As private jet flying soars, so do traveler complaints

private jet

Nearly 20% of Private Jet Card Comparisons’ have experienced service letdowns in the past several months, according to a new survey

Let’s start with the good news. When you fly privately, you don’t have to worry about fisticuffs or surly flight attendants. You avoid snaking TSA lines, and increasingly crowded terminals. You use more convenient airports, saving time. On the other hand, 20% of subscribers to Private Jet Card Comparisons experienced service lapses in recent months. The letdowns come as private flying has soared to record levels.

How not to get burned when you buy a private jet membership

Jet Card

Lawsuits, closures, bankruptcies and lack of transparency show the challenges consumers face

In the two years since I launched Private Jet Card Comparisons, I’ve been surprised by the number of bankruptcies, closures, lawsuits, and lack of transparency in private aviation. In Europe, Wijet liquidated its UK subsidiary while Surf Air closed its entire operation there. Zetta Jet filed for Chapter 11 and then Chapter 7, leaving bills estimated at between $50 million and $100 million. ImagineAir just closed shop without notice. Both JetSmarter and Ascension Air find themselves facing unhappy customers, including lawsuits. Of course, there have been other failures before, including Avantair and Blackjet to name just two fairly recent ones.

How not to lose on your private jet membership

To help you avoid the same pitfalls, here are some tips I put together. While they may not be foolproof, I think they are helpful to keep in mind:

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