Latest news with #JetLinx
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Billionaires say a private jet is one of life's greatest luxuries. Here's how much it costs.
More than 15 years ago, Oprah Winfrey shared one of her famous nuggets of wisdom: "It's great to have a private jet," she said at Duke University's 2009 commencement. "Anyone that tells you that having your own private jet isn't great is lying to you." But she did leave out one detail: Having a private jet is expensive — really expensive. Costs such as crew, custom features, and maintenance can add to the already hefty price tag of purchasing a private plane, companies that manage these and charter fleets told Business Insider. "There is a lot that goes into owning an airplane, a lot of expenses that aren't on the surface," said Jamie Walker, the executive chairman of jet management company Jet Linx. Some of the most popular private jet models — the Bombardier Challenger 300 and 350, the Embraer Phenom 300, the Cessna Citation XLS+, and the Gulfstream G550 — cost between $9.5 million and $33 million brand new, Walker estimated. The cost fluctuates by model. But even when purchased used, many list for sale for eight figures. That's not including customization, which is "where things get fun," Walker said. See: Paris Hilton's "SlivAir," a Gulfstream G450 with a Barbie pink paint job and "That's Hot" written on a wing. "We've seen clients spend anywhere from a few hundred thousand to several million on customizations," Walker said, who compared it to "building a luxury home." Interior upgrades like custom cabinetry and headrests imprinted with logos start at about $65,000. Premium woodwork and Hermès leather seats can exceed $1 million. WiFi from Starlink or L5 can cost between $120,000 and $450,000. A private jet can cost more than $1 million a year to run Once a jet is delivered, the costs of operating it start to add up. Leona Qi, the president of the US division of charter firm VistaJet, estimated that it typically costs more than $1 million a year to run a single jet. Members of a private jet's crew — at least two pilots, sometimes an air host — are typically considered full-time employees. Each can earn between $150,000 and $400,000 a year. They also have to be properly certified, trained, and insured, at the owner's cost. While some jet maintenance is scheduled — much like a car's, it's based on mileage and crew — unexpected fixes can leave an unlucky owner seven figures in the red in a bad year. An engine overhaul, for example, can cost as much as $1.5 million per engine, Walker estimated (and most jets have two). Then there's a hangar. A parking spot in New York or Miami can cost as much as $450,000 a year, significantly more than one in smaller cities like Omaha or St. Louis. Fuel can make up about one-third of all ownership costs, Walker said. And most private jet owners hire a company to manage it all. Jet Linx said it charges between $7,000 and $12,000 a month for its management services. To charter or not to charter? That is the multimillion-dollar question. The expenses and headaches of owning a plane have some uber-wealthy turning to charter. Qi at the jet charter company said she doesn't think it makes financial sense to own an aircraft unless you fly more than 350 hours a year, want a completely personalized jet with a toothbrush and a set of fresh clothes on board, or need it at a moment's notice. Through charter companies like VistaJet, members can buy a certain number of flying hours a year, while fractional ownership firms like NetJets sell members a share in a specific aircraft. Even when money is no object, some of the wealthiest in the world choose to charter out of privacy concerns. Privately owned jets can be tracked by the public, while charter jets — whose passengers aren't revealed publicly — are much more discreet. "The group had a plane and we sold it," LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault said of his company's jet, speaking in 2022 on a French radio station. "The result now is that no one can see where I go because I rent planes when I use private planes." Others charter jets when they can't use their personal planes. As many as 50% of VistaJet's clients own their own jets but use VistaJet as a backup service when their aircraft is undergoing maintenance or is already in use, the company said. On the other hand, there are private jet owners who don't use their planes very often and charter them out to mitigate some of the costs associated with ownership. (They do something similar with their superyachts.) "Most people who are unfamiliar are surprised," Walker said. "They're like, 'Really, people with that much wealth and companies that are that big that make that much money care about offsetting half a million bucks?' And they do. They absolutely care about that." Well, they care, but not enough to forgo a plane altogether. Look at the infamously frugal Warren Buffett, who resisted a private jet for years. Once he splurged, there was no looking back. "Were I to die tomorrow, you could be sure Berkshire's earnings would increase by $1 million annually, since Charlie would immediately sell our corporate jet, The Indefensible (ignoring my wish that it be buried with me)," he wrote in Berkshire Hathaway's 1990 investor letter.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Yahoo
