SkyShare USA
Sky Aviation Holdings
Flying Private - Which Option Is The Best?
How to determine if Private Jet Ownership, Fractional Ownership, Jet Cards, or Aircraft Charter is the best option for flying private for you.
- January 27, 2022
- Pompano Beach, FL
When it comes to private travel by air, there are a few different options. Do you prefer your own aircraft and want to own the jet yourself? Or would you prefer fractional ownership (sharing ownership of an aircraft with other owners), purchasing a jet card, or chartering a flight when you need it?
Each option has its own set of pros and cons, which can make it difficult to decide what private jet travel option is best for you. In this blog post, we will break down each option and help you decide which is the best fit for your travel needs.
Private Jet Ownership
The Advantages of Owning Your Own Aircraft
The first option is owning the aircraft yourself and the unlimited private aviation options and guaranteed access that comes with it.
Like a car you own, it is the whole ownership of your own aircraft and you will always have guaranteed access and no need to worry about other owners taking up a time slot you may desperately need.
This can be a great option for flying if you can afford it and fly frequently for business or to a vacation property and have a large group of people who often travel with you. Owning your own aircraft allows you to have complete control over your travel experience and schedule.
You also have the benefit of depreciation deductions for owners, which can help offset the cost of whole aircraft ownership.
What should I look for when choosing an Plane to buy?
When choosing a purchase a plane or jet for sale, you need to consider your frequency of flying, needs of access, and your budget.
Jets come in a variety of sizes and configurations, so you need to find one that can accommodate your family or group size travel needs.
You should also make sure the aircraft has the amenities you want, such as Wi-Fi, satellite TV, and onboard catering.
What is the process of buying an Aircraft?
The process of buying an aircraft can be complicated and time-consuming. You need to find the right one, negotiate the purchase price, and secure financing. You also need to make sure you have the proper aircraft insurance in place and that your pilot is qualified to fly the plane.
What are the tax implications of owning an aircraft?
The tax implications of ownership vary depending on the type of aircraft you own and how you use it. If you are flying for personal travel, you can deduct certain expenses such as depreciation, fuel, and landing fees. However, if you use your aircraft for business purposes, additional tax benefits may be available for owners.
What is the cost of an Aircraft?
The cost of whole aircraft ownership varies depending on the type of jet you purchase. Jets can range in price from $500,000 to $50 million or more. However, there are also many expenses that come with owning an aircraft. You will need to pay for pilots and crew, hangar space, insurance, and regular maintenance and repairs.
The Disadvantages of Aircraft Ownership
The considerable upfront cost to buy. Then there are the ongoing costs of pilots and crew and their availability, hangar space, insurance, regular aircraft maintenance, and repairs as these can be costly, time-consuming, and will result in periods of “down-time” when your aircraft is unavailable which in business could cost you money.
SkyShareUSA & Sky Aviation Holdings can help you from start to finish with the aircraft sales process, aircraft maintenance, engine life extension (TBO Extension), and aircraft insurance, and when it comes time to sell your aircraft, we can help with that too.
Aircraft Fractional Ownership
The Advantages Of Fractional Jet Ownership
Fractional aircraft ownership is a great option if you want the access and benefits of private air travel but don’t have the funds to purchase a plane outright. With a fractional program, you share the costs of ownership with other fractional owners and can access one to fly privately when you need it. This allows you to have access to either one specific aircraft or a fleet of private jets depending on the program offered but without the high upfront cost or maintenance expenses of owning one yourself.
How to decide if fractional ownership is right for you
If you’re not sure if fractional jet ownership is right for you, ask yourself these questions:
- How often do I fly?
- What are my travel needs?
- Do I want to spend the funds to purchase a jet outright?
- Am I able to plan my flights in advance?
How much does fractional ownership cost?
The cost of fractional jet ownership can vary depending on the aircraft types, the size, and the type of aircraft you purchase but typically start with fixed costs around $250,000 depending on the block of hours your purchase, the number of other fractional owners, and the fractional jet company expenses.
This may seem like a lot of money, but it’s a fraction of the cost of owning a jet outright for a private aviation option. You also don’t have to worry about the costs of maintaining or repairing the aircraft, as these are the responsibility of the fractional ownership company.
The Disadvantages of Fractional Ownership
The downside of a fractional jet program is that you may have to compromise at times, it is a private aviation option however there are other partial timeshare owners access to factor in. There may be a wait time if the individual jet or entire fleet of aircraft is already booked at that exact time. There may be popular flying times throughout the year so you should plan accordingly for your private aviation needs.
Some companies use more than one aircraft minimum in their fractional program however, via SkyShareUSA, the single aircraft that you buy the share in is yours and the one you fly with.
You also need to be comfortable with sharing your plane with other passengers. SkyshareUSA and Sky Aviation Holdings will act as an “Operations Manager” for your and the other owners’ aircraft, ensuring maintenance, cleanliness, and the safety of your investment.
