Hire a Private Jet for Valentine's Day

Is there a more romantic gesture out there than hiring a private jet to whisk your loved one away for valentine's day? We're yet to find one!

Maybe you want to plan the perfect proposal in a private jet as you fly over Paris at sunset, or over the sights of London in a private helicopter. Perhaps there's a special memory you'd like to recreate, only make it even better than the first time.  Private jet charter is not only a luxurious and one-of-a-kind treat for you and your other half; but it allows for the ultimate flexibility and high level, tailored service that you won't find anywhere else. 

Practically anything is possible, and our tailored client service means we can assist as much or as little as you would like. Even the tiniest details such as providing your favourite champagne on board your private jet, or some photographs for an extra personal flight for a loved-up couple can be arranged - no request is too small for us to help you engineer the perfect Valentine's Day celebration. Have a read of some of our favourite ideas for Valentine's Day by private jet. 

Sunset flight into New York

Wherever your departure airport, we can precisely co-ordinate the flight times so that you fly over the iconic New York City skyline as the sun goes down, making for the absolute perfect view. 

London to New york | 5 day Return | Falcon 2000X | £62,983

Day trip to paris

Whisk your loved one away in the morning, and enjoy a day roaming the streets of Paris together. We can even help organise the perfect lunch or dinner, and reserve you a table in one of the many famous restaurants with an idyllic view of the city. Then return home in quiet comfort and luxury in the evening. Check out a full blog post on private jet trips from London to Paris here.

London to Paris | Day Return | Phenom 100 | £5380

Weekend in venice

Renowned as one of the most romantic cities, why not spend a few nights overlooking the water and indulging in traditional Italian cuisine together? 

London to Venice | 2 night return | King Air b200 | £10,995

Private Helicopter tour

Whether you've travelled abroad and want to get the optimum view of your destination city from above, or are looking to stay closer to home for the day, we are able to organise private helicopter flights (and transfers) anywhere in the world. Simply get in touch with your desired itinerary and we will do the rest! When booking a private jet and helicopter flight with us together, everything will be included in the same quotation and agreement, so everything is included in one charter price. Helicopter flight prices vary massively depending on the destination and length of the tour, but we will always endeavour to find you the best possible deal. Get in touch today for the most up to date prices!

Empty Legs

Private jet travel doesn't have to be as expensive as many people think! Empty legs are always available (find out more about empty legs) and can be up to 75% cheaper than paying full price for private jet hire. You can sign up for our empty leg updates and specify Valentine's Day in the preferences to be the first to hear about cheap private jet flights around the special day.

Whatever your plans for Valentine's Day, we would love to help you organise your trip. We are available for consultation 24 hours a day, so get in touch with one of our private jet charter experts and let us tailor a schedule to suit you on: +44(0) 203 880 9005.

www.astuteaviation.co.uk

Astute Aviation Opens Manchester Office

We're excited to announce the opening of our second uk office. 

With Manchester being one of the fastest growing UK cities and one of our most popular UK private jet departure airports, it made sense for us to have a presence here. 

With lots of our clients having satellite offices, and a number of our HNW clients being based around Manchester, we decided we'd  be able to best serve them with a constant, local service. 

We have acquired space in the ultra modern, brand new building that is No1 Spinningfields. This is an exciting move for us, opening up a whole new talent pool and increasing our UK coverage. 

Manchester Airport is only a stone's throw away, meaning it's super easy to see off all of our private jet & commercial charter departures. 

We're looking forward to growing this office, adding top talent and embarking on a new chapter of growth. 

Chartering a private jet from Manchester Airport has never been easier with Astute Aviation. With 24/7 support, based locally we accommodate even the most complex requests.

We would love to discuss your 2018 private aviation plans, contact our Manchester Office today on +44(0) 161 504 0608. 

Private Jet Charter Request - Manchester Airport

Private Jet Charter Request - Manchester Airport

Private Jet from London to Paris

less than an Hour's private jet flight apart and one of the most popular routes in the world, why not give it a try?

It could be business or pleasure, but both are an equally good reason to arrive in true VIP style by private jet. We arrange tailor made schedules and flights throughout the year for our clients; and with access to over 30,000 aircraft, we will find the perfect private jet for your party size and any specific requirements you may have.  

