January 26, 2024
Many companies that could benefit from using private jets or even turboprops eschew private flying for a myriad of reasons, which are easy to understand.
However, those reasons could be costing you growth in sales and profits. You could also be losing key employees!
First of all, there is a negative stereotype about private jet travel, mainly that it’s environmentally unfriendly.
The fact is that all aviation is only 2% of global emissions. Business aviation is just 2% of that 2% number.
More and more providers are offering carbon offset programs. The industry has been pushing to cut emissions with sustainable fuels, more efficient aircraft, as well as flight planning software, and more.
That said, if you really want to be green-friendly, you can cut out all business trips be it commercial flights or auto. You might even consider barring employees from driving to work.
The point, of course, is that flight shaming isn’t a legitimate reason not to consider private aviation for your company.
Instead of overnights, adding hotel and entertainment expenses, a team can visit three or four locations in a single day. The same trip might take an entire week via driving or commercial airline flights.
No Plane No Gain
Another is cost, and of course, that comes down to your business, and the ROI private aviation can give you – or not.
Then the other negative perception is that owning a private jet, a fractional share, or buying a jet card, smacks of being elitist.
Maybe you think it goes against the culture you are trying to create. You don’t have a reserved parking spot. There’s no executive dining room.
Here’s where I think many non-users get derailed.
Like any tools that you use to run your business, be it software systems, new high-tech machines, consultants, private aviation is a tool.
It’s all about how you use it.
Advocacy group No Plane No Gain (good name, right?) says companies that use business aircraft minimize travel time; enhance the efficiency, productivity, safety and security of key personnel; and remain nimble, competitive and successful in today’s competitive marketplace.
The first surprise for many non-users is that top management is aboard private flights less than 50% of the time.
In many instances, it’s middle managers, technicians, customer analysts, and support teams need to reach multiple destinations on a trip.
Instead of overnights, adding hotel and entertainment expenses, a team can visit three or four locations in a single day. The same trip might take an entire week via driving or commercial airline flights.
If skilled employees visit twice or three times as many locations, customers, or factories in the same time as your competitor, private jets become an efficiency multiplier.
Two-thirds of business aviation passengers say they are more productive on their private flights than in the office!
Companies needing to reach multiple destinations in a single day rely on business aviation. This type of itinerary is often impossible to keep using other modes of transportation.
What’s more, whoever your team is visiting is probably getting better attention from your happy team.
Wouldn’t you be happier if you didn’t have to connect in Atlanta and stand in TSA lines? Or wait for your checked bag that never arrives? And of course, they can now get home for their kids’ soccer game.
In fact, 95% of Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Places to Work” are private aviation users. Another 98% of Fortune’s”World’s Most Admired Companies” use business aviation.
And in terms of keeping your trade secrets secret, when using a business airplane, employees can meet, plan and work en route.
Employees can discuss proprietary information in a secure environment and without fear of eavesdropping, industrial espionage or physical threat.
Remember the last time you were sitting in an airline lounge listening to somebody talking to the home office. They were probably racing against the clock to finalize details of Company XYZ you were targeting for a hostile takeover?
Not a good look. Using private aviation helps mitigate those risks.
Another reason your competitors might be using private jets is to safely transport tools and materials that cannot be carried aboard airlines. In other words, flying private enables them to solve urgent problems efficiently and quickly.
Of course, the bottom line is crucial.
S&P 500 companies using private aviation outperform those that don’t by 70% and beat non-users in revenue growth by 23%.
Another misperception is that business aviation is just for big companies. Interestingly, 55% of companies using private jets have less than 500 employees.
In terms of supporting your community, a single private jet brings on average $2.5 million in economic benefits to wherever you have it based. In other words, you are helping support a lot of other jobs.
And, your aircraft can be used to help first responders as well as transporting neighbors who need medical care. Corporate Angel Network is a great example.
Business aviation supports over one million U.S. jobs and delivers more than $200 billion in economic benefits annually.
That said, flying privately is not for everyone or every company. However, don’t let the stereotypes deter you from taking a look to see if it makes sense for your company.
If you have talented and important employees who are traveling to hard to reach places and spending most of their life living out of a suitcase, you might find the benefits of private jet flights outweigh expenses. You’ll be in good company!