How to Get Started with a Fractional Share
If fractional jet ownership sounds like the right option for you, contact SkyShareUSA today. We can help you find the one that meets your needs, your budget and walk you through the process of buying your share. We will provide any number of options specific to your needs, and designed to save you money, without sacrificing luxury, safety, and world-class concierge services.
Jet Card Programs
What is a jet card program and how does it work?
A jet card program is a pre-paid option that gives you access to a certain number of flight hours on a private aircraft. You can use these flight hours for personal or business travel, and you don’t have to worry about the costs of maintaining or repairing the jet.
Fractional ownership vs jet cards
The best part about fractional programs compared to Jet Card programs is that Jet Cards are simply a charter where you pay for your charters in advance, along with a “Membership Fee.”
With Fractional Ownership, you are an actual owner of your share of the aircraft, or multiple aircraft depending on the program offered. When the ownership period is complete, the jet is sold, and you receive your share of the proceeds. You may choose to roll these proceeds into another fractional membership, keep it, or at SkyShare USA – Sky Aviation Holdings, you can upgrade and roll your fractional share into a whole ownership purchase of a new jet. The decision is yours.
How much do jet card programs cost?
Jet card programs vary in price but typically start at around $47,000 for a 10 flight hour Light Jet Card. This may seem like a lot of money, but it’s not in comparison to the cost of owning outright. You also don’t have to worry about the costs of maintaining or repairing the jet, it is factored into the hourly rate.
How to choose the right Jet Card program for you
When choosing a jet card program, you need to consider your travel needs
- Do you fly often?
- What are your preferred destinations?
- How many passengers will be traveling with you?
- What is the average wait time to book a flight after enrolling in a jet card program?
- Would you like a refund for unused hours?
Once you have answered these questions, you should begin comparing other jet card programs as well as fractional aircraft ownership to find the one that best suits your needs.
What are the disadvantages of Jet Card Programs?
All Jet Card flights charge an additional 7.5% FET (Federal Excise Tax) that is not included in the price of the card.
Also, Jet card programs have struggled as of late. There are increasing news reports of jet card programs being suspended due to pilot shortages, an over-demand of jet cards, and negative returns to the company. Due to high demand, there have been increasing complaints of extremely long waits after enrolling in the program to the actual first time you get to use the fleet to access a flight, and some major jet card providers have even stopped taking on new customers.
Another disadvantage is that you may not be able to use your hours for certain flights, destinations, and could encounter blackout dates for example. You also need to make sure you have enough hours saved up for the trips you are planning or you could incur additional costs. So while the hourly rate of the jet card package may seem attractive, for most people there are many things to think ahead and consider.
Jet Cards compared to Chartering
The one advantage is the rate at which you purchase the flight hours, due to the bulk rate upfront payment. This will save you money over the need to charter a private flight frequently.
Private Jet Charter
What is chartering and what are the benefits?
Chartering a private jet is when you hire an entire plane to fly you and your passengers to your desired destination. This is a great stand-alone option for those who want total flexibility and control over their travel plans.
What are the disadvantages of chartering an aircraft?
The main disadvantage of a private jet charter is that it can be pricey for the flight. You also need to make sure you have enough passengers to make it worth your while, as the cost per person will be lower if there are more people on board.
How much does it cost to charter a Private flight?
The cost to charter a private jet varies depending on the various aircraft types, the size of aircraft, the length of the flight, as well as other factors. However, you can expect to pay anywhere from $4,000- $40,000 per hour, depending on the above factors.
What should you consider when making your decision about whether to charter a private flight?
When making your decision about chartering a private flight, is this a one-time use, where your preferred destinations are, and how many passengers will be traveling with you on your private jet charter.
For most once-a-year vacationers chartering private flights would be worth it. However, if you travel frequently for personal, family, or business, you should consider the benefits and cost savings in a fractional aircraft ownership program.
How do you go about chartering a private flight and what should you expect during the charter process?
Once you have decided that chartering a private flight is the best option for you, contact a reputable charter company to help you. They will work with you to find the perfect plane and destination for your trip and will take care of all the details so you can relax and enjoy your flight.
Factors to consider when deciding if chartering is right for you
- How often do you need to fly?
- What are your preferred destinations?
- How many passengers will be traveling with you?
- What is the cost per person of chartering a private flight?
- Are there any restrictions on when and where I can take my flight?
- Am I able to get a refund if I cancel?
- How much will it cost to charter a private flight?
What is an empty leg charter?
An empty leg charter is when an aircraft chartered for one trip must fly back to its home base with no passengers on board. This can be a great way to save money if you are flexible with your travel dates and don’t mind waiting a little bit longer for your flight.
SkyShareUSA & Sky Aviation Holdings Can Save You 50% Or More
Compared to Jet Cards, Chartering, and other Fractional programs, SkyShareUSA can save you over 50%. Our unique revolutionary business model, “The SkyShareUSA Advantage ™” makes this possible. Contact us today to learn more.
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