A story that illustrates the value of using charter under the right circumstances.

Let’s start with a little challenge. How much is your time worth per hour? Write that number down on a piece of paper and let’s see if we can “buy you time at a discount.”

Mission: New York City to The Greenbrier Resort, West Virginia.

Mr. Levinson and his executive team desired to attend a convention at the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia. Sarah, Mr. Levinson’s assistant, considered booking 7 airline tickets on Expedia.com. Since the earliest arrival time into Lewisburg, WV (the nearest airport to the Greenbrier Resort) is 12:45PM, the team would have to arrive the day before the convention to make their first meeting at 9:00AM. Sarah tentatively scheduled the team to depart for NY at 5:00PM which would have cut their day short a few hours. Price per person came out to $582.20 for first class airline tickets plus a $249 hotel room for the one overnight. Grand total:

$582.20 airline ticket + $249 hotel = $831.20 per person.
Total travel time including 1.5 hours before each flight and connection in Cleveland: 12:14.

Luckily, Sarah contacted us to inquire about chartering a jet as an alternative to the airlines. We placed the team on a Learjet 35 out of our home base, Farmingdale, NY at a total cost $6897.85. Since the total travel time with the Learjet is 1.4 hours each way, the team was able to depart early AM on the day of the convention, complete all of their meetings and fly home in the evening.

Direct flight in Learjet / 7 people = $985.40 per person.
Total travel time: 2:48.

Total travel time saved: 12:14 – 2:48 = 10:26
Additional cost per person: $985.40 - $831.20 = $154.21
Cost per hour: $154.21 / 10:26 = $14.76

That’s right! $14.76. Is your time worth that much? Would you pay $15 for an extra hour of time with your family or clients? I hope, for your sake, that your number was substantially higher than that.

As you can see, with Ventura, buying time at a discount is a reality. We help our clients to effectively utilize charter as a tool. And like all tools, there is a right and a wrong time to use them. So let us help you to understand when charter is the right tool for the mission. All it takes is one simple phone call to Ventura for a no-obligation quote for your next flight. We look forward to getting you there faster so you can spend more time doing whatever you desire, whether it’s outperforming your competition or enjoying quality time with your family.

About the author: Nick Tarascio is the Director of Sales and Marketing for Ventura Air Services as well the Assistant Director of Maintenance and a copilot for the company Learjet aircraft. He is also the CEO of Air East Airways, a private aviation firm that specializes in flight training, aircraft maintenance and avionics installation and repair.

Although aircraft charter is often seen as an excessive way to fly, the secret is that under the right circumstances charter makes financial sense.

There exists an elite group of business travelers who understand how to utilize aircraft charter to outsmart, outsell, and outperform their competition. Wouldn’t you like to know how this service can help you get an edge on your competition?

If convenience and quality of travel experience are the priority to a traveler, charter wins hands down when compared to the airlines.
•    Go wherever, whenever.
•    Spend less time getting there and more time getting things done.
•    Utilize the aircraft as a flying board room or planning session.
•    Get right on the plane and go without waiting in any security lines or waiting for departure time.
•    Land closer to your destination.
•    No missed connecting flights or oversold seating.
•    No lost baggage.
•    No additional expenses for taking along additional members of your team or family.
•    No crowds.

All these benefits must come with a hefty price tag compared to the airlines, right? Not necessarily! Airlines are cost effective when your travel consists of major cities or airline hubs. However, when your flight involves destinations that are less in demand, you often have to make connecting flights that may significantly lengthen your travel time and increase ticket price. Increased travel times often mean more time on the road and more money spent on hotels, cars and meals. So when exactly is charter smarter?

If…
•    You desire maximum comfort and time efficiency.
•    Your itinerary involves several destinations on a limited schedule.
•    You are a group flying together.
•    Your origin or destination is not a major airline hub.
•    Airline schedules can’t accommodate your intended itinerary.

When your intended trip meets any of these criteria, call Ventura at 1-800-597-0866 for a no-obligation quote. We will help you determine if indeed charter is smarter for your trip.

About the Author: Nick Tarascio is the Director of Sales and Marketing for Ventura Air Services as well the Assistant Director of Maintenance and a copilot for the company Learjet aircraft. He is also the CEO of Air East Airways, a private aviation firm that specializes in flight training, aircraft maintenance and avionics installation and repair.