Bombardier Unveils the latest additions to the Global Family

Major business jet manufacturers Bombardier (you can thank them for the Learjet, Challenger and Global aircraft families) have announced two new additions to their range of global jets - the Global 5500 and 6500. 

The Private Suite

The Conference Suite

These two aircraft are set to revolutionise private jet charter even further, pushing the boundaries with an even longer range and a larger cabin than any other aircraft in their classes. They'll boast the first new seat architecture in business aviation in 30 years, with the brand new Nuage seat replacing traditional traditional aircraft seats.Clean lines, refined materials, and highly functional design characteristics have been intentionally developed to deliver absolute comfort and productivity.

The Bathroom 

The cabin has been designed for maximum efficiency and has three distinct areas for passengers to enjoy, whilst maintaining a spacious, open plan feel. The club suite comprises the first section of the cabin, providing a roomy space with the brand new ergonomic Nuage seats, with concealable tables. Move through to the conference suite - a highly versatile space for dining or work. There's also an exclusice Nuage chaise, a comfortable spsce to lounge and read, which can also be converted into a flat space for sleeping or extra seats at the dining table. The private suite is found at the rear, in the quietest part of the cabin. It can be completely closed off and converted to a space with a flat bed - complete with an en suite bathroom with a shower. 

Bombardier have created an industry leading flight deck, which boasts the only system to seamlessly merge enhanced and synthetic vision images in a single view, which reduces crew workload and allows the clearest view through the toughest weather. And not only the pilots, have had an upgrade. The front ofthe cabin features a seperate rest area and toilet for your crew, ensuring everyone's privacy and comfort throughout the flight. 

The Global 5500 and 6500 both feature brand new purpose built Rolls-Royce Pearl engines, which provide greater efficiency and power, so you can fly further and faster. A nect generation wing also means your flight will be even smoother than before. 

This announcement also came with the news of a name change for the new Global 7000 - to the Global 7500, which is currently in the final stages of certification. 

The Global 5500 and 6500 are expected to become available to charter in 2020, with certification planned to come at the end of 2019. To be the first to hear about this, sign up to our newsletter! In the meantime, there are plently of Bombardier jets that offer a sensational private jet charter experience. We are available for consultation 24/7, so get in touch with one of our charter experts on +44 (0) 203 880 9005, or click below to send us a message. 

All images are from Bombardier. 

Private Jet Booking for PAs

Time is precious for everyone, even more so for executive assistants. So when it comes to booking private jets, simplicity is key. 

A PA is no longer someone who takes their orders from the boss. The role has evolved, and personal assistants are now a pivotal point within a successful company, often managing complex schedules of multiple executives. This involves reservations, travel bookings, meetings and calls - and frequently dealing with last minute changes to all of these. 

More often than not, PAs are solely responsible for booking travel for the directors and executives they look after; and the wrong decision can have huge consequences. Can your business afford not to charter a private jet? If this is still a question you're asking yourself, have a read of this post. Understanding the value of private jet charter is fundamental to the success of big businesses, given how much more time is saved and is therefore available to accomodate an already bursting schedule. 

The PA is the first port of call when there is a delay or last minute change to any event, who then manage the knock on effect on the rest of the day. Private jet travel has two major benefits here: it's flexible and a private jet won't leave without all its passengers, so an executive being delayed can be very easily accommodated unlike a commercial aircraft. On the flip side, commercial flights are subject to delays, which can be significant enough to disrupt the next few days in a busy calendar. Business jet charter eliminates this risk and allows each day to continue running smoothly. 

We understand the importance of the PA's role within the business, and we liase with them accordingly. We make the private jet booking process as straightforward as possible - all you need to tell us is where you're going, when you want to go, and how many passengers. We're not an app or online system that forces you to submit all the details yourself, risking a mistake. Simply email over your trip requirements, and we will do the rest. We'll send you a selection of the most suitable aircraft for the journey, all you need to do is select the perfect one. For any complex requirements, adjustments or even minor details, you can let us know whatever it is you need and we'll take care of everthing - from internet access right through to catering, allowing you to make the most of your time on the bigger things. 

We'll create bespoke itineraries for each flight, and can organise any road or helicopter transfers to and from airports. All transport is included in one quotation and you don't need to worry about co-ordinating with several travel providers - we'll do it all for you. Get in touch with one of our private jet charter experts and let us tailor a schedule to suit you +44(0) 203 880 9005.

www.astuteaviation.co.uk

Private Jet from London to Dubai

Dubai is becoming the new go-to destination for business and pleasure alike. The rapidly growing city now has two airports, and its popularity is still on the rise. 

