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Posts with tag PrivateJet

Londoners Use Private Jet Service to Party Hop

Posted Jun 21st 2008 12:02PM by Rigel Gregg
Filed under: Services, Wings


Wealthy socialites in London love to party just as much as those here in the U.S., but now it seems they've found a way to step things up by getting around that pesky "closing time" obstacle: they hop into a private jet and fly to a different time zone. What makes this interesting is that they aren't hopping into their own personal private jets, they're "jet-pooling" in planes operated by The Private Jet Club that are coordinated through Whisky Mist, a new club at Hilton's Zeta bar.

Even if they're continuing to party on the planes I can hardly imagine still being up for more by the time the plane lands in New York or Rio (the most popular destinations), but then I'm not a wealthy socialite with nothing else to do but fly around the world looking for a good time!

Talon Air Chief: Luxury Travel Looking Up

Posted May 12th 2008 8:03AM by Jared Paul Stern
Filed under: Journeys, Wings


As some business jet services like MAXJet and Eos are folding, while fuel costs and other annoyances plague private plane owners, a company called Talon Air apparently sees nothing but clear skies ahead. The on-demand luxury private jet charter and management service just added the ultra-luxe Legacy 600 (pictured here) to its fleet in order to meet increasing demand. We asked Adam Katz, Talon's owner and founder (and full-rotation pilot) to explain his apparently incongruous bullish outlook.

"The luxury travel sector will continue to improve," Katz tells Luxist. "The absence of those jets in the market just increases the demand for ultra high-end services like ours. Operators providing safe, luxury travel with all the amenities that are associated with these services will continue to prosper." As for onerous tariffs, "The government's inclination to impose further taxes on the general aviation and corporate or luxury travel operators will not change the broad demand for high end services," he insists. "People will always be willing to pay a fair price for exquisite, safe and convenient travel."

The twin-engine Legacy 600 (see the gallery below) can accommodate up to 13-passengers in its plush, Wi-Fi equipped 6-ft. tall cabin. It cruises at a speed of up to Mach 0.80 and has a range of 3,250 nautical miles, enough to fly nonstop from New York to London, from London (or Geneva) to Dubai, and from Singapore to Beijing. And judging from the glowing testimonial on Talon Air's website, tennis ace Pete Sampras is a big fan.

Gallery: Talon Air Jets

Legacy 600 cockpit.The plush cabin.The Legacy 600 en route.Jetstream.Hawker 800XP.

Ugandan Tycoon Orders the Second Private Airbus A380

Posted May 8th 2008 9:02AM by Deidre Woollard
Filed under: Wings


The second potential owner of a private Airbus A380 doubledecker jet has been revealed. The first jet belongs to Saudi Arabian Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal and the second jet will go to Michael Ezra. Never heard of him? I hadn't either. Michael Ezra is a tycoon said to be the richest man in Uganda. He is just 34 and is known as a "sports philanthropist" who has supported Uganda's sports teams and once made a move to buy the Leeds United soccer team. The Daily Monitor has reported that he is paying $260 million for a the Airbus A380 and that his plane will be available in 2010. He could spend another $150 million for the custom designed interior. Preliminary plans for his plane include an office, full satellite communication equipment, a conference room for 12 persons, a karaoke room, a movie room, a gymnasium, medical center four self-contained VIP bedrooms, another four executive bedrooms, as well as a spa.The lower deck of the plane will including living quarters for flight attendants and room for three cars. Ezra's plane will likely be registered in Dubai where he does most of his business. This isn't Ezra's first spendy maneuver in 2006 he spent $250,000 in Dubai for an exclusive Centennial Mont Blanc watch as part of was part of an Emirates charity promotion to help disadvantaged children of the world (a picture of Ezra with the watch is here).

UPDATE: Michael Ezra's website is here. No mention of the plane on there.

Jet Chef, Catering to Private Fliers

Posted Apr 20th 2008 2:02PM by Rigel Gregg
Filed under: Dining, Wings


Ugh, airline food. The growing popularity of private jets and jet charters is changing that stereotype, though, as those who can afford it are not only flying, but also eating, in style. Jet-Chef.com is a service for jet owners, pilots, brokers, flight attendants, etc., and offers access to some of the world's best chefs, caterers, and suppliers for the ultimate in in-flight dining. The service comes in the form of a website directory that makes searching by city, state, or airport and getting in touch with high-class gourmet chef and catering services easy and convenient.

