What Food can be Served on a Private Jet?

It's not unusual on a private jet flight for the pilot or crew to cater to your exact needs when it comes to food. we frequently receive a wide range of questions when it comes to catering for private jet charter - today we'll answer the most common!

VIP Catering is provided as standard

The nature of your food will be tailored to the time of day and length of your flight. This could include a selection of cold meats, a tray of sandwiches or a fruit platter for a shorter flight on a small jet. Longer flights tend to take place on a larger aircraft, which will usually have the capability to serve hot food - and you're able to request this in advance. 

Corporate airliners, long range jets and some medium jets will have a flight attendant on board to serve your food and drinks throughout the flight. Smaller executive private jets will usually have catering laid out for passengers to help themselves to, but if you would prefer to have a flight attendant with you in the air, we are able to arrange this for you on any aircraft. 

Special requests 

Anything is possible! Many clients like to have food of their choice on board, and we will make every effort to arrange this - subject to availability and suitability for the aircraft. Some passengers may request lavish menus, but it might be surprising to hear that many of our requests are for incredibly simple dishes.

There are catering providers at each Fixed Base Operator (FBO) that will prepare your requested food and ensure it is on the aircraft for your flight. Each passenger is able to order their own food, even if it is completely different from the next. Private jet travel is tailored to you and your needs, and it is not unreasonable to request something completely different for each member of your party. This is often the case if parties are travelling with children, who may prefer to eat something as simple as turkey dinosaurs whilst the adults can indulge with their meal choice!

Some of our most common food requests for private jet catering include sushi, pizza, cured meat platters, sandwiches and pastries. You can see there is no upper or lower limit to the complexity of your tailored menu. That being said, if you fancy food from a particular retailer - such as Nando's - we are usually able to arrange this for you and have it delivered fresh to the aircraft in time for takeoff. Sometimes, you choose private jet hire for a special occasion. Items such as flowers or birthday cake on board can absolutely be organised - just let us know. Extra catering will usually involve an extra cost, but this will be included in your overall charter quote (read more about how much private jet charter really costs here). 

Drinks on Board

There will always be tea, coffee and soft drinks available on any flight, regardless of duration or the time of day. Alcohol is also served on most flights, although this is not possible in certain circumstances within the Middle East. Drinks such as champagne are available as standard on many aircraft, but can be arranged for any flight if this is requested beforehand. 

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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

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

Why use a private jet broker instead of an operator?

Private jet charter is absolutely not limited to celebrities - anyone can hire a private jet for a tailored luxury travel experience. but what actually is the difference between a private jet broker and an operator? and which is better to book your private jet travel through?

Operators own and look after their own fleet of private jets, and manage the aircraft flight schedules. There are hundreds of private jet operators worldwide, and each works independently. If you enquire with an operator directly for a private jet charter, you are only able to receive quotations for the aircraft in their own fleet - and it can be difficult to keep track of everything when enquiring with multiple operators simultaneously. 

Private jet brokers deliver a personalised quote containing the most suitable aircraft from a number of operators on your behalf. We have a strong aviation background and will always determine the best aircraft for your particular requirements, and then source the operators who own these. Since we have access to over 30,000 aircraft worldwide, availability for us is nowhere near as limited as it is for an operator with a fleet of 30 private jets - so we can guarantee we are able to find you the best aircraft at the best possible price. We have long-standing working relationships with many operators, so are often able to achieve more favourable pricing than if you were to go to them directly. 

POSITIONING

Every private jet has a home base, which is the airport at which it stays when not in use. If you charter a private jet out of an airport that isn't its base, you also incur charges for repositioning the jet before and after your trip - for example, flying from London to Hamburg in a private jet that is usually based in Geneva would add a large extra cost. When booking through an operator, you are limited by where they keep the aircraft that you want to use. As a broker, we are often able to find the same model of private jet that is based much closer to (if not, at) your departure airport, keeping unnecessary costs to a minimum. 

