hr: Jets

A new trend has been going on recently in marketing luxurious real estate properties, the developers added an exciting benefit: private jet membership cards and discounts.

Photo Credit: CayeChapel

The developers of high end condo units, apartments, resort villas and vacation houses have seen much improvement on their sales by establishing partnerships with leading private aviation companies. It proved to be an effective way also of increasing private jet card memberships as more of the affluent communities are enticed by the additional perks they will be receiving when buying properties either by fractional or full ownership.

An example would be the partnership of Villas Del Mar with Sentinent. Real estate buyers are offered a lesser amount of joining fee of USD$100,000 for Sentinent Gold Membership Card instead of asking for the usual joining fee of USD$250,000.

Photo Credit: Plano Light

It is quite an enticing offer since these would-be owners would only use these properties for just a few days and most of them prefer to fly over in the comfort of private jets. These people always want a hassle free weekend getaways.

Some air charter companies are offering discounts on real estate buyers of luxurious residences on island resorts. They know for a fact that these people will keep on coming back to their properties and it is a sure way to gain regular clients.

It is one of the best marketing strategies for these industries, the real estate and the private aviation.

One of the leading private aviation companies, XOJET has made the business of flying private easier for transcontinental flights. XOJET simplified everything by offering an “all-in” one-way rate starting on USD$25,000.00

citation x

Photo Credit: michaelwhays

The All-In Rate is their answer to the confusing computation of every single fee that may occur when booking a private jet.  One of the usual problems in acquiring private jet services is the complicated way in adding up so many types of fees that are being added up aside from the per hourly basis rate. There is the surcharge, some hidden charges and the like which XOJET wanted to avoid.

XOJET made sure that the fixed price they are charging includes everything like the catering, ground transportation in and of the airports, unlimited worldwide calls, repositioning fees, fuel surcharges, etc. This way, private flying can fully boast to the flying public that it is truly hassle free from the moment a client call in for a reservation or booking.

bombardier challenger300

 Photo Credit: Wiki

The private aviation company brought additional jets like the Citation X to make the passengers get to their destination faster as these jets are known to be the fastest civilian jet in the industry today.

XOJET was established in 2006 and is quickly building a reputation as one of the most reliable and affordable private aviation companies around. They are much known for their in house maintenance/safety program that can surely rival any leading airliner in the United States today and by 2012 they are expected to have reach a total of 127 aircrafts in their fleet.

More details can be found here.

What is inside those VIP-configured Airbus jets? As the super rich prefer wider and bigger jets these days, the ordinary mortals are quite curious on how these affluent people do with that much space, after all, planes has just one primary purpose and that is to fly to a certain destination.

The Airbus Jets particularly the ACJ or the Airbus Corporate Jet and the A380 are quite the favorites of these billionaires. They do have a wider cabin space than and they have a massive area for baggage, which is a lot bigger than those of the competing jets.

We all heard of the Flying Palace and how much the Prince was willing to spend in designing the interiors of the plane. We can just imagine how luxurious and grand it would be.

The one on the left above was created by popular French aircraft interior designer, Jacques Pierrejean for an Airbus A340, which was reportedly for then Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to use for local and international trips. The one on the right was designed by Edese Doret Industrial Design for an Airbus A380 which is a dining room for a party of 14 with 42-inch LCD monitors on both sides of the area. This one was reportedly for the Flying Palace.

Here are a couple more of some interiors of the Airbus Corporate Jets:

Photo Credit: Europa, Edese Doret, Space

If only Superman’s flying powers can be purchased from shops, I am pretty sure that they will do their best to be first in line the moment the shop opens. And since, the Man of Steel is just figment of creative imagination, the world’s richest people demand nothing but the best from the next best thing: private jets.

Photo Credit: Cubbie_n_Vegas

Billionaires have enough money to purchase the most essential things in life however these things also come in the most outrageously luxurious versions. Instead of just a 3-bedroom house, they have a mansion that can rival any other 5-star hotels in the world. Instead of just a functional, reliable Toyota or Ford, they drive a Bugatti Veyron or a Mercedes.

When they travel, they do fly in style.  What they have down here, they also make sure they enjoy up there. This is the reason why they purchased the most luxurious, fastest and expensive private jets in the aviation industry. These billionaires could not care less if there are huge fees that go to maintenance and operating expenses that a full private jet ownership entails.

Photo Credit: Airbus

There are those who prefer just the 12 to 16-seater VIP configured jets like the Gulfstream or Bombardier Jets, which can make a passenger feel like they are flying in their own living rooms. There are those who prefer to have their own mansions in the air like the Business Boeing Jets, Boeing 747s, Airbus 380s or the ACJs.

