the tarmac within 6-12 hours notice.

With a commercial carrier, I was unable to find a next-day flight, I was unable to find first class seating, and on one airline, I was informed that a return flight wouldn't be available until a week after the date I requested. If short notice flights are commonplace in your life, NetJets offers the solution.

Let's say, however, that you aren't interested in a small aircraft like the 400XP. What if you want something that can fly from New York to London non-stop? Well, just step into one of NetJets's large cabin aircraft.

If you are lucky enough to afford these multi-million dollar jets, you will enjoy the highest degree of luxury. The Gulfstream 550, for example, is the latest and greatest in Gulfstream's line of long-haul private aircraft. Aboard, you will find a satellite telephone, video monitors, a DVD entertainment system, data ports, a fax machine, and whatever else you need to run your operations (or enjoy some well-deserved down time) at 30,000 ft. Naturally, the Gulfstream 550 also offers a full service galley, as well as a flight attendant for you and 13 others.

The final frontier in fractional ownership is the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ). If you've ever flown on Boeing's popular line of 737 airliners, you know how big the BBJ is. That's because the BBJ is actually a gutted 737, which is then outfitted with the latest in in-flight luxury. In fact, the BBJ is even available with a boardroom, bedrooms, and a shower.

Yeah..... a shower. Nothing says success like the ability to roll out of bed, take a shower, eat a nice breakfast - all while you cut through the air at 528 mph. If the $50,000,000.00 price tag (full price) is a little disturbing, owning a fraction with NetJets can take a large chunk out of it.
Fractional shares start at 1/16 of a share, which can be as low as $369,875 in a Hawker 400XP. That's 50 hours of flying time. For those who don't want the commitment (or the cost) of buying a fraction, NetJets has implemented a lower-cost solution that they call the Marquis Jet Card. The Marquis Jet Card starts at $109,900 for 25 hours in a Cessna Citation V. With the Marquis Jet Card, required notice jumps up to 10 hours, which is still much better than anything the airlines can offer. The card offers the convenience of chartering an aircraft, with the peace of mind that you get from NetJets's safety standards. Other fractional carriers also have prepaid jet cards, so this is a [somewhat] affordable solution for those who don't want to deal with the monthly or upfront costs of ownership.

If you decide that fractional ownership is for you, be warned, you should thoroughly investigate the pilot training, safety procedures, aircraft, and management services that each company offers before making a decision. The big three, NetJets, CitationShares, and Flexjet, offer excellence in each, but some newer fractional start-ups may not be up to snuff. Remember that your security and safety is paramount, and if you feel that it's inadequate with a particular company, take your business elsewhere.

If you're serious about making a fractional jet purchase, and live nearby to their operations, don't hesitate to ask for a tour of their aircraft and facilities, they should be more than happy to accommodate you. Many fractional operators hold regular events around the country in which prospective buyers can take a look around the aircraft and the service that they offer.

Fractional jet ownership offers the best of luxury, security, and functionality without the premium total ownership requires. If you've been considering buying or chartering private aircraft, fractional ownership just may be for you.