RELATIONSHIPS

Our founders have been a part of the aviation industry for several years, and, as previously mentioned, have built up good relationships with multiple operators. As well as access to better rates for private jet charter, you can rest assured we will only book you to fly with a safe and reputable operator who will offer you nothing short of a luxurious service - saving you the time of having to do the research yourself!

A TAILORED EXPERIENCE

We will work to create fully personalised, bespoke travel arrangements on your behalf. Where an operator books your private jets dependent on their own fleet and availability via the sales team, we are able to organise travel outside of the flights. Need a helicopter to get you from the airport to your destination? Or road transport to and from the airports? We are usually able to book all of this on your behalf and include it all in your charter quote - no unnecessary hassle for you.

We also work to perfect every single detail of your flight. Although an operator is able to do this with your guidance, having your broker take care of everything saves you valuable time. This can include anything from your catering (we can organise your in-flight menus, or if you fancy a Nando's during your flight, we will sort everything!) to placing your favourite champagne on board your private jet for you to enjoy during the flight. 

Private jet travel is about luxury, so use a charter broker to do all of the work for you - then all you have to do on the day is turn up! 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 and let us tailor a schedule to suit you on: +44(0) 203 880 9005. 

www.astuteaviation.co.uk

Private Jet Charter at Christmas and New Year

We often receive questions regarding flying over the festive period, and you'd be forgiven for thinking that private jet travel is as restricted on public holidays as commercial flights. However that is not the case, and we operate all year round to offer a bespoke service.

Can I fly by private jet on Christmas Day?

Aboslutely! FBOs are open all year round, and private jet charter flights can be arranged for any day of the year. We are available for consultation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - meaning we can organise a flight on public holidays in advance or right at the last minute. Private jet hire is all about convenience for you. Even though availability may be more limited on Christmas day, we have access to over 30,000 aircraft and will quickly be able to find something to best suit your needs.

Can I bring my pet with me on a private jet? 

You may be flying out for the festive period and want to bring your furry friends along, and private jet hire offers the perfect solution for this. Providing they have the correct completed paperwork for international flights, any animal can travel in the cabin with you - making their journey much less stressful. For more information, take a look at our post about Pets on Private jets. 

Can I visit Christmas markets by private jet?

Visiting the Christmas Markets is perfect way to combine luxury travel with traditional festive shopping in the run up to  Christmas. There are so many possibilities, so if you need help deciding where to go you can check out the best European markets here. 

Can I hire a private jet on New Year’s Eve?

Just as with Christmas day, FBOs are open and private jet flights can take place without any problems. Private jet charter also allows for maximum flexibility - meaning you can experience New Year twice if you plan your route and timings right!

Travelling by private jet gives you and your loved ones maximum flexibility and comfort, allowing you to focus on what matters most. 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

Top 10 Private Jet Airports in the USA

Private Jets have access to over 4000 airports in the United States of america. We took a look at our most popular ones, and what makes them ideal for chartered flights. 

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Teterboro Airport - Teterboro, New Jersey

Only 12 miles from Manhattan, Teterboro airport is one of the most popular airports for clients travelling to and from New York. There are five different Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) to choose from, each offering their own take on luxury travel. Teterboro Airport also boasts 23 hangars, which can be used when an aircraft will be on the ground for a few days or during periods of adverse weather. 

 

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Van Nuys Airport - Los angeles, California

Van Nuys Airport is a 30 minute drive from downtown LA, making it an ideal choice for passengers flying in and out of Los Angeles. It is a popular choice with celebrities, due to the fact that it offers both excellent privacy and convenience. Van Nuys Airport also offers customs facilities, so clients can easily charter international flights. 

