14 minute read
COME FLY WITH ME Zoe Dare Hall
Beyond first class Long the preserve of executives and celebrities, flying by private jet has taken off in a post-pandemic world, discovers Zoe Dare Hall
Forget turning left on a plane as the ultimate sign of inflight luxury. A rising number of Londoners have ditched commercial flights, after a year of upended travel plans and fear of travelling with the public, and are chartering private jets for their family holidays.
Pre-Covid, business trips were the bread and butter of private jet charter companies – and presidents, celebrities and business tycoons are no strangers to the joys of taking their own jet. But a new market is emerging in private aviation: families who will spend £12,500 on a light jet seating six to Mallorca, or £80,000 to go to the Bahamas on a long range jet with room for 12. That’s based on current prices with the London-based private air charter service Admiral Jet. Passengers with greater flexibility can also benefit from ‘empty leg’ flights – jets returning empty from another client’s outbound flight - which cost less than half the price.
Simon Geere, CEO at Farnborough Airport in Hampshire, the UK’s biggest business aviation airport, has certainly noticed an uptick in leisure travel by private jet in the past year. “These are families who would normally travel two or three times a year and haven’t been able to travel during the pandemic are now willing to pay a premium to fly privately,” he comments. His airport deals with around 32,000 flights a year, with Paris the most popular destination and Italy and Spain also in high demand.
Private aircraft charter Air Partner has also seen “significant growth” in private travel because of the pandemic. “In early summer, we saw an 114 per cent increase in enquiries compared to 2019,” reports Kevin MacNaughton, managing director, charter. Citing “comfort, convenience, flexibility and safety” as the crucial factors influencing flyers, he has seen a range of new customers over the past year: “First-time private flyers who might have previously travelled first or business class on commercial airlines and large multigenerational families who value the safety of travelling within their ‘bubble’.”
London-based clients have a handful of airports at their disposal. Besides Farnborough, there’s Biggin Hill in Kent, Northolt near Heathrow, London Oxford, and the VIP terminals for private jets at Luton and Stansted. Mike Rivett, managing director, at Churchill Aviation, has also noticed bubble travel continuing:
“We have seen an increase in demand as we are exiting the pandemic, families (including pets) and businesses travelling together, within their own bubbles. This creates a safe travel environment, but also saves many hours that would be spent at airports, private terminals, such as the one here at London Biggin Hill, provide a contactless transition when arriving, through to boarding your flight.”
Rivett says that peak destinations over the summer have been the Balearic islands, Southern Spain, Portugal, Southern France and the Greek Islands. “Over the next few months we expect to see the re-emergence of winter flights as the ski resorts reopen, also flights across the Atlantic as the USA allows entry again.”
Winter sun is also set to tempt flyers further afield, reports MacNaughton. “We
are starting to see growing demand in lastminute getaways. The Canaries and winter sun destinations such as a the Maldives, the Seychelles, Mexico and the Caribbean are popular choices.”
But where private air travel really excels, Geere points out, is in its ability to reach the places that commercial flights can’t. Among the more off-beat of the 900 international airports that Farnborough deals with include Akmola in Kazakhstan, Arica in Chile and Albacete in Spain.
And then there’s the service. “The service you receive isn’t comparable to that on a scheduled flight. You are treated as a VIP throughout,” says Admiral Jet CEO David Doughty, who lists having your preferred champagne brand and catering from a restaurant of your choice among the on-board luxuries, along with the convenience of being able to book flights two hours before you fly, arrive 15 minutes before take-off, and have all your onward transport arranged the other end.
Flexibility is also a huge tick in favour of going private, in a year of constant travel cancellations for many people, adds Andy Christie, group private jets director at Air Charter Service. “We are primarily seeing new entrants into the market, and record numbers of flights out of
TAKE TO THE SKIES Above: Passengers with Fly Elite Jets – who have seen bookings increase by nearly 200 per cent since July – travel in clinicallysanitised cabins ‘with 100 per cent fresh filtered air ventilation, eradicating jet lag and viruses’. Above left: A spike in demand for winter sun is expected
London with people making the most of the relaxed border restrictions in the Med. Ibiza has been our most booked destination in 2021, followed by Nice,” he says. “Brexit has changed the way aircraft can operate out of the UK, but it hasn’t changed the demand or destinations dramatically.”