There are two airports to choose from when flying into the city - Dubai International and Dubai World Central. Although Dubai World Central is further from the city centre than Dubai International, the journey time is often the same as traffic can be heavy when leaving the very busy International airport. 

Whether you're going for a luxury holiday in the sun, or are on a business trip, private jet passengers are extremely well catered for. Benefit from reduced flight times and beat jet lag when you travel across multiple time zones by private jet, both of which will enable you to bounce back faster and make the most of all time available to you in Dubai. 

Legacy 500

Offering excellent prices for a luxurious private jet, it's the best way to fly to Dubai in true VIP style.

London to Dubai | 3 day return | Legacy 500 | £51,198

Citation X

One of the fastest passenger aircraft in the world; this will get you from London to Dubai in under 6 hours. 

London to Dubai | 3 day return | Citation X | £58,320

Global 6000

With space for up to 14 passengers, the Global 6000 has a huge luxurious cabin space that's highly customisable.

London to DUbai | 3 Day Return | Global 6000 | £86,300

Whichever private jet you choose to travel to Dubai, you can be assured you'll get an unrivalled service from us. From enquiry right through until after your trip, we'll take care of every detail to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible. 

Private Jet empty legs from London to Dubai

Empty legs (learn more about them here) are frequently available between London and Dubai due to the popularity of the route, and can offer a saving of up to 75% off regular private jet charter pricing. Subscribe to our empty leg updates to be the first to hear about your favourite routes!

We are available for consultation 24 hours a day, so get in touch with one of our private jet charter experts and let us tailor a schedule to suit you on: +44(0) 203 880 9005.

www.astuteaviation.co.uk

Business Jets or Business Class?

Business Jets or Business class, similar in some ways, very different in others. We took a look into the benefits of using a business jet over business class. 

Time

A huge factor for anyone who travels regularly for business purposes! Business class is a pleasant experience, with many commercial airports offering  separate security queues and lounges for these customers. However, this doesn't automatically reduce your total time spent travelling. With a business jet, you're able to arrive up to just 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time, with the option to arrive sooner and enjoy lounge facilities if you wish. We are also able to provide for most catering requests and include this in the charter price, meaning employees can eat anything whilst in the air. A small touch maybe, but reducing the number of things to do on the ground can really help reduce the overall duration of the journey.

Private jets also have generally shorter flight times than commercial aircraft, due to the fact that we fly higher and have more direct routings in to the arrival airport. We thought a side by side comparison of the time taken by a business jet charter versus a commercial trip would give a better insight, so you can see a breakdown and just how much time you could potentially win back. We have based this on one of our more common business routes - London (office situated in Canary Wharf) to Dublin City Centre for a meeting at 11am. This is a common occurrence due to the large number of tech companies based in Dublin.

Private Jet

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LEAVE OFFICE: 9.00

ARRIVE DEPARTURE AIRPORT (LONDON CITY): 9.11

DEPART LONDON CITY: 9.25

LAND DUBLIN AIRPORT: 10.24

CLEAR SECURITY AND LEAVE AIRPORT: 10.25

ARRIVE DUBLIN CITY CENTRE: 10.55

MEETING: 11.00 -12.00

ARRIVE DUBLIN AIRPORT: 12.30

DEPART DUBLIN AIRPORT: 12.45

LAND LONDON CITY: 13.44

CLEAR SECURITY: 13.45

BACK IN OFFICE: 13.57

TOTAL TIME OUT OF OFFICE: 4 hours 57 minutes

Commercial flight

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LEAVE HOME (AVERAGE COMMUTE 1 HOUR): 03.45

ARRIVE DEPARTURE AIRPORT (LONDON HEATHROW): 04.45

DEPART LONDON HEATHROW: 06.45

LAND DUBLIN AIRPORT: 08.10

CLEAR SECURITY AND LEAVE AIRPORT: 09.00

ARRIVE DUBLIN CITY CENTRE: 09.30

 MEETING: 11.00 - 12.00

ARRIVE DUBLIN AIRPORT: 12.30

DEPART DUBLIN AIRPORT: 15.20

 LAND LONDON HEATHROW: 16.45

CLEAR SECURITY AND LEAVE AIRPORT: 17.30

RETURN HOME/OFFICE: 18.30

TOTAL TIME OUT OF OFFICE: 14 hours 45 minutes

Immediately you can see that flying commercially can cost you more than an entire working day, whereas a business jet charter allows your employees to start their day at the usual time, and still be back in the office for the afternoon. Not only this, but flying commercially limits you to flying at the times of the airline, which can leave large chunks of wasted time in between flights and meetings. The commercial flight is also best case scenario, and you have no control over any delays which may cause you to miss crucial meetings or lengthen the trip even further. 

