When you turned your back on commercial flights, it’s likely that you were thrilled to leave behind intrusive (and perhaps pointless) security procedures, long slow lines, unpredictable delays, noisy flights, and of course, one of the worst parts — dry, flavorless airplane food. Of course, now the commercial flights have even eliminated that, and passengers file onto the plane clutching their fast food and making the whole plane smell like french fries.
We bet you don’t miss a minute of it.
On your private jet, however, the food you enjoy and the food you have in-flight don’t have to be different. You wouldn’t accept a boring and tasteless meal on the ground, so why do it in the air? Especially when there are so many catering options available to you.
You have choices for in-flight catering
In-flight catering companies used to be rare, but then, so were private jets once. These days, you can get some truly exceptional food service — plus you don’t have to worry whether your special dietary restrictions are noted by the flight attendant. In-flight catering can offer anything from simple sandwiches and fruit and cheese plates to sushi and rare wines.
As you well know, every jet is different and some don’t have the ability to heat food — just to refrigerate it. Others have galleys, but they are certainly not as well-equipped as the kitchen in your home. No matter what your jet’s capabilities, you’ll need to inform your private chef or catering company about the features they have to work with so they can design the right in-flight dining service for you.
Of course, galley makeovers are a budding trend, and a welcome enhancement in jet interior refurbishment — you might consider one if you think you’ll be doing a lot of in-flight dining.
The options you get in-flight are likely to be more expensive than any catering you’ve had in the past, since meals need to be prepared and stored differently in the limited space available in an aircraft. But on a long flight or when there are children aboard or when you want to impress a client or potential business partner, in-flight catering can be well worth the effort. After all, fine dining in the air used to be one of the most talked-about features of commercial flights.
Planning a trip to China any time soon? If so, you have great timing: A full three years after construction began, the world’s largest aquarium has opened on Hengqin Island near Macao, in China’s southeastern Guangdong province. Guinness World Records confirms that the 125-acre aquatic theme park, called Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, now not only bears the title of largest aquarium in the world, but also snapped up first-place titles for largest underwater viewing dome, largest aquarium tank, largest aquarium window, and largest acrylic panel.
The park holds a whopping 12.87 million gallons of total saltwater and includes attractions like a whale shark exhibit, penguins, polar bears, exotic pantropical spotted dolphins, and Chinese white dolphins.
But if you’re traveling outside of China and are still looking to fill an afternoon between business meetings, don’t worry—there are incredible, unique aquariums all over the world that are worth a visit.
Berlin — the AquaDom
Traveling in Germany? Take a look at the AquaDom. Though certainly not the largest, it’s one of the most unique sea life exhibits in the world, featuring a huge, cylindrical aquarium that you can view from the inside — totally surrounded by water. Located in the heart of Berlin, the AquaDom is just a short walk from Alexanderplatz, Hackesche Höfe, Rotes Rathaus, and Berliner Dom.
Shanghai — Shanghai Ocean Aquarium
Speaking of China, you might also want to check out the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium. Built as a joint venture by Singapore-based Straco Corporation Limited and China’s Poly Group, this aquarium holds the record for the longest underwater tunnel — a full 509 feet. It also contains some endangered species, including the Yangtze alligator and giant salamander, which you are not likely to see in the wild. Visitors find the “round the world” journey fascinating as it takes you through the flooded forests of the Amazon, the rivers of Africa, and the icy waters of the Antarctic.
Durban — uShaka Marine World
Don’t miss South Africa’s uShaka Marine World, located in Durban. This world-class park includes a giant shipwreck and the largest aquarium in Africa. You can immerse yourself into the world of living sharks and get close from the safety of your shark cage. You can also meet dolphins and seals, and feed the rays. Dine in the Cargo Hold, one of the restaurants on property, and watch the sharks swim by as you enjoy your culinary adventure.
Valencia — L’Oceanografic
Holding the record for the largest aquarium in Europe is the breathtaking L’Oceanografic. View more than 45,000 species from three different ecosystems: Antarctic, Arctic, and Mediterranean. As an added bonus, the building’s architecture is nearly as beautiful as its aquatic contents.
Chimelong Ocean Kingdom might have captured an impressive array of “world’s best” titles, but there are plenty of beautiful, educational, and awe-inspiring aquariums out there to distract and entertain you and yours while traveling.
According to Stefano Boscutti, the price per gallon for private jet fuel has quadrupled in the past eight years. While the impact on your wallet depends on your model, with many jets you’re paying for hundreds of gallons of fuel per hour. Even worse, J Mac McClellan of FlyingMag isn’t hopeful about it getting any better: “Nobody can predict future trends, but higher prices sure seem more likely than lower.”
So how can private jet owners combat already-high (and likely to rise) fuel costs? Now could be time to look for a more fuel-efficient model.