Citation Mustang

A four person private jet, built for trips like this. The mustang is perfect for small groups or couples looking to fly in luxury whilst keeping costs down. 

Phenom 300

Seating seven passengers, this aircraft rivals many medium jets with its speed - taking you between London and Paris in just 40 minutes. As it can accommodate slightly larger groups, this jet is very popular for business travel.

Legacy 600

You may be part of a bigger party, or would like some extra space for your passengers to relax on the flight. The Legacy 600 boasts 13 seats and offers a truly luxurious experience on any flight. 

PRivate Jet empty legs from london to paris

Empty legs (learn more about them here) are frequently available between London and Paris due to the popularity of the route, and can offer a saving of up to 75% off regular private jet charter pricing. Subscribe to our empty leg updates to be the first to hear about your favourite routes!

We are available for consultation 24 hours a day, so get in touch with one of our private jet charter experts and let us tailor a schedule to suit you on: +44(0) 203 880 9005.

Charter a Private Jet to the 2018 Super Bowl LII

On February 4th, the New England Patriots will go head to head with the Philadelphia Eagles for the 52nd super bowl in Minneapolis. 

Every year, the Super Bowl is the most popular event for private jet charter flights. It's arguably one of the biggest sporting events in the USA, with the half time show (and events leading up to it) being just as big as the game itself.  

This year, Justin Timberlake joins an esteemed list of recent halftime acts including Lady Gaga, Coldplay, Beyoncé, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, Madonna, The Who, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Prince, the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, U2 and more.

Due to its popularity, slots for private jets at the surrounding airports fill up fast. There are five airports available to private jet charter clients within 15 miles of the US Bank Stadium, and helicopter flights from further airports can also be arranged. 

Get in touch soon to reserve a parking spot for your private jet, and arrive to the event in true VIP style. Get in touch with one of our charter experts on +44(0) 203 880 9005, and let us tailor a schedule to suit you. After all, life is about adventure, so why stay grounded? 

www.astuteaviation.co.uk

Which is the best airport for ski flights?

There's still plenty of time to enjoy what's left of the ski season. Private Jet Charter is arguably one of the best ways to make the most of your trip, allowing you maximum time on the slopes and the shortest possible travel time. We took a look at the most popular ski destinations in europe, and the best airports to fly in to.  

Pretty much every ski resort in the Alps has the capability for a helicopter to land, so a transfer from the closest airport straight in to your chosen resort is the quickest way to travel. We can include the price for this in one simple charter quote to get you skiing in as little time as possible! We are also able to arrange road transfers in many cases, though travel times will be considerably longer and variable due to the alpine roads.  

Courchevel

In the heart of the three valleys, Courchevel is a hugely popular skiing destination in the Alps. The closest airport able to accept all flights is Chambery, which offers a one hour road transfer to the Courchevel resort, or 20 minutes by helicopter. However, Courchevel airport became able to accept commercially chartered flights in certain aircraft, reducing transfer time even further and giving you even more time out on the slopes. For more information on flying straight in to Courchevel, see: Courchevel now able to accept charter flights, or get in touch with one of our charter experts to organise this for you.

Flying in to Courchevel also brings you far closer to other popular resorts. Meribel is approximately two hours from Chambery by road, or 30 minutes by helicopter - but only a 45 minute drive or 5 minute helicopter flight from Courchevel. 

Val D'Isere

Famous for it's social scene and nightlife for after a day on the slopes, Val D'Isere has a lot to offer. Its high altitude means it generally gets the snow and also keeps it for the longest! The most straightforward way to get there is via Chambery airport then a 40 minute helicopter transfer to the resort; but flying in to Courchevel can also be an option, reducing the helicopter flight time to just 5 minutes. A road transfer takes approximately two hours from either airport. 

Verbier

One of the finest resorts in the Swiss alps boasting amazing scenery and a great nightlife, Verbier is popular for Skiers from all nationalities. Sion airport is right on the doorstep, so a helicopter transfer from here takes just 10 minutes - or approximately 55 minutes by road. 

