Do you enjoy flying the airlines? For business people that answer is not so easy to come by as getting to your destination and back in the shortest amount of time is essential. Unfortunately, the airlines cannot give business travelers unscheduled flights especially to more remote locations, leaving private jet travel as the best option for business folk and others that require expanded flying options. There are a number of things you can expect when you take your next private jet trip including the following.

Optimum Convenience

Private Jet Boeing 737-200 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you’re used to flying to and from the nation’s largest airports you can still do so with your private jet. Then again, why not choose one of thousands of general aviation airports that are less congested and closer to your start and end point than most other airports? Such airports are often operated by a control tower and have extensive traffic going in and out all day. Still, when your private jet rolls onto the runway you won’t be overshadowed by a Boeing 737 or an Airbus A330. Your flight can get cleared for takeoff faster, sending you on your way quickly.

Top Service

And then there is the matter of service at the airport — most business jets are hangared at or near a Fixed Base Operation or FBO, an important service operator for the business aviation community. That FBO provides fueling, tie-down, parking, hangaring and may offer maintenance services and flight training. This all-in-one center is intimate and its workers are friendly and personable. You’ll get the level of service that you expect with such flying and oftentimes your car service or limousine company can drop you off on the tarmac or right at the gate. That’s not possible with the airlines in these days of heightened security!

Trained Pilots

Just like the airlines, business jet pilots must complete training and be type-rated for their particular aircraft. The FAA has strict training requirements for anyone that wants to fly a private jet. Your pilot and first officer will likely have thousands of hours of flying time between them and will be intimately familiar with the aircraft. Many private jet pilots have previous airline experience too.

Sumptuous Cabin

A number of airlines do first-class service quite well, providing very comfortable seating areas with room to stretch, to read a book, to take in a meal. Corporate jet cabins, however, go beyond the first-class to offer an optimum level of comfort much like you would find in a luxury home or at a hotel. Leather seating surfaces with seats that swivel, fold down and in some cases offer yards of legroom are often present, particularly on the larger and longer range jets. Elegant interiors with real wood tables, customized trim, a balanced climate control system and ample natural and artificial lighting can make your trip comfortable. Clean and sumptuous bathrooms and an available galley area are not something the average airliner can match.

Cabin Service

Larger private jets can include a third crew member or a corporate flight attendant that has been well-trained in all matters of safety and food service. Customized meal plans are available to meet your dietary requirements including vegan, kosher, halal, ethnic or diabetic to mention just a few. Your cabin host may prepare meals in the galley or use the services of a caterer to provide the foods, drinks and desserts you won’t find when flying with the airlines.

Travel Considerations

When arranging for a private jet flight, choose the aircraft that meets your needs. You’ll be offered a variety of aircraft based on the number of people that will be flying with you, the distance of your trip, the level of luxury required and other factors. You’ll also learn how to secure the services of a corporate flight attendant, obtain information about meal plans, get your hotel reservations handled and arrange for transportation to and from the airport.