Private Jet use is climbing back up again
Interesting article by another author -
A Super Bowl Comeback Story
After Two Down Games, Private-Jet Firms Say Business Is on the Rise
By ROBERT FRANK
Private-jet companies love the Super Bowl. All those wealthy (largely male) football fans looking for a super-special ride to the big game and a weekend of splurging and partying. … It is a charter company’s dream. But last year was a disappointment, what with the recession and private-jet shame chasing away business.
This year, business is creeping back and private jets will again be descending en masse in Miami. Private-jet companies credit the improved economy and lower prices for private-jet seats are overcoming the challenge of small-city teams (the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints) playing in the National Football League’s big game.
NetJets, the fractional jet-ownership company, says it has booked about 150 flights in and out of Miami for the Super Bowl. That is up about 25% from the 120 flights into Tampa for last year’s Pittsburgh Steelers-Arizona Cardinal matchup, but still down from the 250 flights in and out of Glendale, Ariz., for the Feb. 3, 2008, contest between the New England Patriots and New York Giants. Charter company BlueStar says it has booked about 40 to 50 planes for the game.
Blue Star founder and President Todd Rome said that despite the lack of big market teams, the wealthy like to party in Miami and “we don’t see people hesitating as much as last year.” Also helping business is Blue Star’s “Share a Jet Exchange,” through which people can book lower-price seats on a private jet that they share with others. A flight to the Miami area from New York for the Super Bowl is running as low as $4,000, Mr. Rome says.
Sentient Jet, the membership and charter company, says its flight volume for the Super Bowl is up about 25% from 2009. Steve Hankin, Sentient Jet’s CEO, said “This is consistent with the overall growth of our business this year which continues to be strong.”
—Robert Frank—The Wealth Report—WSJ.com/Wealth
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