Convenience

Although time spent at the airport plays a part in this, chartering a private jet for business also gives you many more options. Being much smaller than commercial aircraft, private jets are able to fly into smaller airports that may be much closer to your final destination and therefore reducing your transfer time. When flying with a commercial airline you are limited to their schedule, but if you charter your own jet you have full control over when you travel. Business jet hire can be fully worked around your needs, and there is even potential to have facilities for employees to sleep on a flight back from a business trip, allowing them to be ready to get back to work the next day - potentially removing the need for an overnight stay. Private jet cabins are also pressurised to an altitude usually around 2000ft lower than those of commercial aircraft,  this greatly reduces the impact on the human body that flying can have, such as fatigue and dehydration, allowing you to be working at full capacity sooner after landing. 

Productivity

A business jet is all yours for the duration of your flight, and other passengers looking over your shoulder is one thing you shouldn't have to worry about. The aircraft can essentially become a flying boardroom so that business can go on as usual with minimal disruption. Wifi is now available on many private jets (read more about it here), so you don't even need to disconnect from your colleagues whilst you fly. We understand how important it is to maximise the productivity of employees, or even make the most of a contractors hourly rate, so from booking to post flight feedback, we ensure that the process is smooth and requires minimal time input from Personal Assistants or travel bookers, compounding the benefit of charter.

Cost

Buying a business class ticket for just one person may work out cheaper than chartering an entire jet, but there are definitely circumstances where charter is the more cost effective option. This may be if you need to send several employees on the same trip, and chartering one plane could well be cheaper than buying multiple business class tickets for a flight. And as previously mentioned, a private jet is usually able to fly much closer to your destination, reducing the cost of transfer time after the flight. Empty legs may also be an option, we will always see if there are any aircraft heading to, or from your destination around when you need to travel, as these aircraft can be priced up to 75% off the usual charter price. 

All images provided by Gulfstream 

Whatever your reason for flying, we would love to help you organise your trip. 

Get in touch with one of our private jet charter experts today and let us tailor a schedule to suit you +44(0) 203 880 9005

www.astuteaviation.co.uk

Can your business afford not to charter private jets?

Private Jets are for the rich and famous.... or so many people think. In actual fact, private jets make a PHENOMENAL business tool.

There's a very common misconception that private jets are mainly used by celebrities, but this isn't actually true. A large percentage of private jet flights are actually for business purposes. 

In business, time is money. To put it very simply, travelling by private jet puts time on your side, as it enables you to achieve more in less time than your competitors. Private jet travel gives you the ability to visit multiple countries in one day, whether you're flying to finalise a deal or attending a board meeting - you can always be home to sleep in your own bed at the end of the day. 

Say goodbye to 4am starts and 3 hours hanging around in an airport. We thought a side by side comparison of a business jet charter versus a commercial trip would give a better insight, so you can see a breakdown and just how much you could potentially win back.

Scenario: Eight executives from your London office need to attend an important board meeting in central Manhattan at 10am on a Wednesday. 

Private jet

Challenger 350 | 8 Passengers | £57,000

+ 1 night in a Manhattan hotel for 8 people. Tuesday Dinner and Wednesday Lunch and Dinner included in private jet charter price

COMMERCIAL FLIGHT

8 Business Class Tickets | £45,500 or 8 First Class Tickets | £74,800

+ 2 nights in a Manhattan hotel and all meals on Wednesday for 8 people

TUESDAY:

Leave the office at 5pm, for a 6pm departure from London Luton. Land in Teterboro Airport at 8pm New York time.

WEDNESDAY: 

Board meeting at 10am. Leave Manhattan around 11am for an 11.45 departure from Teterboro Airport. WiFi enabled private jet so work can continue as normal for the rest of the working day. 

Land in London Luton at midnight UK time. 

THURSDAY: 

Back to work as normal.

TUESDAY:

Leave the office at 12.30pm for a 4.15pm departure from London Heathrow. Land in JFK Airport at 7.15pm New York time. 

WEDNESDAY:

Board meeting at 10am for an hour, then spend the rest of the day in Manhattan to continue working. Evening in Manhattan including dinner for 8 to be expensed.

Stay a second night in Manhattan.

THURSDAY:

Arrive 5.30am at JFK airport for a 7.55am departure, landing in London Heathrow at 7.45pm UK time. 