Currently Jet Chef is only available in the U.S., but at the rate the private jet industry is growing they expect to be going international in the near future.

Slowing Economy? Private Jet Travelers Refuse to Go Commercial

Posted Apr 7th 2008 7:02PM by Rigel Gregg
Filed under: Wings


Having or chartering a private jet used to be a big deal, a very special luxury enjoyed by only the elitest of the elite, but private air travel is practically a necessity for even "entry level" wealthy people in today's world. Even with the economy in the condition it's in, those accustomed to traveling privately aren't giving up the luxury in exchange for less expensive commercial flights. And although chartering private jet travel certainly isn't cheap it's not as pricey as it used to be -- as little as $10,000 will get you where you want to go.

If the economy has any kind of negative effect on private air travel experts expect it to be in how much people fly, not in the privacy they expect when they do. Many of those who use private charters and/or own their own jets consider it a necessity in their lives, not a splurge.

Gulfstream Announces Biggest, Fastest Private Jet Yet

Posted Mar 14th 2008 9:05AM by Deidre Woollard
Filed under: Wings


Gulfstream has announced their fastest business-class jet ever. The new G650 jet can fly nearly as fast as the speed of sound, .85 Mach and is their biggest plane to date. It will have a nautical range of 7,000 nautical miles meaning it can fly nonstop from Los Angeles to London. The plane will cost $59.5 million and is aimed at the highest end of the private jet market. The Savannah, Georgia-based company plans to begin test flights next year and will start deliveries in 2012.

Halcyon Jets Valentine's Package

Posted Jan 24th 2008 11:02AM by Rigel Gregg
Filed under: Journeys


Romantic getaways are one of the most popular ways for couples to celebrate Valentine's Day, and for those who have money a private jet charter is a pretty appealing way to get there. Even more appealing is a private jet charter with a cabin packed full of diamonds, roses, and all kinds of other goodies. On that note Halcyon Jets is offering the $1.5 million DreamDate package that includes a long list of high-end luxury gifts. You'll get a diamond necklace from Tiffany's, a bottle of 1996 Vintage Krug Champagne, Noka chocolates, Clive Christian's Imperial Majesty, a pair Christian Louboutin Sequin Peep-Toe Pumps, a 9 piece set of Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas Luggage, and DreamSpa treatments for 2.

Whew! What a list. Anybody have $1.5 million I can borrow?

Google Founders Get Yet Another New Jet

Posted Oct 14th 2007 12:02PM by Rigel Gregg
Filed under: Wings


Those Google guys must really be into over-sized private jets, because they're at it again! Apparently having 3 private jets, including a Boeing 767, with landing rights on NASA's Moffett Airfield wasn't good enough for them as they've now added a Boeing 757 to their ever-growing fleet.

Although smaller than the 767 they already have, obviously the 757 is still a large aircraft. Why does Google need so much in the way of wings? Who knows really, but a move like this sure is to get people talking.

The Google Private Jet Gets to Park on NASA's Runway

Posted Sep 14th 2007 4:03PM by Rigel Gregg
Filed under: Wings


Google is getting more and more famous for spoiling and splurging on its employees every day it seems. A couple of years ago the two founders, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, made headlines when they purchased a used Boeing 767 which they converted to a large customized private jet. Now they're making headlines again as they have negotiated a $1.3 million deal to with NASA to both use the Moffett Field runway and to have parking spaces for Google's over-sized private Boeing jet and 2 other smaller jets. The Google execs get an exclusive parking spot within mere minutes of headquarters, and NASA gets both the annual income and the chance to put scientists on board Google flights for research purposes.

All the other high rollers in the area are just drooling with envy.

