Cracked airliners got you down? You are in Los Angeles and you want to fly to Las Vegas, San Francisco, Phoenix or Santa Fe. So you buy a ticket on one of the low-cost carriers–perhaps even one prone to cracks in its fusilages–ponder whether it’s worth it to bring checked in luggage for that favorite bottle of wine you want to drink and get yourself to the airport early to go through the security lines. Then, since you’ve decided to bring some liquids that are more than 3 ounces, you wait on the other end for your luggage to arrive — or perhaps not. All in all, a lot of trouble and a lot of time to arrive at your not very far away destination.
Or, with some extra money in your pocket, you could get on board one of JetSuite’s brand-new, four seater private jets on your own schedule and avoid every one of those hassles. You’ll sit back in comfort in BMW- designed leather interiors that feature Bose quiet comfort headsets and XM satellite radio. Also on board: complimentary drinks and snacks. And no worries about what you’re bringing, or how much. There’s plenty of room for lots of luggage, shopping bags, golf bags, tennis rackets and skis.
The private jet operator was recently purchased by JetBlue founder David Neeleman and an investment company. It’s making its mark in the charter private jet world by offering low fares to regional destinations, like $999 each way between LA and Las Vegas or between Austin and Dallas. That’s less than half the cost that other companies charge.
JetSuite, which operates out of regional airports like Van Nuys and Long Beach, is able to hold down the costs because it only uses one sort of aircraft, the Embraer Phenom 100. Most of the pilots formerly worked at the major airlines, and every flight is staffed with two pilots who each have an average of more than 7,000 flying hours.
Like those scheduled airlines, the lowest fares on JetSuite are nonrefundable and must be purchased in advance and are subject to some blackout days. But unlike other private jet and charter companies, it doesn’t require a monthly membership fee– although for frequent fliers, there is a membership program that operates on a refundable pre-paid account called SuiteKey.
A view of the Malibu coastline from an Embraer Phenom 100 jet
“We have successfully introduced the luxuries of private jet travel to a new audience with the affordability of our SuiteSaver program,” says CEO Alex Wilcox, also a former founding JetBlue executive.
You won’t want to take JetSuite cross-country, as the Phenom 100’s only have a range of 1,000 miles and would have to stop several times to refuel. Hence, the focus on regional destinations.
The ease of traveling gets even greater if you want to go to Mexico. Wilcox explained that with the proper paperwork prepared in advance, a customs agent will come to you when you arrive back in the United States, and clear you right then and there.
You will of course need your passport, but with JetSuite, no need to worry about printing out boarding passes or keeping track of your baggage claim ticket. It’s all about the pleasure of flying in your own plane.
JetSuite, (866) 779-7770, www.jetsuite.com
