There are many reasons business leaders and executives prefer the flexibility of private aviation. When asked about their reasons 9/10 agreed that their business has benefitted and qualified that with the reasons outlined below:
No More Long Wait Times
Long wait times are an issue. All commercial airliners work on a set schedule, and whether you’re travelling first-class or back in economy, you’ll all arrive at the same time. Commercial aircraft operate out of select airports and, because of their size, they have to wait to use the large runways. This always means congestion. Anyone who flies regularly knows just what it’s like to wait on the runway or in a holding pattern for ages – annoying, to say the least.
Private jets, however, can access thousands of airports across the country. They can use shorter runways, fly on less congested routes, and leave exactly when you want them to. You set the schedule, after all. That means faster flights.
Commercial airliners have to fly very specific routes through a dedicated hub-and-spoke network; something that private jets don’t do. This means that they can fly directly to your chosen destination. They climb faster than commercial airlines, cruise at a higher altitude with greater speeds, so poor weather isn’t a problem. All this adds up to you getting to your destination so much faster.
Leisurely Working and Zero Downtime
One of the big deciders for business executives is the leisurely working and zero downtime atmosphere. Even in first class, commercial travellers have to respect the rules of the airline and the privacy of the people sharing your cabin. It’s much harder to work while you’re travelling. Private jets, however, are rented for the sole use of you and your guests, so you are free to continue working in the air. In fact, a survey by the National Business Aviation Association reported that participants were 30% more productive in a private jet than in the office compared to the 50% drop in productivity reported by commercial travellers.
Discretion is key
Privacy is one of the other major factors to take into consideration. Discretion is key whether you are a cabinet minister carrying top-secret information or vital supplies or just a busy executive working on a secret formula. Private aviators are renowned for respecting the need for complete secrecy. This secrecy has been paramount throughout many world crises and displayed successfully over many years.
Flexibility and Security
Using business aircraft allows executives to visit three or four cities in a single day, and that’s just not possible with any other mode of transportation.
There is also the question of security. Many top-flight executives are literally worth their weight in gold and are such a precious resource that flying by private jet is the only option. Recent reports in the media state that the head of Apple, CEO Tim Cook, has stopped flying on commercial airlines. Apple now requires CEO Tim Cook to fly a private plane for “all business and personal travel”, according to a regulatory filing on Wednesday.
That puts Cook in good company. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Disney CEO Bob Iger both rely on private planes for all their personal travel according to the most recent company filings for each. It is widely agreed that the reason for these decisions is firmly based on the flexibility and security of private aviation.
Practical Safety Measures
Let’s not forget we are emerging from the most debilitating virus recorded in the last 100 years. Because of this business travellers, in particular, are looking to minimize risk to themselves and others. Executives and essential staff are able to avoid crowds in airports as they go through a separate terminal for private jets. Security controls at private jet terminals are quick and effective.
All airlines are taking extra sanitary measures to be applied to the aircraft and crew; more so in private aviation. Certified private jet operators are following the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s recommendations of protection. These measures are stringent and are put in place for the protection of passengers and crew. Followed through to the letter the risk has been significantly minimized and therefore for all the reasons stated private aviation is the obvious choice.
