Author: Sam

Private Aviation in North America Continues to Climb as COVID-19 Drags On

Commercial airlines are going through a trial by fire. As they struggle to book flights and maintain safe operating procedures amidst COVID-19, their stocks hit 5- and 10-year lows. Government stimulus has nearly dried up, and many airlines have closed to wait out the pandemic. The problem is, we’re not even sure if we’ve reached the peak!

As commercial fleets sit grounded or fly half-full, they’re quickly being outstripped by private jets, which are soaring back to pre-pandemic levels of operation at an astounding rate.

The socially distanced option

There’s no denying that the United States is still very much in the grip of a pandemic. The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 has ticked past 5 million, and the death toll crawls ever closer to 200,000. Even still, the people who power the U.S. economy need to travel to keep the nation as stable as possible during the outbreak.

Indeed, as people begin to travel once more, continued safety concerns have created an uptick in new business. Some charters have even witnessed a triple-digit increase in bookings, up 140.3 percent since April.

A budding recovery, by the numbers

In the era of COVID-19, companies measure success not by expanding business but by careful control over shrinking profits. Although charter flights are on the rise month-over-month, they are still down compared to last year. As a result, when looking for positive business trends in aviation, the focus is on who has lost the least. Light aircraft continue to lead the way in this area, having fallen only 18.7 percent year-over-year. Compare that to the decline in large-cabin jets (a whopping 38.2 percent), and the strength of the industry is thrown into even harsher relief.

There’s positivity buried in these harsh figures. Despite private aviation’s hardships, it’s trending up. Midsized jets rebounded 113.6 percent by June, as did light jets, which ticked up 98.5 percent since April’s lows. There’s optimism that third quarter numbers will continue the recovery.

A new(ish) way to travel

For those travelers with the means, private aviation has never been more attractive. Even on its best day, a commercial flight is a time-consuming hassle. When one has to add the possibility of contracting COVID-19 to the mix, even a first-class flight seems too risky. That compulsion is only reinforced when you consider that initial research puts the chance of contamination on private flights at roughly 30 times lower than on a commercial trip.

This hesitation in going commercial has been a massive boon to private charter companies, which have attracted new customers in droves. Jet Linx CEO Jamie Walker estimates that half the jet cards sold by his company since April went to those new to private jet travel. It’s just one example of how charter business is expanding aggressively, despite the pandemic.

For those people who still need to travel on a regular basis, the decision to fly private has never been smarter or safer.

Contact the experts at L & L International if you need assistance acquiring or selling a private jet. You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at +1 (305) 754-3313, or visit us online.

Tensions Flair as Supersonic Jet Regulations Begin to Take Shape

It takes a subsonic jet between seven and eight hours to fly from London to New York. That commute time doesn’t seem so bad when you consider the nature of an international flight over the Atlantic. Then again, the Concorde — the last modern supersonic jet — could make the trip in just over three and a half hours.

At half the time of today’s commercial flights, many wonder how and why we’ve gone so long without supersonic jets. The answer lies in the current spat over supersonic jet regulations, between those for and against a return to supersonic flight speeds.

A timid step forward

In mid-April, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) suggested (at last) a pathway for the legitimization of supersonic jets. The proposed regulations would set landing and takeoff noise emission standards for aircraft with a cruising speed of Mach 1.8, also referred to as Supersonic Level 1. While the aviation industry is understandably intrigued by the potential of rapid air travel, the FAA’s proposed standards have sent a titter of discontent among environmental groups.

Opponents of the proposed supersonic regulations decry the potential for noise pollution during takeoff and landing. This continued opposition to regulatory standards remains the most significant hurdle to the production of supersonic jets.

Even though the technology has reached the point where supersonic jets are feasible, the political fighting that lies just under the surface of the battle for supersonic jets isn’t likely to go away anytime soon.

