Jet travelers revel in the soothing melodies produced by propellers and rotor blades.
Ready to take flight in style and make your way to those hard-to-reach destinations? Let's dive into the latest trends shaping private travel for the ultra-rich!
The demand for super-fast access to secluded islands, remote mountain retreats, and other exclusive locales is pushing private jet providers to innovate. And it's not just the wealthy who'll benefit – the trends are opening up new opportunities to travel like a jet-setter without the multi-million-dollar net worth!
If you're part of the well-heeled crowd, you might be interested in JSX's semi-private option for added exclusivity. But make no mistake – it's the exceptional travel requirements of the super-wealthy that are driving the trend.
"It's all about accessibility," says Alasdair Pritchard, a partner in Knight Frank's Private Office. "The challenge when a client wants to buy their third, fourth, or even fifth home is: can they land their jet nearby? This can dictate property decisions, so we help clients explore alternatives, whether that's nearby airports with helicopter access or private airstrips on larger estates."
For those who crave the ultimate privacy, FlyExclusive is making waves by launching charter flights using an amphibious float plane and Caravan turboprop. And it's not alone – partnerships between private jet providers and seaplane operators are becoming increasingly common, with Wheels Up expanding its alliance with Tropic Ocean Airways to offer members access to over 70 smaller airports.
CEO George Mattson discusses the trend, "Our customers can easily combine a commercial or long-range private flight with a final leg aboard a wheeled or amphibious Cessna Caravan EX, creating a seamless, end-to-end premium experience."
Helicopters are also making a comeback, with increased partnerships between private jet program operators and rotorcraft operators. And Flexjet has even received permission to operate helicopter flights between Florida and the Bahamas, with plans to make the service year-round.
In 2023, Tradewind Aviation, a long-time player in the private turboprop space, expanded its footprint to Florida, while PlaneSense added a jet card offering for its fleet of Pilatus PC-12 turboprops and expanded its service area to the West Coast.
These trends in last-mile travel designs are more than just about mere convenience – they're all about tailoring experiences to the needs and desires of the super-rich. And the innovation doesn't end there! Advances in technology mean that even smaller propeller aircraft are gaining in popularity, with autonomous emergency landing systems being developed for single-engine piston aircraft.
William Herp, CEO of Linear Air Taxi, a charter broker specializing in turboprops and piston aircraft, says, "Consumers were unaware piston props were available for charter. We're not having that conversation as much."
As demand for personalized and experiential travel grows, last-mile solutions using turboprop, piston, and rotorcraft aircraft are becoming essential. And for those who might not have the luxury of chartering an entire plane but still desire to travel in style, don't worry – options are opening up for us too.
JSX, for instance, plans to offer by-the-seat shared private aviation to over 1,000 additional airports beyond its current Embraer regional jets, with by-the-seat prices often starting under $500.
So whether you're one of the super-rich or simply dreaming of that VIP experience, get ready to take off on the adventure of a lifetime!
- The industry of private travel is innovating to meet the demand of the ultra-rich, with an emphasis on last-mile solutions like seaplanes, helicopters, and turboprops, offering greater accessibility to remote destinations.
- As technology advances, even smaller aircraft like piston aircraft are gaining popularity, with autonomous emergency landing systems being developed, opening up new possibilities in luxury travel.
- Catering to a diverse range of needs, private jet providers like JSX are introducing shared private aviation services, making it more affordable for those who desire a VIP traveling experience, without the multi-million-dollar net worth.
