How Safe Are Private Jets?

We now live in an age where it’s virtually impossible to travel without getting on a plane. With over 5,000 aircraft in the air at any given point in time, it’s undeniable that the aviation industry continues to grow. Rising numbers, however, means busy airports, overbooked flights, and hours sat crammed into a middle seat on a noisy flight. It’s during these moments that most of us think about what it would be like to upgrade to a private jet, flying comfortably with just the people we’re traveling with.

This might not actually be such a bad idea. Flying private isn’t as unattainable as most people think it is. In fact, most jets are chartered for business trips, rather than owned by a billionaire to fly to a private island. This is only one of the misconceptions shrouding the private jet industry. One of the most inaccurate, however, is that flying private is less safe than taking a commercial flight. In fact, private jets are just as safe, if not safer than flying commercial – especially in light of recent controversies that have occurred on many commercial flights. Still need convincing? Keep reading to learn more about why you should consider a safe, comfortable flight on a private jet.

Publicity Plays a Role

The misconception that flying private is more dangerous than flying commercial is due in large part to how widely publicized incidents on private jets are. Since the passengers on board private jets are often public figures, the media is inclined to sensationalize the event in order to gain attention. Although there are different ways to compare statistics, more passenger fatalities have actually occurred on commercial flights than on charter and private jets in the last 15 years.

Of course, you should always do the appropriate research on any jet company before boarding. Many actually have much more rigorous safety standards, which we’ll talk about in greater detail later. At the end of the day, flying is still the safest way to travel, regardless of whether the flight is commercial or private.

Less Passengers, Less Chances to Cut Corners

We’ve all experienced the sensation of lining up to board a flight and wondering how all these people can possible fit onto the plane. The sheer number of people flying on the average commercial aircraft on a daily basis is not only uncomfortable, but can actually pose a safety hazard. Cash-starved airlines are encouraged to fly as many passengers on as many flights as possible to maximize their profits. Each flight puts stress on the plane’s structural integrity. Furthermore, the temptation to cut corners on safety measures may rise for overworked crew members.

By contrast, getting a maximum number of passengers onto the plane is not the focus when flying private. Since the price of the journey does not hinge on how many seats are filled, safety can be emphasized and all proper steps carried out. The lower overall passenger volume also means less wear and tear on the place, making for a safer journey. This is not to say that safety is not important to commercial flights. However, higher numbers always increase the odds of mistakes.

More Rigorous Safety Checks

As mentioned before, private jets often undergo more rigorous safety testing than commercial flights. Reputable companies will use third-party organizations specialized in safety to evaluate the safety of their organization. The metrics and methods for evaluating the businesses are incredibly strict, meaning that companies that receive the stamp of approval are extremely safe.

For example, Jets.com adheres to Assure standards, ensuring that passengers receive the best in both pilots and aircraft. Assure standards ensure that all jets and pilots exceed the rigorous FAR 135 safety standards, which include drug and alcohol testing, flight crew time and rest requirements, pilot record disclosure, and more. All aircraft are also either ARGUS Certified or Wyvern Registered, two of the most respected and recognized symbols of quality and safety in the Aviation business. Furthermore, Jets.com’s Chief Safety Officer has over 30 years of experience.

Fly Whatever the Weather

Many of us have experienced the inconvenience of a canceled or delayed flight due to inclement weather. Even more serious, some of us may have had to endure a frightening journey or make an emergency landing because of extreme weather. Interestingly, private jets are better equipped to deal with bad weather. Because they have the ability to land at more airports than commercial flights, private jets can change plans very quickly. This means that if the weather gets too rough to fly in, a private jet can make a quick landing rather than put passengers through scary conditions. Some jets even have the ability to fly above weather at up to 51,000 feet. Of course, a good pilot will never take unnecessary risks just to get to a destination on time. But with the ability to avoid this factor, private jets look even more desirable.

Get There Faster and Smoother

One of the greatest appeals of flying on a private jet is cutting down on the miserable time spent walking through the airport and waiting for hundreds of people to board and exit. Not only do private jets offer the opportunity to get on and off the plane faster, they often actually fly faster. The fastest passenger planes in the sky are actually private, often flying nearing the speed of sound. As previously mentioned, jets can fly above weather, cutting down on time spent navigating rough air. The ability to land at more and smaller airports also cuts down on total travel time. Instead of landing at a major airport and taking a cab or public transportation to the actual destination, private jets can land at smaller, local airports and offer passengers door to door service.

Flying private is only a luxury if you are safe. As commercial flight prices continue to rise without increasing their safety standards, flying in a private jet seems less unrealistic. Regardless of whether you’re looking to impress clients or go on vacation, safety should always be the number one concern. Flying without fear is certainly worth an investment.