According to Amadeus, a provider of technology solutions for the travel industry, friendcations are among the travel trends expected to dominate this year.
A friendcation, as the term implies, is a vacation with your friends with the aim of relaxing or going on adventures, or both, to bond and create happy memories.
With the pandemic putting a halt on travel plans and reunions these past two years, this trend will certainly soar, with group travel bookings already on the rise.
If you’re also planning your first friendcation with your closest friends, you don’t have to limit your options to booking your flight on a commercial airline.
You can have a more memorable start and end to your friendcation by opting for group charter flights.
Benefits of Chartering a Private Jet When Vacationing With Your Friends
If you’re planning your friendcation, below are the best reasons why you and your friends should consider splurging on hiring a private jet:
1. You can create your flight schedules.
Sometimes, planning a brunch or dinner with your friends can be challenging due to differences in schedules or free time.
This can also be a challenge you might encounter when you plan your group getaway. Organizing the flight alone can be difficult due to these differences in schedules.
Commercial flights have fixed times and dates.
Although there may be plenty to choose from, the pre-set schedules can make it hard for you to find one that will work for everyone since you and your friends may still have other prior commitments or things to do before jetting off.
This is a problem your group won’t encounter when you charter a private jet.
Chartering a private plane for your group trip allows you and your friends to select a flight schedule that everyone can agree on.
Whether you and your buddies want to leave early in the morning or late at night, your request will be accommodated.
You and your friends can even choose your departure and arrival airports. Because of this, you can select the one most convenient for everyone to get to when you leave and the nearest one to the hotel or resort where you’ll be staying.
Hiring a private plane also means you’ll have complete flexibility and can even change your flight details until the last moment.
2. You and your friends can avoid rushing and getting stressed.
Flying on commercial planes means rushing to arrive at the airport two hours or more before your flight.
It also entails standing in long lines to go through security and to check-in and collect your luggage. These processes can add to or alleviate your group’s stress.
When you and your friends charter a private jet, your group won’t experience these hassles.
You don’t need to be at the airport two hours before your flight; you just have to arrive 30 minutes before the plane’s scheduled take-off.
Also, you won’t have to wait for your flight departure at the airport waiting area, which can get crowded, busy, and noisy.
You and your group will stay at a quieter, less crowded standalone terminal or FBO, which is designated only for private jet passengers.
Since you’ll be waiting for your flight at an FBO, you and your group can quickly go through security checks inside the private terminal.
These perks ensure you and your friends can start taking it easy and enjoy every minute of your friendcation even before reaching your destination.
3. Your group can bring as much luggage as you want.
One of the biggest perks of chartering a private jet is that there are no restrictions regarding the number of luggage and bags everyone can bring.
This means no one has to worry about paying charges for excess baggage or not being allowed to check items that are too heavy, bulky, or oversized.
Moreover, most air charter service providers have lenient rules regarding the items you can bring.
Because of this, you can have a cask of wine loaded in the jet and enjoy a glass with your friends during and after your flight.
This also means you can bring any sweet and savory food you and your friends want to indulge in during your flight and getaway.
More importantly, regardless of the items and number of luggage your group checks in, you won’t have to worry about losing them since they won’t go through the usual airport transfer and transporting process.
4. You and your friends can indulge in comfort.
Chartering a private jet enables your group to start enjoying your vacation during your flight. Aside from waiting for your flight in comfort at the FBO, you and your friends can indulge in yourselves on the aircraft.
Private jets have larger cabin space and legroom for all the passengers. They also have soft, reclining leather seats that make staying seated for long periods more comfortable.
The private jet’s bigger space, plush seats, and other amenities, plus the food and beverages you bring, make it the perfect place to have a small party or start your gabfests.
You can even have a catering team prepare the meals and snacks you and your friends want to partake in during the flight.
You’ll definitely have an unforgettable journey that can set the stage for a memorable, relaxing friendcation.
5. Your group can save money on your trip.
Although the amenities and services group and corporate air charter offer sound expensive, you and your friends can save money even when you fly in style.
Chartering a private jet is often less expensive than buying plane tickets for everyone in your group.
When you choose the right operator, they can customize a package for you and your friends based on your budget.
This option is also usually less expensive than flying first class for group travels.
Additionally, a charter flight will allow you to save money on transportation.
This is because you can choose the airport nearest to the hotel or resort where you’ll be staying. Your group will end up paying less for cab, ride-hailing services, and train fares.
A friendcation is the perfect excuse to splurge on yourself and your friends.
Start by leasing a private jet for your group flight so you and your pals can set the stage for a relaxing, fun, and reinvigorating vacation you will never forget.