The first airplane was invented in 1903. Airplanes have evolved since then and today, they are indispensable. People use them every day to travel to faraway places in a short period.
Flying private has many more benefits compared to flying with commercial airlines. But there are certain things you should know before you fly on a private jet. But where should you start?
Keep reading and learn more about it with this guide to flying private to Napa Valley.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT JET SIZE
Many people think that all private jets are the same, but this is not true. Private plane options come in many different sizes. It is important to be familiar with these different size options when choosing your next private jet charter.
Some of the smallest private jets you can charter are Cessna planes. These planes are very light and compact, but this does not mean that they are uncomfortable. There is still plenty of room inside and there are many amenities to enjoy.
The average Cessna jet will have space for around 8 people along with a pilot. But some models may be smaller and may fit around 5 passengers. Turboprop planes are very similar and can be recognized by their propellers.
There should also be plenty of space for each person to have a piece of luggage with them. If you’re going for a day trip, it would be easy to pack several golfing bags or sets of skis with you.
These little planes can take you places in a very short period. This jet also has WiFi, so you can stay connected when you’re hundreds of feet in the air. Smaller planes are best if you don’t have to travel long distances.
But what if you want to travel farther? And what if you want to bring more than 8 people with you? You will then have to size up.
The next step up from a Cessna or Turboprop is a light jet. Light jets are faster and larger. They fit 8 or more people in most cases.
They are also more luxurious. They have all the same amenities as a Cessna and sometimes more. There should be a WiFi connection and a lavatory that you can use at your convenience.
The Details
Light jets are known for their speed. They can take you anywhere you want to go in a flash. They also ride very smoothly through the air.
The ride will be so comfortable that you might forget you’re in the air. Light jets also have larger baggage capacity compared to your average Cessna or Turboprop. This is ideal if you plan on bringing a lot of luggage with you.
Light jets are great for bringing your business partners to play a game of golf. They are also ideal if you want to bring your friends and family with you on your next big trip. But what if you need something bigger than a light jet?
The next step up is a heavy jet. Heavy jets are great because they can travel long distances. This is not true of light jets and Cessnas which can only travel so far.
Heavy jets are also very fast and smooth. They can hold around 13 passengers along with a pilot or two. Heavy jets can easily travel more than 3,000 miles.
This is perfect if you need to fly across the country in a flash. These jets can also hold more luggage than any other private jet option. Most people don’t need the vast amenities that heavy jets have, but they can come in handy on occasion.
You might need to fly out your business team or a group of friends for an important occasion. A heavy jet is a great way to do this if you need to transport a large group of people a long way away.
WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM YOUR PRIVATE JET?
It is important to consider what you want to spend your hard-earned money on when booking a private jet. There are many private airline options to choose from when flying to Napa Valley. Some amenities may be necessary for you while others you could do without.
Different jet models have different purposes. Some jets prioritize speed. These jets may be smaller and more streamlined, but they can get you where you need to go in a flash.
This is ideal if you need to arrive at an event or meeting without skipping a beat. It is also great for spontaneous trips. But other jets are better for housing larger groups of people.
Suppose you want to bring a whole group of friends with you on a golf trip. You can’t do this if you choose a jet that houses 4 or 5 people. You’ll instead need to find a jet that will hold 8 or more passengers.
These jets prioritize comfort for all of your passengers. This ensures that you and your guests will be comfortable during the flight. These jets are often spacious inside so everyone has room to spread out.
The main downside that smaller jets have is that they have short ceilings. These ceilings are under 5 feet. This can be uncomfortable for taller passengers.
But this shouldn’t be a problem when you’re sitting down most of the time. You also need to think about where you’re going.
Napa Valley is a simple place to travel. There are long runways that can accommodate large and small jets alike. But you’ll have to be more careful when traveling to islands and other locations with small runways.
Shorter runways won’t accommodate large jets. You’ll instead have to opt for a smaller jet.
What You Need to Know
Don’t forget about connectivity either.
Most private jets have a WiFi connection. But some have better connections than others. It is important to consider how necessary the WiFi connection is for you.
