Posted by Rachel Dixon on Sat, May 29, 2010 @ 10:30 PM
On January 12th, the island of Haiti experienced a massive earthquake with devastating consequences. Many people, organizations and businesses rallied from all over the world to come to the aid of vulnerable Haitians. The problems in Haiti were complicated due to the difficulties of getting aid to those who needed it most. Boat transport was too slow and air transport was very expensive. Many of the airports had been damaged.
Recognizing the extreme need in Haiti, many aviation businesses volunteered time, flights, and other aviation related services. The National Business Aviation Association reports that hundreds of plane owners, operators and pilots contacted the NBAA and colleagues to coordinate relief efforts. They estimate that in the first five days after the airport in Port-au-Prince was reopened to humanitarian flights, approximately 100 flights bringing relief came from the United States. In another two days, this number increased to 330, with about half of the requests to land coming from civilian aircraft.
The National Business Aviation Association played such a significant role in the Haiti relief efforts that their work has been recognized in Congress by both the House and the Senate. Business aviation participants organized the transport of cargo, supplies and medical relief to the areas most in need.
The NBAA has continued to advocate the role of the business aviation community in Haiti earthquake relief. NBAA members continue to fly relief missions to Haiti and other areas in crisis.
Posted by Rachel Dixon on Sat, May 29, 2010 @ 08:58 PM
There are countless advantages to flying on a private jet. The entire experience is specifically tailed to you and your needs. Traveling with pets is one example of how private jets simplify traveling, saving you time and trouble. 
Think how great it would be if you could bring your animal companion with you on your skiing trip to Aspen or to your vacation home. Unlike commercial airline passengers who must submit all kinds of paperwork and sedate their pet in order to place it in the cargo bay, when you fly on your private jet, you can simply bring your dog along.
Private jet travelers can easily bring their dogs, cats, or fish (no fluid restrictions) on the plane. Dogs and cats have plenty of room to sit or lay quietly, and don't need to spend the trip in a traumatic and confining cage in the cargo bay. Even better, your pet will be treated to the same luxury and service standards you are, with fresh water and comfortable accommodations.
True pet lovers can even take it one step further by having food available on board. Did you book yourself an in-flight massage? Why not book one for your animal companion as well?
Posted by Rachel Dixon on Tue, May 25, 2010 @ 02:47 PM
The list of benefits to private jet travel is long and plentiful. The last three months have provided two examples that have caused unrelenting disruption to commercial airline passengers from March through May.
Iceland's volcano:
Eyjafjallajokul Volcano in Iceland erupted in March 2010, and, for most travelers, the consequences of that eruption are still being felt. The massive cloud of volcanic ash given off by the eruption clouded the skies and grounded all European commercial airlines for days, leading to weeks of disruptions for all commercial travelers.
Despite the inability of commercial airlines to fly, private jets were still able to fly without a problem. So, while travelers using commercial airlines were stranded, some for over a week, at the airport waiting for a flight, private jet travelers arrived at their destination on time, as expected.
Recent labor strikes:
Commercial airlines are often heavily unionized, which means that labor strikes can and do occur on a semi-regular basis. Right now, British Airways cabin crews are striking because of wage disagreements. They have selected to strike during the busiest travel season for Europe, and may jeopardize many people's plans to travel to South Africa for the World Cup. Spirit Airlines in the United States is also staging a similar strike this summer. Airline unions wait until the busiest seasons to go on strike because it has the biggest ramifications on travelers and the employing company. This means that all the innocent commercial airline travelers trying to make it to home for Christmas or to their long-planned summer vacation often are unable to get to their destination at all due to labor strikes.
Private jet charter clients know that the flight they booked is theirs and won't leave the runway without them. They know that they will arrive at the World Cup exactly as planned because the personalized service of private jet charter companies guarantees it. Business executives take comfort in the confidence that they will be home in time for dinner, without the long, grueling, uncertain journey that flying commercially has become.
Posted by Rachel Dixon on Tue, May 18, 2010 @ 08:37 PM
As most people familiar with the aviation industry know, fractional jet ownership programs are steadily on the decline. This is because fractional jet ownerships are inefficient and a bad investment. The other reason is because they are being pushed out by the future of private jet travel for frequent fliers: jet cards.
A jet card is a prepaid debit card that is bought in 25-hour increments. Participants in jet card programs can book a flight on a jet anytime, anywhere, with very little advance notice. Even more convenient, clients have already paid so they don't have to take the time to go to the bank, wire the money and sign the paperwork.
What really makes jet card programs so desirable? Fixed rates. It costs the same amount per hour to fly from Seattle to Houston as it does from Los Angeles to New York, or anywhere else. For clients that fly to multiple destinations in the US regularly, this can mean huge savings, sometimes thousands of dollars. It also means being reassured that the fee is always the same - no surprises. Programs like the Jet Card 2.0TM program from JetHub take it one step farther by including fuel in the hourly rate. Many private jet charter companies use fuel as a way to make extra money on flights, sometimes charging clients up to $10,000 per year in inflated fuel costs.
