Flying Private for the Holidays Requires Careful Planning
Spend more time on vacation, not at the airport. Start thinking ahead if you plan to fly private this holiday season.
The countdown to the holiday season is on. Thanksgiving is less than one month away! Many of us are looking forward to traveling during the holiday season, whether to visit family or take some well-deserved time off to rest. As more Americans are vaccinated, we are seeing COVID travel restrictions ease and a significant increase in private charter demand. With increased demand, peak travel days around the holidays are already booking up. We’ll get into more detail below, but the best way to secure your private flight this holiday season is to start booking your flights now.
The demand for private aviation has been growing exponentially since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic due to safety concerns surrounding crowded airports and commercial flights. A study found that 87% of both new and returning private aviation users cited COVID-19 as their main reason for flying private. It is now arguably much safer to travel; however, there is no sign that the demand for private charters will trend down anytime soon. Many new private jet passengers are finding it difficult to transition back to flying commercial after experiencing the ease of private travel. The same study found that 88% of new flyers have a positive view of private aviation after their first trip.
With 2021 already shattering demand records, what can we expect for holiday travel? Last month, according to JetNet, Fly Louie Alliance aircraft completed nearly 38,000 flights. Typically, December volume exceeds September volume by 20%. According to Forbes, September showed private flights in the U.S. have been tracking 14% ahead of 2019’s pre-Covid levels, and is projecting record flight levels through the end of the year. In Florida specifically, there were 41% more private flights than two years ago. Record demand is further complicated by other operator challenges including the supply chain, fuel, and labor shortages.
It is crucial to book your private charter now before demand makes securing a flight too difficult. Those who are not traveling to visit loved ones during the holiday season often travel to a warm climate to escape the cold. One of the most popular holiday destinations within the United States is Florida, where the palm trees and poolside luxury will guarantee a restful trip. If they opt to leave the country, many travelers escape to the Caribbean, where you can spend your holidays sipping a pina colada on the white sand beaches. Travelers who want to embrace the holiday spirit choose a snowy destination such as Aspen, Colorado, where you can ring in the new year on the slopes and take advantage of peaking skiing season.
No matter where you are headed, before long, the industry will not be able to keep up with the peak demand experts are estimating for the holiday season. Our team here at Fly Louie is on standby to help you book your holiday travel sooner than later. Learn more about how you can book your private charter today.