Do you want it out of convenience so you can entertain yourself in the air? Or do you need it for work? If it is work-related, you’ll want to ensure that the WiFi connection is strong and reliable.
This will keep your work from being interrupted in the middle of the flight. You can talk with your privet jet provider about this.
There are many WiFi options to choose from.
It shouldn’t be too difficult to choose the right one. You should consider if you want special service on the plane too. Most private jets do not have flight attendants or fine dining.
This is especially true for smaller jets like light jets and Turboprops. But heavy jets may have the option to hire flight attendants. This makes the experience more comfortable and luxurious.
It also makes it easier to serve a large group of guests.
WHO AND WHAT WILL BE TRAVELING WITH YOU?
Consider what kind of trip you plan to take. If it is a golf trip, you’ll need to bring plenty of golf equipment with you. You and your friends might have several bags full of golf clubs and other equipment.
Many small jets like Cessnas and Turboprops can handle this. If a jet can house 5 passengers, it should also have room for luggage from each passenger. This makes it easy to get to where you need to go without being cramped inside the plane.
But small planes may not always have the space that you need. Suppose you want to take 13 people out for a golf outing. A small plane like a Turboprop will never fit so many people and their luggage.
You won’t have a choice but to choose a much larger jet like a heavy jet. This jet should comfortably fit so many people and their luggage. A large jet like that can keep everyone’s luggage packed away and out of the way.
This ensures that the flight and the space inside the jet remain comfortable. But there are limitations you need to think about. What if your passengers have oversized luggage?
What if that luggage can’t fit inside the designated compartments? If you are unsure about what can or can’t fit on your flight, it is best to size up. A heavy jet can fit anything and everything.
What to Know
Think about what kind of people will be traveling with you too. What if there is someone in a wheelchair? Can the jet accommodate this disability?
Most small jets may not have the amenities to fit someone in a wheelchair. You may have to upgrade to a larger jet. And what if someone wants to bring their dog?
Not all private jets accept pets. But some do. You may have to do some extra research to see which private jets will accept your pets.
Otherwise, you may have to leave your furry friend at home. It is important to think about all these factors ahead of time. This will make it much easier to book the right private jet when the time comes.
This will ensure that your flight will be as comfortable and effortless as possible.
WHAT ABOUT THE COST?
Some people get so caught up in other factors that they forget about the cost of flying private. The cost of flying private will vary according to a variety of things. The main cost will come from the size of the jet you are chartering.
Suppose you want to charter a small jet like a Cessna or Turbojet. Small jets are on the cheaper side. This is because they do not use as much jet fuel.
Jet fuel is very expensive. The more you use or the farther you need to fly, the more expensive your trip will be. Smaller jets also don’t have as many amenities as larger jets.
They may have the basics such as WiFi and a lavatory. A small jet is a good option if you don’t need anything extravagant for your next trip. It is ideal for getting you and a few passengers to where you need to go.
But if you need something more than a small jet, you’ll need to pay more. Light jets are more expensive than Cessnas because they are larger. They can also fly farther which requires more jet fuel.
What Else Should You Consider?
Some light jets also have extra amenities like TV screens and so on. But the extra cost may be worth it if you want to bring more people and luggage with you. The most expensive jets are heavy jets.
This makes sense since they are the most well-equipped and use the most jet fuel. They can also fly longer distances compared to smaller jets. Not everyone can afford a heavy jet.
Not everyone needs a heavy jet either. Heavy jets are usually used by people bringing a group of business partners, friends, or family to a faraway location. Most people don’t need so much space when flying private.
But it is important to consider these different cost options. The cost of the flight will also vary according to how far you’re flying. It may also cost more if you want any extra amenities.
Calculate all of this and see how it fits into your budget. This will help you make the right decision.
ALL ABOUT FLYING PRIVATE TO NAPA VALLEY
Flying private to Napa Valley is a big and exciting move to make. There are many private jet options you can choose from. It is important to choose the right one so you can fly in comfort and style with your guests.
To learn more about flying private, check out our amazing fleet of private jets.