Air / Land / Water
Travel In The Suite Seats
Let’s face it, if one can avoid the check-in line, the TSA gauntlet, and the cramped environs of scheduled air travel, one should!
By Annabelle Frankl
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The most cost-effective way to use the charter service is by flying between SuiteSpots
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LA
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Orange County
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Palm Springs
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Reno
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Las Vegas
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the Bay Area
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Sacramento
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Dallas
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Houston, and more
Planning To Fly Often?
A SuiteKey Membership, which requires a $25,000 deposit, offers flight credits, lower fares, and enhanced availability along with a maximum hourly rate guarantee of $4,000 for members.
Of course, sidestepping such unpleasantness comes at a price though, thankfully, a Southern California-based company is making private aviation a bit more affordable. JetSuite, established in 2009 by CEO and founder Alex Wilcox, (co-founder of a little company you might know, JetBlue), aims to make private jet charter services available to a larger swathe of society through the lower cost, re-positioning of its aircraft between so-called “SuiteSpots” throughout the southwestern USA.
Utilizing 11 BMW DesignworksUSA-designed Embraer Phenom 100s, said to be one of the most fuel-efficient light jets around, these compact yet comfy 4-seaters achieve a 1,160 NM range and a best-in-class luggage capacity (think numerous suitcases plus four golf bags or pairs of skis). And, if you desire, Fido gets to ride up front, too.
Certainly the most cost-effective way to use the charter service is by flying between SuiteSpots. These include the metro areas of LA, Orange County, Palm Springs, Reno, Las Vegas, the Bay Area, Sacramento, Dallas, Houston, and more. Each flight is priced one-way – sayonara dead-head charges – but you’re definitely rewarded for flexibility and booking well ahead: LA to Las Vegas from $999 one-way, Santa Barbara to Phoenix at $1,599.
Should your travel plans be more specific or further afield, JetSuite’s unrestricted fares are lower than most competitor’s though a big jump from the most flexible fares: $3,750 per hour in their primary service area; $4,000 per day charter plus $1,299 per flight hour (including fuel and maintenance).
Those planning to fly often can opt for the SuiteKey Membership. A minimum $25,000 deposit brings flight credits (up to 12%), lower fares, and enhanced availability. And, unlike fractional ownership, these jets are owned institutionally or outright by single parties and managed and scheduled by JetSuite, so no maintenance expenses or annual fees to worry about.
And, for those who have never flown private before, there are even last-minute Facebook SuiteDeals! These are generally ‘fly tomorrow’ offers so spontaneity / luck of the draw regarding departure/arrival city are key, but generally priced at $499 for the whole plane is a tough deal to beat. As ever, the flight is one-way, but who cares? If you can avoid flying commercial, for even one leg, who wouldn’t jump at the chance to do it?
Visit jetsuite.com for rates and reservation information.