Private Jet Charter News

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Airline Creates All-Business London/New York Service

BA1 lifted off from London City Airport today beginning that airline’s attempt to create a successful all-luxury airline service between London and New York.  Sounds vaguely familiar?  That’s because several other airlines have tried, and failed, to create the same service.  Eos, MAXjet, and Silverjet all served the luxury market for a short time during great economic prosperity before ultimately failing. Why does BA think it will be any more successful now when the world economy is sputtering and they themselves are planning to cut routes and ground 9% of their fleet this winter due to “declining advanced bookings”?
 
I see several shortcomings with their service.  First, choosing the Airbus A318, an aircraft that does not possess the range for transoceanic flights (East to West, against the prevailing headwinds) seems a dubious way to start off.  BA sugarcoats this by departing from London City Airport, which will allow very short check-in and boarding times, but has a short runway “forcing a stop in Shannon, Ireland for fuel and to clear customs.”  To be clear, it is not just the short runway at London City causing a needed stop - the A318 simply cannot fly the distance without refueling.  Next, and to me, the elephant in the room is the fact that BA is attempting to supply a private aviation product aboard a commercial airliner, flown by a commercial airline, along commercial routes, and into commercial hub airports. 

Ultimately, no matter how flat, wide, or comfy the seats are, despite the nearly endless on-board entertainment options, and the ability to connect to the internet, BA’s luxury service is still airline travel.  Travel that is subject to adverse weather, airport congestion, equipment malfunctions, and delayed departure/arrival times.  Does it matter how quickly and painlessly London City Airport makes the check-in process if the aircraft has not yet arrived from New York on the East-bound leg?
 
BA should know better and leave the luxury private aviation segment to private aviation.  You just can’t put a shine on a sneaker.

Many jets available for Christmas and New Years travel.

The following jets are available as one-way charter flights. Many can be combined to create complete round-trip travel. Plan your family holiday travel now and check out the deals below.  Specials from New York, Los Angeles, San Jose, San Francisco, Chicago, Bahamas, and London.  With over 10 years of experience as a private charter agency, Executive Charter Services has the reputation for excellence and safety that you demand.  For pricing and other company information, please visit our website or feel free to contact me personally at 866.359.3932.
Kevin W. Godlewski, President

                                                               

International One Ways
Boston, MA to Nassau, NH	Dec 7-8	Gulfstream G100	.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
New York, NY to London, UK	Dec 8-9	Gulfstream GIV	.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Philadelphia, PA to Los Cabos, MX	Dec 9	Hawker 1000	.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
San Jose, CA to Puerto Vallarta, MX	Dec 9-10	Lear 60	.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Vancouver, CA to Chicago, IL	Dec 11	Challenger 604	.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
U.S One Ways
New York to West Palm Beach	Dec 7	Hawker 800XP	.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
New York to Ft Lauderdale	Dec 8-9	Hawker 400XP	.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Boston to Tampa	Dec 9	Hawker 1000	.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Las Vegas to Los Angeles	Dec 10	Phenom 100	.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Chicago to Telluride	Dec 11	Gulfstream G300	.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Naples to New York	Dec 13	Hawker 400XP	.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
West Palm Beach to Boston	Dec 13	Hawker 400XP	.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

 

Night Flight to Boston Leaves Good Impression

Last week, I had the opportunity to take an Eclipse 500 private jet flight from Hanscom Airport in Bedford, MA to Boston Logan Airport. While the flight was very short, it did finally, give me an up-close, first-hand, in-flight experience aboard an Eclipse 500.

Bedford Hanscom Airport is located approximately 20 miles from the Financial District in Boston, which is either a 20 minute drive or an hour and 20 minutes, depending on the time of day.  It is a smaller regional airport with no commercial airline activity, so any weather-related delays are minimized with only corporate and private traffic to deal with.  It is also the home for the Air Force’s 66th Air Base Group.  The car service, this time Boston Coach, dropped me off at the front door to Signature BED where I quickly checked in with the receptionist who directed me to the waiting aircrew for our night flight to Boston.  The Signature facility at Bedford is a bit smallish; however it is quite comfortably appointed and expertly staffed.  I’ve been there several times to meet clients either arriving or departing, and have always been impressed with how professional and helpful the staff has been; kudos to Signature there.  I also had a chance meeting with an old college friend who works for Airport Operations with Hanscom Airport.  He was kind enough to escort me around the ramp while I shot some video of the jet’s arrival earlier in the day.
Boston Logan International Airport, on the other hand, is a much larger and more complex facility.  Hundreds of commercial flights plus scores of private aircraft operate daily in its airspace.  The Signature facility is located at the northernmost edge of the airport property, which depending up on the runway in use can lead to lengthy departure/arrival taxi times. The lounge is quite a bit larger than BED’s facility, and a bit more nicely appointed.  Signature BOS also has an X-ray belt staffed by TSA employees as seen in the commercial terminals.  State Police troopers were also present providing over-watch security.  The indoor staff and ground personnel again showed amazing professionalism and attention to detail.  All areas of the facility were spotless and everyone seemed truly pleased to be at our service.

