If you wanted to charter a yacht, you wouldn’t walk the docks, asking each boat if they do rentals. A yacht broker would know the boats available and could recommend the best that would suit your needs. By the same token, frequent travelers often put themselves in the hands of a favorite travel agent, who assembles an entire trip from their resources.
The same applies to private jet charter brokers. These services work with multiple jet suppliers and, like the travel agent, will tailor a trip specifically to your needs and preferences. Jet charter brokers don’t actually own the aircraft, but they draw from jet services nationwide and even overseas.
Just as travel agents build relationships with reputable suppliers, jet brokers also have a greater knowledge of the private jet industry. Even within the fleet of a private jet provider, there may be differences in seemingly similar aircraft, since the planes are privately owned. A jet charter broker may suggest one particular aircraft over another in the same fleet to make sure the client gets the perfect flight.
The use of charter brokers has increased by nearly 20 percent year-over-year, according to industry sources, and no one is surprised because they are a good solution to jet charters, especially for novices. Underlining the new demand for jet charters, Virtuoso, the luxury travel agency network, notes that upscale travelers are now going from one private experience to another: jets, villas and yachts, all tied together.
With more than 5,000 airports in the U.S. (and many not served by commercial flights), a jet charter can get you close to your destination, whether it’s a yacht in the Caribbean or a ski resort in the mountains. A broker will not only provide the jet but can also link in other necessities, such as ground transportation, in-flight catering and more.
Find a broker that you find to be compatible and knowledgeable, and there are some questions you should ask as you sort through brokers. One thing is to make sure the charter broker meets Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Charter Broker Rules (U.S. 15 CFR Part 295 and 298). This is your assurance you’re dealing with a professional.
Ask about non-owned aircraft insurance, which should be at least $1 million, to protect you and your guests. The broker must also disclose the charter operator at the time of your contract to keep everything transparent.
One additional item to request when picking a flight is to ask for either a Wyvern Pass Report or ARGUS Trip Cheq. This is a detailed independent review of the safety of each jet provider, covering everything from pilot backgrounds to safety audits. These come with three color indicators: green is good with the aircraft and provider, yellow notes some questions, and red is, well, just don’t go.
When you approach a jet charter broker, be prepared to answer a few basic questions. First, where do you want to go? You can certainly indicate a general destination, such as a marina or resort, and let the broker find the closest and most convenient airport for you.
Second, they’ll need to know how many are in your party so they can pick the right-sized private jet. At this point, they’ll also need to know if you’ll have infants or pets aboard.
They’ll also want to know what other services they can bundle to simplify your life, such as having a sport utility vehicle or limo meet the plane on the ramp, whether you want in-flight catering (do you prefer reds or whites?), and if you have any other requests, such as a stop to pick up additional guests.
At this point, the jet broker will work their magic, sorting through hundreds of providers to (in private jet lingo) find exactly which aircraft will fit your “mission.” You’ll probably be presented with several choices at varying price points.
At this point, it’s your call. You’re now a jetsetter!
Chris Caswell is an award-winning writer and the former editor of several yachting magazines. He has appeared on Oprah as a boating lifestyle expert and hosted the Marine Voyager series on the Speed Channel.
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