Sergio Mantegazza – Dassault Falcon 900 – USD$33M+
Laskshmi Mittal – Gulfstream G550 - $36M+
Oprah Winfrey – Bombardier Global Express - $45M+
Greg Thomas (Privateair) – Airbus ACJ - $65M+
Rupert Murdoch – Boeing Business Jet - $68M+
Roman Abromavich – Boeing 767 - $118M - $165M+
Larry Page & Serge Brin – Boeing 767 - $118M - $165M+
Anonymous Billionaires (confirmed) – Boeing 747-8 - $270M - $280M+
Michael Ezra – Airbus 380 - $260M (plane) $150M (interiors)
Prince Al-Waleed in Talal bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud – Airbus 380 - $320M (plane) $200M (interiors)

Luxury Beach Resort owners now does not only guarantee pampering when a guest reach their shores, their service starts the moment a guest booked a reservation. They immediately offer the coolest and stylish way to fly over to the resort.

One of these resorts is the Royal Lahaina Resort in Maui. They created a private jet charter program called POSH Private Jet Holidays with Pleasant Aircraft Leasing Inc. They transport prominent and high profile people to different destinations around the globe.

The POSH program offers to the passengers what other first class commercial flights cannot. They boast of a concierge service like no other and they give their passengers a royal treatment, which makes their clients not wanting to go back to flying commercial.

They have a fleet of 14-seater Gulfstream G450 Jets to take them over the resort. The operators promised that their clients would have a very POSH, relaxed flight filled with chef prepared meals served in the finest china, using Baccarat crystal with matching Cristofle silverware. The Bar is accessible the whole flight which the guests can ask for their favorite beverages from a very attentive and professional cabin crew.

And it does not stop there, a passenger can also ask for beauty services such as manicure, hair and make-up styling from a professional beauty consultant while others who are more inclined to play games such as XBOX, Playstation or Wii may do so aside from the in-flight DVD/CD entertainment that they provide.

With POSH, the vacation starts the moment you take seat on the Gulfstream Private Jet. For more details on their services, go here.

Photo Credit: PAL

Watching flying stunts either on fly exhibitions or in movies fascinates a lot of people. So, it is not a surprise that many are addicted to air races competitions. This sport attracts many people from all sectors in society.

Red Bull Air Race

Photo Credit: i_am_softlad

The first documented air racing was back in 1909. They called it the Grand Week of the Champagne at Reims, France. It was the event of that year. Many of the elite participated in the said race. Legendary pilot, Glenn Curtiss won the main event and was awarded the title, “Champion Air Racer of the World.”

From then on, it became an annual event hosted in different countries. There were other flying enthusiasts who then organized their own air races like the US National Air Races, Women’s Air Derby, Power Puff Derby, Reno Air Races, American Formula One and Red Bull Air Race to name a few.

Photo Credit: i_am_softlad  Photo Credit: Ack Ook

From the list mentioned, the Reno Air Races and Red Bull Air Races are still active up to this day. They are also two of the most watched and popular Air Races in the world. 

The Reno Air Races is now called the Reno National Championship Air Races, which are being held at Reno, Nevada in the United States since 1964. This year the event will take place on September 10-14. Tickets can be purchased online here.

The Red Bull Air Race World Series was created in 2003. The event is an international series of air races held in different countries each year. Red Bull thought of organizing a new aviation competition that will be participated by different countries. It was the two-time World Aerobatics Champion Peter Besenyei who helped Red Bull organize and plan the yearly event and the very first Red Bull Air Race took place in Austia. The World Series started this year in Abu Dhabi last April 10 and went on to 4 other major cities in different countries until they reached the 9th city. The fifth city will be in Budapest and will commenced on August 19. Tickets are available online here.

Today, one thing that differentiates the ultra-rich to the rest of the affluent community is by owning an aircraft. Many can book or charter a flight but few can say that they own it. However, owning one is not enough. There is the thing called exclusivity, which means stamping it with their own distinctive style.

Here are some of the best aircraft interiors in some of the Boeing’s VIP configured jets:

Take a peek on Wayne Huizenga’s BBJ. It is an executive version of a commercial Boeing 737-700. It has several modifications to give way to more luxurious facilities and amenities for a private jet service. It can seat around 24 people or so in lavish surroundings.  This Boeing Business Jet aircraft interior are just right for Huizenga’s Miami Dolphins crew who are in need of pampering during flight before and after a game shuttling from different cities in the U.S.

 Photo Credit: Aviation

Many would be owners are already waiting for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner Jet to be delivered to them. Boeing already received several orders for the executive version of the much-anticipated 787. The aircraft manufacturer released concept interiors for the 787 BBJs. One of their completion centers is Jet Aviation Basel. They are responsible for the different configurations to make the aircraft more VIP ready.

Photo Credit: Aviation

The 747-8 Boeing Intercontinental executive version concept aircraft interiors that, were shown in EBACE or the European Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition in Geneva shows an elegant dining area and ladder leading to the library. A Boeing 747-8 Jet has a huge and wide interior space just like the mansions of the rich and famous.

There is definitely no limit in making the lives of these ultra high net worth individuals more easier, comfortable and luxurious.