An entrenched battle

Few companies are as excited about the new proposal as GE. As the company’s Aviation arm explained, “GE considers the proposal appropriate for supersonic airplanes and believes the proposal furthers the FAA’s stated objectives to protect public health and welfare while developing rulemaking that is economically reasonable, technologically practical, and airplane appropriate.”

Having already stated their intention to develop supersonic jets, GE’s praise isn’t surprising. Of course, neither is pushback on the proposal from several environmental groups. That’s why the FAA is taking deliberate steps forward on the matter. To hear FAA rep Kevin Welsch explain it, the underlying debate within the FAA concerns the best way to appease environmental activists without suppressing supersonic technology.

No small enemy

Quelling the concerns of environmentalists won’t be an easy feat. In addition to the concerns over noise pollution surrounding supersonic jets, there’s also significant alarm over fuel consumption. Conventional statistics indicate that a supersonic jet would burn five times more fuel than a traditional aircraft. That represents no small increase in annual fuel emissions at a time when most countries and companies are working to cut back on emissions.

Freedom to fly

At this crucial point in the rebirth of supersonic jets, developers are simply asking for room to develop a new craft that exceeds the FAA’s regulations by leaps and bounds. They simply require the freedom to let their aviation experts ply their trade. While there are still points of contention and regulatory battlegrounds standing between supersonic jets and record-setting transatlantic travel, conversation about jet regulations marks the potential for an amenable step in the right direction.

The expert jet brokers at L & L International are here to help you acquire the perfect jet. Need to sell your jet? We can assist with that, too. Contact the private aviation professionals online, at sales@L-Lint.com, or at +1 (305) 754-3313.

Summer Vacations are Still on for Private Jetsetters

Demand for private aviation during times of unsafe travel is well-documented. Even as recently as the start of the coronavirus pandemic, people have had no trouble booking private charters simply to avoid getting on a commercial flight. Now, we might see another spike in demand — this time due to vacationers.

Although there are still heavy restrictions on travel and little confidence in commercial air travel, private aviation has emerged as a smart way to vacation safely. And while it might mean tacking an extra zero onto your vacation budget, for many, it’s well-worth the price for a much-needed getaway.

Travelling in the middle of a pandemic

Summer has brought a fresh wave of charter inquiries, and they’re all from a new type of customer. Charters like Flexjet and Magellan Jets have witnessed a spike in demand from vacationers due to health concerns amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. People who have the money are desperate to get out of their homes and are willing to pay a hefty price for the sake of avoiding crowded commercial airlines. Private charters took a hit from the pandemic, yet they’ve broken last year’s record for acquisition of new clients.

The coronavirus pandemic ushered in a financial crisis different from the rest. Normally, flyers would save thousands of dollars by going commercial. But in the midst of shattered economies, vacationers are willing to dish out a few extra bucks to stay safe on a private jet. Charters are well aware of this and have begun enticing vacationers with affordable membership programs — from discounted jet cards to pay-as-you-fly rates and even pay-now, fly-later discounts.

Winter destinations and private beaches

Vacationers want more than private flight accommodations — they’re looking for the whole package. Social distancing requirements are pushing clients to visit places normally considered winter destinations. Residents of Florida and Texas are travelling north to ski towns in Colorado to avoid crowds and enjoy the mountainous landscape. National parks like Yellowstone and Glacier are popular destinations for social distancing as well.

Flyers can truly get away from it all with countless vacation spots around the world. Musha Cay Resort is located in the Bahamas and boasts five separate villas, each with their own private beach. Private jets arrive directly on-site thanks to an airstrip at one of the many private islands in Copperfield Bay. Sweet Bocas in Panama offers a villa in the middle of gorgeous waters and connects to its own private island, also private jet accessible.

Private aviation remains strong

New clients search for remote destinations while the usual summer hotspots have yet to reopen. Even though some popular vacation spots are hosting a soft reopening, travelers are hesitant to visit cities and other places with heavy foot traffic due to ongoing social distance requirements. Villas and hotel buyouts are favored alternatives for people who want to visit extended relatives in privacy.