Branson Gets Into The Private Jet Business

Posted Jun 12th 2007 3:02PM by Deidre Woollard
Filed under: Wings

Richard Branson of Virgin Airways isn't just concentrating on the burgeoning space tourism market, he has now announced that he is getting into the private jet business. Branson's latest idea is Virgin Charter, a website that connects sellers of flight time on private planes with eager buyers. The idea is that many private jets have a lot of "empty legs" when they fly home after dropping passengers off. As Forbes reports it's an interesting move for Branson who just began a $3 billion campaign to fight global warming. But the idea behind the company is to reduce the empty flights thereby helping to eliminate wasted fuel. Branson and company won't be buying any jets for this endeavor, it's all about playing, as the website calls it, "jet matchmaker."

Aruba has New Airport Terminal for Private Jets

Posted May 4th 2007 8:02AM by Rigel Gregg
Filed under: Journeys, Wings

Fancy a trip to Aruba? Hate commercial flying and been frustrated in the past with lack of accommodations for your private jet? I'm more of a wannabe than an expert when it comes to globetrotting and travel, so in this case I'm not sure if I'm surprised that Aruba has lacked a terminal just for private jets or not. Being the romantic island getaway that it is I would have thought it would be a priority, but then it is a tropical island and they don't generally follow the normal rules and expectations ever anyway.

But none of that really matters now, as Aruba has finally opened a terminal for private jets -- apparently in a specific effort to attract more upscale patrons. It even has separate customs and immigration so travelers can get through faster and bypass the main terminal altogether.

Decor that Will (and Won't) Fly on a Private Jet

Posted Apr 28th 2007 9:02AM by Rigel Gregg
Filed under: Decor, Wings


The whole idea of having a private jet, besides the obvious privacy aspect, is that you get to have it decorated however you want, right? Maybe not, depending on exactly what features you're after. Any plane that wants to fly in U.S. airspace has the Federal Aviation Administration to comply with, and no matter how fancy you make it a plane just isn't any fun when it's stuck sitting on the ground.

On the bright side, many features can be modified or changed to where they're still enjoyable but don't break any laws -- like chandeliers are okay if they're retractable, and you can have all the heavy mahogany and big screen TVs you want as long as you're willing to trade off in terms of increased fuel and lower over-all capacity for things like passengers and cargo.

So what isn't okay, ever, on a plane? An open flame, which automatically rules out features like fireplaces and gas stoves.

But as long as you have a golden toilet, who cares.

Take A Private Jet Journey to Remote Lands

Posted Apr 3rd 2007 3:02PM by Rigel Gregg
Filed under: Journeys


The aptly named Remote Lands, Inc is now offering private jet journeys as a unique way to see the world. The first of these packages, called "Passionate Epicures and Insatiable Travelers," is available this year and will have room for a cozy 36 guests and is scheduled to travel to Thailand, Burma, Bhutan, India and China. Attractions include not only the locations themselves, but also best-selling authors, world-renowned chefs, and cultural experiences like attending a Thai wedding and visiting the home of a Bhutan dignitary.

Or if that sounds a little too generic for your taste, maybe a "bespoke travel package" is a better fit. Remote Lands will design an individualized Asian vacation just for you, basing it on your particular preferences and lifestyle, and offer choices including everything from bodyguards and massage therapists to audiences with Asian nobility.

Guilt-free Flying? Get Yourself A Terrapass

Posted Jan 29th 2007 7:02PM by Deidre Woollard
Filed under: Services, Wings

Last week, I mentioned Silverjet, which has made a commitment to being carbon neutral in order to help the environment. Now Executive Charter Services, a private jet charter brokerage company has announced that they are giving clients the balance out the carbon dioxide emissions by purchasing reductions in greenhouse gases from leading carbon retailer TerraPass. TerraPass supports a variety of eco-friendly project like domestic wind farms and energy efficiency projects. An hour in a private jet can use up as much fuel as a whole year in the family car so it is good to see private jet companies making this move. Even if you are not a private jet flyer, you can buy a TerraPass based on the length of your flight and the fuel used to do your part to help make a difference in global warming, TerraPass has also partnered with Expedia, the popular travel website. For a comprehensive look at just how much it will cost you to fly carbon neutral on a private flight check out Helium Report's comprehensive look at the subject.

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