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The difference is clear here - flying commercially can lose you eight of your top executives for an entire working day whilst they fly, which could cost the business an unprecedented amount. Not to mention the fatigue experienced by an extra three hours of airport time added to each journey! For long flights crossing multiple time zones, jet lag can also prove an issue. Learn about beating jet lag with private jet charter to maximise productivity during business trips. 

Private jet charter provides a higher standard of service than airline first class, and allows your executives to continue working online for the duration of their flight - all for £18,000 less than sending them on a commercial flight. Treat your private jet cabin as a flying office, where no other passengers can listen in to confidential conversations, and you can remain up to date with emails or join a teleconference as you fly. 

You can read about choosing business jets or business class for short flights here. 

With the significant time saved with increased productivity, with the added possibility to save large quantities of money, can your business really afford not to charter a private jet? Get in touch with one of our charter experts today on +44 (0) 203 880 9005 and see how we can tailor a schedule to suit you.  

www.astuteaviation.co.uk

Private Jet WiFi

Staying connected whilst flying is becoming the new standard across the globe, and private jet travel is at the front of the advances

Private jets are incredibly popular amongst business travellers, and not just due to the speed and flexibility that they offer over commercial airlines. They allow you to carry on working throughout your entire journey - the cabin can be configured to resemble a flying boardroom and there are no other passengers that could listen to confidential conversations. Read more on choosing business jets over business class here. 

The internet era has led to a demand for being able to remain fully connected, even 40,000 feet above the ground. Increasing numbers of private jets are now wifi enabled, so you don't need to disconnect and lose productivity for the duration of your flight. 

Wifi onboard an aircraft is provided through either a land-based or satellite antenna, so available bandwidths can vary depending on the system used and the flight route. Land-based internet systems can be less effective for transoceanic trips, so tend to be installed on smaller aircraft that do not routinely make these journeys. Likewise, satelline wifi is more commonly used on long range jets which fly further, and so provide their passengers with a more consistent connection throughout their entire flight. Regardless of which wifi system your private jet has, you can be safe in the knowledge you will still have access to your emails and web browsing, or hold video conferences with your colleagues on the ground whilst you travel - something that would never be a possibility on a commercial flight! 

Wifi-enabled private jet requests are not limited to business flights, as some passengers simply want to be able to remain connected to friends and family, or have the option to stream films and TV programmes whilst they fly. 

We understand the importance of staying connected, and your productivity should never have to stop just because you're flying. When enquiring about private jet charter with us, simply tell us about your wifi requirements and we'll ensure that any aircraft we include on your quotation have what you need. Prices for internet access vary between aircraft and operators, but we will advise you and negotiate the best possible rates on your behalf. In some circumstances we may be able to offer a wifi package. 

Whatever your reason for flying , we would love to help you organise your trip. We are available for consultation 24 hours a day, so get in touch with one of our private jet charter experts on +44(0) 203 880 9005 and let us tailor a schedule to suit you. After all, luxury is freedom so why stay grounded?

www.astuteaviation.co.uk

Top Winter Sun Destinations by Private Jet

The cold isn't for everyone. a vitamin D injection never did anyone any harm, so why not take a break and charter a private jet to somewhere brighter? If you need any more convincing, take a look at some of our most popular winter sun destinations during cold months.

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St Lucia

One of the Caribbean islands situated very close to the equator, St Lucia boasts a year round summer climate with average daytime temperatures of 29 °C. The dry season falls between December and May, so it's actually a more ideal destination for the winter months! There's plenty to do - whether  relaxing on a sun lounger  or hiking in the mountains and exploring the rainforests. 

Private jet charter allows you the ability to fly in to either of St Lucia's two airports, which are situated at opposite ends of the island - perfect for reducing your ground transfer time and have you enjoying the sun sooner. 

Dubai 

Being straightforward to fly to and plenty of amazing things to see and do, Dubai is an ideal destination for anyone seeking a short luxury holiday in the winter months. It combines large stretches of desert beach with a large city, so you have the luxury to do as much or as little as you like for the duration of your break.

Average winter temperatures here reach 25 °C, perhaps a little more manageable than the 41 °C summer days. 

Costa del sol

Winter temperatures sit a little lower here than some of the other destinations, but that doesn't make this strecth of Spanish coastline any less popular with our clients. It's the perfect destination for a short mid-season break, thanks to the much shorter flight time, and you still benefit from t-shirt weather. Hire a private jet and have the convenience to choose from Malaga or Gibraltar airport - whichever is closest to your destination, with no constraints on the date and time of your flights. 

