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Private Jet Travel Takes Off During COVID-19 Pandemic

The cost to charter a private jet can range widely in price, based on flight time and the type of aircraft. A private jet rental from Los Angeles to Portland for six to 8 people could cost $8,000 or more in a Light Jet.

A lifestyle story: Portland, OR. Private jet rentals in the Portland area are becoming more popular during the pandemic as people look for alternatives to commercial flying. Not everyone owns their own jet, or “P.J.,” as they’re called. As a result, according to Forbes Magazine, the number of jet rentals across the country is taking off. A spokeswoman for NetJets, a private-jet rental company, says inquiries for flights shot up from the previous year, and have only continued to grow as the pandemic has stretched on. During the pandemic, calls to NetJets have been up over 60% from the previous year.

For those who don’t want to be in America, a recent report found that the superrich are paying as much as $2.6 million for international citizenships, then zipping out to said country on their private jets.

Part of the boom in private jet travel could also the lower price as jet fuel has hit rock bottom. Additionally, the CARES act suspended a 7.5% federal excise tax or FET on air transportation through January 2021. For consumers, this means private jet travel is about 15% – 20% less than normal.

EvoJets is one of the companies which offers service in the Portland area. It flies out of PDX, Hillsboro, Troutdale, and the downtown Portland heliport which is located in northwest Portland, not far from the Steel Bridge. Popular destinations are Vail, New York, Aspen, Bend, and many other locations.

The cost to charter a private jet can range widely in price, based on flight time and the type of aircraft.

Some trips are more affordable, with a cost per seat just slightly more than some first-class tickets.

Breaking down the different ways to jet:

	Approximate starting cost		What it actually means
	Approximately $3 million upfront (depending on the jet, of course) plus additional maintenance, staff, and regulation costs		Full ownership gives you total control over your jet setting experience. You have access to the jet at any time, typically use the same staff and pilot, and can even rent your jet to other travelers as an investment income stream.
	$500,000 upfront plus fixed management and maintenance fees		You’re essentially paying for a share of a plane, rather than an entire jet, not unlike a timeshare. How much equity you purchase in a specific jet often dictates the number of hours you can fly in it.
	Depending on the trip and the type of jet, costs hover between $4,000 (shorter trip, midsize jet) to $13,000 (longer trip, large jet)		Chartering means paying as you go, and essentially means booking a one-off every time you jet.

Here a list of Private jet companies compiled by Departures Magazine:

NetJets

A leader in the private aviation industry, NetJets offers fractional ownership programs, which offers travelers the luxury of an aircraft all to themselves, and the ease of near-instantaneous access to a jet. The fleet is comprised of some of the best jets in the business, from the Cessna Citation Latitude and Longitude to the 14-passenger Bombardier Global 6000. They often run partnerships with coveted seasonal destinations (like Cape Cod or Walt Disney World Resort in the summer) and every one of their flights is pet-friendly.

Wheels Up

Wheels Up has a charter marketplace where you can book your next flight through their app or website, with the option to instant book select jets. Core, connect, or business members also have access to members-only jets, including the King Air 350i. The eight-person jet has unprecedented noise cancellation technology and the ability to many lands closer to your destination because of the King Air 350i’s short-field capabilities.

PrivateFly

PrivateFly can jet you to almost any airport around the globe, and provides 24/7 access to a team of experts who can help you find the right jet for any scenario. They make it easy on travelers with top routes to choose from, like New York to Miami, New York to Los Angeles, London to Paris, and more.

Central Jets

Central Jets is working to shake up the private aviation industry, because they’re the first company to allow users to charter jets directly from owners. They’re essentially eliminating the middleman, which seriously reduces fees. And Central Jets offers 24/7 concierge service and up to 50% off flights to those paying €199 to use their platform.

VistaJet

VistaJet owns over 70 large cabin Challenger and Global private jets, and their passengers have flown to 1,900 airports all over the world since their launch in 2004. VistaJet has most recently launched The VistaJet Wine Program, the first global in-air vino program, and VistaPet, designed for passengers who want their four-legged family members to travel in style, too.

Flexjet

Flexjet offers a multitude of flight options, from jet leases to fractional jet ownership. Fractional owners can be on their jet a mere 10 hours after calling for one, and jet card holders can secure one in 24 hours.

Forbes magazine explored the phenomenon of more private jet trips and came up with the following conclusions:

“We’ve seen a massive surge in inbound request and new customer acquisition,” in the last 90 days, said Magellan Jets’ President, Anthony Tivnan. The private jet and charter company reported a 117% increase in customer acquisition for June.

“There are about 8.2 million households in the US with a net worth of two million or more. The majority of them weren’t flying private before,” said Tivnan. “We are seeing a huge shift in that narrative now it is a health and safety concern.”

With some commercial carriers are refusing to close off middle seats, many people who would typically fly passenger airlines are just not interested. In addition, flying private gives customers more control over their entire trip – from avoiding TSA lines to waiting in line for check-in. Chartered aircraft are estimated to have 30 times lower risk for Covid-19, according to GlobeAir.

Instead of ferrying business travelers or offering charters for milestone events like a birthday or football game, private jets are ferrying people to domestic destinations in the United States.

Monarch Air Group, a private jet charter provider, saw an increase in demand based on the total number of booked flights, which rose 125 percent year-over-year; compared to June 2019. And 52% of their secured charter contracts from June 2020 were from new business.

“We used to see New York to the Hamptons, now we see Florida to the Hamptons,” said David Gitman, President of Monarch Air Group. “People who wouldn’t normally charter are chartering.”

Magellan also reported an increase in flights to second-home destinations like Jackson Hole, Boseman, Aspen, the Carolinas or Savannah.

“Last year we would have the vast majority of trips going to Italy or southern France. We just don’t see that,” said Gitman. “We see a lot of people traveling to their second home…These are people who would usually travel commercial. So either there is no flight or they are in a risk category.”

As commercial airlines limit their flights, private is also becoming an easier way to get between locations. “It is not just getting on a direct three-hour flight anymore, now you are talking about a whole day of travel. Two or three congested airports,” said Gitman.

“When you think of the airlines, it is a bigger issue than just the experience on the flight,” said Gitman. “Right now it’s impossible to practice social distancing on a plane. The airlines have to figure that out.”

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.