Cruises and commercial flights aren’t great options right now. But private vacations are still possible for those desperate to get out of the house. And with deals like jet sharing and cheap flight cards, now is the best time for vacationers to take a trip in their very own private jet. It all adds up to a revitalization of the private aviation industry, one flight at a time.

The expert jet brokers at L & L International are here to help you acquire the perfect jet. Need to sell your jet? We can assist with that, too. Contact the private aviation professionals online, at sales@L-Lint.com, or at +1 (305) 754-3313.

Honeywell Sets its Sights on Autonomous Flight

Honeywell is already a household name in avionics. Now, the company is hoping to become an even bigger player in a massive market with yet-untapped potential: autonomous flight. While companies like Google’s Waymo are working to build fully autonomous ground vehicles, Honeywell is throwing its proverbial hat into the ring and working to bring that same technology to the skies. Borrowing concepts from its four-wheeled counterparts, Honeywell is attempting to teach light aircraft how to take off and land without any pilot intervention.

The future is autonomous

Honeywell isn’t the only corporation with its eyes set on urban air mobility (UAM) aircraft. They’re partnering with Vertical Aerospace, Volocopter, and others to make the dream of autonomous flying a reality. Autonomous aircraft would give private aviation companies a shorter turnaround time and reduce (or eliminate) the workload for pilots, ensuring a safer flying experience. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) also would revolutionize private jets and cargo drone operations in urban environments.

It’ll be a while before commercial airlines get their hands on autonomous technology. Honeywell favors eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) vehicles for flight testing and sees a future rife with UAV potential — one where executives forego crowded terminals and fly straight to their destination in a UAV that lands on city rooftops.

Inside look at Honeywell’s operations

Honeywell has chosen the remote desert of Phoenix to set up camp. Their aircraft of choice is an Airbus AS350 equipped with cameras and sensors that detect QR codes on a landing pad. This technological strategy guides the helicopter toward a safe location without human interference.

Source: honeywell.com

The industrial conglomerate has experience with programming autopilot and intends to use this advantage to advance in the untapped UAV market. Honeywell and their partners are working exclusively with eVTOL aircraft for testing takeoff and landing features. The primary goal of the operation is to collect sensor data to further refine the capabilities of these sensors to act and react to their surroundings.

When will the future arrive?

The race has begun to see which manufacturer will announce the industry’s first autonomous aircraft. Once UAVs are approved for the market, private aviation companies can expect a surge of interest from new and recurring customers. Autonomous aircraft could turn out to be the financial boost charters need as they recover from the pandemic.

Developers at Honeywell are working fast to create a takeoff and landing demonstration by the summer of 2021. With a fully autonomous eVTOL vehicle, Honeywell can achieve large strides toward a UAV model that may become available to the market in subsequent years. When that happens, private jets with autonomous capabilities will be the next hottest trend in aviation. After all, it’s a market projected to garner as much as $120 billion by 2030!

Contact the experts at L & L International if you need assistance acquiring or selling a private jet. You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at +1 (305) 754-3313, or visit us online.

Gulfstream’s G550 is Officially Out of Production

Much like the original Game Boy or the 1950s Volkswagen Beetle, some of the most iconic products ever created eventually retire, paving the way for bigger and better versions. That time has come for one of the most iconic jets ever created: the Gulfstream G550. Production on this industry-leading jet will stop after a final order, set to be delivered in 2021. It’s the end of an era, and it’s worth looking back to see exactly why the Gulfstream G550 stayed at the top of its class for so long.

A bittersweet farewell to the G550

Gulfstream is looking toward a future that promises continuous innovation. In order to focus their attention on creating bigger and better aircraft, they’ve decided to officially end production of the G550 in 2021. But Gulfstream isn’t scrapping the model for good. Its most popular features are here to stay in the new lineup.