Travel With A Private Jet Charter For Business Or Personal Purposes

In today's demanding business and corporate world, air travel is becoming increasingly expensive and annoying. Travelers are keen on finding solutions to meet their travel needs, and are mostly eager for alternative to commercial airline travel. In the world of private jet charters, the solution has been found.
Do you want to be in charge of your own trip? Then taking things in to your own hands via chartering a private jet means you get to determine the exact nature of your travel, while cruising along in the ultimate of comfort and luxury. Once you realize how stressful the travel experience can be, chartering a jet becomes an attractive option. The less hassle, the better and at the end of the day, you deserve the best. Right?
But why not just travel in first class on a commercial flight? Isn't it the same experience? Wrong. Chartering a jet reduces the travel time by nearly half. When flying on a private jet charter, you don't have to wait in long lines when checking in. Private ground transportation can be arranged to take you directly to the plane and pick you up when you arrive. That way, you save money on airport parking costs. What's more, private jet charters often fly to airports that commercial airlines simply don't go to. Which means you can get a lot closer to your final destination than you would on a commercial flight.
Travelers also prefer charter travel because of the high degree of comfort this kind of trip offers. Spacious comfortable seats that you just don't find in normal aircrafts, gourmet meals, bars, and in flight movies are just some of the perks you can expect to find on your next executive jet charter flight. It sure beats those cramped commercial airline flights where you can barely move your legs.
What's more, private chartering can be a cost effective way of traveling, particularly if you are traveling in a group. Up to eighteen passengers can be accommodated on most private jets, and when the cost is split evenly between passengers, the final amount is often significantly less or equal to what you'd spend on a commercial flight.
If you have many stops on your itinerary, a private jet charter can save you on hotel costs. After all, you get to decide on your departure time and you don't have to rely on an airline to tell you when you can and cannot travel.
There are many advantages when choosing to fly with a private jet charter service provider and once you have had a taste, it will be hard to fly with a commercial airline again.

A Private Jet Charter? Are You Serious?

Private charter jets often offer amenities that are not found on public airlines. Although it may sound expensive to charter a private jet, there are many benefits that outweigh the cost. Commercial airlines cannot compare to the benefits of private charter jets, especially if you fly frequently.
Often, after only one private charter flight, passengers are hooked. They decide that private jets are now their preferred mode of transportation. You can locate a private charter jet through local business charters or through a charter broker who is qualified.
Since the price of private charter jets has become more affordable, they have also become more popular. Whether you are booking a private charter jet for business associates, friends or family, there is no better way to commemorate a special occasion.
Generally, commercial airlines have a set number of routes with only one or two connecting cities or countries. Private charter jets have greater flexibility in their routes. If done correctly, private charter jets have the ability to offer less expensive tickets because they operate differently than commercial airlines. Since, when chartering private jets, the entire airplane is booked from the airlines, they are able to offer a discount.
Private charter jets are great for group travel or even for those who want a more private flying encounter. At times, travel firms will incorporate overnight stays at some of the most luxurious hotels. They may also include programs for touring and sightseeing.
Private charter jets are generally more reliable than other ways of getting inexpensive tickets. Often, the closer to the flying date it gets, the cheaper it becomes to book. In order to make their money, the private charter company wants to sell as many tickets as possible. They offer you the ability to fly when and where you want to. All the while, giving you the security and privacy not found on commercial airlines.

Private jet Charter-A better option

Traveling in various states or countries has become a frequent need for Business Executives. Under the rapidly increases security issues, worse weather condition most of the flights are getting late. This sort of trend by the commercial flights is giving an opportunity to the Business Executives to look for other better options. While considering the fast travel needs the one easy choice is the Charter a Private Jet.

The Charter prices of the Jets are not what they used to be. The price of Chartering a Jet is constantly on the decline. Now it becomes fairly easy for people to utilize this option more efficiently and effectively.

The level of service that you will receive is far more superior then you could ever imagine in normal commercial flight. Amongst the other benefit you can charter a jet whenever you want and can go wherever you want. With time the competition is increasing a new Jet Chartering companies are emerging in the market which eventually is a sign of relief for the end users.

As with the competition the rental prices will come down and subsequently the level of Customer Service will also increase. The availability and accessibility is almost everywhere. Your are in command.

Chartering a Private Jet is very viable option for the security conscious people. As they could come a little early and as the size of the Private jet is quite small as compared to the large sizes of a commercial plans. Thus securing a Private Jet from any possible danger becomes much easier.

As explained earlier because of so much competition in Chartering Private Jet business many of the companies are offering highly competitive prices and you would be amazed to hear some of there rates. Therefore, when prices is not that bigger of an issue and when you feel that you can't afford the normal commercial flight delay so going for a Private Jet seems a very viable option.