Flight of fancy: Ready, get jet, fly

DUBAI: There's something really cool about flying in a private jet. We've all grown up on images of the rich and the famous jet-setting across the globe in their private jets.

Now that dream could be yours.

Historically, it stood to reason that only those who owned a private jet could fly in one, but not any more, says Hugh Courtney, CEO of Private Jet Charter.

"As a private jet charter company, we bring the jet to you. A phone call, even just an hour in advance, is all we need to create the trip you want, with the luxuries you'd imagine.

"It's a surprisingly affordable option for those who value the advantages of convenience, comfort and class," says the founder of the London-based company which has offices in France, USA, Russia and UAE.

Like the high-flying set, now you too can give those long queues, immigration hassles and limited legroom of commercial flights a miss.

Of course, chartering a private jet can never compete with prices offered for economy class travel, "but if you have a group of people flying either business or first class on a commercial airline, then it's probably more feasible for them to hire a private jet for their trip", says Courtney.

"Assuming a corporation is sending a group of 10 of its employees on a business trip from Dubai to London, it would probably be cheaper for the company to hire a private jet for their staff. Besides the economical aspect, the flexibility of time private charters offer to businesses can't ever compete with what one has to adhere to on commercial flights."

Unlike commercial airlines where costs vary based on number of fliers, season and capacity, cost on a private charter depends entirely on the size of the aircraft and hours of the flight, regardless of the number of passengers on board. "Primarily, small to mid-sized jets which seat up to eight people and have a fly-time of up to three hours, cost an average of $2,000 (Dh7,346) an hour, making the cost to a company of a three-hour flight about $6,000 for the eight employees on board, bringing individual costs down to $750 per person. For someone who flies business or first class on a commercial airline to the same destination, the cost per head would be considerably higher. "Depending on your circumstances you can then request additional or fewer seats, as long as the aircraft isn't overloaded," explains Courtney.

The other reason a majority of businesses are choosing to send management on private chartered jets rather than commercial planes is the time factor. "To try to fit people around scheduled flights and then put them in a position where they are forced to leave mid-way between a meeting because they are on a scheduled airline is complicated," says Courtney. "At a similar or lower cost, private charters give you the flexibility of time, minus the two-hour airport procedures that follow commercial fights. If you're scheduled to leave at a certain time and feel like you aren't ready yet, you could call the pilot and tell him you'll be two or three hours late. The jet will go when you want it to go. It's like having your own private taxi service!"