Why We Charter Aircraft, Not Seats

Every so often, someone asks us whether they can book an individual seat on a private jet, or share the cost of a charter with other passengers travelling in the same direction.

It’s an understandable question. Chartering an entire aircraft has a cost attached, particularly if only one or two people are travelling. If there are six seats on board, why not sell them individually?

There are companies that offer shared private jet flights, but at Admiral Jet, we don’t arrange them.

Our reasons are practical and come from understanding why people choose private aviation in the first place.

The problem with sharing a schedule

Let’s say you’re travelling to Geneva for a morning meeting. You’ve arranged your departure to allow enough time to reach your destination comfortably.

Another passenger is making the same journey for a long weekend. They’re running twenty minutes late.

Should you wait? Should the aircraft leave without them? And who makes that decision?

These are the sorts of complications that arise when unrelated passengers share an aircraft.

When we arrange a private charter, we work around your intended departure, destination and commitments. Naturally, there are operational considerations such as airport slots, crew hours and weather, but the itinerary is planned for you.

Different passengers, different expectations

The arrangements inside the aircraft are equally important.

You may want two hours to prepare for a meeting, make notes or discuss confidential business with colleagues.

The family sharing your flight might be looking forward to their holiday, with excited children and plenty of conversation.

Perhaps you’ve arranged a particular meal. Another passenger has a serious food allergy. Or you’d like to rest, while somebody else wants to chat.

None of these preferences is unreasonable. Accommodating them all within a relatively small cabin is another matter.

When you charter an aircraft for your own party, we discuss catering, seating, luggage, pets and other requirements beforehand. You know who will be travelling with you and can make your own arrangements for the flight.  It’s your flight, and it will operate exactly as you want it to.

Sharing a private flight goes against all of the reasons that most people choose to fly privately in the first instance.

What about empty-leg flights?

This is another question we hear now and again, particularly from people looking for a less expensive way to fly privately.

An empty leg is created when an aircraft needs to travel without passengers, perhaps returning to its base after completing a charter or repositioning for its next booking.

These flights can be offered at substantially reduced prices, and we can certainly help you explore them.

However, there is an important limitation.

The empty leg exists because of another customer’s booking. If that customer changes their arrangements, the empty leg may change or be cancelled.

Imagine finding a particularly attractive flight to Nice for a wedding, only to discover that the aircraft is no longer making the journey, or the date has changed to the following day.

For a flexible holiday, an empty leg may be worth considering. For a meeting, important family occasion or another commitment where you need to arrive on a particular day, we would always recommend a conventional charter.

Our approach

When you contact Admiral Jet, we’ll ask where you want to go, who is travelling and what your plans involve.

We’ll then look at suitable aircraft, operators, airports and timings before presenting your options.

For us, the advantages of a straightforward charter – the whole aircraft, no sharing with strangers – are clear: You have full control over your itinerary, your travelling companions, and the arrangements on board.

Planning a flight?

We take care of the planning behind your aircraft quotation. To discuss your next trip, request a private jet quote from Admiral Jet.