The Real Reason Why Airplane Windows Have Holes
Known as breather or bleed holes, these tiny holes help with cabin pressurization and keep the windows and Orville Wright—the brothers credited with piloting the first successful flight in history—had to feel the wind on their faces. Their modest aircraft, a wooden biplane made of spruce and ash covered by cotton muslin, was open to the outside air. Fortunately, their history-making flight in 1903 lasted just 12 seconds and barely reached 10 feet off the ground. Today's commercial planes spend most of their time at 30,000 feet (or more) where the temperature hovers around -40 degrees Fahrenheit, and temps as low as -70 degrees aren't unheard of. For that reason, we need insulated aircraft to keep from freezing to death. While we don't get the same killer views the Wright Brothers had in their open-air design, we can book a window seat. And if you've ever sat in one and noticed that the window has a tiny hole in the bottom of it, hopefully you didn't panic. It's not a manufacturing mistake. It's an intentional feature that serves two key purposes—and it even has a special name. 'Those little holes are called breather or bleed holes,' RD Johnson, vice president of safety at Jet Linx, tells Travel + Leisure. Airplane cabin windows aren't made of glass; they're typically made of three or four layers of plexiglass (which is a bit of a misnomer since it's actually a form of plastic) or stretched acrylic. There is one bleed hole per window, and it's usually found in the center at the bottom of the window. If you've ever placed your finger over the hole, you'll notice that no air comes in or out. That's because the hole doesn't go all the way to the outside—it's just in the center pane(s) between the inner and outer panes. In addition to flying long distances, planes cover a lot of ground in terms of altitude. After climbing, most commercial planes cruise at around six to seven miles above Earth before descending. As the altitude changes, so does the pressure. According to Brent Wouters, who got a master's degree in aerospace engineering before becoming CEO of Jet Linx, 'At different altitudes, the pressure differential between the air in the gap between the pressurized cabin (interior window) and the outside changes substantially.' Wouters tells T+L that these holes are necessary because they absorb the massive pressure differences. If the windows were hole-less, they'd be at a greater risk of cracking. In the event that a cabin window cracks, the hole ensures that the inner pane breaks last. Fortunately, airplane cabin windows seldom break. Aircraft mechanics routinely inspect windows, and if they show any signs of wear or tear that could be dangerous, they swap them out. Furthermore, if a window cracks or breaks mid-flight, cabin crew are trained to assess the situation and act accordingly. In 2024, an All Nippon Airways flight traveling in Japan had to return to its departure airport when a cockpit window cracked mid-flight. Still, a spokesperson for the airline issued a statement saying, "The crack was not something that affected the flight's control or pressurization." The secondary purpose breather or bleed holes serve is to keep windows clear. 'The hole allows moisture to evaporate,' explains Wouters. 'If it were sealed, moisture from condensation would accumulate, and the window would be useless.' So you can thank those tiny holes for keeping your bird's-eye view clear and condensation-free. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
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Travel + Leisure
16-06-2025
- Science
- Travel + Leisure
The Real Reason Why Airplane Windows Have Holes
Wilbur and Orville Wright—the brothers credited with piloting the first successful flight in history—had to feel the wind on their faces. Their modest aircraft, a wooden biplane made of spruce and ash covered by cotton muslin, was open to the outside air. Fortunately, their history-making flight in 1903 lasted just 12 seconds and barely reached 10 feet off the ground. Today's commercial planes spend most of their time at 30,000 feet (or more) where the temperature hovers around -40 degrees Fahrenheit, and temps as low as -70 degrees aren't unheard of. For that reason, we need insulated aircraft to keep from freezing to death. While we don't get the same killer views the Wright Brothers had in their open-air design, we can book a window seat. And if you've ever sat in one and noticed that the window has a tiny hole in the bottom of it, hopefully you didn't panic. It's not a manufacturing mistake. It's an intentional feature that serves two key purposes—and it even has a special name. 