Let’s face it, airports suck. You have to arrive about two hours early to do the most routine travel, deal with snippy help and intrusive shoes-off searches. There is a much better alternative to all this nonsense–charter your own private plane. The staff is friendly, the crews are efficient, and best of all they act like they actually WANT your business. This is definitely THE way to fly. Whether you want a single vacation trip or need a standing reservation for routine business trips you can get a user-friendly arrangement good for as little as four hours notice from reservation to boarding time. Check out our GearCrave guide to chartering your own private jet after the jump.

Before You Shop For A Charter Jet Company

There’s a small list of needs you should list before starting your hunt for a charter jet company. Chartering a jet means the company arranges for the aircraft and crew, the same as ordinary commercial air travel. You need to provide the usual details including how many passengers, and how much cargo or baggage. The big difference here is you get to choose the size and type of aircraft. You want a helicopter? Heavy Jet? How about a single-engine plane? Get some of the following sorted out before you make the call and you’ll breeze through the entire process:

• Frequent flyer or one-time traveler? This can make all the difference in the arrangements. If you only need a single journey there and back, book farther in advance–we’ll explain why in a bit. Frequent flyers have more options for short-notice trips, it’s as simple as that.
• Corporate account? If your company is paying for regular flights, establish an account with a single charter company. Commit to one quality carrier and you will save a serious amount of time and money, but you’ll need a deposit, often around 50K.
• Vacation Travel? If you need a charter jet for personal use or a corporate vacation you may have the option of a package program that includes lodging and ground transportation to tourist sites. You can get these packages as an individual, but you may pay more for a one-off trip than as a preferred flyer.
• VIP? If your travel requires security or other VIP-related considerations, plan to ask what services are available–you’ll be surprised at what VIP options are available. Some charter companies offer security escorts, special transportation to and from the airport, and much more.
• Aircraft size? Most charter companies offer everything from ultralight aircraft to heavy cargo planes. Don’t waste your dollars on a heavy jet when a light aircraft will do. Two or three passengers going a short distance can save money by using light aircraft or small helicopters. You can’t drag hundreds of pounds of equipment onto a light plane; know your passenger and cargo needs beore you book.

Private charter companies service a wide variety of destinations and have the option of using smaller airports and non-commercial landing strips. This offers you more variety when planning where to fly to AND from. VIPs and travel situations requiring discretion and security can be flown into completely private air terminals away from prying eyes and intrusive media types. If you know in advance you may need special services, you can tell the booking agent all the details and cover all the bases with just one call.

Making Reservations

Once you’ve answered these basic questions, you’re ready to find a charter jet company and make the call. When you search for a charter company you’ll find a wide variety of plans and options. BlueStarJets.com offers one-off trips with as little as five hours notice, but availability is the controlling factor. Blue Star Jets offers a Skycard program which is a much better deal for anyone who needs to fly five times a year or more. These types of programs often feature preferred treatment when it comes to aircraft availability, and you may get the option of discounted travel on empty planes flying home from chartered trips. Jets.com offers a fixed hourly rate for members of its Titanium membership plan, letting you plan your flight budget to the penny. You are definitely better off with a membership plan if you need several flights a year.

• For one-off trips, book several weeks in advance. Charter flights can be subject to availability depending on the time of year, aircraft type, and destination just like a commercial flight. If you need a small aircraft and aren’t willing to pay more for a mid-sized jet if the smaller option isn’t available, you could have difficulty with a short-notice booking.
• If you just need basic transport, book the smallest plane you can get away with. If you are looking for a more luxurious form of travel, ask about a mid-size jet and what kinds of in-flight entertainment options you can get including catering, movies, and scenic fly-by tours of any famous landmarks near the flight path. Good charter companies offer all these services and more.
• Larger aircraft provide stable flying and are better for passengers who are skittish about planes. Smaller planes including light copters and some single-engine jets can be a bit more bumpy when there is turbulence. Consider how you and your passengers feel about flying–the extra expense may be well worth the enjoyment of a rock-steady ride in a mid-size jet.
• You won’t have long security lines to deal with when you take your flight, but you will be required to go through a security check and have all proper ID, documentation and paperwork–especially if you are traveling overseas. Don’t overlook passports, visas, and customs issues. Always ask the customer service rep when you book the flight what to bring when traveling to your specific destination.

If you plan on being a frequent flyer, sign up right away for the charter company’s preferred club or skycard program. You will definitely save money, especially when you have a trip that needs arranging on short notice.

Some Things To Avoid

Some charter companies may try to interest in you in “fractional ownership” of a jet. The oversimplified explanation of fractional ownership? It’s a sort of time-sharing agreement on a single jet. It was widely practiced once upon a time, but the whole nature of charter travel has changed and in modern times you don’t need to invest in any one aircraft. Avoid companies that are pushy about fractional deals unless you really want a piece of ONE airplane. Also beware of membership fees–there are many charter companies that offer “no-fee” plans, but remember that a deposit is not the same as a membership fee. Don’t balk if you are asked to put money in an escrow account as a condition of getting a skycard or other membership plan.

Chartering a private plane can be the gateway to luxurious travel, no-hassle flying on short notice, and a much friendlier way to fly. For charter options, check out Air Royale, the previously mentioned Blue Star Jets and Jets.com, and AirCharter.com Many charter companies prefer to give quotes by phone, so you won’t see much in the way of total price estimates online except in general terms. As for general terms, you can expect to pay between $1500 and $6000 USD per hour of air travel. Click the links, get some prices, and book yourself a private dream flight!