Vol 5, No 23 - Everything you need to know before chartering a private jet; Over 150 private jets ranked by size, range, cabin and baggage space

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Vol 5, No 23:
Everything you need to know before you charter a private jet

Check out our DGAE Library featuring:

Insider reviews of unique experiences from VIP supercar tours of Italy, treks to see the Polar Bears, safaris in Africa, Cuba by private jet and previews of top suites and villas at hotels and resorts across the USA, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brasil, Cambodia, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, England, Fiji, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Maldives, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Oman, Panama, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Seychelles, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, South Africa, Switzerland, Tahiti, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, Vietnam, plus on the high seas aboard Regent Seven Seas Explorer, Seaboard Encore, Crystal Esprit, Crystal Mozart, Crystal Symphony, Norwegian Breakaway, Celebrity Edge, and Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas

Banwa is the latest, uber-luxury private island

While it’s easy to charter a private jet, and chances are you won’t have any issues, many folks don’t consider important questions, especially if you are traveling to mountain or island airports, or internationally.

This week, we give you a quick but thorough primer on everything you need to know - and the questions to ask - before you charter a private jet.

Also, in Section B near the top, you’ll find links by cabin size category to over 150 business jets ranked by size, range, speed, cabin and baggage space provided by Conklin & de Decker. Keep in mind the industry doesn’t officially segment out Super Mid, so you will find them with Midsize jets as one category. Again, as you think about chartering and jet cards, lots of good data in one place!

On a final note, I am highlighting two of our advertising partners Elegant Mexico and HostedVillas who are each villa specialists. You’ll find Spotlights on several terrific residences in both Los Cabos and Turks & Caicos, both easy to reach destinations by private jet.

May all your travels be amazing!

All the best,

Doug Gollan

Founder/Editor
dougollan@dgamazingexperiences.com

Find The Best Private Aviation Solutions For You

On-Demand Charter. Jet Cards. Fractional Ownership.

Subscribe today and we can help you and your team make sure you and your company are finding the best private aviation solutions for your unique flying needs.

What you get:

– Best Charter Brokers Guide – A curated guide to on-demand charter brokers that identifies 84 brokers and floating fleet operators that exceed industry standards.

– Jet Card Comparisons Guide – Comparison by 65+ variables of over 300 Jet Card programs, including sourcing standards for aircraft and pilots, service areas, Wifi availability, hourly rates, and hidden charges.

– Quick Compare Flight Pricing – A comparison of Jet Card pricing for over 150 national fixed-rate jet card programs. It calculates hourly rates plus daily and segment minimums, taxes, taxi time, memberships fees, peak day surcharges, fuel surcharges, and deicing so users can contrast fully loaded flight costs in second.

– Aircraft Performance Guide – Compare over 150 private jet types by range, speed, seating capacity, baggage and cabin space, including cabin height.

— VIP Jet Card Decider — Our personal service available to help you figure out which solutions and providers are right for you and your company.

Click here for more information

Table of Contents

A. Private Aviation Headlines
B Private Jet Performance Guide ranking over 150 aircraft by size, range, speed, cabin, and baggage space
C. Before You Buy Reports - Jets, Yachts, Villas
D. The Ultimate Restaurant Guide for Private Jet Travelers
What You Need To Know Before You Charter A Jet
1. Charter Operator Background and Experience
2. Air Charter Safety and Security
3. Safety Standards
4. Flight crew duty time
5. Aircraft Maintenance
6. International Operations
7. Customer Service
8. Insurance
9. Problem Resolution
10. Executive Security Report
11. Jet Card Insider Reports
12. Best Of DG Amazing Experiences Library

A. Private Aviation Headlines

1. JetSuite offers front-row experiences during New York Fashion Week
2. NetJets says privacy concerns driving interest in advance of ADS-B mandate
3.   Dumont Aviation, former CEO trade lawsuits
4. Wheels Up adds guaranteed availability, capped rate Super Mid jets
5. Vista Global appoints new execs at XO as Henderson, Slow exit
6. Directional hires Slow as PrivateFly Americas president
7. Flexjet gives its customers the keys to Monterey Car Week
8. Flexjet readies Europe launch with pilot recruiting
9.   Wheels Up raises $128 million for expansion
10. Victor answers $30 million RICO lawsuit
11 JetSuite rebrands JetSuiteX as JSX
12.  NetJets, Flexjet, VistaJet - Comparing the branded large cabin options
13.  Is NetJets worth the price?

