For VIP business and leisure travel, nothing beats the convenience, flexibility and luxury of aircraft charter. We’ve put together a guide with everything personal assistants, concierge and executives need to know about how to charter a plane.
Before You Start – Booking Information You’ll Need
Chartering aircraft is simple with ACC, but before you get in touch, it’s good to have the following information to hand. If you’re a personal assistant booking for your employer, make sure you get these details first to avoid going back and forth.
The route, date and preferred flight times
Chartered flights are extremely flexible – it’s one of the biggest advantages of flying private. Multiple stops and destinations can be added on, sometimes even while still in the air, but to get the process rolling, we need to have a plan in place.
All we need to know to start with are travel dates and locations – then, we can work to preferred times and seek the best possible outcomes for each stage of the journey.
Departure location
There are over 5,000 airports and airfields available to private aircraft, compared to around 550 available to commercial airlines. By knowing the departure location, we can find the most convenient and suitable airport for departure and save unnecessary ground transport time.
Our team will select a suitable airport closest to the client’s point of origin – for private jets, that could include the use of RAF airfields, such as Brize Norton and Northolt in the UK, or Agra airfield in India (just a two hour ground trip from the Taj Mahal). And for helicopters, it could mean a field next to their house (subject to permissions).
The number of passengers
We’ll need to make sure the aircraft we select for each part of the journey has enough capacity to accommodate everyone. If it’s an unknown, we can account for the possibility of additional passengers and specify a larger aircraft. We can also arrange for pets to fly in the cabin.
If there’s a budget to work to, please let us know – we’ll work to find the best solution that falls within it. And if the client has a preferred aircraft type that they regularly fly on, we’ll source it for them through our exclusive global network.
The purpose of the trip – business or personal?
There are subtle differences to business and personal trips that we can cater to if we’re in the know. When time is of the essence, getting as close to your destination as possible can be invaluable, especially when it comes to business travel.
With private charter for business, we can make additional arrangements for meetings or working in the air en-route to your destination, with a robust in-flight internet connection. Some organisations may place limits on how many executives can travel on one flight for insurance purposes, so let us know if separate flights will be required.
Depending on your departure and arrival airports, we will set up private terminals as standard, and can even apply bespoke branding, for that personal touch.
We believe that personal time is just as valuable as work time, and we’ll always make sure that personal travel is as relaxing and convenient as possible. Knowing whether a trip is business or personal allows our experts to tailor a best-fit solution. We’ll provide recommendations that make every minute count – anything from helicopter transfers to sourcing ramp access.
For both personal and business travel, we’ll treat everything with complete discretion and ensure that the experience meets expectations. The client will be steps away from their aircraft, able to arrive at the airport as little as 30 minutes before departure – and a private car can be arranged to get as close to the aircraft as possible before boarding. With no public access, complete privacy can be assured.
Luggage requirements
Skis, golf clubs – or professional equipment like audio or filmmaking gear – can take up a lot of room, especially with multiple passengers. Sports and professional equipment can be fragile and heavy, or sensitive to atmospheric changes, too.
Knowing about specific luggage requirements in advance means that we’ll be able to source the right aircraft for the trip, with enough capacity in the cabin and the cargo hold.
Catering and dietary requirements
Food, drinks and treats can be specified for the journey. Mezze and canapes or cuisine from their favourite restaurant – we’ve seen it all! Sometimes though, the most satisfying in-flight meal is the simplest. Food can taste very different at altitude, and many experienced flyers opt for simple sandwiches and refreshments.
Special dietary needs and precautions for certain allergies can all be catered for, so let us know what’s needed in advance.
Managing the whole trip
Do you need to arrange ground transport, accommodation or additional charter? At ACC, we arrange tailor-made travel for our most discerning clientele. We offer a completely seamless concierge-style experience, including the arrangement of chauffeured transfers, hotel reservations, yacht charter and helicopter transfers.
We can even land a helicopter on a superyacht.
We only bring additional services on board that are in line with expectations, managing the trip in full – from home to anywhere in the world and back again.
Getting a final price
As we’ve seen, there are many factors to consider when chartering a private jet.
It’s important that you know your budget prior to contacting us – and the more we know before booking, the more accurately we can work to your budget. When everything has been factored in and accounted for, we’ll give you a transparent proposal, listing exactly what’s included and (crucially) what’s not included, so that separate arrangements can be made if required.
Private Jet Charter Vs First Class Commercial Flights
First class flights with a commercial carrier are luxurious experiences, with excellent service and perks – but the level of flexibility and privacy isn’t even close to that of a chartered flight. And when compared with flying multiple passengers first class, charter can be comparative. Read our thoughts on private jet charter vs flying first class.
ACC – Air Charter for Executive Travel
Get a private jet charter quote now. We’re available 24 hours a day, from anywhere in the world, on +44 (0)1737 232 230 – or send your message to charters@ACCaviation.com.