St Moritz

Arguably one of the most famous and luxurious resorts for skiing in Europe, St Moritz is well known for its unique slopes and amazing nightlife. Samedan Airport is a dedicated private jet airport, and sits just a 10 minute drive from the resort. Both the airport and resort sit at a similar altitude, so an aircraft approach in to Samedan offers unrivalled views over the mountains. 

Chamonix

Chamonix boasts the longest ski run in the world at 24km long, and an extensive 261 other runs to surround one of the most expansive resorts found in the Alps. Private jet passengers fly in to Geneva airport, and can get to Chamonix by helicopter in just 20 minutes. 

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For reasons as to why private jet travel to ski destinations is so popular, have a read of our post on why you should charter a private jet to the ski slopes. Get in touch with one of our charter experts today and let us tailor a schedule to make the most out of your trip. After all, life is about adventure so why stay grounded? 

www.astuteaviation.co.uk

Pilatus PC-24 Now Certified

We are delighted to ANNOUNCE that the long-awaited private jet by Pilatus, THE PC-24 is now both FAA and EASA Certified; meaning this aircraft will soon be available to charter. It comes as no surprise that this falls perfectly within the predicted timeframe, how very Swiss!

Image from: Pilatus Aircraft 

This is the first time that Pilatus has ventured into the private jet space, having previously produced the incredibly successful PC-12, a single-engined turboprop aircraft. It's actually one of the only single-engined aircraft that has been certified for charter in Europe. 

The PC-24 is being dubbed the 'Super Versatile Jet' this is due to its unrivalled short take-off and landing (STOL) capability. This carries many qualities over from its younger brother the PC-12, with its proven track record for being reliably versatile.  This aircraft will have the ability to land and take off from non-paved surfaces - including grass and dirt strips. This is a huge benefit for the charter market, where these conditions have previously confined passengers to the turboprop alternatives, which tend to have reduced range and speed over a private jet.  

Image from: Pilatus Aircraft

Another huge benefit of the PC-12 was its huge rear cargo door, and we are super excited the PC-24 will also boast this feature - giving it an edge over it's nearest rivals such as the Phenom 300 and Citation XLS/Latitude. This aircraft is proving to be every but as exciting as it was predicted to be, perhaps even more so now. With a plethora of superior features over the competition, could we be looking at the Swiss Army Knife of private jets? The Swiss Army Jet perhaps? 

Image: Pilatus Aircraft 

The PC-24 can be configured to offer a 6 seat luxury corporate jet with plenty of luggage space and, most importantly, a fully enclosed lavatory! The aircraft can also be arranged as a 4 seat business/executive jet with additional cabin and cargo space. 

When can you charter the PC-24? 

Now certified, Pilatus can start delivering almost immediately. We are expecting the first deliveries to be within the next couple of weeks, meaning you should be able to charter one early in 2018!

This is an exciting time for Pilatus, with the new single engined charter regulations and now with the launch of the PC-24, it's looking to be an incredible year for them! 

We will be offering the PC-24 to charter as soon as the first one becomes available, so get in touch with one of our private jet charter experts today and let us tailor a schedule to suit you on +44(0) 203 880 9005.  

After all, life is about adventure so why stay grounded? 

www.astuteaviation.co.uk

Why do Sports Teams Charter Private Jets?

It all comes down to winning. Our sports charter management team are dedicated to providing the ultimate service that allows you to carry on with what you do best - performing. 

Private jet charter for your sports team has countless benefits. Whether it's flying your entire squad over to another continent for a huge tournament, travelling to a training camp or flying in a player or agent at the last minute to finalise a contract, we have the resources to organise every detail from start to finish at the most competitive rates.

It's well known that travelling by private jet eliminates the two hour airport wait for a commercial flight, and chartering allows you far more options if you need to fly somewhere at short notice. Effects on the team members can be astounding too. Flying privately allows players to spend less time travelling, which leaves more for rest or training. This can help reduce recovery times between big games, or allow them to travel a longer distance feeling far less fatigued. 

When playing or training overseas (or even for domestic games), it's more than just the players who need to travel. We know that sports teams are composed of many professionals - including coaches, managers and medical staff. Commercial travel with a group this size becomes a logistical nightmare, especially once you start to factor in the large quantities of kit that comes along with the players. The extra costs aside, imagine the consequences of a key piece of equipment going missing or getting damaged in transit. With private jet travel, you can supervise everything being loaded on to the aircraft and be safe in the knowledge that we understand the value of every last piece of kit you take with you. 

