Regulatory proposals from different eco-conscious, public health, and safety organizations may end up restricting the options commercial airlines can offer, and make private planes a more attractive alternative for higher-end customers.
Private jet travel has always been for the upper-elite, whether for quick business meetings or family and friend getaways, it’s a luxury staple for the super-wealthy. But as the economic landscape begins to shift with a new generation and advanced technology, many private jet companies are beginning to court the next affordable tier of customers. There are new plans for regulation on the horizon as well for commercial planes, that might be enough to cause some new customers from commercial airlines to try private plane travel for the first time. Here’s why:
1. The time spent booking and boarding for commercial airlines is becoming more and more time consuming for the average consumer, and private planes are working to make the process simpler and easier. Because of increased security measures, more time is spent waiting to get on board for commercial flights, but for private planes, the time boarding is significantly shorter. Private planes still go through security measures, but because of the fewer number of people on board and less planes on the tarmac, a private plane can get people in the air much quicker than a commercial plane.
Also, private plane charter companies are developing new softwares and apps to make the process quicker and easier, and many companies like Victor and JetSuite are cultivating growing client bases because of their easy-to-use booking systems.
2. Regulations over seating arrangements in commercial airlines could lead customers to choose private planes. Commercial airlines have recently been modifying in-cabin seating and space arrangements to offer a broader range of price points for travelers. There’s been an increase in sales for budget seats, but it has also brought on calls to create regulations for minimum in-cabin comfort requirements. The commercial airline industry is battling against these proposed regulations, but there may be a growing number of fliers who will find a more suitable option in private planes if the regulations go through. If they do, the pricepoint for standard first-class will go up, and the private plane alternative will become more attractive — especially when you take into account the lowered hassles of boarding and booking with private planes.
3. Environmental concerns and pressures from the EPA could create new regulations mandating emission controls or carbon offsetting, which would increase the overall price of commercial air tickets for consumers. This may not happen immediately, but airlines are already offering carbon offset purchases with tickets sales, (and they haven’t gone over big so far with buyers), and there are pending lawsuits against the EPA to make carbon offsetting a mandate for airline companies. Private plane travel is not a greener alternative yet by any means, and it’s still a big contributor to carbon emissions, but as first-class commercial prices creep higher to where private planes are priced, there will be a growing segment likely to make the jump from first-class to try charter plane for the first time. After all, there will always be a market for luxury.
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