Charter a Private Jet
Most of us "regular folk" (yes, I too, am included in the "regular folk" category!) cannot afford to charter a private jet. What a thrill it must be to simply pick up the phone, call a private jet charter service, book a flight, and before you know it…fly away to Paris for a few days…or an island in the South Pacific….or…ok, you get my point. The thought of having an actual bed to sleep in and a large flat-screen television to watch as I fly around the world actually gives me goose bumps. I can't tell you how many times I've been stuck on an airplane (in the middle seat of course) caught between a crying baby and the most talkative human in the world. Yes, fun was had by all (please note sarcasm).
Most charter jet companies will fly you just about anywhere, anytime. Gone are the long airport lines that you are usually required to wait in. Gone is the possibility of being "bumped" from a flight and best of all…GONE is the horrible airplane food that you are served (if you are lucky enough to be on a flight that ACTUALLY serves meals!). When you charter your own personal jet you experience top-notch service and air travel actually becomes….well, truly enjoyable. Personally, I have never been on a flight that I consider "truly enjoyable" so being able to charter my own personal jet would be a dream come true!
When it comes time to charter your jet, make sure you have the details of your trip ready before you call. After all, you want to reserve a jet that best fits your needs. For example, if you are flying your family of 7 to Hawaii then you will need an aircraft that comfortably seats 7 people. The Falcon 50 for example, is one of the most highly regarded and widely recognized jets in the charter industry. As far as mid-sized jets go, it is considered to be superior. Made by Dassault, the Falcon 50 seats up to 9 passengers and has a maximum cruising speed of 475 miles per hour. I think that would be sufficient for most of my travelling needs.
If, for some reason, you need to charter a larger jet, no worries! Most air charter service companies have large jets available as well. The Legacy, for example, is a long range, heavy jet that just so happens to have the largest baggage capacity of any jet in its class (my wife will appreciate this feature). Wonderful for coast to coast travel, the Legacy Jet has three "seating zones" and is able to accommodate up to 16 passengers without sacrificing first-class comfort. Perfect!!
One of the best parts about chartering a private jet (from a REPUTABLE jet charter company) is the fact that all of the aircraft must be maintained, inspected and approved by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). Now don't get me wrong, I understand that commercial airlines must follow FAA safety guidelines and standards as well, however, charter jet companies have fewer aircraft to worry about which gives me a greater sense of security. If you decide to charter a private plane do not hesitate to double check the charter company's safety record. Most, if not all private charter companies are audited and maintenance schedules and records are reviewed by a trusted, third party source.
I know that chartering a private jet and flying across the world on a moment's notice is not realistic for most of us. However, in my head, I keep replaying the scenario of me arriving on the runway in my chauffeur-driven Town Car minutes before my flight to Fiji is scheduled to take off. I get out of the car (only after my driver has opened the door) and am handed a pina colada as I head up the stairs that take me to my luxurious, private jet. One day, my friends, one day. Until then, do you think I can find a red-eye, round-trip ticket to Cleveland for under $200?
