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

Private Jet Charter Or Fractional Ownership?

There are many different ways to fly by private jet, but which is the best?

A question we get asked a lot is "Why should I charter instead of buying in to a fractional ownership scheme?". The frequency of this question is increasing, so we thought it would be worthwhile diving in to it. 

We’ll start by explaining the pros of chartering over a fractional ownership, then break down the differences between the two.

Fractional ownership involves owning a share of a private jet rather than the whole aircraft. In the majority of cases, it is more cost effective to charter a jet when you need it, rather than using a fractional ownership. This is mostly due to the fact that obtaining a bottom line price for fractional ownership is difficult – some contracts and operators could have additional fees; things like fuel and Out of Hours charges.  

We allow you to pay as you fly, avoiding membership fees and minimum requirements that may come with a contract. Most fractional ownership contracts have a minimum flight duration of one hour, leading to a waiver fee for anything shorter than this. You may also have further restrictions during peak/busy flight periods, which are avoided when using chartering.

The main benefit of private jet hire over fractional ownership is cost, but chartering also has many other benefits. With charter, we look to use an aircraft from a local airport, meaning you could be on your way within an hour. Availability of the aircraft and flexibility can be limited with fractional ownership, as some contracts can require up to 48 hours notice before flying. Even then, someone else might also require the aircraft for that period.

When you hire a private jet, you avoid all of this. Charter companies also ensure you book the most appropriate aircraft for your journey, taking in to account number of passengers and flight length, rather than simply the aircraft type selected with a fractional company. Simply let us know where, when and how many passengers, and we will negotiate prices on a selection of aircraft which best suit your trip profile. 

So with that in mind, we thought it might be helpful to put the two side by side and see which comes out best.

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Fractional Ownership

CASH COMMITMENT: Initial large payment followed by annual management fees and additional flight costs

PRICE COMPARISON: Fixed rates + charges

AIRCRAFT TYPE: Fixed to category selected, no flexibility

CONTRACT LENGTH: Usually 2-3 years, with exit fees

GUARANTEED RESPONSE TIME: Subject to contract terms, typically 48 hours 

AIRCRAFT POSITIONING CHARGES: Included within restricted service area, e.g. if your contract services Europe, out of area fees would apply if flying outside of this zone - for example America or the Middle East. 

Charter

CASH COMMITMENT: None -  Pay as you fly

PRICE COMPARISON: Lowest rates available

AIRCRAFT TYPE: Most suitable jet for your journey

CONTRACT LENGTH: None - The only contract you sign is the aircraft you book. 

GUARANTEED RESPONSE TIME: We operate 24/7 so endeavour to get back to you in the shortest possible time. 

AIRCRAFT POSITIONING: If applicable, they are Included in charter quote, however we will always look to use aircraft based at your chosen departure airport to avoid these costs entirely. 

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All of this being said, if you fly frequently and want to avoid the hassle of paying for each individual flight, you can open an account with us and deposit as much or as little as you like with no refund fees or charges, and then we simply use this when a flight is confirmed – meaning each flight booking is as smooth as possible. This is also helpful for last minute bookings, as we have the funds readily available, dramatically reducing the time it takes to get airborne. 

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

Pets on Private Jets

Can I take pets on a private jet? That's right, when chartering a private jet you can have your four legged companion right there with you in the cabin.  

Flying commercially can be a traumatic experience for any animal due to the completely unfamiliar environment and loud noise. We know that pets are a part of the family, and that flying in the cabin alongside their owners can make all the difference to how an animal will handle the flight. Taking a pet on board is incredibly easy to organise, and we are able to make all of these arrangements for you when organising your private jet charter. We have even chartered an aircraft for the sole purpose of flying someone's pets to them!

As a UK resident you can take your pets to any European country without the need to quarantine, providing they meet the regulations. There are dedicated airports across the UK that make travel with your furry friends as straightforward as possible - and although this list is not exhaustive, it shows that wherever in the country you are, pet travel does not need to be complicated. 

• London Biggin Hill
• London Oxford
• London Stansted
• London Heathrow
• London Farnborough
• London Gatwick
• London Ashford
• Edinburgh
• Manchester
• Blackpool
• Cambridge 
• Doncaster
• Leeds Bradford International

                                                                     Images from New York Observer and CNN

When chartering an aircraft into the United States, you will need to be able to prove that your pet has had the appropriate vaccinations for its age, most importantly the Rabies vaccination. Cats and dogs must also be over 8 weeks old and weaned. 

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