Pros and Cons of Using Jet Charters for Business

Yes indeed, for the business traveler, flying a commercial jet will always be cheaper and perhaps even more readily available, but when all the variables are put into place, making a choice whether to fly commercial or via jet charter, the charters do present viable options. MANY STRONG OPTIONS!

For business travelers deciding which route to take, components such as privacy, convenience, money and time prevail in the decision making process.

For instance, a 2003 Harris Poll found that a typical traveler's productivity decreases by 40 percent when using a commercial flight as opposed to the business traveler who opts for the private charter and works at a greater (20 percent) production rate.

What could possibly influence these figures? Well, for one thing, a charter flight offers a more serene and private atmosphere—something definitely conducive to those who need quiet to work efficiently.
In addition to the immediate surroundings, there’s the access variable as well. Not only do charter flights have access to approximately 10 times as many airports than commercial airliners, but it’s those smaller, regional airports that provide a smoother, easier experience—faster check-in, for instance. More importantly, the elimination of layovers, parking hassles and baggage disputes make it even more enticing for businesspeople.

The down side of charter flights, despite their offers of lower stress and a more private experience, is indeed price.

While some charter companies offer full-plane charters only, others have shown more flexibility when it comes to price by tendering single or multiple-seat reservations on their private charters.
Of course, if one is successful and wealthy enough, outright ownership of a charter plane can be had for a mere $800,000 to $2 million—but that does not include fuel, pilot fees, and maintenance.

However, fractional ownership, similar to what most people have come to know as ‘time sharing’, has become another popular option, provided you still have extra cash to pay for your portion of the plane and the fee for your actual usage of it when you fly. And also keep in mind, many companies will ask you to pay for about 25 hours up front.

Hourly leasing, in addition to monthly or yearly leasing, is also available and depends on the actual type of plane being utilized. For instance, the Cessna Citation ISP model, seating five, costs about $1,250 per hour. The Beech/Raytheon Beechjet 400 with seating capacity of nine will run you closer to $1,750 per hour.

It goes without saying the biggest factor companies use as the yardstick for necessity is the actual cost of charter travel.

At a time when most businesses are trying to cut costs to stay competitive and struggling to keep expenses low, the use of charter flights can seem somewhat prohibitive. But do not despair.

For many business travelers, the charter flight is a good fit, especially if it allows for a more productive business trip as well as a better itinerary fit. There will always be pros and cons to analyze when considering this travel option.
Details on full-plane charter flights can be found on the following Web sites: www.ebizjets.com, www.flighttime.com and www.airpartner.com.