Since 2003, the Gulfstream G550 has broken records (55!) for top speeds and set the standard for subsequent generations. The plane’s developers received the 2003 Robert J. Collier Trophy for industry-leading innovations and the newest safety technology. The legacy of Gulfstream’s G550 lives on through newer models, which boast the best in range, safety, and innovation.

Best in the fleet

The G550 has become an industry leader for innovation and reliability. Gulfstream’s 2003 model is best known for introducing the PlaneView flight deck. It allows for greater visibility and reduces the overall workload for pilots. This streamlined control center is one of Gulfstream’s most renowned safety features to date. The G550 has an Enhanced Flight Vision System for additional safety while landing.

The award-winning aircraft also has the best specs in Gulfstream’s fleet. Its Rolls-Royce engines carry passengers at a maximum range of 6,750 NM with the lowest possible amount of fuel. A high payload allows for up to 19 passengers with panoramic views in four different living spaces.

Descendants of the G550

The G550 kick started Gulfstream’s prestigious seat in the private aviation industry. Now, it’s time to give newer models the spotlight. The G550 was a pioneer in its time, and its legacy continues to serve passengers through Gulfstream’s G650ER and new generations of the G500 and G600.

Gulfstream currently has more than 600 G550’s in service and will continue providing assistance to their owners. Even though production is set to end in 2021, more than 30 service centers around the world will remain open for maintenance and to distribute G550 parts. And don’t worry, there are still plenty of serviceable G550’s around for those who can’t get enough of its industry-leading ingenuity!

The expert jet brokers at L & L International are here to help you acquire the perfect jet. Need to sell your jet? We can assist with that, too. Contact the private aviation professionals online, at sales@L-Lint.com, or at +1 (305) 754-3313.

Charting BizAV’s Recovery: ARGUS Data Outlines the Impact of COVID-19

Private aviation has been a roller coaster over the past six months. The industry started the year strong, logging a 1.21% growth in flights in January 2020 vs. January 2019. February was even better — up 2.63%. These early months were a combination of general travel and an early rise in demand for evacuation charters, helping people get home before borders began to close. Then, COVID-19 struck in full force. Private aviation charters fell off a cliff, down 22.5% in March, 68.3% in April, and 63.8% in May. Now, flight totals are trending back up, signaling recovery.

This data and much more is available through a comprehensive new report compiled by ARGUS. The data not only shows how aviation fared during the pandemic, it also provides quantitative insight into the ensuing recovery.

ARGUS predicts a rebound for charters

Data from ARGUS confirms the private aviation industry is beginning a slow return to normalcy. Charters are reporting more flights with losses reduced from 63.8% in May to 53.37% in June. While these numbers sit far below what the industry saw in 2019, the upturn in flights promises a much brighter forecast than March.

Commercial airlines have started to recover as well. Similar to private charters, they managed to reduce their losses by almost 10% going into June. As countries reopen borders and their economies, passengers are resuming their summer vacation plans and pursuing postponed business trips. The rebound for international and domestic travel is slow but consistently on the rise.

Small businesses are looking for private flights

Executives are resuming business trips and want private jets to help them get the job done. Although it’s unlikely that new jet sales will skyrocket, it is expected that private jet charters will see an uptick in bookings. A common misconception, however, is that massive conglomerates are scheduling long distance flights for twenty or more people. The truth is, only about 3% of business aviation accounts are for larger companies. Private charters regularly serve small and mid-sized businesses, along with universities and nonprofit organizations. They prefer aircraft with smaller cabins and typically travel less than a thousand nautical miles.

While business aviation is beginning to bounce back, the coronavirus pandemic continues to loom in the background. That’s why private charters are a popular choice among companies booking flights for employees. They can enjoy aircraft that seats just six passengers and avoid crowded terminals at commercial airlines.

The UK business aviation sector gets left behind

Business aviation began rising in the United Kingdom, but came to a screeching halt quickly. May was a great month with more than April’s total flights seen in a single weekend. But at the beginning of June, government concerns about a second wave of COVID-19 ushered in new quarantine restrictions. After entering the United Kingdom, passengers must remain in quarantine for 14 days. As a result, private charters are back in a rut because such restrictions are discouraging travel, and people are already cancelling scheduled flights.