Passengers with Fly Elite Jets – who have seen bookings increase by nearly 200 per cent since July 2021 – can expect to be escorted from home to jet steps by limo. They will then travel – with total privacy guaranteed – in clinically-sanitised cabins “with 100 per cent fresh filtered air ventilation, eradicating jet lag and viruses,” says CEO Christopher Williams-Martin. Gulfstream’s president Mark Burns has also seen Covid strengthen the case for business aviation, with private jet passengers taking more control over schedules, routes and health and safety. “Customers have also become increasingly interested in features of the cabin environment that enhance health and wellness. Gulfstream leads the industry in providing a healthy cabin experience with 100 per cent fresh, never recirculated air; a new plasma ionization system; low cabin altitudes; whisperquiet noise levels; and an abundance of natural light thanks to Gulfstream’s large, panoramic windows.” The choice of jet may be a boon to some – would you rather pitch up at your holiday home in a Dassault Falcon 8X or a Gulfstream 650ER? “They can fly to almost anywhere in the world non-stop at close to supersonic speeds,” adds WilliamsMartin. But the world’s first flying nursery, along with onboard entertainment for kids, including books, toys and allergyfriendly children’s menus, will tempt much of the new privately-flying families.
Many of his London-based clients, he adds – a mixture of British, American and Middle Eastern families – have helped luxury hotels in the Caribbean, Maldives and Mauritius survive by booking longterm villas to sit out the virus. “They travel with an entourage of help including personal trainers, nannies, chefs and our close protection team, so they
CLEAR FOR TAKE-OFF Top: Private jet travel. Above: The cabin of a Gulfstream flight, where along with customised onboard dining, you will find 100 per cent fresh air; a plasma ionization system; low cabin altitudes; whisper-quiet noise levels; and plenty of natural light through extra-large windows
TRAVEL in LUXURY
Europe’s leading private jet airport and the first business aviation airport to achieve carbon neutrality offers a five-star service
Farnborough Airport offers a luxury private jet service within easy reach of London, making it the obvious choice for Londoners travelling safely, flexibly and privately.
EXCLUSIVITY AND PRIVACY
From the moment passengers arrive at Farnborough, they can expect exceptional service and a dedicated concierge on hand. The award-winning terminal offers multiple lounges, private meeting rooms, refreshments and even gaming consoles to keep younger travellers entertained. Passengers can also travel with their pets as Farnborough offers a Pet Travel Scheme with an on-site Pet Travel Co-Ordinator ensuring beloved companions travel safely. As well as an unrivalled passenger experience, Farnborough Airport’s team offer unapparelled amenities for aircraft and crew, with facilities like snooze pods, showers and a gym.
SUSTAINABILITY
Since July, Farnborough Airport offers Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). So alongside enjoying the benefits of private travel, customers travelling through Farnborough Airport have the option to reduce their carbon footprint and make the greener choice. Making SAF available marks a significant step in the airport’s work to support reducing the carbon dioxide output of the aviation industry. The fuel, Neste MY SAF, is produced from renewable and sustainable waste and residual raw materials such as used cooking oil and animal fat waste. In its neat form and over the life cycle, SAF reduces up to 80 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuel use.
SPEEDY SERVICE
The airport’s on-site immigration team means passengers can move through the airport without the queues. Passengers can drive directly to their jet on departure if they don’t need to visit the terminal and on arrival have their vehicle waiting for them as the aircraft stairs are lowered, assuring the most discrete experience. Located as the aviation gateway to London, Farnborough is just minutes from major roads and passengers can be in the capital within an hour’s drive. enquiries@farnboroughairport.com
VISIT FARNBOROUGHAIRPORT.COM
are secure and self-sufficient,” comments Williams-Martin.
