February 21, 2022
Continued airline delays and cancellations, plus airport chaos is driving private aviation users to increase their use of private jets.
It is also providing a draw for first-timers to fly privately, according to rbscribers of Private Jet Car subscribersd Comparisons.
On Sunday, more than 900 U.S. flights were canceled, and 6,300 flights were delayed, according to CNN, citing data from FlightAware.
Flying privately means users can schedule flights when they want to go and arrive 15 to 20 minutes before departure as flights leave from separate, dedicated terminals called FBOs.
Passengers can sometimes be driven directly to their airplanes on the tarmac bypassing the terminals entirely. There’s never lost luggage, and they are on their way in less than 10 minutes after landing.
Since private jets can fly to thousands of airports not served by the airlines, flying privately allows users to go from airports closer to where they are starting and going, often cutting door-to-door travel time in half.
According to nearly 400 subscribers, 52% said airline delays and cancelations are leading them to fly privately more.
Of those who haven’t flown privately yet but plan to fly privately in the near future, 65% cited poor airline service and airport chaos.
Moreover, 96% of respondents who started flying privately due to the Covid-19 pandemic say they continue to fly privately. Only 4% saying they have now stopped or plan to stop.
The most significant factor holding back respondents from taking even more private flights is the cost.
“The airports are a disaster, and I would fly private 100% if I could,” said one respondent, while another noted, “The cost of flying private is out of control.”
The price of flying privately has increased 28% since the end of 2020, according to data from Private Jet Card Comparisons.