From Forbes.com
Private Jet Travel is Greener Than You Think

Jet Card Buyer’s Tips

1. Buyer’s Tip #1 Know the company behind your program
2. Buyer’s Tip #2 Fixed rates or dynamic pricing?
3. Buyer’s Tip #3 Do I need guaranteed availability?
4. Buyer’s Tip #4 Make sure your program’s Primary Service Area matches your flight
5. Buyer’s Tip #5 What you need to know about Peak Days
6. Buyer’s Tip #6 Roundtrip and one-way pricing

B. Private Jet Performance Guides

Range

Compare Light Jets by range
Compare Midsize Jets by range
Compare Large Cabin Jets by range

C. Before You Buy Reports

1. Before you charter a superyacht
2. Before you rent a villa
3. Before you charter a private jet
4. Before you buy a jet card

Partner Promotion:
Los Cabos Villa Spotlight from Elegant Mexico

Casa Fryzer is one of the most unique homes in Los Cabos. The sheer size of the contoured infinity swimming pool with swim-up bar and inset lounging areas is simply astounding. Indoors, you will find a home theater, wine cellar, office with a pool table, an ocean-view fitness room and Wi-Fi throughout the home. The interiors of Casa Fryzer are elegant and modern. Six bedrooms accommodate up to 12 guests and children are welcome. Each of the bedrooms includes an en-suite bathroom, air conditioning, and satellite television. Two suites have direct access to their own expansive outdoor space with private spa. Housekeeping, security, a manager and a butler are included with your reservation. Located in the private resort community of Villas Del Mar this home has welcomed many high profile guests, from celebrity entertainers and royalty to Fortune 500 CEOs, looking for the privacy and anonymity that cannot be found at traditional resorts. For more information, click this link or call +1 949.388.8590 ext. 200.

D. The Ultimate Restaurant Guide for Private Jet Travelers

With the help of our friends, we’ve curated a list of 143 restaurants in 60 cities around-the-world that each has memorable views, cuisine to match, and are all located on the top floors or rooftops of leading hotels.

In other words, if you are on a tight schedule, don’t worry about fighting traffic. Dinner (or lunch) is just an elevator ride away, like your private jet, saving you time. For the entire list, click here.

Partner Promotion:
Turks & Caicos Villa Spotlight from HostedVillas

The opulent La Dolce Vita Villa sits on the shores of Provo’s Long Bay Beach. Featuring a striking modern design both inside and out, the villa stretches out over more than 12,300 sq. ft. and offers more than 430 feet of beachfront. With 2 oceanfront pools and 2 oceanfront hot tubs, chances are you’ll find yourself frequently gazing out to sea, either watching the sunrise with your morning coffee or watching it set, all the time surrounded by family and friends. And as this villa features a total of 9 bedrooms, there’s certainly room for everyone. Take a 3-D Tour or for more information visit HostedVillas or contact Aurélie Gilles, Experience Manager, aurelie@hostedvillas.com mobile 647-523-4275 or office 1-800-374-6637 Ext. 310

What you need to know before you charter

Overview

Before chartering a private jet, turboprop or piston aircraft, here are the questions you should ask the operator, courtesy of the National Business Aviation Association’s Aircraft Charter Consumer guide. While it may not be realistic to ask every question, I think you will find many of the issues covered important enough that they should be on your radar.

1. Charter Operator Background and Experience

- Who is the FAA-certificated charter operator that will conduct our charter flights?
- What experience does the operator have?
- How long has the operator been in business? In aviation? As an air charter operator?
- What type of aircraft is on the charter certificate?
- When was the aircraft manufactured?
- What, if any, major refurbishments (interior, flight equipment, paint, etc.) were completed on the aircraft, and when?
- How many crew and aircraft?
- How many aircraft and crew does the charter operator have?
- Has the FAA ever taken enforcement action against the operator or one of its flight crew members?
- What experience does the crew have?
- How many flight hours total time?
- How many hours in make/model of each aircraft?
- If special operations (e.g., mountain airports, extended over water) will be conducted, what experience (initial and recurrent) does the crew have with these operations?

2. Air Charter Safety and Security

- What is the operator’s safety record?
- Has the charter operator had any aircraft accidents or incidents?
- If so, what measures has the operator implemented to ensure increased safety?
- Has the charter operator been audited by an independent third-party organization?
- What were the audit findings, and how does the charter operator compare to other charter companies?
- What security screening procedures are in place (e.g., to identify passengers)? (Note: Appropriately, charter operators will be hesitant to describe their security procedures/ plans; your questions should focus on what passengers need to do to comply with the operator’s security program.)
- How often is crew trained?

3. Safety Standards

- How often is training provided to the crew and what is covered in the training? (e.g., does the charter operator provide training above and beyond the minimum training requirements established by the FAA)?
-Where is the training conducted? Is the initial and recurrent training provided in a simulator or the aircraft?

