Astute professionals choose private flight paths
Discerning travelers around the world have discovered flying on private aircraft enhances their daily lives. General aviation helps passengers avoid hassles and allows them the convenience and comfort of flying where they want, when they want and how they want.
On the ground
Commercial airlines only fly into roughly 500 U.S. airports. General aviation aircraft have access to more than 5,000 airports around the country. If a traveler lives or works near a smaller airport, it’s convenient to bypass the busy hub and depart from regional airports.
Access to more airports allows pilots and passengers on private aircraft to change routes or schedules quickly. Without airline schedules to follow, business aviation users have more flexibility because they choose their own departure times.
General aviation aircraft depart from executive terminals often called fixed-base operators (FBO). These facilities are much smaller and more intimate than airline terminals. Each FBO offers a range of amenities for passengers that can include free parking, lounges with entertainment options, refreshments and office space. The FBO also provides services arranging destination transportation and lodging. There are no long security lines where passengers remove items such as their shoes and belts. Luggage stays with the general aviation passenger, except when an FBO staff member or aircraft crew member is taking bags and equipment on and off the aircraft.
Flying on a private aircraft means there’s control over who or what is on board. Many travelers fly with pets, which requires a small amount of pre-planning if flying within the United States.
In the air
The interior amenities of general aviation vary widely based on each owner’s tastes and needs. Cabins are generally spacious, with club seating, leather interiors, tables for meeting and work space and separate satellite radio controls.
On-board entertainment options vary depending on the size of the aircraft and the owners’ preferences. Some popular media center options are televisions, Blu-ray players, satellite radio, cabin phones, cell phone and text messaging access, high-speed Internet and outlets to power computers and other electronics.
The FBO can provide personalized catering to be loaded on the aircraft before flight, allowing travelers to eat and drink on their own schedules.
Given the choice, most travelers would rather land at Lake Tahoe Airport for an important business meeting, rather than flying into the closest commercial airport, Sacramento International, and spending valuable time driving several hours to arrive at that same meeting.
The same is true for vacationing families. It’s easier and more relaxing to fly into Colorado’s Aspen-Pitkin County Airport and be on the ski lift within an hour than it is to fly into Denver International Airport and drive more than three hours just to get to the parking lot.
Thoughtful travelers know the true value of private air travel is getting to their destinations quickly and efficiently.