3 essential tips for holiday private jet travel

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This holiday season the private jet market will see requests increase 30%-60% over the rest of the year. Here are 3 Essential Tips that will help you beat the headaches, and ensure the best rates, safety standards and ease of booking your Holiday Travel

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Page 1: 3 Essential Tips For Holiday Private Jet Travel
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1Booking Holiday Travel | MAGELLAN JETS

This holiday season the private jet market will see an increase

of 30%-60% in flight activity over the rest of the year. Jet setters all over the country will be traveling to popular destinations like Aspen, Jackson Hole, Salt Lake City, Los Cabos, St. Maarten, St. Barth's, and more. With the supply of aircraft remaining the same, and the season's substantial increase in demand, how will you be sure that the right aircraft to meet your holiday travel needs is available? Will you be paying too much? Does the flight crew have extensive experience at the airports you'll be using? Here are 3 essential tips that will help you beat the headaches and ensure the best rates, safety standards, and ease of booking this holiday season.

3 Essential Tips for Travel

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3Booking Holiday Travel | MAGELLAN JETS

S ometimes there are deep discounts for booking last minute flights—

but not during the Holidays! Whether you are in a membership program or chose to use on-demand charter, there are two big risks with booking last minute this year. First, the best equipment is generally booked well in advance by charter, membership, and fractional providers for their regular clients. You may end up having to settle for a jet that doesn’t meet your expectations. It may be very difficult—and expensive—to find an aircraft of the age and with the amenities you typically prefer. Second, you may end up paying very high repositioning costs to have a jet come pick you up. By waiting until the last minute, many of the available aircraft will already be at popular destinations, meaning that they will likely need to fly back empty to pick you up—and that adds cost. Save yourself headaches and money by proactively scheduling your aircraft.

One way to avoid these risks is through a membership program.

Most programs today offer point-to-point pricing which alleviates the need to pay for the empty flight segments. While you’ll likely pay a premium for traveling on certain days, it is a small increase compared to repositioning costs. Additionally, membership programs typically guarantee a certain caliber of aircraft for your flights—avoiding the need to play the market to get what you want. The end of the year is also a great time to finalize a purchase you’ve been considering to help prepare for the upcoming tax season. A general rule of thumb when thinking about purchasing a membership is that it typically makes sense if you travel privately 5 or more times annually, which typically equates to around 25 hours. If you are already part of a membership program, you’re already ahead of the game! Just look to schedule and confirm early to benefit from higher quality aircraft and airport slot reservations and you’ll be on your way.

1. Plan Ahead

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5Booking Holiday Travel | MAGELLAN JETS

The amount of luggage you choose to bring on your trip

this year can mean a difference of thousands of dollars—and big delays on the ramp trying to figure out what to do with the excess baggage. Any top-notch provider will have dedicated team supporting your flight from signoff to touchdown, and this team is best able to help you avoid these difficulties when you communicate your needs to them ahead of time. Think about, and let them know of, any large items like skis, boxes, car seats, trunks, etc. that you plan on bringing along. The average luggage capacity for a mid-size jet is roughly 60 cubic feet—or 6-8 suitcases. For a family of 5 traveling, excess luggage can mean having to step up to a super-mid or large cabin aircraft just for the baggage space, which will increase your cost. Work with your provider and communicate your needs to help them plan accordingly. Most can even arrange to have additional luggage shipped to your location in

advance to avoid needing a larger jet.

2. Pack Smart

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7Booking Holiday Travel | MAGELLAN JETS

3. Know your Provider

During peak travel times, working with a discount or

low-cost provider can lead to major disappoints and headaches. Does your provider have the right personnel and infrastructure in place to proactively plan your flight? If your salesperson is responsible for every aspect of your flight, that could mean major trouble. When an issue arises, you won’t want to depend on a salesperson who may be traveling themselves or not in the office. Look for companies that staff an office 7 days a week and throughout the holidays. They will be better suited to proactively deal with any issues and communication—and your whole experience—will be much easier. You’ll also want to know that weather tracking, airport delays, pilot experience, and many other factors that affect your trip are being looked at. We recommend providers that have either certified dispatchers or pilots in-house reviewing this information. If working with an on-demand broker,

ask about their safety standards, accreditations, and details on their preferred vendor network. Find out what their requirements are for flight crew experience. There are many options out there, and it’s vital to ensure you and your family are flying with the right provider.

These three tips can help you navigate the often confusing world of private aviation during busy travel times, but the biggest move you can make to avoid problems is to establish a relationship with a provider you can trust. They shouldn’t be there just to turn a quick profit, they should be an advisor that’s available to guide you through the challenges of flying during peak seasons.