Since the fuel crises of the 1950s and 1970s, jet designers have been interested in working towards greater fuel efficiency. Lately, we’ve been seeing steady improvement in fuel usage in jets — through better engines and aerodynamics. Lower weight, less drag, and the ability to fly higher are allowing jets to make big strides in fuel efficiency. Jets are now available in a greater range of sizes and performance categories, too, so owners can match their mission and the plane’s required fuel to their needs more efficiently.
Which Jets are the Most Fuel Efficient?
McClellan recommends the Falcon 50 as a prime example of a jet design with emphasis placed on improvements in weight and drag to make long range flights more efficient. The Learjet 35 and 36 and Gulfstream models, also emphasize long range capability, as well as the ability to climb directly to 41,000 feet or higher. At those flight levels, fuel flow and drag were significantly reduced while range was increased.
The recently announced Eclipse 550 Jet from Eclipse Aerospace was a major effort to improve efficiency and has earned recognition as the most fuel-efficient twin-engine jet in production today. It consumes a mere 59 gallons per hour at cruising speeds.
An unusual aircraft project competed in NASA’s Green Flight Challenge of 2011 and showed us a personal plane with better fuel economy than most family cars: The “Synergy” aircraft can carry up to five people with a fuel efficiency of 40 miles per gallon and boasts 10 times the fuel economy of a small jet at 10% the usual cost. Not only that, but the design and production of this jet was crowdfunded, illustrating that the public is interested enough in fuel-efficient jets to put their money where their mouths are. John McGinnis, the team leader of Synergy, says “In this second century of flight, we believe that ordinary families should have fast options to travel where they want, when they want, in quiet safety, with better economy than a car.”
Of course, there’s also the perception factor that business owners and entrepreneurs must manage. While “save the earth” may not be your business slogan, companies that visibly work toward green initiatives typically see more positive brand recognition.
The next time you’re in the market for a jet, consider a fuel-efficient model to give your brand — and your pocketbook — a boost.
Are fuel prices weighing down your jet? Does your aircraft need to shave off a few pounds? Composites — fiber-reinforced polymers made of glass fiber or carbon fiber and fabricated using a heat or chemical reaction — might be the answer.
Cut pounds to save dollars
Composites are popular among aircraft owners and manufacturers for many reasons, but a major one is improved fuel efficiency. Industry experts predict fuel costs could comprise more than 50% of operating costs by 2022. In this regard, composites can make a big difference: Lightening a single-aisle aircraft by just one pound could save $150 per year in fuel costs.
In addition to cutting fuel costs, composites are also strong and durable and they can improve the corrosion and heat resistance of an aircraft’s interior. They’re also more wear-resistant than their metal counterparts, extending the life of a jet’s interior parts.
The aircraft interiors aftermarket is “really where composite materials have the opportunity to shine,” says composites market analyst Chris Red. Refurbishment with composites is a great way to update your aircraft with a modern, long-lasting interior that also reduces your fuel costs and adds value to your aircraft investment. A number of aircraft interior service providers are experienced with composites and can create a composite interior customized to your specifications.
Endless opportunities for upgrades
The opportunities for interior upgrades afforded by composites are bound only by your budget and imagination. You can improve seats, passenger cabin walls and ceilings, overhead stow bins, lavatories, interior panels, closets, galleys, floors, ducts, and many other cabin components with aftermarket composite parts.
Composites offer a way to increase the strength and durability of your aircraft while improving the look and feel of the interior — all while giving you considerable cost savings.
Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing or selling a private jet. You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at 877-453-8276 (+1.305.754.3313), or visit us online.
Very few meals come with the same level of leisurely indulgence as brunch — that’s probably why it’s a popular choice for Mother’s Day. Unlike the typical grab-and-run meal we’re used to on the weekdays, brunch is a time when we slow down, linger over the flavors and conversation, and share our stories.
Are you ready to serve your Mom a special Mother’s Day brunch this year? If you haven’t finalized your plans yet, consider spicing things up this year and treating Mom to a more exciting version of the classic Mother’s Day outing. Why not take Mom on a trip to have brunch at one of the most unique brunch places in the U.S.?
Here are some options to consider:
Boulette’s Larder — San Francisco, CA
With a community table and an open kitchen, Mom will have a great time chatting up the table and making new friends. Chef Amaryll Schwertner studied neuroscience before picking up the ladle, so you can be sure that the food coming out of her kitchen is designed to appeal to the brain as well as your taste buds. It’s classic gourmet with a unique twist, such as hot beignets with rosemary-scented raspberry sauce.
Locanda Verda — New York City, NY
Andrew Carmellini, the chef and owner of Locanda Verde, studied cooking in Italy and then used that education to create his own original style. This restaurant is located in Tribeca’s Greenwich Hotel and has celebrity backing from Robert De Niro. It’s an upscale-meets-casual design, so no one has to dress up much. Try their polenta waffles with marscarpone cheese and truffle honey and burnt orange toast for a unique brunch.
