Flying has become such a nightmare that I am considering a teleportation device. Between airport security, the luggage fees and arriving almost three hours before a flight I don’t think I can take it any longer. I don’t fly that much so it’s somewhat bearable but for the jet setter who is constantly on a plane it can become annoying and make flying very unpleasant. With that in mind its time to consider other options outside of the commercial realm. I mean why fly into LaGuardia when you can land at Teterboro? When it comes to flying private there are four major options: buying a plane, fractional ownership/jet cards, charter, and of course a ride from a buddy who has a plane.

Buying a plane

Buying a plane is very costly and is only reserved for the top earners. Chances are if you make less than $15 million a year you do not qualify. The average private jet cost roughly $20 million. Another $5-$10 million goes in to finishing the plane to the buyers preference.The possibilities are endless and your options limitless. When it comes to outfitting a plane the designers must meet the buyers every need, lots of attention is paid to the smallest detail. The private jet owner is likely to use a firm such as Associate Air Center in Dallas,TX that specializes in jet fittings. Some uber rich clients may opt to call Donetella Versace and ask her for advice on details such as carpet, china patterns or even master bedroom decor. In her latest venture Donetella Versace has taken on outfitting the most luxurious private vessels from Helicopters for the Hedge Funds manager to Lear Jets for the Arabian Prince.

Fractional Ownership and Jet Cards

Fractional ownership is my favorite because the plane is not wholly owned by one person, which means you save on landing, storage, and pilot fees. When you purchase a fraction of a plane you are technically buying a piece of the plane for that time block i.e. 50 hours for $419,000 with a 2-year commitment. If you sign up to use a Citation V then that’s that plane you are allowed to use every time you travel, of course upgrades and downgrades are available upon approval. One of the best companies that sell fractional ownership/Jet cards is Marquis Jet operated by NetJets. Owned by Berkshire Hathaway, NetJets sells its time cards in 25-hour increments starting at $126,900 plus taxes and fees. The card is very simple; the length of the flight is simply deducted from your account. A trip to LA from Miami will set you back six hours. The time starts at wheel up and ends at wheel down, so you don’t pay while the plane is waiting or taxiing.

Private Charter

Private charter is the second least expensive option when it comes to flying private, the first being bumming a ride from a friend. Companies such as Halcyon Jets are great to use when chartering a flight as they serve as a broker negotiating prices, fees, and plane selection as well as managing itineraries and ground transportation. To keep the cost of chartering a flight down I recommend making it a group trip at least for the plane ride. A trip from Miami to LA is a little under $10,000 shared between a group of eight that’s an average of $1250 per person, which is what a first class ticket would cost anyway. Instead you get to show up 30 minutes or less before your flight, get on the plane, land and have your car waiting on the tarmac. Which means you get to skip the greasy guy swabbing your luggage for god knows what, take off your shoes, get air blown in your face, sit next to some stranger that wants to snuggle with you when he falls asleep, wait to get off the plane, walk a mile, wait for your luggage and finally get out of the airport.

A Free Ride

I know a free ride is a free ride but things change when the ride is costing $20,000 in fuel alone. If a friend offers you a ride on their private jet please take into consideration that they may either want to be entertained or be left alone. Also a thank you will simply not suffice instead offer to pay for the catering it doesn’t have to be from Wolfgang Puck, just make sure the plane is stocked with more than enough snacks to last the plane ride. Always remember to be courteous, its their plane and always remember to keep them feeling that way.