Rather interesting question as it is not really obvious from the Marquis Jet Pricing page. But Justin from the Private Jet Blog has figured it out:

Below the Marquis Jet Pricing Chart as of April 2008

Citation V Ultra: Card plus tax = $131,000 plus $1,100 fuel surcharge = $6,340/hr
Hawker 400XP: Card plus tax = $135,500 plus $1,075 fuel surcharge = $6,495/hr
Citation Excel / XLS: Card plus tax = $184,500 plus $1,360 fuel surcharge = $8,740/hr
Hawker 800XP: Card plus tax = $199,000 plus $1,350 fuel surcharge = $9,310/hr
Citation Sovereign: Card plus tax = $228,000 plus $1,400 fuel surcharge =$10,520/hr
Citation X: Card plus tax = $245,000 plus $2,100 fuel surcharge = $11,900/hr
Gulfstream G-200: Card plus tax = $275,000 plus $1,700 fuel surcharge = $12,700/hr
Falcon 2000 EX: Card plus tax = $315,000 plus $1,700 fuel surcharge = $14,300/hr
Gulfstream G450: Card plus tax = $360,000 plus $2,600 fuel surcharge = $17,000/hr

I hope Justin did the math right. Please quote him on it.

To give you an idea where an hour will lead you, here a chart from Marquis Jet, based on the Citation V Ultra:

Photo Credit: Cubbie_n_Vegas

Estimated Regional Flight Time Examples

From: Chicago, IL to: Teteboro, NJ (TEB) ………………….. 1.8 hours to: Boca Raton, FL (BCT) ……………… 2.8 hours to: Salt Lake City, UT (SLC)…………… 3.4 hours From: Houston, TX to: Austin, TX (AUS) ……………………… 1.0 hours to: Aspen, CO (ASED) ………………….. 2.8 hours to: Las Vegas, NV (LAS) ………………. 3.4 hours From: Los Angeles, CA to: San Francisco, CA (SFO) ………… 1.1 hours to: Aspen, CO (ASE) …………………….. 1.8 hours to: Omaha, NE (OMA) …………………… 3.0 hours

From: New York, NY to: Nantucket, MA (ACK) …………………… 1.0 hours to: Atlanta, GA (PDK) ………………………… 2.2 hours to: West Palm, FL (PBI) ……………………. 2.8 hours From: San Francisco, CA to: Las Vegas, NV (LAS) …………………… 1.2 hours to: Tuscon, AZ (TUS) ………………………… 1.9 hours to: Dallas, TX (DAL) ………………………….. 3.3 hours From: Seattle, WA to: Jackson Hole, WY (JAC) ……………… 1.6 hours to: San Francisco, Monterey (SFO) …… 1.8 hours to: Palm Springs, CA (PSP) ……………… 2.5 hours

The very light jets and personal jets are often being talked about these days especially the very controversial Eclipse 500. Most often than not, air taxi companies offer their services by using these aircrafts. It is quite an interesting fact that there is another aircraft that is being noticed by a number of aircraft operators.

Photo Credit: CirrusDesign

Cirrus SR22 is already a popular aircraft and has hold the record for having been the best selling single engine aircraft in the last five years but it never reached the kind of publicity that Eclipse 500 has. It is about to change now.

The demand for fuel-efficient aircrafts is high. Aircraft operators want an aircraft that can be maintained with lesser cost. Cirrus SR22 offers a lower average cost and a safety record that encourages operators to use them. Some charter broker can offer prices as low as USD$400 per hour and that low price immediately attracts flying enthusiasts to consider them.

Photo Credit: Cubbie_n_Vegas Photo Credit: FlyGuy92586

These low prices are possible for a Cirrus SR22 since it burns less fuel. If a usual single engine aircraft burns around 50 gallons an hour, the Cirrus SR22 only uses 15-17 an hour. The manufacturer, Cirrus Design Corp. made sure that this aircraft will be more fuel-efficient than the other aircrafts in its class.

Aside from the lower rates, this aircraft can fly direct to destinations that are quite not on the usual travel routes. Although all charter planes are offering this benefit, however, Cirrus SR22 does it in a much, much lower cost than the others.

If the VLJs or the very light jets have been dominating the aviation buzz in the past couple of years then make way for the personal jets. Aviation watchers say that they might be more available and will make headlines very soon.

Epic Aircraft

Photo Credit: Global Jet

These personal jets are smaller than the VLJs and in the past few years, aircraft manufacturers are developing machines and materials so they can be as fast as the very light jets. Since they will be smaller, they will be more affordable and easier to operate and maintain.

Since, the invention of small planes by Bill Lear, there are more and more flying enthusiasts who prefer them than flying via the wide-bodied aircrafts.  There are several personal jets that are being offered by aircraft manufacturers. Seeing the need to save up and lessen the operating expenses due to the price of fuel, they are offering an alternative to the bigger aircrafts.

Some of these aircrafts are the Piper Jet from Piper Aircraft, D Jet from Diamond Aircraft Industries, Vision SJ50 from Cirrus, EA-400 from Eclipse Aviation and Victory from Epic Aircraft among others.

To those who are limited or on a budget, this alternative is a huge thing for them. There are business people who, even if we are in a fuel crisis, still need to travel to handle their business. There are also those who fly for leisure but cannot tolerate the airline/airport protocol will benefit with these personal jets.

It will be of no surprise if more of these jets will soon occupy space in airport runways and hangars.