Flyers rating their private jet companies, as excellent or very good, are up 10 points year-over-year, as more abandon airlines completely.
More private flyers and those considering private aviation are saying that airline and airport delays and cancellations are impacting their choice.
The results are from a survey of current and former paid subscribers to Private Jet Card Comparisons.
It represents the fifth year of the survey, providing a wealth of historic comparisons.
The percentage of respondents who say airline and airport delays have driven them to the private skies has increased by nearly 12% year-over-year.
So far, the still live survey shows 47% cite airport and airline delays and disruptions as impacting their decisions to fly privately.
A further 13% say commercial airport and airline hassles haven’t impacted them because they only fly privately.
That’s up about 15% compared to our 2024 survey.
One respondent noted, “Overcrowded flights, delays, and cancellations have 100% caused me to fly private whenever possible.”
Another added, “Airline service gets worse and worse. Airport clubs always have a line to get in.”
Some respondents say they now only use airlines for long-haul international flights.
Door-to-door time savings (69%) continue to be the top reason subscribers fly privately over other options.
Avoiding commercial airline terminals – a new option – is second (59%), outpacing last year’s runner-up reason, more convenient airports, which is in the third spot.
Some 47% of respondents say they fly privately when there are no nonstop flights.
Another new answer option – flying privately is a luxury experience – scored with 45% of respondents.
Traveling with pets and flying as an alternative to long car drives remained reasons cited by just over one-third of respondents.
Of course, flying privately isn’t a panacea for aviation issues, including air traffic control delays.
Some 41% of respondents say they have experienced delays, cancellations, and service letdowns over the past 12 months, in line with last year and down from 46% in 2023.
Perhaps as a result, only around 39% of you say you are considering changing providers – down from 52% in 2023 and 43% last year.
Increased prices remain the top reason you are thinking about changing, at 65% within the margin of error compared to last year.
Delays and cancellations (26%) remain a distant second, in line with last year at 24% and down from 37% in 2023.
Flight providers – companies that sell jet cards, memberships, and fractional share programs are doing much better, according to respondents.
So far, 83% rate their providers excellent or very good.
That’s up from 73% the last two years.
In 2022, when private flying exploded to record levels and operators and brokers had to cope with Covid restrictions, supply chain issues, and staffing shortages, only 62% of their customers said the experience was excellent or very good.
Luxury travel remains the top lifestyle passion or interest, cited by 91% of respondents.
Fine dining and health and wellness remain slightly ahead of sports and the outdoors, all cited by over 40% of those surveyed.
Despite the dizzying flow of political and economic news 77% of you said you are extremely or very confident about your personal financial outlook over the next 12 to 24 months.
That’s up from 73% last year and equal to 2023 when we first asked the question.
Like previous surveys 21% of you are somewhat confident about your personal finances.
And while there is continued debate about what percentage of flyers who started during or since Covid are sticking around, according to this year’s survey, less than 3% of those new flyers have stopped.
In other words, 97% of flyers new to the industry since Covid are still flying.
What’s more, those of you who were flying privately before the pandemic say you are using private aviation more than before.
So far, we have received over 270 completed responses, and the survey will run through mid-September.
Last year, we garnered 596 complete responses.
We are donating $10 to the respondent’s choice of Aero Angels or Homes For Our Troops for each completed response.
If you are a current or previous paid subscriber not in the industry and haven’t received the survey, please email us at members@privatejetcardcomparisons.com.
Full results will be available in early November.
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