'Those little holes are called breather or bleed holes,' RD Johnson, vice president of safety at Jet Linx, tells Travel + Leisure . Airplane cabin windows aren't made of glass; they're typically made of three or four layers of plexiglass (which is a bit of a misnomer since it's actually a form of plastic) or stretched acrylic. There is one bleed hole per window, and it's usually found in the center at the bottom of the window. If you've ever placed your finger over the hole, you'll notice that no air comes in or out. That's because the hole doesn't go all the way to the outside—it's just in the center pane(s) between the inner and outer panes. In addition to flying long distances, planes cover a lot of ground in terms of altitude. After climbing, most commercial planes cruise at around six to seven miles above Earth before descending. As the altitude changes, so does the pressure. According to Brent Wouters, who got a master's degree in aerospace engineering before becoming CEO of Jet Linx, 'At different altitudes, the pressure differential between the air in the gap between the pressurized cabin (interior window) and the outside changes substantially.' Wouters tells T+L that these holes are necessary because they absorb the massive pressure differences. If the windows were hole-less, they'd be at a greater risk of cracking. In the event that a cabin window cracks, the hole ensures that the inner pane breaks last. Fortunately, airplane cabin windows seldom break. Aircraft mechanics routinely inspect windows, and if they show any signs of wear or tear that could be dangerous, they swap them out. Furthermore, if a window cracks or breaks mid-flight, cabin crew are trained to assess the situation and act accordingly. In 2024, an All Nippon Airways flight traveling in Japan had to return to its departure airport when a cockpit window cracked mid-flight. Still, a spokesperson for the airline issued a statement saying, "The crack was not something that affected the flight's control or pressurization." The secondary purpose breather or bleed holes serve is to keep windows clear. 'The hole allows moisture to evaporate,' explains Wouters. 'If it were sealed, moisture from condensation would accumulate, and the window would be useless.' So you can thank those tiny holes for keeping your bird's-eye view clear and condensation-free.
Forbes
07-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Father's Day Gift Guide 2025: First-Class Experiences For Executives
getty The best Father's Day gifts aren't things—they're experiences. And for high-achieving dads who already have every gadget, bottle, and briefcase under the sun, what they really crave is time well spent, comfort maximized and stress minimized. Whether he's jetting between boardrooms, teeing off at a new course while doing deals, or simply trying to reclaim a rare weekend off the grid, there's no better way to celebrate dad than with a first-class experience tailored to his lifestyle. This curated collection is built for the executive who runs on efficiency and excellence. Think private aviation memberships that cut hours of friction from travel, yacht days that unwind the tension of the C-suite and high-tech services that make to-do lists disappear. Every item on this list is more than a gift—it's a value-added upgrade to his already full life. Sitzmann Photography For the executive dad who values his time as much as his comfort, Jet Linx offers a private aviation membership that makes flying private not just aspirational—but practical. With 20+ private terminals across the country, members skip TSA lines and flight delays while enjoying on-demand scheduling and personalized service. Whether it's a last-minute client meeting, a surprise weekend getaway, or just getting home for a family dinner, Jet Linx makes the journey seamless. Price: Membership pricing available upon request Michael Friberg + Taylor Strohmeyer/Omaha Productions For dads who travel often — and prefer to do it without the chaos—Ship&Play is the ultimate stress-buster. This premium luggage shipping service eliminates baggage claim, oversized rental cars and the mad airport dash, letting him breeze through the terminal unburdened. Bags are picked up from home and delivered directly to his hotel, resort, or rental, so he can walk onto the plane like a pro and arrive with everything already waiting. It's the kind of luxury that makes economy feel first class. Price: Varies by distance and luggage weight Daytrip For the executive dad who values both comfort and efficiency, Daytrip transforms long travel days into curated experiences. This global platform offers private, door-to-door car transfers with English-speaking drivers in over 130 countries—no rental cars, no crowded trains, no waiting around for a rideshare and no stress. What sets Daytrip apart? Travelers can add custom sightseeing stops along the way to turn a simple transfer into an unforgettable road trip. With full control over pickup times, routes, car types, and stop durations, it's a smarter, more luxurious way to explore a region without sacrificing convenience. Price: Varies by route and customization Restore Hyper Wellness Whether he's recovering from a hard workout, long-haul flight, or too many back-to-back meetings, gift dad cutting-edge treatments from Restore Hyper Wellness, a national wellness brand with more than 250 locations. The 'Ditch the Tie' lineup includes cryotherapy to reduce soreness and inflammation, red light therapy to accelerate muscle repair and nutrient-rich IV drips for energy and immunity support. Sessions are