Private aviation company Air Partner has a new mobile app for members of its JetCard program. It is also increasing the notice period to request aircraft, is increasing the hourly rates on smaller jets and saying that for certain days over the end of year holidays in 2021 only charter rates will be available. These latter changes all reflect the unprecedented market demand for private aircraft this year.
New App
Available for iPhone and Android users, the JetCard by Air Partner app allows members to conveniently access their account details and begin the booking process via smart phone. With the app, members can price, plan, and submit booking requests for trips as well as view statements online and trip history at any time.
“Air Partner is transforming the way both corporate and leisure travelers fly private by making our private aviation services more accessible and convenient than ever been before,” says David McCown, President of the Americas for Air Partner. “At our core, we are about service and meeting our customer’s needs where they are. Our new mobile app does just that. Providing an even more seamless experience to our JetCard members and helping them save time, effort, and money when arranging their private charter needs.”
Along with the ability to begin the booking process online or via their smart phone, the Air Partner JetCard program app allows users to:
• View real-time balance of flight hours or account funds;
• Submit a booking request according to one’s selected routes and travel dates;
• Choose aircraft cabin category based on flight preference;
• Add passenger information easily;
• Select a one-way, round-trip, or multi-route/multi-destination route on an itinerary;
• Calculate flight hours easily during the booking process;
• Arrange catering and ground transportation easily;
• and view upcoming flights and keep track of booking history.
The JetCard membership program includes fixed hourly rates, guaranteed availability, global reach, flight hours that never expire, and fully refundable account balances. The program also offers the option to fly transatlantic, with a competitive fixed hourly rate to and from any destination between the United States and Europe.
Jet Card Changes
The private aviation industry is seeing record demand from people wanting to fly privately. We reported high numbers earlier this year and since then the demand has continued to increase. This is prompting most jet card providers to increase prices and change reservation terms, or for instance, in the case of NetJets actually pause bringing on new card customers and instead add them to a waitlist.
Air Partner is increasing the fixed hourly rates for light jets and mid-size jets to $6,400 and $7,700 respectively, for one-way trips. The discounted hourly rate is also going up for qualifying round trips. The rates on larger aircraft are staying the same.
In addition, there is now a new 72 hours’ notice period for booking, changes and cancellations for all US and European flights. This was previously 48 hours.
The company says it is also adjusting Holiday Peak Periods such that during the periods from 15 to 30 November 2021 and 16 December to 04 January 2022, standard JetCard bookings will be unavailable. Members may use their funds on account for aircraft charter during these extended Holiday Peak Periods, but notes availability will not be guaranteed during these Holiday Peak Periods.