Private jets are no longer just for the rich and famous; they are now set to take off in the corporate travel arena. Private jet companies are expanding their offerings to include a wider range of service, booking and corporate agreement options.BusinessTravelNews highlighted four U.S. booking engines, along with the progress they’re making in the way of business travel.
JETINSIGHT
Primarily for U.S. business travelers, JetInsight offers global flights with a focus on safety, high-quality operators and customer service. Simply head to the site to search and review options, then book your selection with an online payment.
Its fleet consists of aircraft ranging from turboprops to heavy jets, and slightly more than half of its customers are corporate travelers. The company aims to collaborate with more travel management firms.
JetInsight requires no annual fees, no membership dues and no commitments. Rates are calculated as they are received, with operators determining the overall cost. Prices are expected to decrease dramatically as the network grows and aircraft can be routed more efficiently.
JETSMARTER
JetSmarter’s mobile app lets customers book an entire aircraft, seats on scheduled flights or seats on flights created by customer demand. With more than 800 carrier partners across the globe, flights often depart within six hours of being booked.
Since its March 2013 launch, JetSmarter has seen a monthly growth rate of up to 20 percent, with its app downloaded more than 300,000 times. Its typical customer is a traveler in need of a last-minute trip, although regular business travel buyers are also part of the mix.
JetSmarter requires an initiation fee of $3,500 and an annual membership fee of $9,675. Membership perks include free one-way “JetDeals” flights, free seats on regular scheduled shuttles between select major cities, upscale concierge service and wholesale charter pricing.
Related: 3 Must-Have Apps for the Savvy Business Traveler
OPENJET
The cloud-based management software of OpenJet gives users real-time results of fleet and crew availability, checking multiple data points that include fuel prices, aircraft performance and runway configuration.
Travelers specify flight origin and destination, date and number of passengers and are treated to a list of jet types and prices within 45 seconds. They can then book and pay online.
OpenJet’s turboprop to midsize aircraft primarily serve business travelers, which make up 65 percent of its customer base. The company already has five European partners and is expanding into the U.S. market in 2016.
Passengers pay the same amount they would if they booked directly with jet operators. OpenJet revenue is generated by fees it takes from operators for each flight sold.
VICTOR
With more than 7,000 jets across the globe, Victor lets travelers search online for their desired routes and then responds with several price estimates within the hour. Customers include executives, corporations and travel management centers.
Membership soared 260 percent from 2014 to 2015, with sales growing 142 percent per year over a three-year span. A mobile app introduced in April 2015 helped boost sales, accounting for 50 percent of 2015 bookings.
Prices for flights can vary from $7,500 to $250,000, with a cap on booking fees and transparency of flight details and pricing
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