United Kingdom charters hope the government will lift restrictions soon, which would let them catch up with other business aviation sectors across the world. And they might just get their wish. Safety measures like personal protective equipment and widespread COVID-19 testing at airports clear a path for private charters to resume business as usual.

For the rest of the world — the U.S. included — it looks like clear skies ahead for private aviation, regardless of the trajectory of COVID-19.

Contact the experts at L & L International if you need assistance acquiring or selling a private jet. You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at +1 (305) 754-3313, or visit us online.

Embraer Isn’t Having Trouble Finding Suitors After Failed Boeing Deal

Just a few months ago, American aerospace titan Boeing and Brazil’s Embraer came to the table to discuss a partnership — what would’ve been the largest of its kind in the history of private aviation. Just short of signing the paperwork, the entire deal fell apart. Some point to Boeing’s cash-strapped 737 Max fiasco as the reason for the bailout. Others have accused Embraer of coming up short on the requirements of the deal. The truth is, no one really knows exactly why the deal fell apart. All we know is that it did.

A soap opera among industry titans

Boeing was the first to point fingers, claiming Embraer failed to comply with requirements outlined in the contract. However, there’s a strong chance Boeing is in the wrong. Many suspect that Boeing pulled out of the deal due to a financial crisis spurred on by the global pandemic. The contract states unacceptable reasons for backing out include financial hardship and a pandemic. Still, no one knows definitively why the partnership fell through.

Despite failure to broker a deal, one can hardly say Embraer left with a broken heart. The aviation company has three potential suitors: China’s COMAC, Irkut from Russia, and the government of India. China may prove to be a fierce competitor with promising plans to develop a new 150-seater. Likewise, Embraer would be lucky to get their hands on Russia’s MS-21. India has plans for a smaller, regional jet that may appeal to Embraer’s knack for planes with 80 to 90 seats.

Out of all the players vying for Embraer’s heart, India would benefit the most from a partnership. They’re behind in the commercial sector, and Embraer would provide leverage against competitors in China. India also appears to be the most serious about a deal, while the others may simply enjoy window-shopping.

Is Embraer in good shape for a new deal?

Several factors are delaying a new partnership with Embraer. Their earnings were down the first quarter of 2020, which doesn’t leave them much cash to compete with other partnerships happening in the aviation industry. Embraer is confident they’ll bounce back once the pandemic blows over, but other companies aren’t willing to take a leap of faith just yet.

Political tensions also are at play. Embraer has a strong allegiance with the Brazilian government and depends on their approval. A partnership between Embraer, a company based in Brazil, and China’s COMAC, would be a controversial move on the part of Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro. On the flip side, Brazil and India have shown zero qualms working with each other in the past. Once again, India proves to be the front runner.

All significant players looking at Embraer will have to wait until the aviation industry makes a comeback post-pandemic. No one, not even Embraer, has made strides toward a deal. All the companies have experienced financial fallout to some degree, so a partnership still comes with hurdles and obstacles in a time of general economic strife.

Contact the experts at L & L International if you need assistance acquiring or selling a private jet. You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at +1 (305) 754-3313, or visit us online.

Is All-Inclusive Vacationing Soon to Include Private Flights?

In the wake of COVID-19, private charter companies have begun exploring a broad realm of possibilities for getting planes back into the sky. Among these options is partnerships with other organizations — namely travel and hospitality companies. It might not be long until the concept of an “all-inclusive” vacation comes to include a private flight to your resort! This type of partnership could be a big win for charter companies and vacation destinations alike — provided the new concept of “all-inclusive” gets traction now, in the post-pandemic climate.