Pets are another plus-point in favour of going private. VistaJet – whose entry-level membership starts at around €500,000 a year, giving customers access to 70 jets and then paying only for the hours they fly – has seen an 86 per cent increase in pet travel in the last two years. Flights with cats increased by 357 per cent between 2019 and 2020; and you can imagine Covid’s puppy boom will lead to a similar spike in flying dogs. Crew are well-versed in pet CPR and calming nervous flyers.
A select few will want the exclusivity of owning their own jet – the cost may not be that extreme, with a 1963 Baron 55, seating five, listed on JamesEdition for £123,561. But a 2009 Dassault Falcon based at Farnborough airport, is on sale for £11.9m through KJet. And the purchase cost is just the start; there’s the hundreds of thousands of pounds a year on crew, plus fuel, maintenance and hangar fees.
Only five percent of existing jet stock globally is available for sale, according to the International Aircraft Dealers Association. But you could buy new. Oriens Aviation, based at Biggin Hill, is taking orders for 2022 deliveries of new jets such as the Pilatus PC-12.
Though it seems an oxymoron to talk of private jets and eco-friendliness, carbon-offsetting is a big topic in the sector. “We offer a carbon offset package as part of our Aircraft Ownership Service program,” says Burns at Gulfstream. “There is a growing interest by customers in carbon offsets to further reduce their environmental footprint as they increase their commitment to sustainable aviation.” Sustainable Air Fuel (SAF) is also available at some airports including Farnborough.
With restrictions eased and rules around Covid testing simplied, we are regaining our appetite for travel, says MacNaughton. “Many people are yearning to explore the world and start making memories again. L
JETS FOR PETS Top, above and p39: A surge in pet ownership and spending more time with them during the pandemic along with extended periods spent in second homes has seen enquiries for travel with pets to rocket. VisaJet has seen an 86 per cent increase in pet travel in the past two years
INVEST IN THE FUTURE
A case study from the Buy To Let Hunter team about investing your property the smart way
Preston born and bred, Hamza was in a school run car accident at just 11. After a drawn out investigation, further complicated by Covid, his fiscal compensation was finally awarded when he was 18. He was immediately advised to invest in a pension. Hamza had a think about that, sought counsel from his parents and was inspired to seek out an alternative direction. His mind drifted to thoughts of bricks and mortar, his mum and dad agreed, but were anxious. They encouraged him to look up north – they were familiar with the neighbourhoods and could even be his tenants. Hamza wasn’t totally sure, but after a swift consultation with Google, up popped Buy to Let Hunter.
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Buying his little house in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, was a great move for Hamza: “I realised that I didn’t want to buy up north: the returns are too low and anyway my parents would be able to reel me in on a thread if I bought near them.” His father argued that the money Hamza spent in Hitchin would buy him a mansion closer to home – but Hamza, his eye focussed on the future, stayed strong.
Hamza feels confident in his decision to eschew a pension and take his place on the first step of the property ladder instead. “I can always sell it in a few years if my situation changes – or if I get married,” he added.
Asked if he had any advice to anyone else considering speaking to the team at Buy to Let Hunter, Hamza said: “Adrian and Alex were very responsive to all my phone calls and emails throughout. Trust the process – even though other people might doubt you.” Hamza felt very supported throughout. As a student studying PPE, Hamza plans to use the income from his property to help pay his tuition and living expenses. It will enable him to go on and pursue a master’s degree in environmental consultancy.
“Working with the BTLH team was a very positive experience from start to finish. I cannot imagine doing this on my own – but look! Now I am on the property ladder and a lot of the credit goes to Buy to Let Hunter and Adrian and Alex.”
We are proud to have assisted him and can attest that Hamza is the very embodiment of aspiration; is this the beginning of his empire?
Can BTLH help you fi nd the perfect property? Get in touch today and have a chat: 020 7550 9396 or email hello@ buytolethunter.com. Quadrant Road, Richmond, TW9 1DH