affordable, stackable, and can be scheduled on his time. Price: $25–$156 per session, depending on service HomeExchange Collection For the executive dad who loves good food but not the hassle of cooking or making reservations, Take a Chef brings fine dining home. In partnership with HomeExchange Collection, this global platform connects users with private chefs who craft custom menus and prepare meals in the comfort of their own kitchen. From intimate dinners to family celebrations, it's a five-star restaurant experience without leaving the house. Price: Varies by location and chef Five Iron Golf Whether Dad's a scratch golfer or just warming up to the sport, Five Iron Golf's Callaway Tour Fitting experience is a tailored way to upgrade his swing. Available at 34 locations nationwide, this premium custom fitting blends cutting-edge tech and pro coaching in a laid-back, club-free setting. For Father's Day, gift cards include up to $150 in bonus value, or opt for a $99 Swing Evaluation for a personalized improvement plan with instant feedback. It's a pro-level experience without the stuffy country club vibes. Price: Swing evaluation: $99; Gift cards: $50–$500 with bonus value ShipSticks If your dad loves to play golf while traveling, you know the drill: oversized bags, long waits, rental car gymnastics, and the looming fear of lost clubs. ShipSticks solves all of it. This premium shipping service delivers his golf gear directly to the course, resort or vacation rental—no schlepping required. Price: Gift cards available from $50–$500 Getmyboat Nothing says Father's Day like a day on the water—preferably with a captain, crew, and cold drink in hand. Getmyboat is the world's largest boat rental marketplace, offering easy access to luxury yacht charters in coastal cities and lakeside destinations across the U.S. Whether it's a private family cruise or a relaxing escape with friends, each charter includes all the perks of high-end yachting without the ownership hassle. Bookings are fully customizable, from route to catering. Price: Varies by location, yacht size, and duration Duckbill For the dad who manages teams, deadlines, and family life like a juggling act, Duckbill offers an ultra-modern personal assistant service that combines AI efficiency with real human execution. He simply submits tasks—like booking appointments, making reservations, or gift planning—via app, web, text, or email. The platform's AI (named Bill) handles the smart stuff, then passes it off to a human Copilot when it gets complex. It's time back in his day, without the friction. Price: Memberships start at $99/month SUPER If Dad's favorite artist is on tour this year, SUPER turns a regular night out into a backstage-level experience. This premium platform offers VIP concert packages with perks like meet-and-greets, exclusive merch, and behind-the-scenes access—all curated for top acts like Metallica, Josh Groban, and 311. Some packages even include rare collectibles, like a signed Stratocaster. Price: Varies by artist and package tier Slate Aviation Slate Aviation is redefining luxury air travel with its new shared-charter model—an elegant, cost-effective way to fly private without renting the entire jet. The $595 annual membership shaves $395 off each seat (up to four seats per flight), meaning the membership pays for itself in just two bookings. Onboard, the 18-seat aircraft feels more like a boutique hotel lounge: nearly 50 inches of legroom, gourmet dining, high-speed Wi-Fi, and service by trained attendants. Flights currently operate from NYC to popular hubs like Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, with more destinations coming in 2025. Price: $595/year for membership; per-seat flights range $1,800–$2,500
Forbes
30-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Private Jet Guaranteed Rate Jet Cards Are Back And So Are The Deals
Remember when private jet flight providers shut off their jet card programs for new members – Sentient Jet, Jet Linx, Jet Aviation, Flexjet, Airshare, Dreamline, and so forth? While Wheels Up and VistaJet never stopped selling their versions of jet card programs that guarantee availability and hourly rates, each put restrictions on flying during your first 90 days. In the case of the industry behemoth NetJets, which has the world's largest private jet fleet, it has also stopped renewals for its current customers. Other jet card sellers just gave up trying to live up to guarantees on prices and availability. They returned funds to members and put their programs on hiatus. When you called a broker – if you got a callback, prices were sky high, and available aircraft were vintage 1990s. Those days of 2021 and 2022 are now firmly in the rearview mirror. New players are entering the jet card segment while existing players are expanding their offerings ... More and rolling back the number of restrictive peak days. While there are no official numbers on the number of jet card members, the number of jet cards sold, or even flight hours—jet card flying is a former of charter—the debit-card-like flight product invented by Sentient back in 1999—programs are once again proliferating. So are jet card deals—think free first flights, waiving membership