With so many options for private air travel on the market, it can often be difficult to understand the nuances of each available program. Fractional aircraft ownership and jet cards are just two of the programs you may come across, each very different from the other.
Investment vs Low Commitment
For some, purchasing a private flight option is about convenience and flexibility. Whether you buy a jet card or fractional jet share, you will have on-demand access to private flights. Jet cards are typically best for those who travel infrequently. Fractional ownership offers a greater advantage to those needing to fly more than 25 hours a year.
When you buy a jet card, you are choosing a dollar amount for a fixed number of hours. As you fly, those hours or the cost of your flights are deducted from the card. Once the hours or amount on the card have been used, the relationship between the card holder and company is complete.
Buying a fractional share is essentially purchasing a portion of the plane. Whether it is a one-eighth or one-sixteenth share, as a fractional jet owner you will get a set number of hours annually for your private use. But because you are purchasing a tangible asset, your fractional jet share has certain tax advantages and you have the ability to take advantage of bonus depreciation if you will be flying for business.
Fractional Jet Shares for Frequent Fliers
People who plan to spend 25 hours a year or more flying will benefit greatly from a fractional jet share and the benefits that come with it. First is the dependability in cost. The PlaneSense® fractional jet program includes fixed hourly rates for flights, giving owners a reliable estimate for annual costs. Unlike jet cards, the PlaneSense® program never increases rates for flying during peak travel periods and there are no blackout dates.
Fractional jet programs offer a great option between jet cards and the significant cost of whole aircraft ownership because it gives owners more hours to work with and availability on short notice. A fractional program will also handle the responsibilities of ownership including maintenance, hangaring, and operations.
Jet Cards: Read the Fine Print
When you review any jet card program, it’s important to know more than just the cost of the card. Be sure to ask the following before making your decision:
- Are their blackout dates?
- Does the hourly rate fluctuate with high demand?
- How will the flight time be documented, including while taxiing?
- How are pilots selected and trained?
- Will the aircraft be able to access the airports I need to reach?
- How old is the aircraft?
- What is the quality of aircraft maintenance?
- Will there be WiFi available in flight?
- What type of aircraft will I have access too?
- Do I have to be on the flight or can I share it with colleagues?
- Can I bring my dog?
With so many variables, it is important to have a clear picture of what you need before spending six figures or more on a jet card that doesn’t meet all your requirements.
Fractional Jet Shares for the Right Kind of Aircraft
Depending on the type of jet card, you may be limited on the type of aircraft you can book, or the kind of aircraft available may not be the best choice to meet your needs. When you purchase a fractional jet share, you are investing in a portion of an aircraft and getting use of a fleet of those specific aircraft. For example, the PlaneSense® fractional jet program offers the state-of-the-art Pilatus PC-24 jet, which has the ability to get in and out of airports both large and small with ease.
Fractional Programs Offer Ample Options and Dependability
Fractional jet programs have remained an ideal solution because of the cost-effective long-term benefits and dependability they can offer owners. Investing in a fractional jet share through a long-stranding company, such as PlaneSense, means you are getting a reliable team of trained pilots, experienced mechanics, and flight operations specialist who not only set up the time and location of your departure, but also get to know you and your personal preferences.
Which flight solution is right for you? The CobaltPass jet card and PlaneSense fractional program each offer something different for private flyers. Contact us today to learn more!
