In the past year, Insider’s aviation reporter Taylor Rains has flown business class three times and on two large private jets.
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There are lots of ways to travel by air, from cramped seats on budget carriers to private planes.
As an aviation reporter, I’ve been able to experience some of the most high-dollar experiences.
Here’s how flying in business class compares to flying on a large private jet.
As an aviation journalist, I spend a lot of time in the sky.The author sitting the cockpit of an airBaltic Airbus A220.
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Over the past year, I’ve experienced several luxury products, including long-haul business class on Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand, and French boutique carrier La Compagnie…La Compagnie is the world’s only all-business-class airline.
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…as well as the multi-room Bombardier Global 5000 and Global 7500 private jets, the latter being the world’s biggest and longest-range purpose-built business plane.Both the Global 5000 and Global 7500 were operated by private charter company VistaJet.
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Because I normally fly in economy class for personal travel, it’s always a treat to experience these high-dollar options.The author’s Air New Zealand business-class bed.
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And, after several flights, I’ve found there are some cases in which flying business class is a better use of time and money than flying private…For reasons I’ll explain later, Singapore Airlines’ 18-hour trek from New York-JFK to Singapore on its A350 in business class is better than flying private.
Sorbis/Shutterstock
…but it’s fair to say flying private adds a level of convenience and flexibility that airlines simply can’t provide.Boarding VistaJet’s Bombardier Global 5000 private jet.
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Here are the biggest differences I’ve found when traveling in business class vs. on a private jet.Flying on VistaJet’s Bombardier Global 5000 private jet.
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First and foremost, private jets operate under different federal regulations, many of which — like on going through security and smoking aboard a flight — are more relaxed than the ones for commercial aviation.A TSA agent at LAX.
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Source: Investopedia
Instead of flying out of a crowded airport with snaking security lines, private flyers will board out of fixed-based operators, called FBOs.The Million Air FBO at Westchester Airport in New York.
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These are aircraft service providers for things like fuel and maintenance, and typically have a lounge area with free snacks and drinks available for travelers.The Million Air FBO coffee bar at Westchester Airport in New York was tip-based.
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There are typically no security checks or long lines. So, on recent flights, I needed to arrive at the FBO only about 10 minutes before departure.Private jets on the ramp at Bridgeport Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Connecticut. This airport is only used for general aviation, like private charters.
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I either walked directly out to the jet from the small terminal or took a one-minute bus ride. And, I could park my car for free outside — though some people drive right up to the aircraft.We drove right up to the jet when flying on VistaJet’s Bombardier Global 5000 from Montreal, Canada, to Teterboro, New Jersey.
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While many business-class tickets come with expedited security and passport control, the need to arrive at the airport early to check bags, traverse checkpoints, walk to the gate, and wait for boarding is still a hassle.Security took place at my boarding gate for my flight home to New York-JFK on Singapore’s A350 business class.
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And, although I’m not a smoker, charter companies can allow passengers to smoke tobacco on board assuming it follows FAA regulations for things like ashtrays and signage.No-smoking signs are plastered all over airline aircraft, including the cabin and the lavatories.
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Source: Stratos Jet Charters
For these reasons alone, I can see how the money — for those who have it —is easily worth the hassle-free experience — especially for celebrities who want to avoid the crowds.Inside a Gulfstream G550 private jet, like the one Elon Musk owns.
Getty Images/Jetcraft
But, the conveniences don’t come cheap. While Insider paid a media rate for my private flights, the ultra-wealthy will shell out thousands.The interior of a NetJets’ Global 7500.
NetJets
For example, a Global 7500 operated by charter company VistaJet ranges from around $12,000 to $20,000 per hour. So, an eight-hour leap from New York to London could cost $96,000 to $160,000 one-way.A VistaJet Bombardier Global 7500.
VistaJet
Source: Elite Traveler
The same route in mid-April for eight people — VistaJet’s sleeping capacity — in Delta One suites is just over $93,000 roundtrip — or about $11,600 a ticket.Delta One suite on the 767-400ER. On a commercial airliner, you pay for each seat; on a private jet, you generally pay one price for the entire plane — however many people it holds.
Delta Air Lines
While splitting the Global 7500 among eight people brings the cost per person down, it is still substantially greater than booking roundtrip suites for about $11,600 a pop.The theater in VistaJet’s Global 7500.
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This is why I think the duration of the flight and the number of people onboard are the biggest factors in making private flying worth it.In the past year, Insider’s aviation reporter Taylor Rains has flown business class three times and on two large private jets.
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On one hand, I can argue the luxuries on board private jets far outmatch those in business class…Air New Zealand’s business class on its Boeing 787, which was configured in a 1x1x1 layout. The beds had to be manually created by the flight attendants rather than using a button — an inconvenience for travelers, in my opinion.
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…especially since the largest aircraft come with double beds, dining rooms, and theaters, creating a more spacious, comfortable atmosphere.Dining inside the Bombardier Global 7500.