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Fort lauderdale-Hollywood international airport - fort lauderdale, Florida

A popular choice for clients travelling to the Caribbean, this airport has become a gateway for intercontinental flights. Miami International Airport still handles most long haul commercial flights, making Fort Lauderdale the ideal airport for private jet travel as it is quieter and offers more privacy. With four different FBOs on offer, you are guaranteed a luxurious journey from start to finish. The airport is ideally located a mere three miles from downtown Fort Lauderdale and 21 miles from Miami, so you can get to wherever you need to be as quickly as possible. 

 

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Chicago midway airport - chicago, Illinois

Although it is the second largest passenger airport in Illinois, chartering a private jet in to Chicago Midway Airport allows you to avoid the chaos of Chicago O'Hare - which was the busiest airport in the world in 2014. Another benefit of flying in to Chicago Midway is that you are only eight miles from The Loop, whereas . Two FBOs operate at Chicago Midway, so private jet clients are well catered for. 

 

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Westchester county airport - New york city, new york

Westchester is based three miles from White Plains, but serves a large area. It is a popular airport for private jet clients travelling to Westchester County, New York and Fairfield County, Connecticut , as well as New York City - as it is only an hour to drive in to midtown Manhattan.  

 

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John wayne airport - los angeles, california

An ideal airport for private jet hire, as it has a central location within southern California. Located in the town of Santa Ana, it is only two miles from Newport Beach and the pacific ocean, as well as only a 20 minute drive to the world famous Disneyland Resort. There are two world class FBOs operating here, offering luxurious facilities for leisure and business travel alike. Both FBOs also have hangar facilities which can accommodate aircraft when necessary. 

 

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las vegas mccarran airport - las vegas, nevada

Flying in to Las Vegas by private jet gives you a unique experience of flying over the Las Vegas Strip on approach to landing, offering some incredible views. The airport has a full terminal exclusively for private jets and their passengers, it offers extensive options for business travellers, as well as providing exceptional service to all passengers. 

 

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William P Hobby airport - houston, texas

Less than 20 minutes drive from downtown Houston, William P. Hobby operates both commercial and private flights. Being conveniently located so close to Houston, the airport is a very popular choice for business travellers, and the five different FBOs based here make private jet charter even more straightforward and pleasant. 

 

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Dulles international airport - Washington DC

Although it is the busiest airport in the Washington area, Dulles has an entire terminal dedicated to private jet travel, so there is no compromise on the luxury experience. It is just 26 miles from downtown Washington DC, and also serves the Baltimore area. 

 

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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

How much does it cost to hire a Private Jet?

The cost of chartering a private jet can vary largely, but it may not be as expensive as you might think.

There are several factors which will shape the cost hiring an aircraft, some having a larger impact than others. 

• Size of aircraft

• Distance of Flight 

• One Way or Return

• Airport Landing & Handling Fees 

• Empty Legs

Our previous post on this topic describes how each of these factors could impact the cost of private jet charter, and how we do our best to tailor every detail of your trip to be as cost effective as possible.To give you a better idea of the approximate cost of hiring an aircraft, we decided to use one of our most common aircraft and routes and show the breakdown of the total price. 

We have used the example of four passengers travelling from Farnborough Airport to Geneva, in a Citation XLS based at London Luton Airport. This jet was manufactured in 2006, and boasts a luxurious, quiet cabin with plentiful luggage space - whilst offering excellent time efficiency and value for money. The total quoted price for this journey was £11,572. 

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outbound flight

Luton to Farnborough Airport (repositioning): 39nm/26 minutes

Farnborough to Geneva Airport: 407nm/1 hour 20 minutes

Total flight time: 1 hour 46 minutes

Hourly cost for Citation XLS hire: £2684

Total cost to hire aircraft for outbound flight: £4742

inbound flight

Geneva to Farnborough Airport: 407nm/1 hour 28 minutes

Farnborough to Luton Airport: 39nm/26 minutes

Total flight time: 1 hour 54 minutes

Hourly cost for Citation XLS hire: £2684

Total cost to hire aircraft for inbound flight: £5100

The remaining £1730 covers the airport landing and handling fees at Farnborough and Geneva airport for the outbound flight, and at Farnborough airport for the inbound. Fuel stops would also be included in the charter price if they are necessary for your flight and aircraft type. Crew costs and catering are all a part of the hourly hire cost for your private jet, meaning there are no extra expenses outside of your quote provided by us. 