4. Flight crew duty time

- What is the charter operator’s policy on crew flight time and duty limits?
- If a possible customer trip goes beyond the crew flight/duty times, how would the charter operator conduct the mission and maintain their policies?
- Will there be a flight attendant onboard the flight?
- Is the flight attendant assigned to your flight egress trained for the specific make/model of aircraft you are flying on?
- Is the aircraft equipped with a defibrillator and are the crew trained in its use? - - Does the aircraft have a subscription to an in-flight medical assistance program in case of a medical emergency?

5. Aircraft Maintenance

- Who maintains the aircraft?
- If it is not maintained by a factory service center, how often is/are the maintenance technician(s) sent for training specific to that make/model aircraft?
- How does the operator handle maintenance situations that, on a rare occasion, might arise during a trip you have booked?

6. International Operations

- If you are planning an international flight, what experience does the operator have flying to/from/within the countries you wish to visit?
- What specific safety and security measures does the operator implement when conducting operations in that region?
- Will the charter operator assist with immigration and customs logistics, such as visas and customs forms?

7. Customer Service

- Do the pilots, flight attendants and other employees receive customer service training?
- Are service standards in place; what are they and how are they measured?
Customer reviews?
- What is the customer satisfaction rating: low, average, good, excellent?
- What documentation does the operator have to support that?
- How soon prior to the scheduled flight will the aircraft be at the airport, ready for departure?
- To whom should concerns/complaints regarding flight irregularities, safety, or customer service be directed?
- Is there someone available 24/7 in case you have any of these concerns?

8. Insurance

- What company issues the aviation insurance policy?
- What are the charter operator’s insurance coverage and limits?
- Will the charter operator name you as an additional insured?
- Will the charter operator provide you with a waiver of subrogation and a certificate of insurance confirming the coverage and aircraft that will be used for the flight?

9. Problem Resolution

- How will the charter company accommodate you if there is a problem encountered with the flight arrangements? (E.g., charter operator’s aircraft is unavailable either prior to booking the trip or the aircraft becomes unavailable after the trip is booked.)
- Will the operator find another charter operator to conduct the flight?
- If a problem is encountered and a substitute charter operator is to be used, who is that operator and what are the substitute’s answers to these pre-screening questions?

10. Executive Security Reports

1.   What you should consider before you get behind the wheel in Cuba
2.   Preventing a robbery while traveling
3.   How to survive a terrorist attack
4.   Seven ways your flight crew can improve security
5.   Six travel security scenarios you should be prepared for
6.   Family travel safety and security advice
7.   Four trends in executive travel security

11. Jet Card Insider Program Reviews

1.   Air Partner
2.   Airstream Jets
3.   Flexjet
4.   Delta Private Jets (new)
5.   JetSuite (updated)
6.   Jet Aviation
7.   Jet Linx Aviation
8.   Magellan Jets
9. NetJets
10. Private Jet Services (PJS) Group
11. Prive Jets
12. ProspAir
13. Sentient Jet (Updated)
14. StraightLine Private Air
15. Wheels Up (New)
16. XOJET

12. Our Most Popular Special Reports

If you are looking for more ideas and inspiration, check out some of our most popular Special Reports below...

Seven hot superyachts for charter this Summer

We checked in with Northrop & Johnson’s top brokers to find out which superyachts are hot for the charter market this summer, and in our report are eight picks for both Europe and North America. For each superyacht, you’ll find a summary of length, builder, launch and renovation dates, capacity for guests, number of cabins, range of rates, where each boat will be based for the winter season, minimum charter length, captain as well as a list of toys. Read more...

Crystal Esprit is perfect for groups up to 64

Crystal Esprit sits in the wide gap between chartering a superyacht and even the smaller luxury cruise ships that take 200-300 passengers. There are 91 crew and 62 guests, and the passenger areas are spread across four decks.

Explore hidden harbors and out of the way island beaches, swim to shore, splash out on wave runners, water toys and your own private submarine. Crystal Esprit is a 5-star floating resort for just 62 guests. You even can charter the entire yacht for celebrations or meetings. Read more…

Tour Italy Like a VVIP By Super Car

100 All’ Ora combines its insider auto industry connections with the best of Italian luxury experiences. They arrange everything from hotels to restaurant reservations, sourcing the specific supercar types you want and accompany your group providing VVIP service.

