It’s a principle that Shaircraft has been committed to since it started advising private air travelers over a decade ago: Deliver maximum flight time on the right aircraft at the lowest cost.
Looking back on one of Shaircraft CEO, James Butler’s, earliest contributions to the “Inside Fractionals” column of Business Jet Traveler magazine, we are reminded of some oft overlooked factors fractional owners should consider when calculating how much flight time to purchase.
Careful consideration is critical because, says Butler, “f you buy too few [hours], you’ll later pay a premium for additional time and if you buy too many, you’ll pay substantial amounts for time you don’t use.”
Among the most often overlooked factors to consider are:
- Taxi Time — Time spent taxiing before takeoff and after landing counts towards your flight time.
- Short Legs — Flights of less than one hour are rounded up to a full hour.
- Interchange Rates — Additional flight time will be charged when you upgrade to a larger aircraft.
- Speed — Faster aircraft can shorten a flight, but often come with a higher price tag.
- Range — An aircraft’s range determines whether you’ll have to make fuel stops, thus impacting your travel time.
- Altitude — Aircraft that fly at higher altitudes can sometimes avoid poor weather, resulting in shorter flights.
With so many considerations, and so much money at stake, having an advisor negotiate these conditions up front is the only way to ensure that you’re making the best deal.
For more information about how to maximize your fractional flight time, download the full text version of this article below.
Business Jet Traveler: “Keep An Eye on The Clock”
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