When it comes to high-end aviation, there can be a myriad of things to consider. The common perception is that private aviation is only for the super-rich, and that there is a large jump in terms of cost between it and first-class air travel. While the option of first class travel is cheaper on the face of things, it may not actually be the most cost-effective or desirable, depending on the passenger’s requirements.
When time is money, the increased amount of time that first class travel takes can also be a thing to consider, due to schedules, cancelations, airport security and queuing. It is also worth noting that private aviation has benefits in terms of service, space and flexibility. By investigating the costs vs the benefits, and looking into where each high-end aviation option may be more suited, this article aims to help customers decide which one is right for them.
With airlines offering more high-end options in recent years, could we be seeing a wider range of premium-only companies in the future? Read about the 1980s airline that attempted it here.
Use your mouse to move around and inspect this Swiss International Airlines first-class cabin.
Toronto to Paris: a hypothetical trip
To compare first class to private aviation, we will use the example of a hypothetical long-haul flight from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Canada, to Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG), France. According to prices on kayak.co.uk today, the details of a first-class round-trip with Swiss International Airlines will be compared to the same trip using private aviation, as cited by aircharteradvisors.com, a private jet charter broker.
Approximate prices for private jet charter by jet class:
Pistons $1,000 – $2,000/hour Turboprops $1,500 – $3,000/hour Very Light Jets (VLJ) $2,500 – $3,500/hour Light Jets $3,500 – $4,800/hour Super Light Jets $4,250 – $5,250/hour Midsize Jets $4,800 – $6,000/hour Super Midsize Jets $6,000 – $7,500/hour Heavy Jets $8,500 – $10,500/hr Long Range Jets $12,000 – $15,000/hr VIP Airliners $18,000 – $30,000/hr
Related 7 Airlines Offering First Class Seats On Flights Between The US & Europe: Compared While such offerings are relatively rare nowadays, they are a real treat for those who can afford them.
Using airmilescalculator.com, the distance of a private jet route from Toronto (YYZ) to Paris (CDG) has been approximated to 3,260 nautical miles. The long distance of this route can be covered by a super-mid-sized jet, such as the Bombardier Challenger 3500 , which has a range of 3,400 nautical miles according to its charter details page at aircharteradvisors.com. With the distance, aircraft type and prices now known, it is now possible to compare the round trip using private and first-class aviation options.
First-Class Travel Private Charter Price $7,793.44 $91,200.00 ($45,600 each way) Journey duration 15 h 35 min (each way) 7 h 36 min (each way) Passengers 1 1–8 Stops 2 0
Photo: aircharteradvisors.com
With Swiss International Airlines, this first-class route includes two stops; with a four hour and 10 minute stop in Montreal, and a one hour and 10 minute stop in Zurich. When these figures are lined up, it starts to become apparent that private aviation can start to become cost-effective depending on the number of travelers. In the case of a company where four to six employees are all traveling to the same destination, each fulfilling a valuable role, private aviation becomes much more attractive.
Additionally, the much faster travel time may be appealing for private aviation customers traveling alone, as time spent in the air can also mean time taken away from work. When the time of a CEO can be measured at several thousand dollars per hour, getting a trip done in the space of a single day can be well worth the cost. This very dynamic is explored in a conversation on Quora, on whether first-class is usually cheaper than private aviation. As Daniel, a private aviation consultant, said:
Comparing Flying Privately To Flying First Class
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