November 1, 2024
Private jet users provide insights into when and why they spend the extra money to fly privately instead of with the airlines.
Why do consumers fly privately? Why do you choose private jets vs. the airlines? New research from members of Private Jet Card Comparisons underscores flying by private jet is far from the extravagance that detractors often say.
While rising prices – the expense of flying privately – continue to be the number one reason subscribers to the fractional ownership and jet card buyers’ guide say they are considering switching providers, they also share why they choose private flights over other transportation options.
Of note, only 12% of Private Jet Card Comparisons’ subscribers say they exclusively use private jets.
88% split their flights between scheduled airline flights and business aircraft.
When asked what makes them choose private aviation over other options on a trip-by-trip basis, the number one answer was saving time.
68.9% of respondents listed door-to-door time savings as why they pay for private flights.
One subscriber compared it to why he drives to his office instead of taking the train.
“Commuting to my office, taking the train would be cheaper, but door-to-door it’s often twice as long as going directly from my driveway (to the office), so even though it’s more expensive, I drive, and I can make calls the entire time and not bother other people,” he says.
Another noted, “My choices are driven by whether commercial travel is an efficient use of time versus private, which is really only about money.”
52.0% of respondents cited being able to use more convenient airports via private aviation.
While scheduled airlines serve under 500 airports in the U.S., more than 5,000 airports are accessible to private aircraft.
No available nonstop airline flights were the third-biggest reason, cited by 46.1% of respondents.
“It saves me time….it is just so wonderful to go from the middle of the country to either coast in just three hours…It will literally save me a day of my life on a round trip,” said one respondent.
| Reasons for choosing private aviation over other options | Percent of respondents |
| 1. Door-to-door time savings compared to airlines | 68.9 % |
| 2. More convenient airports than airline flights | 52.0 % |
| 3. No nonstop airline flights | 46.1 % |
| 4. Traveling with pets | 37.3 % |
| 5. Time savings compared to a long drive in the car | 34.8 % |
| 6. Airline schedules don’t meet my needs | 34.0 % |
| 7. Traveling with baggage, I would have needed to check | 19.1% |
| 8. Easier connection to/from a scheduled airline flight | 15.0% |
| 9. Traveling with children | 12.7% |
| 10. More productive inflight environment (work or leisure) | 10.4% |
Source: Private Jet Card Comparisons
Traveling with pets was cited by 37.3% of respondents who chose private aviation over airlines.
Ranking in the fifth spot, 34.8% said they fly privately against the option of a long drive.
34.0% of respondents said they choose private flying when airline schedules don’t meet their needs.
Other reasons cited by respondents included traveling with checked baggage, easier connections to or from a scheduled airline flight, traveling with children, a more productive environment, mobility issues, and not being able to secure enough seats on scheduled flights.
42% of those respondents who split their choices between airlines and private jets agreed with the statement: I am or will fly privately more because of what’s happening with the airlines.
Another respondent said, “Direct airport-to-airport travel (by private aviation) is more convenient, stressless, and enjoyable than spending an entire day schlepping through multiple, crowded commercial airports. Add the growing uncertainties of flying commercial due to frequent systems breakdowns.”
54% of respondents considering private aviation said poor airline service and the airport experience are key drivers in their decision.
According to Private Jet Card Comparisons Quarterly Jet Card Pricing Report, the average cost to fly private currently averages $10,954, including surcharges and the 7.5% Federal Excise Tax.
The annual survey for members opened on July 18th and closed on Sept. 15th, 2024, with 594 responses.
The survey has a margin of error of +/-2%
Private Jet Card Comparisons donates $10 for each completed survey to Aero Angels or Homes For Our Troops.
Respondents can choose the charity at the end of the survey.
According to the advocacy group Climbing Fast, private aviation supports 1.2 million American jobs and $246 billion in economic output.
While all aviation accounts for only 2% of global carbon emissions, private aviation represents just 2% of that 2%.
(Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story from preliminary responses has been updated with the survey’s final results.)
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