Photo from Dallas News

Why Choose Astute? 

When you charter with us, you'll be assigned a full time account manager who is your dedicated point of contact for any queries, and will handle all of your subsequent bookings. This allows us to get to know you on a personal level, so each trip is perfectly tailored and no request is too big or small. Someone from the team will be available 24 hours a day, so you can get in touch any time you need to. Our deep understanding of the sports industry and what it takes to succeed gives us an edge, and we are fully equipped to deal with anything you need to achieve this when it comes to your travel. 

We have unrivalled access to over 30,000 private jets of all sizes, and will negotiate the best possible deal for the aircraft you need. When the whole team and crew are travelling, this usually calls for airliner charter (also known as commercial aircraft charter, which is a full sized aircraft that commercial airlines use, such as a Boeing 737). This gives rise to maximum space for both passengers and luggage/kit, whilst offering a highly customisable cabin space and multiple opportunities for branding. Cabins can be configured to replicate business or first class on a commercial aircraft, or an even more spacious arrangement depending on the number of passengers on that flight. Ground transfers are also something we are able to organise for you if required, and therefore provide you with a single, hassle free quote covering the flights and travel for your journey. 

Highly specific catering can easily be arranged, and we have the capabilities to provide a tailored meal for each passenger. We understand that nutrition for athletes is absolutely key, and that creating meals with the perfect nutrient profile can make a massive difference in player performance. Our bodies are affected by altitude, and eating well can help to minimise any knock-on effects in all of your team members and crew. 

The long and short of what we're trying to say is that chartering really is the only option if you are serious about winning. 

Wherever you need to go, we'll get you closer to your destination; faster and fresher. 

Get in touch with one of our private jet charter experts today and let us tailor a schedule to suit you +44(0) 203 880 9005

www.astuteaviation.co.uk

How quickly can I book a Private Jet?

Sometimes, you need to fly urgently. Commercial airlines can't usually accommodate these needs, whereas a private jet charter will get you where you need to be as soon as physically possible. 

For urgent requests, we aim to get you airborne as little as two hours after request a quote. This time-frame depends on several factors, mainly aircraft availability. There are many reasons why someone may need to urgently charter a private jet, but some of the most common reasons include a family/medical emergency, cancelled commercial flights and last minute schedule changes. However, that doesn't mean you need a negative reason to hire a jet at last minute! You may choose to go on a last minute surprise trip, and what better way to enjoy a romantic weekend in Paris than by arriving on a private jet?

At such last minute, your choice of private jets is limited to those in close proximity to you as there isn't always time to reposition an aircraft that is based hours flight away. This may mean flying in a private jet that is in a higher category than would usually be recommended for your flight and party size - but this will only be presented to you if it provides the cheapest charter option on the day. This can be the case when it is closer to your departure airport than a more appropriate jet, allowing you to have lower repositioning costs as well as being in the air sooner. If both you and a suitable aircraft are already at your departure airport, you can be airborne almost immediately.

We understand just how important it can be to get somewhere as quickly as physically possible, and will do everything we can to make this happen.

We have access to over 30,000 aircraft worldwide, many of which will also be known to our competitors. This means that requesting the same quotation from a number of different charter companies will not only drive the price up for you, but will also make our job more difficult to negotiate the charter price on your behalf. After all, you wouldn't sell something for under the going rate if you had plenty of interest. Our main focus is getting you to where to need to be, as quickly as possible for the least amount of money. 

Being a member of our Laminar Club would also be an advantage in an urgent flight request scenario. Although usually it is not an issue to process last minute payments, it certainly makes the process smoother as we'll already have access to cleared funds and can allocate your flight, which gives you one less thing to worry about when trying to organise a private jet charter at short notice.

Whatever your reason for flying , we would love to help you organise your trip. We are available for consultation 24 hours a day, so last minute requests can be processed at any hour. Get in touch with one of our private jet charter experts and let us tailor a schedule to suit you +44(0) 203 880 9005

www.astuteaviation.co.uk

Top 10 Private Jet Airports in the USA

Private Jets have access to over 4000 airports in the United States of america. We took a look at our most popular ones, and what makes them ideal for chartered flights. 