Bombardier
There is even a cargo hold accessible to passengers on these private planes, many of which can fit oversized items. Airline passengers typically have to pay extra for excessive luggage — even business class.The cargo hold of a Bombardier Global 6000 private jet. VistaJet said it can accommodate excessive luggage based on the “available hold capacity and security regulations for each flight at the sole discretion of the pilot in command.”
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Source: VistaJet, Check out the $62 million Bombardier private jet that’s Canada’s answer to Gulfstream
Moreover, in addition to the aforementioned security and smoking rules, private travelers have more food flexibility because they aren’t tied to an airline’s predetermined menu…I was served food from the award-winning restaurant Nobu on my Global 7500 demo flight.
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…and they can access routes that commercial carriers don’t offer, like Elon Musk’s 12-hour trek from Mykonos, Greece, to Austin, Texas, in July 2022 — a route that would take at least one stop and 30 hours on an airline.A Gulfstream G550, like the one owned by Elon Musk.
aviation-images.com / Contributor/Universal Images Group Editorial
These personal, individualized amenities go beyond what can be offered in business class.VistaJet provides a yoga mat and other work out equipment onboard for its customers.
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Not to mention, passengers are not at the whim of sometimes unreliable airlines, which suffered chaotic meltdowns during and after the pandemic. These, of course, affected everyone regardless of ticket class.Southwest Airlines passengers stand around dozens of bags during the carrier’s December 2022 meltdown.
Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
But, on the other hand, some wealthy travelers could see the cost-savings of flying in business class on a transoceanic flight worth ditching a private jet…My lie-flat bed on La Compagnie, which was cocooned between the privacy divider and fuselage wall.
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…especially since long-haul business typically has lie-flat seats. For example, Singapore Airlines has a large business class lounger on its Airbus A350 that comes with a roomy bed and a flat-screen TV.Onboard a Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900ULR.
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I flew the product on a recent 18-hour trek from Singapore to New York, and I felt cocooned inside the little area thanks to the seat’s shell. It was my personal space, and I didn’t have to share any amenities.Laying on the lie-flat bed with my legs stretched fully out.
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The food was pretty amazing too despite having a set menu.
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By comparison, there are a few places to sleep on VistaJet’s Global 7500, but not all are fully private. These include the double bed in the bedroom…Onboard VistaJet’s Global 7500.
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…as well as the double beds made from the theater couch and dining room seats. The two sets of four swivel chairs also create a pair of single beds.The bedroom and theater room can be closed off with sliding doors, but the dining room bed and the single beds are in the same cabin.
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For eight people to sleep comfortably, six would need to be couples, friends, or family members — it wouldn’t be a great option for colleagues, which VistaJet US President Leona Qi acknowledged during a demo flight in November.The twin beds are similar to the ones seen on the Gulfstream G280 (pictured).
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Moreover, I don’t really mind not having as much choice in terms of meals. But, I know a lot of customers have specific needs and wants, which is more easily catered to on a private jet.Flight attendants served us food on VistaJet’s Bombardier Global 5000 private jet.
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All things considered, if I had to choose between Singapore and a crowded Global 7500, I’d choose the former. I wouldn’t have to share a bed or have to fight over the private jet’s main television.I loved the handheld remote that controlled the 18-inch TV at my seat.
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Not to mention, there is no purpose-built private jet that can connect Singapore and New York nonstop, making Singapore’s A350 business class a faster and more logical option.The Global 7500’s range is just short of connecting New York and Singapore nonstop. The route is 9,537 miles — the Global 7500 can fly about 8,800 miles nonstop.
Bombardier
Source: Bombardier
Granted, this is one of the few instances in which I think traveling in business class would be better than chartering a jet. And, it really only applies to ultra-long-haul flying.Singapore Airlines A350-900.
KITTIKUN YOKSAP/Shutterstock
Having also flown on several small and mid-sized business aircraft — like the Gulfstream G280, the HondaJet Elite II, and the King Air 350i — I think the convenience of flying private easily beats any airline product on short- or medium-haul routes.The author with a Wheels Up King Air 350i.
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And these aircraft are cheaper to fly on, but the cost is still much more than airlines.If money isn’t a factor, then flying private always beats airlines. But, for the wealthy who are more cost-sensitive, lie-flat seats on business class are sometimes more logical.
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A group of four people on Volato’s HondaJet Elite II would pay $6,000 per person roundtrip between New York and Miami — the first-class fare on Delta is about $1000 in April.Flying on Volato’s $5 million HondaJet.
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I flew on Honda’s $5 million private jet that seats 4 — see inside Volato’s HondaJet
But, the cost isn’t deterring demand, with some deep-pocket customers saying they will never go back to airlines — especially after the pandemic showed travelers the convenience of private aviation.Mark Wahlberg’s Bombardier Global Express jet.
Honeywell
Source: CNBC
And according to VistaJet, its number of flight hours increased by 41% year-over-year in 2022.Inside a VistaJet Global 7500.
VistaJet
Super-rich keeping flying private despite surging fuel costs making charters even more expensive
“If people need to fly, they will fly,” VistaJet’s Qi told Insider in October 2022. “No one likes to pay more money, but we live in a world where inflation is close to 10% and the most precious resource of our members is time.”
Courtesy of VistaJet
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