Private jet hire does not need to be complicated with many separate payments. We organise absolutely everything and provide you with one simple quote, so you can remain focused on the bigger things. 

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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

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

Private Jet Empty Legs - Explained

What is a private Jet Empty Leg?

Empty legs (also sometimes known as Empty Sectors or Dead Legs) arise every time a one way charter flight is booked. The aircraft will either need to fly out to collect passengers, or return back to its home airport after being chartered. These flights aren't cost effective for the operator as they do not make any profit if there are no passengers on board. Private jet hire is an incredibly bespoke service and tailored exactly to the client's needs, so with over 4 million potential flight routes in Europe alone, this can make finding a full price customer for that exact route and date very difficult . For this reason, operators will usually offer these flights at a heavily discounted rate to make utilising that leg more appealing. 

HOw flexible are empty leg flights?

Because the jet has been hired by the original client, their needs determine the schedule of the aircraft; and if they decide to change their flight itinerary, the empty leg client may need to adapt their travel accordingly. As an empty leg customer, you may have some degree of choice in your departure time. For example, the aircraft may be repositioning the day before the original booked flight, so you could potentially specify a departure time within that window. Likewise, if a repositioning flight is taking place after the original booking, there may be some degree of flexibility as to when the return flight takes off. 

If the original client decides to change their booking, the empty leg customer will need to be able to fit around this and possibly adjust their departure time - which is another reason why they are offered at a discounted rate as you must be able to be flexible. There is also the possibility that the client decides to cancel their chartered flight all together, in which case it is more than likely that the empty leg flight will also be cancelled, although you would then obviously receive a full refund. However, you should always consider an empty leg flight as subject to cancellation as we cannot guarantee that it will be confirmed. If your travel is necessary, we would always strongly advise having an alternative arrangement (such as a commercial airline ticket) as a back up in case the private jet flight does not proceed. This can happen for a number of reasons, as operators have the right to revoke an empty leg if their further schedule changes or serviceability issues arise within their fleet - meaning an aircraft needs to be re-purposed. 

An empty leg doesn't always need to be leaving from or going to your destination, we have visibility of upcoming empty legs which may be suitable for your flight, even if a minor route change is required. Operators usually accommodate this as it is also helpful for them as this still offsets the cost of respositioning. 

How much do empty legs cost?

These flights can be available for up to 75% less than the usual charter price, with the exact cost being determined by the aircraft type, route and operator. Prices may also be affected by seasons, as periods of high demand can incur higher costs. In some circumstances, these prices can be very similar per person to the cost of a premium seat on a commercial aircraft. To give you an idea, we have put together an example. This is based on an aircraft flying from Paris to London, one of our more popular routes. 

paris le BOURGet - london luton | LEArjeT 75 | 8 PASSENGERS | £8400

This is the price of a full, confirmed charter - this gives you full control over arrival and departure times and has no chance of being cancelled or re-arranged by the operator.  

Paris Le bourget - London Luton | LEArjeT 75 | 8 PASSENGERS | £2800

This is an empty leg flight for the same aircraft and route. As you can see, even on such a short flight you can save over £5500. Using this option, the cost per head would work out at £350 - approximately the same as a business class ticket for a scheduled commercial airline. In addition, using a private jet you avoid the 3 hour airport wait - enabling you to arrive just 15 minutes prior to departure. 

paris le BOURGet - london luton | citation mustang | 4 PASSENGERS | £3500

For purpose of comparison, we have added the approximate cost of hiring a smaller private jet for the same route, but half the number of passengers. This further illustrates just how much you could save when using an empty leg, as it is over double the cost per head compared to the empty leg flight. That being said, £875 per passenger on a private jet is also a realistic price for the time conscious  business, due to the fact that a private jet runs to your schedule, rather than the other way around. You can read our post outlining the benefits of private jet hire for business here. 