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Teterboro Airport - Teterboro, New Jersey

Only 12 miles from Manhattan, Teterboro airport is one of the most popular airports for clients travelling to and from New York. There are five different Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) to choose from, each offering their own take on luxury travel. Teterboro Airport also boasts 23 hangars, which can be used when an aircraft will be on the ground for a few days or during periods of adverse weather. 

 

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Van Nuys Airport - Los angeles, California

Van Nuys Airport is a 30 minute drive from downtown LA, making it an ideal choice for passengers flying in and out of Los Angeles. It is a popular choice with celebrities, due to the fact that it offers both excellent privacy and convenience. Van Nuys Airport also offers customs facilities, so clients can easily charter international flights. 

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Fort lauderdale-Hollywood international airport - fort lauderdale, Florida

A popular choice for clients travelling to the Caribbean, this airport has become a gateway for intercontinental flights. Miami International Airport still handles most long haul commercial flights, making Fort Lauderdale the ideal airport for private jet travel as it is quieter and offers more privacy. With four different FBOs on offer, you are guaranteed a luxurious journey from start to finish. The airport is ideally located a mere three miles from downtown Fort Lauderdale and 21 miles from Miami, so you can get to wherever you need to be as quickly as possible. 

 

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Chicago midway airport - chicago, Illinois

Although it is the second largest passenger airport in Illinois, chartering a private jet in to Chicago Midway Airport allows you to avoid the chaos of Chicago O'Hare - which was the busiest airport in the world in 2014. Another benefit of flying in to Chicago Midway is that you are only eight miles from The Loop, whereas . Two FBOs operate at Chicago Midway, so private jet clients are well catered for. 

 

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Westchester county airport - New york city, new york

Westchester is based three miles from White Plains, but serves a large area. It is a popular airport for private jet clients travelling to Westchester County, New York and Fairfield County, Connecticut , as well as New York City - as it is only an hour to drive in to midtown Manhattan.  

 

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John wayne airport - los angeles, california

An ideal airport for private jet hire, as it has a central location within southern California. Located in the town of Santa Ana, it is only two miles from Newport Beach and the pacific ocean, as well as only a 20 minute drive to the world famous Disneyland Resort. There are two world class FBOs operating here, offering luxurious facilities for leisure and business travel alike. Both FBOs also have hangar facilities which can accommodate aircraft when necessary. 

 

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las vegas mccarran airport - las vegas, nevada

Flying in to Las Vegas by private jet gives you a unique experience of flying over the Las Vegas Strip on approach to landing, offering some incredible views. The airport has a full terminal exclusively for private jets and their passengers, it offers extensive options for business travellers, as well as providing exceptional service to all passengers. 

 

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William P Hobby airport - houston, texas

Less than 20 minutes drive from downtown Houston, William P. Hobby operates both commercial and private flights. Being conveniently located so close to Houston, the airport is a very popular choice for business travellers, and the five different FBOs based here make private jet charter even more straightforward and pleasant. 

 

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Dulles international airport - Washington DC

Although it is the busiest airport in the Washington area, Dulles has an entire terminal dedicated to private jet travel, so there is no compromise on the luxury experience. It is just 26 miles from downtown Washington DC, and also serves the Baltimore area. 

 

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Whatever your reason for flying , we would love to help you organise your trip. After all, life is about adventure so why stay grounded? 

Get in touch with one of our private jet charter experts today and let us tailor a schedule to suit you +44(0) 203 880 9005

www.astuteaviation.co.uk

Do Private Jet Passengers have to go through Security?

One of the biggest benefits of flying by private jet is related to security, in multiple ways. People often ask about the security process and how it differs to that of a commercial flight. 

Since the only people on your aircraft will be your crew and your party, this eliminates the security concerns about other passengers on your flight. The regulations as to what you can legally take on an aircraft are the same as a commercial flight, however the way the process is carried out varies. You can be sure that your bags will be handled with the utmost care, almost eliminating the chance of any breakages. You can even oversee this process personally if you like, and follow your bag right the way from the scanner to the aircraft. 