Partnerships boost the vacation industry

In this time of social distancing, a discounted private charter is much preferred to roughing the commercial airlines. The world is attempting to leave COVID-19 in the past, yet many vacationers still get anxious at the mere thought of sitting in close proximity to strangers on their flight. Families are more likely to enact their vacation plans knowing a private jet allows them to socially distance themselves.

As a result, private charters and resorts are teaming up in an effort to kick the vacation industry back into gear. In particular, ANI Private Resorts and Private Jet Services (PJS) have created a partnership to boost business and offer passengers special perks. Passengers flying with PJS for the first time to one of the ANI resorts will receive $5,000 in credit. It’s twice that amount for a current PJS member!

Expanding the definition of all-inclusive

There’s a bright side to social distancing, too. Thanks to limited capacities at resorts, all-inclusive vacations just got a whole lot better. You can lounge by the pool, enjoy private cooking sessions with world-class chefs, or embark on tours without having to run into other guests. At ANI Private Resorts, guests have full access to sprawling grounds with just ten suites per villa. Guests even have the option to rent an entire villa for ultimate privacy.

Private jets serve to expand that all-inclusive experience. They allow guests to arrive in style, trading the claustrophobic cabin of a commercial plane for the luxury of their own personal jet. Partnerships allow private charters to get vacationers excited about travel when they previously may have dreaded it. And, of course, a luxury flight enhances the ambiance of a luxury destination.

Private jets are here to stay

All-inclusive vacations with private jets come in the midst of travel destinations planning a soft reopen. Resorts, nightclubs, and amusement parks alike are figuring out how to comply with social distance rules while allowing revenue to flow. Private charters are doing the same. That’s why partnerships like those between ANI Private Resorts and PJS are a smart business move right now. Travel and lodging companies are working together to keep customers safe in the aftermath of a global pandemic.

ANI and PJS represent the first of what’s likely to be many all-inclusive partnerships to include a private charter to the vacation destination. Not only do charters bring vacationers peace of mind through privacy and social distance, they exude a new level of ambiance at a time when the concept of a vacation may seem unappealing. As both private aviation and hospitality strive to recover in a post-pandemic world, a natural partnership is the best step forward.

The expert jet brokers at L & L International are here to help you acquire the perfect jet. Need to sell your jet? We can assist with that, too. Contact the private aviation professionals online, at sales@L-Lint.com, or at +1 (305) 754-3313.

Flightpooling and What it Means for Once-Private Charters

If you need to get from Salt Lake City, UT to Houston, TX by plane, you’ve got two real options: book a commercial flight or charter a private jet. There are trade-offs for both. But what if there was a middle ground? Something in-between a totally commercial flight and a totally private charter? That’s the concept behind flightpooling and its recent rise to prominence. As fears of coronavirus linger and the need for travel ramps back up, more people are seeking to hedge their health in a cost-effective way. Enter: flightpooling.

How does flightpooling work?

It’s the same concept as carpooling. A group of people need to reach the same destination. Instead of driving in their separate cars, they all pile into one to save on gas money and reduce carbon emissions. Similarly, flightpooling is a cost-efficient alternative to flying solo. You get a private jet at a fraction of the price. All the passengers save each other from shouldering the full cost of a private flight on their own.

Flightpooling comes with several other benefits as well. In the midst of commercial flight cancellations, a private jet can get you just about anywhere. You’ll be in contact with other passengers, but the numbers are far less than what you’d have to put up with at a public airport. COVID-19 presents a unique opportunity for people to afford a private flight for the first time.

Flightpooling is a game changer right now

Flightpooling has always been an option. However, it’s so niche that circumstances didn’t allow the trend to flourish until now. Before the rise of COVID-19, passengers either wanted to go cheap on a commercial flight or have total privacy. But last-minute evacuations coupled with cancelled flights have been the driving forces behind flightpooling. A once-obscure option is now the only option in many instances.

It keeps passengers safe from crowded airports while maintaining a cheap price. Private flights are still more expensive than commercial airlines, but they’re cheaper than ever thanks to the current circumstances. Flightpooling is perfect for people who want to limit their exposure to COVID-19 and charter companies that want those empty seats put to good use.