Can I Book a return journey?

As previously mentioned, across Europe alone there are millions of different aircraft routes, so the chances of finding two empty leg flights that match your journey needs are slim. Since empty legs are almost always one way, you would need to make separate arrangements for the other part of your trip. We are able to organise a private jet charter for your return journey, or some customers choose to book a commercial airline seat for their flight in the other direction. 

How can I find out which empty leg flights are available?

Subscribe to our empty leg updates  for the most up to date information about flights and prices. 

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

http://www.astuteaviation.co.uk

De-icing for Private Jets

Much like cars, the winter also affects private jets. With winter fast approaching, the likelihood of an aircraft needing to be de-iced is on the rise - so we thought we would give some insight on how this may affect your private jet flight. 

Why must a private Jet be de-iced?

It is illegal for an aircraft to take off if there is any snow or ice present on its surface as the presence of either of these on the wings will reduce the performance. Further to this, ice can block controls on a private jet (ailerons, elevators and rudders), and safety issues arise if these cannot perform at full capacity. 

Image by @time2gofly

How is a Private Jet De-iced?

The principle is very similar to de-icing a car windscreen, in the sense that a formula of chemicals is sprayed over the jet to remove any ice, and prevent further ice from forming. However, for safety reasons, it is a legal requirement to remove all snow and ice from an aircraft prior to takeoff. This is done using a specialised vehicle called a de-icing rig, which allows the fluid to be evenly sprayed on to all areas of the jet. De-icing fluid is applied at a high temperature to assist with the process of removing ice and snow, and tends to contain a bright coloured dye - which allows the de-icing team to see where it has already been applied and ensure they cover the entire aircraft. As a private jet client, you will usually be on board whilst de-icing is carried out, so you can be airborne as soon as possible upon completion. 

Different types of de-icing fluid can be used, depending on the needs of your private jet. The most commonly used fluid is a short acting de-icer,   which is sprayed on at a high temperature and pressure to quickly and effectively remove ice before takeoff. Other de-icing fluids are thicker, so they do not run off the aircraft as quickly after being applied. These tend to be sprayed on after the initial de-icing fluid, to prevent ice from re-forming during flight.  

How much does it cost to de-ice a private jet?

Cost can vary largely between airports, as each has their own price per litre for de-icing fluid. On average, it costs around €5 per litre, so the table below gives an approximate price for de-icing different types of jets. 

jet type

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Small Propellor

Small Jet

Medium Jet

Long Range Jet

Regional Airliner

Airliner

Fluid quantity (Litres)

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50

200

300

500

700

2000

Total price

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€250

€1000

€1500

€2500

€3500

€10,000

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How to avoid paying de-icing costs for your private jet

Keeping a private jet in a hangar can prevent the need for de-icing altogether, but in some airports this may cost more than the de-icing. On top of this, many private jet airports do not have sufficient hangar space for all aircraft. One potential solution is to use a heated hangar for a short period of time before takeoff, as in many cases, one hour can melt the ice on the private jet that would otherwise require de-icing. 

In some circumstances, we can organise a de-icing waiver for low risk bookings. This will allow an element of security without fear of supplementary invoices.  

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

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

Top 3 European Ski Resorts for Private Jets

During the winter months we see a huge surge in private jet flights to the many wonderful ski destinations Europe has to offer. For that reason, we want to share with you the top 3 european Ski resorts for private jets. 

 

St. Moritz, Switzerland 

St Moritz is the most popular ski resort among private jet setters in Europe. St. Moritz is located high in the Engadin Valley, in the southern part of Switzerland. With a mix of slope, and cross county skiing on offer it's a hit with most. 