Images by Inflite Jet Centre

Skip the long security queues 

If you've ever flown from a large commercial airport during a busy period, you'll be fully aware of how long you can spend queueing to get through the security checks. When flying by private jet, you are able to arrive a mere 15 minutes before your desired departure time, which highlights just how streamlined the process is. This by no means means the security is less thorough, it is simply optimised to make the most of your time with as little hassle as possible. Private jet passengers will usually depart from a Fixed Base Operator (FBO), which is separate from the main terminal. These are dedicated to private flights, so you don't need to worry about queueing. Just hand over your bags and enjoy a coffee whilst the rest is taken care of for you. 

Long lines at commercial airports have been known to cause passengers to miss flights, and the only way to avoid this is to arrive at the airport several hours early. The beauty of chartering a private jet is that it's yours for that flight, it won't leave without you. 

Whatever your reason for flying , we would love to help you organise your trip. After all, life is about adventure so why stay grounded? 

Get in touch with one of our private jet charter experts today and let us tailor a schedule to suit you +44(0) 203 880 9005

www.astuteaviation.co.uk

Private Jet Empty Legs - Explained

What is a private Jet Empty Leg?

Empty legs (also sometimes known as Empty Sectors or Dead Legs) arise every time a one way charter flight is booked. The aircraft will either need to fly out to collect passengers, or return back to its home airport after being chartered. These flights aren't cost effective for the operator as they do not make any profit if there are no passengers on board. Private jet hire is an incredibly bespoke service and tailored exactly to the client's needs, so with over 4 million potential flight routes in Europe alone, this can make finding a full price customer for that exact route and date very difficult . For this reason, operators will usually offer these flights at a heavily discounted rate to make utilising that leg more appealing. 

HOw flexible are empty leg flights?

Because the jet has been hired by the original client, their needs determine the schedule of the aircraft; and if they decide to change their flight itinerary, the empty leg client may need to adapt their travel accordingly. As an empty leg customer, you may have some degree of choice in your departure time. For example, the aircraft may be repositioning the day before the original booked flight, so you could potentially specify a departure time within that window. Likewise, if a repositioning flight is taking place after the original booking, there may be some degree of flexibility as to when the return flight takes off. 

If the original client decides to change their booking, the empty leg customer will need to be able to fit around this and possibly adjust their departure time - which is another reason why they are offered at a discounted rate as you must be able to be flexible. There is also the possibility that the client decides to cancel their chartered flight all together, in which case it is more than likely that the empty leg flight will also be cancelled, although you would then obviously receive a full refund. However, you should always consider an empty leg flight as subject to cancellation as we cannot guarantee that it will be confirmed. If your travel is necessary, we would always strongly advise having an alternative arrangement (such as a commercial airline ticket) as a back up in case the private jet flight does not proceed. This can happen for a number of reasons, as operators have the right to revoke an empty leg if their further schedule changes or serviceability issues arise within their fleet - meaning an aircraft needs to be re-purposed. 

An empty leg doesn't always need to be leaving from or going to your destination, we have visibility of upcoming empty legs which may be suitable for your flight, even if a minor route change is required. Operators usually accommodate this as it is also helpful for them as this still offsets the cost of respositioning. 

How much do empty legs cost?

These flights can be available for up to 75% less than the usual charter price, with the exact cost being determined by the aircraft type, route and operator. Prices may also be affected by seasons, as periods of high demand can incur higher costs. In some circumstances, these prices can be very similar per person to the cost of a premium seat on a commercial aircraft. To give you an idea, we have put together an example. This is based on an aircraft flying from Paris to London, one of our more popular routes. 

paris le BOURGet - london luton | LEArjeT 75 | 8 PASSENGERS | £8400

This is the price of a full, confirmed charter - this gives you full control over arrival and departure times and has no chance of being cancelled or re-arranged by the operator.  

