How to Charter a Jet to Venice
Charter air crafts are a luxury that many people can’t afford, but you may be surprised to know that chartering a private aircraft for a group of people, say for a family reunion or destination wedding can be relatively affordable. With the help of the internet and a few simple steps, you’ll find that chartering an aircraft doesn’t have to be a fantasy. Whether you’re traveling with 1 of 50, chartering a private plane can take the hassle and guesswork out of commercial air travel .
Instructions
- Step 1Figure out what size plane you need. Chartered air crafts typically come in three sizes and the hourly rate is dependent on the size. There are three common size classes, including small, medium and large jets. You jet size will be determined by the number of passengers you need to transport, so make sure you have an accurate head count of travelers in your group. Small jets typically seat between 5 and 8 people, mid-size jets seat 8 to 12 and full-size jets seat 10 to 18 passengers. Small jets average cost is around $2,500 per
flight hour, mid-size jets cost about $3,200, while full-size jets cost about $4,500.
- Step 2Call you local airport and ask about chartering an aircraft. If you live in a small town, your airport may not have options for chartered air crafts. Additionally, you’ll need to see what charter plane companies are available in your area. You may need to book air travel to a larger airport or drive to the next big city where you can catch your plane. You can find numbers for your airport in the phone book or by searching online.
- Step 3Find a charter company that suits you. Use the web to find a listing of charter companies and do some research on each one. Check into the routes and cities that they serve and cross off those who do not have a route to the city you’re traveling to. Start planning early and be patient. The sooner you start looking for planes, the more knowledgeable you’ll be of this type of travel and the more likely you’ll be to find deals. Create a few mock trips and be creative in your planning.
- Step 4Get a quote. Contrary to popular belief chartering private jets isn’t as expensive as you might think. An average 5-hour international flight for a long weekend (3 nights) aboard a mid-size jet with all costs included would be, on average, about $22,200. A mid-size jet holds about 8 passengers, so the cost per person would be $2,812.50. Browse the web and get price quotes from several companies.
- Step 5Check the companies reputation. After you’ve narrowed it down to a few select companies, you should check the company's reputation in he air travel market. Charter aircraft companies aren’t as accessible as commercial airlines, but you can still find reviews and opinions on companies by doing a noninvasive internet search. Chartering private planes is expensive, so you should be getting the very best for you money by hiring from a highly reputable company.
- Step 6Look into empty legs. Empty legs or deadheads can drastically cut the cost of a chartered air plane flight and are available from most charter air craft companies. An empty leg is a flight segment an aircraft must fly, whether they have passengers or not, in order to get into position for a scheduled charter. You’ll have to do a little more leg work to find out about the availability of these flights, but a simple phone call to the companies customer service will get you headed in the right direction.
- Step 7Join a membership program. Most charter aircraft companies have membership programs that you may join. These memberships can get you exclusive deals on charter
flights , discounts on popular routes and a more accessible list of available aircrafts. membership programs may have a one time fee or yearly fees, so make sure that it’s cost effective for you to join. Don’t join a membership program if you’re only planning on taking one flight a year because it probably won’t serve a purpose.
- Step 8Consider additional costs. In addition to flight hour charges, there are other standard costs to consider before chartering a private jet. You will also be responsible for the planes overnight charges, international taxes, landing costs and onboard catering. If you charter a plane for a round-trip flight, you will be responsible for the days the plane sits in the airport waiting for you, which can be up to $600 a night.
- Step 9Have your documents in order. if you're chartering a plane for international travel, you'll need to have the proper documentation in place before departing. You will need to provide your charter company with the name, birth date and passport information for each passenger in your group before you travel.
- Step 10Book your flight. Once you’ve gone through the above steps and effectively found the right company to suit your European travel needs, you’ll need to book the flight. If possible, book your flight with a generous lead time in case you need to make changes. You’ll need to pay a portion, if not all of the flight costs, and in most case you’ll be required to leave a deposit as well. Enjoy your flight!
Tips & Warnings- Some charter aircraft companies require a deposit, which can be between $2,500 and $50,000, so make sure you check with the company before making any deals.
- If you’re flying for business, make sure to keep accurate records and receipts of all the costs incurred on your flight. This could come in handy when it comes to discounts and write-offs for tax time.