In sum, a jet card program is:
• A smarter financial investment than fractional jet ownership - no inflation, no depreciation of assets, and planes are always available when clients need them. No blackout days.
• Cheaper than booking flight-by-flight for long trips. A fixed hourly rate saves bi-coastal travelers (think Los Angeles-New York) thousands of dollars per year.
• Money saved on fuel costs. With fuel built into the price, there are no surprise costs outside of what was already paid.
• No surprises and no waiting. Clients pay in advance and fly whenever they want, wherever they want, without any hassle.
Now is an especially good time to purchase a jet card. JetHub, a private jet charter company based in Arizona, is offering a promotional special on the Jet Card 2.0TM. Buy 25 hours and get 5 hours free with your first purchase. Save over $21,000!
Posted by Rachel Dixon on Sat, May 15, 2010 @ 12:52 AM
Fractional jet ownership has been a popular mode of affordable private jet travel since its inception in the mid-80s. Recently, however, smart travelers are making the switch to private jet charter services for their travel needs. While both options afford the benefits of time-savings, flexibility, luxury, and convenience, private jet charter is a more reasonable and usually more convenient alternative.
More people are now realizing that fractional jet ownership is one of the most costly ways to enjoy the luxury of traveling about in a private jet without buying one outright. Although not as expensive as jet ownership, partial jet ownership still passes along the cost of owning, operating, and maintaining a jet aircraft along to its owners. Partial owners are charged whether or not they fly, and many owners for one jet can create a nightmare of conflicts, especially on common traveling holidays like Thanksgiving. In these instances, some partial jet owners end up on private jet charter flights anyway due to a lack of capacity in the partially owned fleet. This introduces unnecessary hassle and overhead, and makes fractional jet companies less efficient and less able to handle the needs of passengers.
When travelers are in a position where they need or prefer a private jet for their air travel, the typical 5-year minimum commitments for partial ownership and minimum number of flight hours are off-putting to some. Private jet charter is quickly becoming the preferred method of aviation for those looking for convenience, reliability, and money savings without being locked into a specific aircraft. Private jet passengers want to be able to specify when, where, and how they travel without being locked into a particular aircraft and without having to work around others' schedules, and the private jet charter industry is an affordable option to cater to these passengers' specific needs.
Posted by Rachel Dixon on Sun, Apr 18, 2010 @ 04:54 AM
The new Cessna Citation CJ4 is part of the Citation line of business jets by Cessna. The Citation CJ4 is now the biggest in this group of jets and promises noticeable performance and safety improvements. In addition to standard equipment, the CJ4 offers several upgraded features. The specifications for the new Cessna are:
- Takeoff distance of 1,130 ft at maximum weight
- Landing distance of 2,700 ft
- Can reach 45,000 ft in 28 minutes
- Flies up to 453 knots
- Range just over 2,000 nautical miles
- Four-screen Collins Pro Line Avionics suite
- Electronic charts and graphical weather
- TCAS II
- Emergency Descent Mode
- EGPWS Class A Taws
- Multi-scan weather radar
- ADS-B Out capability
- Essential electrical bus
The aircraft will also debut the new electronically-controlled engines, the
Williams International FJ44-4A
engine, that the FAA also approved only recently. These engines perform significantly better than others in the same class due to improved technology. It allows business jets to takeoff and land on shorter runways typically used by turboprops only. The FJ44-4 engine has the best thrust to weight ratio in its class, allowing it to be incredibly fuel efficient.
The newest member of the Citation line will retail for approximately $9 million per jet and deliveries will begin later this year.
Posted by Rachel Dixon on Tue, Apr 06, 2010 @ 12:10 AM
NBAA and businesses in the aviation industry are praising Scottsdale council members for a decision that allows more aircraft to fly in and out of the Scottsdale Airport. By increasing the weight limit for aircraft allowed to takeoff and land at the airport, they are helping grow the Scottsdale aviation industry. Allowing heavier planes will attract more aviation business to Scottsdale and hopefully create more jobs in Arizona in the aviation industry. The decision raised the weight limit from 75,000 to 100,000 pounds.
The decision was approved unanimously after a long campaign from Arizona-based aviation business, as well as multinational corporations wanting to do business through the Scottsdale Airport. The Arizona Business Aviation Association (AZBAA) spearheaded the campaign, using letter writing, community mobilization and advocating directly with Scottsdale city council members.