fees, flight credits, and free hours. The jet cards, which fill the wide gap between chartering trip by trip and the commitment of fractional ownership (generally at least 50 hours per year and a five-year commitment), could also benefit from economic uncertainty and tariffs. Especially telling is the addition of new players offering fixed and capped rate jet cards that guarantee availability. Most rate guarantees last at least 12 months, so it means the flight providers are confident they can cover the cost of flying you and still make a margin. Current providers are easing restrictions they implemented during the Covid era when demand outstripped supply. At the same time, flight providers are protecting themselves with fine print. More jet card contracts have clauses that enable fuel surcharges (added after the Russian invasion of Ukraine) and special events fees (which can reach five figures for F1, Kentucky Derby, etc.). Other changes include what's covered. Sellers increasingly limit the amount they will pay for recovery flights, a traditional jet card benefit. Unlike ad hoc charter, jet cards typically provide a replacement aircraft at your original contracted price when the aircraft assigned to you has a mechanical issue. Requotes, as they are called, can mean a price increase of as much as 50%. You can pay and fly or get a refund, but then you still have to figure out how you will get where you are going. For new flyers who are used to being rebooked by airlines, the idea of paying more for a delay that they had nothing to do with is often an unpleasant welcome to the expenses associated with an already expensive form of transportation. Still, the jet cards are getting more flexible, with fewer peak days and lower daily minimums. Peak days are dates when you must book farther in advance; cancelations are more restrictive; there are often surcharges and flight providers can shift your confirmed departure time by as much as four hours in either direction. According to Private Jet Card Comparisons, the average number of peak days dropped to 35.4 days at the end of Q1 2025, down from 44.6 days at the end of 2024. It is also down from 55.7 high-demand days at the end of 2022. Daily minimums are the flight time you pay even if you fly less in a single day. They are back to 2019 levels. Large operators have been particularly active of late. NetJets, the industry's biggest player, has been inching back into the jet card segment over the past two years and now offers nearly a dozen different options, although they all have at least 90 peak or blackout dates. Others have been jumping in. Jetvia, a large Lear 60 operator, launched a jet card last year. Airshare expanded its jet card program nationwide. Fly Alliance reduced callouts—the minimum advance booking window to get your guaranteed rates—to just eight hours. It also reduced peak days by half. Last week, it announced a new Citation Reserve program for the XLS Next Gen, Latitude, and Longitude in partnership with Thrive Aviation. Fly Alliance will sell the program. The two operators' Textron Aviation fleets will provide aircraft. Jet Linx, another larger player, cut membership fees and now guarantees Wi-Fi for super-midsize and large cabin aircraft. PlaneSense, which traditionally adhered to fractional ownership, launched jet cards on its Pilatus PC-24 and PC-12 fleets. However, you must use your 25 hours within 12 months. Northern Jet, which had only offered a midsize jet card option in the past, now offers guaranteed access and rates on light jets and super-midsize airplanes after merging with SpeedBird in 2023. SpeedBird didn't have a jet card program. Tradewind Aviation has expanded beyond the Caribbean and Northeast U.S. to Florida and the Bahamas, bringing its turboprop jet card along. Ventura Air Services launched its first jet card last year, a regional program for flyers east of the Mississippi River. Brokers are jumping in as well. FlyUSA, Bitlux, Jet365, Principal Aviation, and Porter Jets have each debuted jet cards that offer guaranteed availability and pricing. a longtime player, cut peak days earlier this month and reduced daily minimums as part of a rebranding. Magellan Jets, an established provider, has a first-flight free promotion running through the end of May. OneFlight International, know for its BAJIT televesions commercials, is offering a limited number of large cabin jet cards priced at $10,000 per hour. According to Private Jet Card Comparisons the industry average was $15,197 per hour at the end of Q1. This month, BC Flight, a boutique broker, offered five hours free when you buy 25 hours under a "Take 5" promotion. Outlier Jets gave jet card buyers a $7,295 Ryvid e-motorcycle during the holidays. Others are joining but without the guarantees. Monarch Air Group launched its first formal membership. However, it uses dynamic pricing, where flights are priced trip-by-trip. Stratos Jets, which offers a wholesale pricing membership, cut the markup in a recent promotion. Of course, the jet card deals come with risks. Both Volato and Verijet, two previously ranked top 20 operators, are facing litigation from former members who allege they paid but didn't receive their flights.