Thailand

November through to February are actually the most pleasant months to visit Thailand - where temperatures sit happily between 30 and 35 °C, and the humidity drops significantly to offer blissful beach weather. 

With a huge number of airports able to accept private jet flights across the country, you can choose to visit the mainland or one of Thailand's beautiful islands.

Maldives 

Would it even be a luxury travel post without giving the Maldives a much deserved mention? Notorious for the white sand beaches, turquoise waters and luscious tropical trees covering the inhabited islands, its the ideal place to get away from the stresses of daily life, for as little as or long as you need.  

Choose from any luxury resort on one of the islands, and charter a private jet to get closer in less time - the Maldives is equally well known for being difficult to travel around commercially!

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If you spend the winter months waiting for the days to get longer and warmer, we would love to help you organise your trip. We are available for consultation 24 hours a day, so get in touch with one of our private jet charter experts and let us tailor a schedule to suit you on:

+44(0) 203 880 9005.

www.astuteaviation.co.uk

Astute Explores Hamburg Christmas Markets

Following our post about visiting the European Christmas markets this winter, we paid Hamburg a visit for a short, snowy trip to the markets there. 

An early morning flight had us watching the sunrise over the clouds, before touching down with a full day ahead to explore and experience everything that Hamburg has to offer at Christmas. 

The city centre contains several smaller clusters of stalls on the walk to the Rathaus, which is where the main attraction lies. We also managed to pass by the Winterwald, where dense trees and wood chips on the ground create a mini winter forest atmosphere amid the bustle of the city. The stalls here are almost entirely dedicated to food, housing many sweet and savoury german treats alongside some international specialities, such as freshly made paella, pizza and kebabs - including one large wooden hut boasting a log fire which was smoking meats and fish.  

Overlooked by the city hall and a huge Christmas tree, the main market has everything you'd expect from a German experience at this time of year.  You're immediately greeted by large stalls selling Gluehwein - the original and some varieties, accompanied by the aroma of cooking meats further down. Walk in between the huts to find stalls selling all sorts of gifts, from candles and ornaments through to fur goods - you're sure to find a perfect souvenir! All the foods sold here are traditional German, and there is still a huge amount to choose from. We tried out some Bratwurst and Currywurst right before it started to snow, where a hot cup of mulled wine and some pancakes went down perfectly. 

There are a handful of other markets scattered across the city, some of which we did not have the chance to visit. The atmosphere at the central Christmas market outside the Rathaus certainly crowned it as the highlight of the city, and is an absolute must-see. The majority of the markets are open for business until December 23rd, so there's still time to go and experience it for yourself! Private jet charter makes it possible to visit Hamburg just for the day, eliminating the need for an overnight stay and avoiding the chaos of flying commercially over the Christmas period. 

Whatever your plans for the festive season, we would love to help you organise your trip. After all, life is about adventure so why stay grounded? 

Get in touch with one of our private jet charter expert and let us tailor a schedule to suit you +44(0) 203 880 9005 

www.astuteaviation.co.uk

Do Private Jet Passengers have to go through Security?

One of the biggest benefits of flying by private jet is related to security, in multiple ways. People often ask about the security process and how it differs to that of a commercial flight. 

Since the only people on your aircraft will be your crew and your party, this eliminates the security concerns about other passengers on your flight. The regulations as to what you can legally take on an aircraft are the same as a commercial flight, however the way the process is carried out varies. You can be sure that your bags will be handled with the utmost care, almost eliminating the chance of any breakages. You can even oversee this process personally if you like, and follow your bag right the way from the scanner to the aircraft. 

Images by Inflite Jet Centre

Skip the long security queues 

If you've ever flown from a large commercial airport during a busy period, you'll be fully aware of how long you can spend queueing to get through the security checks. When flying by private jet, you are able to arrive a mere 15 minutes before your desired departure time, which highlights just how streamlined the process is. This by no means means the security is less thorough, it is simply optimised to make the most of your time with as little hassle as possible. Private jet passengers will usually depart from a Fixed Base Operator (FBO), which is separate from the main terminal. These are dedicated to private flights, so you don't need to worry about queueing. Just hand over your bags and enjoy a coffee whilst the rest is taken care of for you. 

Long lines at commercial airports have been known to cause passengers to miss flights, and the only way to avoid this is to arrive at the airport several hours early. The beauty of chartering a private jet is that it's yours for that flight, it won't leave without you. 

Whatever your reason for flying , we would love to help you organise your trip. After all, life is about adventure so why stay grounded? 

Get in touch with one of our private jet charter experts today and let us tailor a schedule to suit you +44(0) 203 880 9005

www.astuteaviation.co.uk