The future of flightpooling

Flightpooling may prove to be a short-lived fad. Passengers will flock to commercial airlines once they reopen, which is likely to happen soon due to government easing of travel restrictions. However, it would be a lucrative business venture if the world saw a second wave of COVID-19. Private charters were late to the game, but now they’re well-equipped to offer flightpooling in the future.

Global pandemic aside, flightpooling remains the perfect option for passengers who want to avoid long lines at public terminals, but also save a few thousand dollars. Thanks to this method of transportation, private jets can serve more than just business executives and the wealthy. There are new market options for an industry forced to innovate at a rapid clip.

Contact the experts at L & L International if you need assistance acquiring or selling a private jet. You can reach our sales specialists today at sales@L-Lint.com, call us any time at +1 (305) 754-3313, or visit us online.

Lingering Fears Over Coronavirus Push Private Jets Back into the Skies

The United States, like much of the world, is beginning to transition back to some semblance of normalcy as the COVID-19 pandemic comes under control. But the threat of the virus is far from gone, and it lingers fresh in many people’s minds. This is part of the reason commercial aviation is still suffering and why private aviation is beginning to pick up. Signs seem to indicate that while devastating for a quarter or two, COVID-19 won’t necessarily lead to the economic crisis many predicted. Instead, it continues to be a prominent health concern.

Business skyrockets in the midst of a pandemic

For private charters, the coronavirus outbreak has proven to be more of a health concern than an economic one. Since March, companies have seen record-breaking numbers of new customers — and they’re not business executives. Wealthy families and individuals are purchasing flight hours due to lingering fears about the safety of commercial airlines. Although business is only a fraction of what it was last year, the private aviation industry is faring much better than its commercial counterpart.

For those who can afford it, the high price of flying privately is not a factor when their health is on the line. It’s well worth spending tens of thousands of dollars on jet cards if it means protecting families and business partners in high age brackets and with underlying health concerns. And, with countries reopening their borders, private aviation is sure to take off as customers launch their business and vacation plans.

Private aviation expands its client base

With business ventures in a lull, corporations aren’t scheduling private flights for their associates. Instead, the private aviation industry is now catering to athletes who normally would have flown commercial.

Another key demographic includes wealthy individuals looking to stay domestic for their summer vacations. Appealing to vacationers also helps breathe life back into the hotel industry. Some jet brokers are even partnering with hotel chains to score client discounts. And it’s working. Companies like SmartFlyer have seen a huge spike in domestic charters since March — as much as 400-500% increases in bookings.

Private jet owners also are encouraged to take to the skies. Keeping a jet in its hangar can actually be more costly than flying it. A jet that grows cold on the ground means its pilot has to be recertified once it’s time to fly again. Plus, owners can rent their plane to clients to gain revenue and keep their pilots employed.

Private jets are cheaper than ever

The global pandemic isn’t the only factor luring people towards private jets. Companies have started offering deals that are hard to pass up. Many employ a matchmaking method where two customers with similar destinations consent to sharing a private jet. In addition to COVID-19 discounts, flyers can enjoy paying half the price for a flight thanks to this matchmaking.

An even more popular tactic for bolstering the balance sheet has been the sale of special jet cards or flex-spending cards. These options garner cash up front, allowing jetsetters to fly later with varying stipulations. For individuals bullish on a return to normalcy before the end of the year, it’s a great investment.

At the bottom of it all is one clear trend: private jets are getting back into the sky with unanticipated rapidity. While commercial airliners continue to suffer, private jets are set to thrive in the post-COVID-19 travel environment, primarily for health-related reasons.

The expert jet brokers at L & L International are here to help you acquire the perfect jet. Need to sell your jet? We can assist with that, too. Contact the private aviation professionals online, at sales@L-Lint.com, or at +1 (305) 754-3313.