You may remember hearing the hubbub a couple of years ago about a new class of aircraft known as VLJs (for Very Light Jets) and their anticipated impact on the air-taxi industry.  While the timing of their arrival to the market (just before the financial market plunge in 2008 and subsequent black eye given to private aviation by congress) was unfortunate, their capabilities are proven and real.  The Eclipse is just one of these VLJs (Embraer Phenom and Citation Mustang are others) and after having ridden along on a very short flight I can assure you that the classification is right on the money.
 
With an interior cabin length and a cross-section approximating that of a mid-sized SUV, the passenger capacity is limited to 2-3.  In this particular case it was just me, and although the jet can be legally flown by one, there were two pilots.  After brief introductions to the crew at which time they checked my photo ID, I was escorted to the jet, where I quickly boarded while the crew finished the last second checks, started engines, and began to taxi.  On the way to the runway, I took a few moments to really look around the cabin – it didn’t take long!  Two of the passengers seats were removed leaving the two rearmost, one of which I occupied.  The interior was sparse, but tastefully appointed with leather seating, overhead lighting and air controls, and good sized windows, which gave the jet a larger feel.  With the two forward seats absent, I had all the legroom I could want.  The all-glass cockpit was really something to see especially in the dark of night.  Quite complex, yet thoughtfully laid out.  After a brief taxi-out at BED past much larger aircraft, we were cleared for departure.  With just the three of us, the jet quite literally leaped into the sky within what seemed like a very short runway length.  In fact this jet regularly operates from KLOM, Wings Field, in Philadelphia which is just 3700’ long.  We were vectored out west away from the city to join the trail of aircraft heading to BOS.  After about 10 minutes we were flying back east, in line, and making the approach past the Boston skyline.  Ambient noise from the jet engines was a bit loud, but certainly not uncomfortable. For a small jet, it had surprising stability during the decent through swirling winds and a 10 knot crosswind.  The approach and landing was quite smooth, with good visibility for the passengers through the front windscreen until touchdown.
 
Overall, I would highly recommend this aircraft for very short-range missions.  Charters in which you are not travelling more than 300 miles such as Boston to New York or New York to Washington, DC, with one or maybe two others, would be the best scenario.  Anything more than that and the aircraft lacks the performance to adequately measure up.  But for those regional day-trips where jet speed and the ability to get into a ridiculously short airport is essential, the Eclipse is the perfect aircraft for the job!

Many thanks to BlueBell Air for the opportunity to fly along, and to Dan and Bruce for their time and professionalism.

Many opportunities to save money on popular routes.  NY, FL, CO, Mexico and the Caribbean -  Sun, Beaches, Snow and Skis, we’ve got you covered!

The following jets are available as one-way charter flights. Many can be combined to create complete round-trip travel. Plan your family holiday travel now and check out the deals below.  Specials from New York, Los Angeles, San Jose, San Francisco, Chicago, Bahamas, and London.  With over 10 years of experience as a private charter agency, Executive Charter Services has the reputation for excellence and safety that you demand.  For pricing and other company information, please visit our website or feel free to contact me personally at 866.359.3932.
Kevin W. Godlewski, President

                                                               

International One Ways
New York, NY to Aruba, NA	Jan 12-14	Gulfstream G200	.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Nassau, BH to New York, NY	Jan 13-14	Gulfstream G450	.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Boston, MA to Cancun, MX	Jan 15	Hawker 1000	.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
San Jose, CA to Puerto Vallarta, MX	Jan 15	Hawker 400XP	.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
New York, NY to Vancouver, BC	Jan 17-19	Gulfstream G200	.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
U.S One Ways
New York to West Palm Beach	Jan 14	Hawker 400XP	.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
New York to Ft Lauderdale	Jan 14	Hawker 400XP	.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Boston to Tampa	Jan 17	Hawker 1000	.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
New York to Los Angeles	Jan 17	Citation X	.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Sun Valley to New York	Jan 17-18	Challenger 300	.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Naples to New York	Jan 18	Hawker 400XP	.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
West Palm Beach to Philadelphia	Jan 18	Hawker 400XP	.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)