Private jet travelers find melodious delight in the rotation of propellers and rotor blades.
Buzzin' Around Exclusively: How Private Travel for the Rich Just Got Ridiculously Luxe!
If you don't count yourself amongst the ultra-rich, don't fret. Private jet travel is diversifying, offering unique solutions for everyone. The latest move comes from JSX, which introduces a more budget-friendly, semi-private option. But it's the extravagant travel demands of the super-rich driving the trend.
As these jet-setters snap up that third, fourth, or even fifth residence, they're faced with a common challenge: Can they get their private jet close enough? According to Alasdair Pritchard, a Knight Frank partner, this challenge can significantly impact property decisions, leading them to explore alternatives, such as nearby airports with helicopter access or private airstrips on larger estates.
For those who crave the full VIP treatment, FlyExclusive offers more than just jet aircraft. They're launching charter flights using an amphibious float plane and Caravan turboprop. Plus, they're not alone – Wheels Up has been expanding its partnership with seaplane operator Tropic Ocean Airways. This venture enables members to jet-set to more than 70 smaller airports, including the Hamptons, Lake Placid, Fire Island, and the Bahamas.
Wheels Up CEO George Mattson highlights, "We're not surprised to see rising interest in turboprops, seaplanes, and helicopters for last-mile travel – it's a trend that aligns squarely with the solutions we've been building over the past several years."
Flexjet has been beefing up its last-mile helicopter service for its fractional jet ownership program, acquiring rotorcraft operators in both England and the United States. They've even expanded helicopter flights between Florida and the Bahamas to year-round service.
Longtime private and shared turboprop operators, like Tradewind Aviation and PlaneSense, have been ramping up their operations as well. Tradewind Aviation added Florida as a base for charter flights, while PlaneSense expanded its jet card offering, enabling customers to fly on its fleet of Pilatus PC-12 turboprops with only a 25-hour commitment.
The flexibility and short-runway access of aircraft like the PC-12 make them the go-to for those seeking remote getaways. FlyExclusive is banking on this trend, basing a Caravan and amphibious float plane in Miami, with operations set to commence later this month. Their seaplane will be capable of landing at any suitable water landing site, offering direct access to private beaches, remote islands, and waterfront properties with no runway required.
It's not justsecond homes that are driving these last-mile solutions. Air Charter Service has signed a deal to staff a new terminal and heliport area at Silverstone race track, home to the British Grand Prix. These helicopter shuttles save many travelers upwards of two to five hours during the event, offering a time-saving, private aviation experience.
Over the past decade, advances in technology have boosted consumer confidence in turboprop and piston aircraft, with more people opting for them over jets if they can get to their destination faster. Linear Air Taxi CEO William Herp points to the Cirrus SR Series G7+, recently announced as the world's first single-engine piston aircraft equipped with an FAA-approved autonomous emergency landing system, marking a significant breakthrough in safety and reliability for these aircraft.
All in all, private jet travel is evolving into an extensive luxury mobility system, where jets, turboprops, piston planes, and rotorcraft work together to provide unmatched privacy, convenience, and exclusivity throughout the entire journey – from lengthy flights to remote destinations. As demand for personalized and experiential travel continues to grow, we can expect more innovative partnerships, aircraft, and services catering to the discerning tastes of the wealthiest travelers. So, keep your eyes to the skies – who knows what the future holds for private travel!
- The super-rich often face challenges in ensuring their private jet can reach their multiple residences, prompting them to explore options like helicopter access or nearby airports with seaplane service, as seen with Wheels Up and Tropic Ocean Airways.
- For a truly exclusive experience, ultra-high-net-worth individuals can opt for luxury travel providers like FlyExclusive, which offers private jet charter flights using seaplanes and Caravan turboprops, or Flexjet, which has increased its last-mile helicopter service to include year-round flights between Florida and the Bahamas.
