The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to create a travel environment unlike any other. As we look towards the peak summer season and beyond, what key trends do we expect to see in the market? The recent Globetrender report “Private Travel Trends: 2021-2022” identified key trends emerging in the private travel industry, and how travel companies and consumers are responding. We’re delighted to be partnering with Globetrender to bring you this report. To read it in full download here: https://globetrender.com/product/private-travel-trends-2021-2022/
The report was published and launched at this year’s "Do Not Disturb" the global private travel event dedicated to seclusion, sustainability and true exclusivity. During the event, industry leaders came together to discuss private travel for the year ahead, including our Managing Director of Charter, Kevin Macnaughton.
Private jet enquiries will continue to surge
With last year’s lockdowns and restrictions postponing leisure travel plans for many , the demand for leisure travel is even greater during 2021. As travel restrictions begin to ease, we expect to see the number of bookings continue to increase. In summer 2020, we saw a 321% increase in private jet requests for the summer period, compared to the same time the year before. So far this year, in the US, we are already seeing an influx of private jet bookings for summer leisure travelers. As we expect this trend to continue with the hopeful easing of restrictions in time for peak summer, we expect to see another rise in leisure travel demand, as well as a heightened interest among first-timers who have never flown privately before.
More first-time private jet users
We’ve already noticed a large proportion of first-time private jet users, and we expect to see the number of clients choosing to travel privately for the first time, who may have previously travelled commercially in either first or business class, increase more and continue to fly privately in the future. With many scheduled services still running at reduced availability, recent flight cancellations by major airlines expected this summer, and government restrictions subject to change, private jet passengers recognize the flexibility and availability that flying privately offers. We have access to over 7,000 aircraft and our dedicated team of aviation experts on hand 24/7, so we can quickly adapt clients travel plans.
A slower return to business travel
While essential business travel has been permitted throughout 2021, the pandemic has noticeably changed the landscape of how people travel for business as many shifted towards virtual meetings. While business travel has already signaled an earlier return in the US, international restrictions continue to slow the recovery for private travel worldwide. When international restrictions ease and corporate clients do return in greater numbers, we expect more businesses to consider private jet charter for essential travel than before the crisis, due to added safety, reliability and flexibility private jet travel offers. Employee safety has never been more essential and flying privately is likely to be increasingly viewed as a necessity, rather than a luxury.
More multi-generational families
Since the start of the pandemic, there has been a noticeable shift in enquiries from families choosing to fly private as the benefits of private charter are widely recognized. When travel restrictions ease, we expect to accommodate more multi-generation families who are able to spend unrestricted time together as they recognize the additional safety of traveling in their family bubble. Chartering a private jet also offers a greater degree of control over the end-to-end experience, including the additional benefit of avoiding commercial airports and using private terminals instead, vastly reducing the number of touchpoints and surfaces as well as face-to-face interaction, therefore greatly reducing any potential infection risk.
Increase in JetCard memberships
COVID-19 has created many uncertainties for travelers, which is why we expect to see more interest in our JetCard membership program as more clients look for even greater flexibility. Our innovative JetCard membership offers members the ultimate flexibility and freedom. Members can take advantage of guaranteed availability with 24 hours’ notice, as well as a fixed hourly rate with no hidden costs, among many other benefits. Recently, we announced JetCard First Flight, a limited time offer providing first time private jet customers to fly using our jet card program rates for their first flight with Air Partner. Customers experience our unique private jet membership benefits, including fixed hourly rates, guaranteed availability, round trip discount and more. The offer is available until September 1, 2021. We’re already noticing an increase in inquiries for our JetCard product, and we expect this trend to continue as travelers prepare for the further easing of restrictions and plan their long-awaited holidays abroad. Read more about the benefits of our JetCard membership for summer travel.
