About Renting a Plane

Flying on a private plane used to be a luxury that was reserved solely for the rich and famous. But with the increased enrollment in private pilot programs, the advancements in air travel and increased availability of small planes, renting a private plane has become more common than ever.

With the economy in a downward spiral and commercial flight access in a decline, chartering a private plane offers a way for people to travel for business and pleasure. Renting a plane affords customers the peace of mind that comes with the luxury of flexible travel in complete privacy.

Features

Private jet rental packages come equipped with a flight crew including flight attendants and a number of pilots depending on the size of the aircraft. You can create a custom package of in-flight catering and beverage services, as well as other amenities like entertainment and phone service. Flight attendants manning private planes will provide personal services like serving the food and drinks you've purchased and attending to all of the flight safety regulations. Many private jet charter services offer club memberships that may significantly lower your costs if you fly frequently. Exclusive deals and offers are available for club members only and memberships usually come with an annual membership fee.

Benefits

Renting a private jet provides private and business travelers with numerous advantages that you can't get with commercial airlines. Unlike commercial flights, private jets leave according to your schedule, allowing for more flexible leg options and less time spent in airport security and check-in lines. While private plane services are still monitored by federal safety regulations, there is less hassle involved. Luggage must be checked for security purposes and all travel documents and identification, including passports for international travel, must be provided. Charter companies, however, will deal with the handling of these documents, leaving you with less to deal with. Flying privately also gives you the peace of mind that comes from knowing the passengers on your plane, the flight crew and the pilots.

Size

Private jets come in an array of sizes and pricing options. The average small-size jet will carry between five and eight people while a large-size plane or heavy jet can hold between 10 and 18 passengers. Prices also will vary according to the size, costing anywhere from $2,500 a flight hour for small-size jets to $4,500 per flight hour for large-size jets. Mid-size executive jets, which are arguably the most popular according to usage, can hold between eight and 14 passengers. While it is rare for private charters to be asked for planes carrying more than 18 passengers, some carry a turbo-prop plane in their fleet that can hold between 30 and 45 passengers.

Misconceptions

You do not have to own your own plane to fly with the luxury and comfort of private plane service. Several options are available to those who do not own their own planes. The increased popularity of flying in private planes also has increased the availability of companies that offer these services. Many large corporations lease their planes when they are not being used for company business in order to keep their costs down. These same companies also will rent their planes during empty legs, which is a flight segment an aircraft is scheduled to fly whether it has passengers or not. There are also many air travel charter companies that work like commercial plane companies and offer an array of programs. Fractional ownership allows you to "own" a partial share of a plane, while private aircraft charter services can simply rent you a plane for a scheduled trip.

Considerations

One problem with flying privately is the hidden costs. The client must always consider all the costs of flying private. When you fly commercially, the airport taxes, landing fees, catering and entertainment are spread out among passengers, but on a private plane the client is responsible for all of them. A client also must pay for the catering, phone service, overnight charges from hangar rentals, airport taxes and landing costs. Some of these services can add a hefty number to your total cost. For example, overnight charges at an airport can cost anywhere from $500 to $700 a night, while airport fees and taxes vary according to the airport. International flight taxes are expensive. In addition most charter aircraft companies will require a deposit ranging anywhere from $2,000 to $60,000.

Resources

• Rent a Plane
• Flying Private Planes