The decision to raise the aircraft weight limit at the Scottsdale Airport is expected to boost the Scottsdale economy. There are a number of businesses in the aviation industry that wanted this decision because they want to do business in Scottsdale but were unable to due to the restrictions of the previous weight limit. In addition to the expected increase in business, there will also be a increase in tax revenue. This decision comes at no cost to the city and will likely increase the number of jobs available, grow the aviation business presence in Scottsdale and make life much easier for the aviation businesses already present in Scottsdale.
It's a win-win for aviation businesses and for the city of Scottsdale. Scottsdale hopes that more businesses in the aviation industry will come to see Scottsdale, Arizona as a destination for international businesses. The NBAA has publicly praised the Scottsdale city council on its decision and JetHub is eagerly looking forward to helping develop the aviation industry presence in our hometown.
Posted by Rachel Dixon on Wed, Mar 31, 2010 @ 12:28 AM
In 2009, JetHub was such a hit with consumers that we more than doubled our revenue from our first year of business in 2008. Bursting onto the scene with passion and vision during a time when many private jet brokers were closing their doors, JetHub has proven that a strong emphasis on
client satisfaction, competitive pricing and safety is a winning combination.
JetHub's vision means providing 24 hour a day, 7 days a week service to clients. Designated charter advisors attend to every detail of a trip from the time the client steps out their door until they return home. This allows clients to save time and energy, letting them focus on what matters. Charter advisors reserve car services, organize catering, make dinner and hotel reservations and whatever else the client requires.
JetHub expanded from only a small handful of luxury charter advisors, hiring several more in 2009. By 2010, JetHub anticipates so much new growth that we intend to continue expanding our number in order to provide the same attentive, consistent luxury concierge services to JetHub clientele. JetHub also made such an impression on jet operators with our reliable business practices and fair dealings that JetHub now has access to the largest network of private jets in the United States. Our positive relationships with jet operators allow us to consistently offer the lowest prices available for private flights. With as little as four hours notice, JetHub can provide a quote for the lowest price, book a trip and have you in the air and on your way to your destination.
2009 was an exciting year for JetHub, but 2010 will be even better. With several new promotions coming up to inform clients about our innovative take on jet card programs - the JetCard 2.0TM and plenty of ideas for ways to improve private charter services for clients and operators, JetHub has a lot to look forward to.
Posted by Kevin Lippert on Wed, Oct 28, 2009 @ 06:37 AM
- When looking for the best service and overall peace of mind for your next charter flight, try creating a relationship with a charter broker. Broker's are not biased on using aircraft in their fleet, mainly because they do not have a fleet. Brokers take all request from their clients to the open market where charter operators bid on the specific trip. This huge marketplace enables the broker to have visibility of all available aircraft and locate the perfect fit for your charter flight.
- Industry relationships are very important in the small community of private jet chartering. A charter flight broker normally has an established relationship with the highest rated and safest operators in the industry. The main focus of the broker should be to find the right aircraft that is operated by the best rated company. Most companies are rated by one of two firms, ARG/US or Wyvern/PASS. Both of these ratings provide a complete look into the safety record, insurance and pilot type ratings. These reports can be supplied to the client on every trip, be sure to ask your private jet charter broker for this information.
- Charter flights don't end with finding the right aircraft for the mission. There is catering, ground transportation and any number of special request, all of which a charter broker is able to arrange for the client. A broker can be looked at as your personal flight department. The professional manner in which most broker's conduct business is focused on one thing; provide their clients' service that is Beyond Safety...Luxury...Expectation.
Posted by Kevin Lippert on Thu, Oct 22, 2009 @ 11:12 AM
Orlando, FL, October 22, 2009 - The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today announced that $168,000 was raised at the NBAA/CAN Charity Benefit at the 62nd Annual Meeting & Convention in Orlando, FL, with the proceeds going to Corporate Angel Network (CAN).
"We are truly delighted that we were able to help raise so much for such a worthy cause, and we are most appreciative to those who gave so generously," said Ed Bolen, NBAA president and CEO.
Based in White Plains, NY, CAN is the only charitable organization in the United States whose sole mission is to ease the emotional stress, physical discomfort and financial burden of travel for cancer patients by arranging free flights to treatment centers, using the empty seats on business aircraft.
Kathleen Blouin, NBAA senior vice president of conventions, seminars & forums, said the benefit would not have been possible without the efforts of Auction Committee members who organized the fund-raising Live and Silent Auctions for the event. Specifically, she pointed to the effective work done by CAN Executive Director Peter Fleiss, North American Communications President and NBAA Director Mike Herman, Flying Publisher Dick Koenig and Aviation International News Publisher Wilson Leach.
"We thank everyone involved with the benefit, and we are pleased that we were able to support the life-saving missions CAN provides," Bolen added. "We look forward to continuing to support CAN's work through our NBAA/CAN Charity Benefit and other initiatives."
For more information about CAN, or to make a direct donation, visit www.corpangelnetwork.org.