The closest commercial airports are Innsbruck or Milan, both of which are around three hours away by road. This is one of the reasons this is so popular for private jet setters, as the nearest we can get you is into Samedan Airport which is around ten minutes from St. Moritz. 

LONDON LUTON - Samedan airport   | 6 PASSENGERS | 3 DAY RETURN  | CITATION CJ2+| £9998

Courchevel, France 

Courchevel has a little bit of everything, world class slopes, great night life and plenty for activities for the family.  Courchevel is broken down into four beautiful villages,  each of which is at a different altitude which is reflected in the name of the village.  Courchevel  1850 is best known for it's popularity with VIP clients, luxury chalets and hotels. The other levels are more geared towards families and cost conscious visitors. 

Untill recently, Courchevel has only been reachable by road or helicopter, unless you own your own private jet. Recently some operators have been given permission to operate commercial private jet flights into Courchevel. This presents the opportunity for our private jet charter clients to charter directly into Courchevel, without having to change to a helicopter. This also means that you avoid the long road transfer, giving you more time on the slopes. 

Prices for this flight are available on request 

Gstaad, Switzerland

Gstaad boasts one of the longest ski seasons, with the first usable snow falling in October, and the last melting in May. This means 6 months of guaranteed, usable snow. Adding another string to Gstaad's bow, it's absolutely beautiful, making it the perfect setting for a romantic, picturesque winter wonderland. 

When flying to Gstaad, we would recommend Sion over Geneva, it's smaller, less busy and more than capable of accepting private jet's. You can then either go by road, or take a helicopter for the short transfer into resort. 

LONDON LUTON - Sion airport   | 6 PASSENGERS | 3 DAY RETURN  | CITATION CJ2+| £9500

 

Chartering a private jet for your winter escape will not only extend your time on the slopes, it will take all of the hassle out of getting to your chosen resort. We have a team of charter experts on hand 24/7 to assist you in selecting the right airport and the right aircraft for your selected ski resort. Get in touch today. 

Enquire ABOUT SKI CHARTER

Top 3 European Ski resort Flight Request

www.astuteaviation.co.uk

+44(0)203 880 9005 

Private Jet to The Monaco Grand Prix

The Monaco Grand Prix is the one event throughout the year that everyone has a ring around. Whether looking for a high octane thrill, or simply looking to observe while sipping Rose Champagne from the deck of a yacht.

The Monaco Grand Prix attracts people from all over the world, from the rich and famous to the devoted petrolhead, this event serves up for anyone. This is one of the busiest events on the calendar for private jet charter companies like us, people flock from every corner of the globe for this event, many of which choose to charter a private jet. 

There are a number of widely unanswered questions when it comes to chartering a private jet to the Monaco Grand Prix so I thought we would take some time to explain. 

So which airport should you fly into?

Nice Côte d'AzuR | DISTANCE FROM MONACO - 11.60 MILES

Cannes-Mandelieu | DISTANCE FROM MONACO - 26.99 MILES

La Môle – Saint-Tropez | DISTANCE FROM MONACO - 59.72 MILES 

There are many myths around which is the closest & best airport for getting to Monaco, however in distance Nice is the clear winner here.  Not only is Nice the closest airport to Monaco, it also has the least expensive landing fee so it takes a clean sweep for points here.  Many people have suggested that La Môle is the best airport for Monaco, but as we can see it's actually the furthest away taking around an hour by road to reach Monaco. 

So how much does it cost to charter a private jet to Nice?  We  get asked this question very regularly so we decided to give you an idea based on a full weekend return.

LONDON - Nice | CITATION CJ1 | 5 PASSENGERS | £8600

This option is perfect for couples or small groups. This aircraft is ideal for any flight within Europe and very cost effective which makes the Citation CJ1 one the worlds most popular private jets. Flight time in this aircraft is around 1 hour 55 minutes.