They will also video your experience, including filming by drones, providing you with a memorable look back at your adventure. They arrange factory tours and behind the scenes visits to wineries, ateliers and museums. Below is a sample four-day itinerary, but in the end, they will do whatever you want, wherever you want in Italy. Read more…

Sentosa Villa on the famous Grace Bay

Enjoy direct beachfront access at this outstanding 8-bedroom villa located on the famed Grace Bay Beach. Perfect for special events, such as a family reunion, wedding or other milestone celebration, revel in the perfect ocean views and soak in the lovely ambiance at Sentosa.

The main house holds 6 bedrooms, while the other 2 are in the guest house. Just about every room has a large opening that lets light and ocean breezes flow freely throughout. Outside, the terrace and beach offer lots of comfortable lounge chairs and sunbeds alongside the infinity pool and ocean. Read more...

Five bedrooms of luxury in Turks & Caicos

A gorgeous getaway for your group of family and friends, the 5-bedroom Beach Enclave offers luxury-filled days and nights. Furnished to the highest standards, enjoy a bespoke private villa experience with your stay here.

From the moment you arrive, you’ll find yourself slipping into the natural island rhythm. Inspired by an open Caribbean living concept, the villa features wide glass doors and multiple terraces that together allow the indoors and out to blend seamlessly. Spend days relaxing with a good book, cooling off in the pool, snorkeling in the ocean, or flying high on a kiteboard. Read more...

Why Waikiki is back as a luxury destination

Waikiki is back as a destination for luxury travelers. The Ritz-Carlton Residences Waikiki Beach has joined the Halekulani, Royal Hawaiian, and Trump International as 5-star options. But the real change is that both Waikiki and Honolulu have become a destination fit for foodies, adding to the increasing quotient of luxury shopping. Most importantly, and often overlooked, a quick drive to the other side of Oahu and you will find deserted beaches, hiking, biking and all sorts of soft adventure on par with Hawaii’s outer islands. Read more...

Five stunning villas in Los Cabos

Located next to One&Only Palmilla, Del Mar Los Cabos is a luxury gated. Expansive homes up to 12,000 sq. ft. are built to the highest standards of construction, and you have your own butler and private chef. Elegant Mexico handles all pre-arrival planning and concierge services. You get your own golf cart, Club Ninety-Six beach club and kids club access, Club Espiritu fitness club and spa, Offsite activity coordination services, in-residence spa services, 24-hour gated security, and 24-hour emergency medical response are all included. Read more...

Luxury on the Bund in Shanghai

If you are visiting on leisure or have extra time, or this is your first time coming to Shanghai, The Peninsula should be at the top of your consideration set. It also has a board meeting room with stunning views of The Bund on the west bank Huangpu River. The area is notable for its beautiful waterfront buildings, many of which have been restored. If you are doing a product launch, there is some nice rooftop space, indoors and outside. Read more…

Fine and Fun Skyscraper Dining in Bangkok

lebua at State Tower in Bangkok has become the epicenter of Thailand’s move to award-winning internationalizing, with 2-star Michelin restaurant Mezzaluna, Breeze, Sirocco, and soon Chef’s Table under the direction Vincent Thierry of the 3-star Michelin Caprice in Hong Kong. Of course, the nightlife is not restricted to restaurants with a multitude of specialty bars from The Flute A Perrier Jouet and Alfresco 64, a Chivas bar, lebua No. 3, with its caviar shooters and of course the bar that launched a worldwide trend, Skybar (pictured left). Read more...

Views of the lake in Geneva

In the center of Geneva, convenient to private banks and the United Nations, Hotel D'Angleterre is a hotel with a view of Lake Leman, both from its top suites and fine dining restaurant. Part of the Red Carnation group of boutique luxury hotels, each suite and room has its own unique decor. Don’t forget to check out its new cigar lounge. Read more...

About DG Amazing Experiences

My name is Doug Gollan. I am a strong advocate of the private aviation industry. You can read my frequent coverage of private jets and luxury travel at Forbes.com.

I’ve chosen you to receive DG Amazing Experiences because I believe you share my passion for both business aviation and the best travel and luxury experiences in the world.

DG Amazing Experiences is your e-newsletter guide to the best places and experiences for private jet travelers like yourself. The content is personally selected by me with the help of some of the smartest and best travel advisors in the world. My goal is to give you a look ahead at what's new, what's hot, and the best of the best. To make it easy for you, the stories are short but detailed, and I provide plentiful links to additional, relevant information.

If you are looking for private aviation solutions from on-demand charter to jet cards, fractional and even full ownership, please visit our sister website Private Jet Card Comparisons to access our buyer’s guide to over 250 jet card programs and our exclusive on-demand charter guide. Our VIP assistance program can help you decide which solutions are optimal for you.

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