Private Jets and Business Aircraft
With the well documented issues in commercial flying more and more people have found reasons to turn to private aircraft.
There are a variety of options to consider. The starting point is how often you want to fly privately.
If you only fly a few hours a year then on demand aircraft charter is probably the best way to go. As your number of hours of private flying increases look at charter cards and fractional cards.
Once you reach about 50 hours of flying a year then fractional aircraft ownership can start to make sense and above 300 or so hours per year whole ownership is worth looking into. Here is some core information to help you understand the options.
All of the major providers have expanded over the last few years. Many now offer a wide range of products and solutions to meet the needs of various clients. If you're looking at the different options and would like a good general overview then download our free Guide to Private Aviation, which includes details on charter, jet cards and fractional ownership. For detailed side by side comparisons of the leading jet card and fractional providers, a directory of charter operators, and our Aircraft Buying Guide then sign up for membership.
The latest news and research on private jets and aircraft is included below.
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- Written by Nick Copley
The part 135, private aircraft charter companies saw overall flight hours bounce back significantly in 2021, after a COVID induced drop in 2020. Amongst the top 25 companies the average growth was over 50%, and several companies grew well over 60%.
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- Written by Susan Kime
Jet Edge is a large full-service global private aviation company, and serves aircraft owners and charter flyers with its operational platform. It has seen significant expansion over the last year, fueled by additional funding.
We were pleased to have a conversation with Jonah Adler, the Chief Commercial Officer of Jet Edge International, to discover the hows and whys of such impressive growth.
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- Written by Nick Copley
The fractional aircraft companies in North America flew over 760,000 hours in 2021. This was an increase of more than 50% compared to 2020, and up over 20% compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. The largest fractional operators are ranked and discussed below.
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- Written by Fiona Young-Brown
The Gulfstream G650 made its maiden flight in November 2009. After receiving its FAA type certificate in 2012, the first one was delivered to a customer in the U.S. later that same year. At the time of its introduction, it was Gulfstream’s largest, fastest, and most expensive aircraft on the market. (The G700 has since surpassed it). In 2014, the G650 won the National Aeronautic Association’s Collier Trophy for its technological advancements and contributions to business aviation. Here is a breakdown of the costs you should expect to incur if you buy and operate a Gulfstream G650.
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- Written by Nick Copley
Private aviation company Wheels Up is continuing its acquisition spree with the purchase of Alante Air Charter, a Part 135 operator established in 2014 and based in Scottsdale, Arizona. This follows on last week’s announcement of an agreement to acquire Air Partner PLC.
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- Written by Nick Copley
The parent company of VistaJet and XO had record sales in 2021, with a 64% increase in global flight hours, and multiple new fleet additions including the ultra long range Global 7500.
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- Written by Nick Copley
Wheels Up (NYSE: UP) announced today that it has reached an agreement to acquire Air Partner PLC (LSE: AIR). The acquisition increases Wheels Up’s international expansion and provides connections to international aircraft supply for the Wheels Up marketplace. It also expands the aviation services and business offerings from the company.
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- Written by Susan Kime
Anthony Tivnan has over twenty years’ experience in private aviation and co-founded Magellan Jets in 2008. Through his leadership, Magellan Jets has seen significant growth and more recently has navigated the challenges of covid in the private aviation world. SherpaReport talked to Anthony about his commitment to all market segments in the face of Covid, and he also explains the importance in maintaining a flexible mindset during this unprecedented time.
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- Written by Nick Copley
Fractional and jet card provider NetJets recently shared a review of 2021 and predictions for 2022, commenting on the “unprecedented flight demand” which “fueled extreme growth and innovation” but also “caused a ripple of new challenges across the industry.” The company is currently operating at 30% more flight volume than prior to the pandemic. One key aspect that NetJets noted is that “we hope to return to selling our full product lineup by spring.”
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- Written by Nick Copley
Private jet company Jet Linx had temporarily suspended jet card sales in October, to ensure its promise of providing guaranteed services to its members during the peak travel season. It has just restarted sales of new jet cards on a limited basis and subject to a waitlist at each Jet Linx private terminal location. The number of new cards are based upon the capacity of Jet Linx's exclusive closed fleet of private jet aircraft and the status of Membership Tier priority.
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- Written by Fiona Young-Brown
The HondaJet has proven to be a popular light jet, since the first one was delivered to a customer in 2015. The updated HondaJet Elite was launched in 2018, offering a new Garmin G3000 flight deck, improved performance and an upgraded interior. In May 2021, the company announced new upgrades to the design with the HondaJet Elite S which increased the aircraft’s maximum takeoff weight. Here is a look at the costs to own and operate this sought after light jet.
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- Written by Susan Kime
Jet Edge Reserve members will now be able to fly coast-to-coast on a Challenger starting at $39,900. In addition, Jet Edge is announcing a new transcontinental program to include non-coastal hubs like Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Bozeman, Aspen, Nashville and Scottsdale among others for flights of four hours or more, also starting at $39,900.
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- Written by Fiona Young-Brown
Private aviation flight numbers started to hit new highs earlier in 2021. The most recent figures show record setting days over Thanksgiving weekend and a record month. Growth is expected to continue.
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- Written by Nick Copley
Over the last few months, Wheels Up executives have been presenting and discussing plans for their vision to create a “Marketplace” for private aviation. SherpaReport sat in on the presentations and talked to company executives. It’s a bold vision, and to some extent the latest results from the company show progress towards the goal.
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- Written by Nick Copley
Private aviation is going through an enormous imbalance of supply and demand. Lots of people want to fly privately, but there just aren’t enough aircraft. Adding to this are various supply chain problems, service issues, staffing shortages and the net result is prices are going up and some service levels are impacted.
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- Written by Nick Copley
One of the leading private aviation companies, Flexjet, is planning a 40% increase in the size of its fleet by the end of 2022. It is also growing its staff numbers and expanding its ground support and infrastructure.
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- Written by Nick Copley
SherpaReport sat down with Jim Segrave, founder of LGM Enterprises, flyExclusive’s parent company. We talked through expansion and growth at the large jet charter operator, the impact of COVID and future plans.
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- Written by Nick Copley
With today’s enormous demand for private aviation, NetJets has announced that it is adding over 125 aircraft by the end of 2022. This includes more than 25 by spring. The overall investment is approximately $2.5 billion.
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- Written by Nick Copley
SherpaReport sat down with George Antoniadis, the founder and CEO of PlaneSense, to discuss recent growth and expansion in their fractional aircraft programs. The company operates both the Pilatus PC-12 turboprop and PC-24 light jet and has been adding new aircraft to its fleet.
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- Written by Fiona Young-Brown
As a second year affected by the COVID pandemic draws to a close, we have seen demand for private aviation services reaching new highs. At the same time, supply chain issues are causing problems in some areas. We look at private aviation industry forecasts for the coming ten years to see what lies ahead. Included are insights from manufacturer Honeywell and analysts at JETNET iQ. Also included is information from Jetcraft’s five year forecast for the pre-owned business aviation market.
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- Written by Fiona Young-Brown
For 20 years, Tradewind Aviation has been providing private air charter services in the northeastern US, the Caribbean, and further afield. Recently they earned fifth place in the coveted Conde Nast Reader’s Choice Awards for best airline in the United States, a first for any private aviation company. The SherpaReport spoke to founders Eric and David Zipkin recently to learn more about the company.
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- Written by Nick Copley
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.
Latest Aviation Research
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