LONDON - Nice | Citation cj2  | 8 PASSENGERS | £14,300

This option is perfect for medium sized groups. This aircraft is fast and offers great seating capacity for a Light Jet. Flight time in this aircraft is around 1 hour 50 minutes.

LONDON - Nice | Gulfstream G-IV | 13 PASSENGERS | £17,200

This option is perfect for large groups and VVIP's looking for extra room and luxury. The Gulfstream G4 is one of the most widely used private jets in the world, offering a stand up cabin and great range this aircraft is perfect for almost any flight.  Flight time in this aircraft is around 1 hour 32 minutes.

So we have figured that flying into Nice airport is the best option, but how do you get from the airport to the race? Well there are a number of different options, you can of course drive, but during the Grand Prix, the roads are super busy and parking is really, really tough. We recommend that you fly by helicopter directly into Monaco from Nice Airport. This is super fast easy and allows you to take in the beautiful French Riviera from the air.   This option is so popular we generally offer these as a package.  You can either charter an entire aircraft or hop on one of the shuttle flights, for which the price varies.

So to conclude, if you're looking to charter a private jet to the Monaco Grand Prix you should fly into Nice airport and take a helicopter transfer from Nice directly to Monaco. For more specific information or to request a bespoke quotation, please get in touch. 

+44(0)203 880 9005

www.astuteaviation.co.uk

Why Music Artists Use Private Jets

When it comes to the music industry, private jets are essential. 

This is particularly true when it comes to electronic dance music producers, with so many festivals tightly squeezed into the summer months many music artists practically need to cut themselves in two just to make all these appearances, a good number of them playing two or three sets, each different countries and all on the same day! 

Obviously they cant cut themselves in two, but using a private jet is the next best thing. Unlike flying on conventional airline flights where more often than not you spend more time in the airport and waiting for scheduled flights than actually flying. When flying on a private jet, you don't have to worry about scheduled services and long waits, you simply turn up at the private departure lounge, pick up any of the complimentary refreshments you fancy, then whisked through a private security area and onto the waiting jet, doors closed and engines running within 15 minutes of arriving at the airport. This saves on average 3 hours per flight, assuming the scheduled flight departs on time and works perfectly with the artists schedule.  

When they hire a private jet, they also get more direct routings, meaning the total time in the air is less. This is incredibly valuable when it comes to music travel, with some artists chartering a jet for 4 months at a time so they can move freely, making sure they reach all their shows. People like Martin Garrix do this every year, usually basing themselves our of Ibiza as they will often have a residency in one of the major clubs out there. 

A typical day for them could look something like this: 

Pool Party at Ushuaia, Ibiza

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Private Jet to Brussels, Belgium

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Close Main Stage - Tomorrowland, Belgium

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Private Jet back to Ibiza, Spain

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Late set at Hï, Ibiza

Another reason music artists choose to fly privately is due to the amount of attention they get walking through the airport, although they love the interaction with fans, it can be incredibly distracting when preparing for a huge show.  This, mixed with the fact they usually have lots of equipment with them, can make it quite difficult to put incredibly expensive pieces of kit in the hold of the aircraft without worrying that it will get damaged or not arrive at the right location on time, this would really ruin the day!

People often think that music artists operate alone, this is not the case. To use Martin Garrix as an example, he has an entourage of around 6 people at any one time, booking airline seats on the same flight for this number of people consistently through a show season is very tough, and this is often the only true down time the team get's. When flying by private jet, this just is not an issue, they can sleep, work, eat or whatever they want to do without fear of someone disturbing them, or looking over their shoulder when creating a new track. 

The way we see it, private aviation make the modern music scene possible, without it, it just simply wouldn't be possible for these artists to be in all the places they need to be, when they need to be there. 

There are many other reasons that music artists would charter a private jet, however these are a few reasons our clients within the music industry choose to charter with us. 