Paris Le bourget - London Luton | LEArjeT 75 | 8 PASSENGERS | £2800

This is an empty leg flight for the same aircraft and route. As you can see, even on such a short flight you can save over £5500. Using this option, the cost per head would work out at £350 - approximately the same as a business class ticket for a scheduled commercial airline. In addition, using a private jet you avoid the 3 hour airport wait - enabling you to arrive just 15 minutes prior to departure. 

paris le BOURGet - london luton | citation mustang | 4 PASSENGERS | £3500

For purpose of comparison, we have added the approximate cost of hiring a smaller private jet for the same route, but half the number of passengers. This further illustrates just how much you could save when using an empty leg, as it is over double the cost per head compared to the empty leg flight. That being said, £875 per passenger on a private jet is also a realistic price for the time conscious  business, due to the fact that a private jet runs to your schedule, rather than the other way around. You can read our post outlining the benefits of private jet hire for business here. 

Can I Book a return journey?

As previously mentioned, across Europe alone there are millions of different aircraft routes, so the chances of finding two empty leg flights that match your journey needs are slim. Since empty legs are almost always one way, you would need to make separate arrangements for the other part of your trip. We are able to organise a private jet charter for your return journey, or some customers choose to book a commercial airline seat for their flight in the other direction. 

How can I find out which empty leg flights are available?

Subscribe to our empty leg updates  for the most up to date information about flights and prices. 

Whatever your reason for flying , we would love to help you organise your trip. After all, life is about adventure so why stay grounded? 

Get in touch with one of our private jet charter experts today and let us tailor a schedule to suit you +44(0) 203 880 9005

http://www.astuteaviation.co.uk

De-icing for Private Jets

Much like cars, the winter also affects private jets. With winter fast approaching, the likelihood of an aircraft needing to be de-iced is on the rise - so we thought we would give some insight on how this may affect your private jet flight. 

Why must a private Jet be de-iced?

It is illegal for an aircraft to take off if there is any snow or ice present on its surface as the presence of either of these on the wings will reduce the performance. Further to this, ice can block controls on a private jet (ailerons, elevators and rudders), and safety issues arise if these cannot perform at full capacity. 

Image by @time2gofly

How is a Private Jet De-iced?

The principle is very similar to de-icing a car windscreen, in the sense that a formula of chemicals is sprayed over the jet to remove any ice, and prevent further ice from forming. However, for safety reasons, it is a legal requirement to remove all snow and ice from an aircraft prior to takeoff. This is done using a specialised vehicle called a de-icing rig, which allows the fluid to be evenly sprayed on to all areas of the jet. De-icing fluid is applied at a high temperature to assist with the process of removing ice and snow, and tends to contain a bright coloured dye - which allows the de-icing team to see where it has already been applied and ensure they cover the entire aircraft. As a private jet client, you will usually be on board whilst de-icing is carried out, so you can be airborne as soon as possible upon completion. 

Different types of de-icing fluid can be used, depending on the needs of your private jet. The most commonly used fluid is a short acting de-icer,   which is sprayed on at a high temperature and pressure to quickly and effectively remove ice before takeoff. Other de-icing fluids are thicker, so they do not run off the aircraft as quickly after being applied. These tend to be sprayed on after the initial de-icing fluid, to prevent ice from re-forming during flight.  

How much does it cost to de-ice a private jet?

Cost can vary largely between airports, as each has their own price per litre for de-icing fluid. On average, it costs around €5 per litre, so the table below gives an approximate price for de-icing different types of jets. 

jet type

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Small Propellor

Small Jet

Medium Jet

Long Range Jet

Regional Airliner

Airliner

Fluid quantity (Litres)

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50

200

300

500

700

2000

Total price

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€250

€1000

€1500

€2500

€3500

€10,000

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How to avoid paying de-icing costs for your private jet

Keeping a private jet in a hangar can prevent the need for de-icing altogether, but in some airports this may cost more than the de-icing. On top of this, many private jet airports do not have sufficient hangar space for all aircraft. One potential solution is to use a heated hangar for a short period of time before takeoff, as in many cases, one hour can melt the ice on the private jet that would otherwise require de-icing. 

In some circumstances, we can organise a de-icing waiver for low risk bookings. This will allow an element of security without fear of supplementary invoices.  

Whatever your reason for flying , we would love to help you organise your trip. After all, life is about adventure so why stay grounded? 

Get in touch with one of our private jet charter experts today and let us tailor a schedule to suit you +44(0) 203 880 9005

www.astuteaviation.co.uk