Increase the number of customers who choose luxury air travel experiences travel agents are looking at, according to Business Insider. These range from private jet travel to first-class and premium-class tickets.
Oliver Bell, co-founder of luxury travel company Oliver’s Travels, said the trend could partly be attributed to “revenge travel”, where people are “willing to spend more on incredible experiences” after the pandemic, by flying.
According to a Forbes Advisor survey of 1,000 Americans conducted in January of this year, 39% of people say their travel budget in 2024 will be higher than last year. (That’s down from 45% of respondents in 2023.)
But you don’t need to have a lot of money to experience luxury air travel. You just need to do your research.
Air travel: Semi-private jets are often overlooked
Private jets are one of the most obvious ways to travel in luxury, but according to Bell, they’re often overlooked because people think they’re too expensive.
“A lot of people think private jets are just for the rich and famous, the Elon Musks of the world,” Bell said.
“Of course, it’s by no means a ‘cheap’ way to travel, as it’s still generally more expensive than commercial flights, but it’s a lot more accessible than people think, and maybe that’s why we’re seeing an increase now that more people are informed,” he added.
As Alesandra Dubin previously reported on Business Insider, June 2022 saw the highest number of private flights in the US since October 2007.
Dubin recommended booking a publicly accessible seat on a semi-private jet hop-on hop-off flight to save money. Many private regional airlines, such as JSX, offer this option.
JSX offers multiple routes from private terminals on the West Coast and Texas. Passengers don’t have to worry about overcrowding or security lines, and with a maximum of 30 passengers on each flight, you can have the feeling of flying private without chartering your own jet.
The experience of air travel
In June 2021, Dubin wrote about his experience traveling from Los Angeles to Las Vegas on a JSX flight for $99. His ticket included a free checked bag, snacks, and drinks, including alcohol.
Alternatively, some private jet companies offer subscription services, where you get full access for a flat fee each month. For example, Surf Air is a Los Angeles-based private jet company that offers unlimited private flight subscriptions for $295 per month or $3,540 per year.
“Instead of having to wait in line with baggage restrictions or requiring additional payments, you can arrive as little as 15 minutes before your flight, board directly and enjoy complete comfort and privacy,” a Bell said.
Affordable or “mid-range” luxury
Some passengers can fly first or business class more cheaply using credit cards or airline rewards points.
But for less frequent travelers or those without points, there are alternatives.
David Guthrie, founder of Tent with a View, said he had seen an increase in customers opting for “mid-luxury” options such as premium class airfare.
He added that it has become common for airlines to offer a “more refined experience compared to regular economy class,” but that these options “are not as luxurious or expensive as first class or private charters.”
What companies offer
Airlines such as KLM, Delta and United offer premium or comfort class tickets.
Each airline offers different benefits. With United Airlines’ Premium Plus package, passengers will enjoy larger seats, more legroom and a kit containing TheraFace skin care products, including eye cream, spray for the face, a hand cream and a lip balm.
It also includes free alcohol, upgraded dining cutlery and noise-canceling headphones on board, as well as larger TV screens, priority check-in and boarding, dedicated security lanes and priority baggage handling.
Fares start at around $1,077, according to Martina Coogan, United Airlines’ head of corporate sales in the UK and Ireland.
He said it was a particularly popular option for passengers traveling on long-haul flights between the United States and the United Kingdom.
Meanwhile, with KLM’s premium package, passengers sit in a “quiet cabin” with up to 28 seats with 17 cm more legroom and 7.5 cm more headroom than an economy seat. Guthrie said the package is popular among his customers, who seem to spend twice as much on premium comfort tickets as on economy tickets.
Similarly, Delta’s Comfort Plus package offers more legroom (though it’s unclear exactly how much), early boarding, dedicated overhead storage, and complimentary snacks on flights over 900 miles and drinks on flights over 251 miles.