LONDON — While you may assume the majority of private jet customers are celebrities and the super-rich, this isn't the case, according to new data.
The Private Jet Charter Trends Report from private jet charter PrivateFly shows that A-list celebrities and super-rich clients make up a minority of flyers, while most are successful business owners, families, or groups looking for a better travel experience.
The quarterly report also showed that from October to December 2016 the most enquired about route was London to Paris — a flight that can cost an average of £3,500 ($4,300) on board the most frequently flown jet, the small, four-seater "air taxi" style Cessna Citation Mustang.
London was also the most popular destination to fly to, followed by Paris and Zurich.
Adam Twidell, CEO of PrivateFly, said: "It goes without saying that today’s private jet customer is driven by the time-saving and convenience of private air travel which, while more expensive than airline travel, is not only for oligarchs, celebrities or the super-rich travelling in large and lavish jets.
"These high-spending clients exist of course, but they are a small minority. The critical mass of private jet users are successful business owners or families happy to pay a premium for a better travel experience. And with the entry-level end of the private jet market becoming increasingly competitive, this is likely to become even more apparent in 2017."
The report is based on customer bookings, enquiries, and flight searches through PrivateFly.
It showed that 57% of customers book their flight only one week — or less — before travelling, and revealed the demographic of the typical private jet customer: A 41-year-old male (71% of customers are male).
"There’s a lot of guesswork and many stereotypes surrounding who flies by private jet — many of which are overblown... Some of the findings may come as a surprise to those outside the industry, particularly the popularity of small jets and short distance flights," Twidell said. "Today there is a growing crossover between the profile of the private jet user and the airline passenger."
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