Astute Aviation Partners With The Air Nanny

We are delighted to announce our partnership with The Air Nanny, the long awaited, first of it's kind international chaperone nanny service.

“It makes perfect sense to us, this just adds another fold to our offering. We are a customer-centric business here, and we know they will just love this new addition. It’s always great to be working with progressive, industry-leading businesses so we are looking forward to developing this new partnership.”

— Zac Hancox, Astute Aviation CEO

This is the first time a private jet charter company and a VIP nanny service have joined forces to offer this out to their clients. This gives our professional clients the opportunity to maximise their careers, without sacrificing family life. 

On the other hand, this gives our leisure clients the opportunity to escape parent life, even fleetingly. They can have the first couple of days of a vacation alone to relax and unwind, before we deliver their little VIP's to them later on in the holiday. 

We are very excited about adding this to our offering, it comes just in time for the summer season and will be available on all of our chartered flights.  When chartering a private jet, luxury dining is a given but for little VIP's turkey dinosaurs and chips is often a preferred option, which is something we can make happen for them! 

For more information on The Air Nanny ask our charter team, or visit their website www.thehotelnanny.com/air/ 

Wether you're looking to charter for business, or pleasure let us tailor your Astute Experience, why stay grounded?  

How much does it cost to charter a Private Jet?

how much does it cost to charter a private jet? 

The cost of chartering a private jet his based on a number of factors, of which the main are:

• Size of Aircraft 

• Distance of Flight 

• One Way or Return

• Airport Landing & Handling Fees 

• Empty Legs 

 

Size of Aircraft

The size of the aircraft is key when choosing the correct private jet for your trip! It wouldn't make sense to charter a jet for two people from London to Paris on a 16 seat 'Ultra Long Range' 'Global Express', the cost would be disproportionately large. It might be surprising to find that this happens more often than might be expected, purely due to a lack of understanding. 

A more appropriate private jet for this kind of short range trip could be a ultra light Citation Mustang. Fast, inexpensive in comparison, and with plenty of luggage space to bring back all your continental purchases. 

Distance of Flight

There are circumstances where the number of passengers becomes irrelevant when deciding on the size of the aircraft required for a journey. For example, if the requirement is for two people to charter from London to New York, a larger private jet is required purely due to the fuel needs.

The use of a larger jet will also generally result in a reduced flight time. Generally a private jet is charged at an hourly rate, so the longer an aircraft is airborne, the more it will cost. 

One Way vs. Return

It might seem logical to assume that a one way private jet flight would cost less than a return, however there are factors that mean this is not the case. Generally it will only cost slightly more, or perhaps even the same to return on the same aircraft. 

This lack of difference in price is due to the jet still needs to return, even if the passengers are not, so the cost of this return leg will need to be recouped from the single outbound journey. 

Landing and Handling Fees

Landing and handling fees are commonplace at every airport in the world. Each airport will charge a fee for the landing and handling of the aircraft. These costs will vary based on the weight of the aircraft and where in the world you are landing.

Airports like London Farnborough are fairly costly to land at, but more than make up for the cost with its proximity to central London, and dedication exclusively to private aircraft.

The other factor to consider is the parking cost associated with the airport in question. Parking a private aircraft can be a very expensive ordeal. Parking can be so expensive in fact that it can often be more economical to fly the aircraft back to its home base in order to avoid these parking charges, these are referred to as 'empty' legs. 

Empty Legs

Empty legs present a significant money saving opportunity, as operators will offer these legs to paying customers at a substantially reduced rate. The downsides to this are apparent: the route is set (however operators can usually be persuaded to make minor detours if desired), and the date and time of the flights are not adaptable, so you would need to align your schedule with the movements of the aircraft. 

Another situation where an aircraft will have an empty leg, would be when passengers are wanting to be collected from anywhere other than its home base. This will also be offered out at a reduced rate. 

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