Beatrice & Woodsley – Denver, CO
This restaurant blends the whimsical and quirky with a whole lot of history and a love story. The story goes like this: a turn-of-the-century woodsman (Woodsley) settled in the Rocky Mountain wilderness now known as Denver with his French wife (Beatrice). Nestled in a grove of urban aspens is a restaurant that brings the story to life with birch-tree pillars, sculptured leather booths, and lantern lights that play out the rustic American charm. Beatrice’s Scrumptilicious Brunch menu features grapefruit crisp with sweet-salty almond crumbs, sunny eggs with mustard hollandaise, and of course, tasty bloody marys.
Gigi – Miami, FL
Forget the cutesy beach cottages and down-home dining that most brunch places offer; Gigi dishes out one of the best, most satisfying brunches in the nation. It serves Asian-inspired comfort food like rice-crusted French toast with banana compote and tantalizing honey butter. With the light streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows, this brunch will wake up even the sleepiest.
Is a simple local brunch really enough for everything your mother has done for you? This year, give her the brunch she’ll remember all year long!
Interest rates are low, but if you have the cash, does it make more sense to invest it in an aircraft purchase?
Cash vs. loan vs. lease
If you take a closer look at the current state of aircraft financing, you’ll see that the market is flush with cash. Industry experts think that in 2013, cash comprised about 65% of business jet purchases, 23% was debt financed, and 12% was comprised of leases.
On one hand, allotting cash to an aircraft purchase can be a sound, conservative investment. On the other hand, interest rates on private jet loans are still relatively low, ranging from around 2-3% for floating (LIBOR-indexed) rate to just under 7% for fixed-rate loans.
But to determine whether or not it’s worthwhile to take advantage of these low rates, one must consider the lenders’ mood in the current economic climate. Lenders today are cautious and typically require down payments of 10-15% on a loan. Thus, you’ll likely need to have some cash available, or have a guarantor who will put up the down payment. In addition, some lenders won’t finance older aircraft, so the make and model you’re shopping for might affect financing. Plus, closing on a loan takes time. Tasks such as title searches and documentation require a lot of effort. If you have an immediate need for a plane, a cash purchase can be much quicker.
If you’re hesitant to use cash, another option still is to lease a plane. However, this comes with its own set of hurdles: Many lenders are hesitant to or simply won’t do leases — or they will impose aircraft age restrictions.
The right choice
So what is the answer to the aircraft purchase quandary? Unfortunately the answer isn’t clear: Whether or not a cash purchase or financing is the best fit depends on your situation.
If you have the cash, now is a great time to invest it in an aircraft purchase. And if you still want to take advantage of the low interest rates, you have the option to make a large cash down payment and finance the rest of the purchase.
However, if you don’t have the cash, you must decide whether to go the route of the loan or the lease. Your needs will determine whether a loan or lease is right, taking into consideration tax depreciation, amortization, your preferred aircraft’s age, and what terms your lender is offering. Regardless of which direction you go, if you are facing a financing decision, keep in mind that pre-approval from a lender can shorten the closing process.
When in doubt, you can’t go wrong by turning to a trusted industry expert to guide you through the process. For more quick answers, check out our online Financing Questions resource. And when you’re ready to buy, give us a call. The experts at L & L International can help you ask the right questions to reach the ideal financing terms and ensure you get the best aircraft for your money — cash or financed.
Contact L & L International if you need assistance in purchasing or selling a private jet. You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at 877-453-8276 (+1.305.754.3313), or visit us online.
There’s been a lot of noise in the private aviation industry about recent trends making private jet flight more flexible. Private jet clubs are springing up everywhere and have been growing in popularity, no doubt because of the indignities and discomfort people experience lately when taking commercial flights. Still, will these new trends focused on getting the most out of a single aircraft really make flying more flexible?
One of the most popular trends right now is chartering “empty leg” flights. These are last-minute deals on seats in empty planes that are being repositioned for someone else. Booking an empty leg flight means you are reducing the price of the plane’s transfer while saving big bucks on a regular charter flight.
There are some definite advantages to empty leg flights:
- You only pay for what you need (as opposed to buying a jet you only use some of the time).
- You don’t have to worry about jet upkeep or maintenance.
- You cut out the middle man and save money.
- You can reduce the costs even more by sharing the flight with other travelers.
The recent economic downturn certainly levied significant pressure on the business aviation market and surely contributed to the most recent innovations in terms of jet efficiency. However, chartering “empty leg” flights may not be for everyone.
There are some downsides:
- You have no control over the type of aircraft.
- You must adapt your schedule to the flight plan.
- You have no recourse if the original flight is delayed or cancelled.
- You may be flying into or out of an airport you wouldn’t have personally chosen.
- Some flights are more popular and thus more available than others (LA to Las Vegas, Boston to NY, DC to NY, for example).
- If you have a custom trip in mind, you might not be able to secure it —Italy to Saudi Arabia, for example.
Although chartering empty leg flights can fulfill some needs, for anyone who needs reliability, control over their schedule, or travel that is outside the standard routes, a private jet is still the best option.
