The holidays from Thanksgiving until New Year’s are one of the busiest travel seasons. If you fly by private jet, you get to enjoy substantial advantages. Bypassing long security lines and crowded commercial airports makes for a smoother experience.
Planning ahead means you can create a personalized journey, especially if you book early as holiday demand starts spiking.
Communicate your preferences to your jet provider, think about alternate airports, and be flexible with scheduling, especially in the face of potential weather delays. The following five tips can make private jet travel seamless and enjoyable despite the holiday madness.
Tip #1: Book Your Private Jet Early for the Holidays
Private jet travel experiences a significant demand surge during the holidays as more people seek the convenience and luxury of avoiding crowded commercial airports. Unfortunately, this high demand limits the availability of aircraft, especially if you wait until the last minute.
By booking early, particularly with a private jet card, you can access the best amenities, preferred departure times, and a broader selection of jets. Larger aircraft, ideal for long-distance travel, tend to be in high demand and get booked quickly.
Securing your flight beforehand allows you to lock in favorable times and ensure more flexibility during the busy holiday travel season.
Certain routes—ranging from tropical escapes to ski resort destinations—experience substantial increases in private jet traffic around the holidays. Planning in advance helps you avoid missing out on an ideal travel time or preferred aircraft.
With more preparation time, private jet operators can better customize the services and amenities you like. Booking early ensures a stress-free, luxurious travel experience tailored to meet or exceed your expectations.
Tip #2: Be Flexible With Your Travel Schedule
When you need to make holiday trips, flexibility is among your greatest assets. This is especially true for private jet travel. The busiest travel days witness high demand not only in commercial airports but also at private airports called fixed-based operators (FBOs).
The day before Thanksgiving is a huge travel day, as are New Year’s Eve and Christmas Eve.
If you can travel a day or two ahead, you’ll avoid the worst congestion and traffic on the ground and in the air. Mid-week travel is less crowded than peak weekends, so you’ll have smoother transitions and less competition through FBOs and takeoff and landing slots.
Air travel during an off-peak time of day, like late evening or early morning, might make your journey more relaxed. Work with your private jet provider to identify the optimal travel windows and least busy times.
Tip #3: Choose Smaller, Private Airports (FBOs)
One of the greatest advantages of private jet travel is the ability to fly in and out of FBOs—smaller, private terminals designed specifically for private jets.
These airports are less congested and more efficient, providing a stark contrast to the crowded commercial airports that see a surge of travelers during the holidays.
FBOs are often located closer to your final destination, reducing both flight and ground travel time. Whether you’re heading to a resort or a private residence, these smaller airports can get you where you need to go faster and more conveniently.
The luxury and personalization of private jet terminals go beyond just convenience. With shorter security processes, expedited check-ins, and exclusive amenities, you can enjoy a seamless and relaxing travel experience.
For popular holiday destinations like the Hamptons or Aspen, using FBOs minimizes delays and travel disruptions. To make the most of your journey, the best jet card program can help you identify and access these optimal airports, ensuring efficient and luxurious travel tailored to your needs.
Tip #4: Plan Special Requests and Holiday Details in Advance
Personalization is what private jet travel revolves around. When you travel during the holidays, you leave the creature comforts of home for a while. Thoughtful planning and special requests can make it possible to travel with pets, add luggage space for presents, or enjoy festive in-flight catering.
However, you need to communicate such desires and details far in advance to your jet charter company. Custom entertainment, holiday decorations, and gourmet meals are popular holiday-related services, but they take time to arrange, especially during holiday periods when service providers are getting lots of requests.
Big families or travel groups might need to arrange for extra seating. Planning ahead gives your charter company time to make every detail perfect, ranging from your desired cabin temperature to the onboard refreshments you prefer.
Tip #5: Pack Lightly When Possible
Chances are good that you’ll pack more for the winter holidays than during other times of the year. Bulky, fluffy winter garments might be necessary for local weather, you might be carrying gifts for family and friends, and ski equipment might be something you’ll be taking along.
Too much luggage might require you to reserve a bigger aircraft that’s more expensive. You’ll also need more space when at the airport. On the busiest travel days, using a larger private jet makes it more difficult to find open airport slots.
If you can, mail larger items to your destination so that they’re waiting for you when you get there. Smaller aircraft are easier to customize and use when you’re packing light.
Private Jet Travel Offers Holiday Benefits
If you’re planning to travel during the busiest holiday periods, private jet travel offers an unparalleled blend of convenience and luxury—but thoughtful preparation is key.
Early booking ensures better access to prime departure times and the most desirable aircraft while maintaining flexibility in your schedule can help you avoid peak travel congestion. Opting for smaller, private airports allows you to bypass the chaos of crowded commercial terminals, providing a smoother, more relaxed experience.
Jet card programs offer additional benefits by streamlining the booking process and giving you access to exclusive services, ensuring that your holiday trip is perfectly tailored to your needs. Follow these five tips for a stress-free holiday travel experience where luxury and convenience reign, even during the year’s busiest travel season.
