De-Mystifying The Biz of Flying Private

Mention the words “chartered flight” and you’d be forgiven for thinking of celebrities on a plane ala Kardashian style. It’s a common perception that private charters are unattainable for many trips and only for the rich and famous. But Robert Rennert, Principal at ELEVATE Aviation Solutions is hoping to change that.

For starters, you won’t find any images of passengers living it up on his website. “Images in pop culture of flying private show big spenders, a lot of the people dressed in a certain way, acting a certain way, which is in fact, not the norm.”

Rennert says his clients are everyone from individuals to business, leisure, families, sports teams and even MICE and entertainment groups who are looking for that ease of travel and refined experience. He wants to educate the travel trade market that private charters are a viable option, especially for groups or travelers who are looking for an aspirational experience that can be tailored to exactly what they want.

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Rennert says often travelers are shocked to find the cost per person of a private charter isn’t that much more than a commercial business class ticket, especially when factoring the “empty leg” option where travelers can charter an empty plane on a run and save up to 75 percent.

Another option happening currently in the USA only (plans to come to Canada are in the works), is to purchase single seats on a private charter from NYC to MIA one of the company’s popular routes. Costing can also be brought down as the company starts to allow clients who’ve booked a charter to sell leftover seats to individuals, helping to offset the total cost.

This product is currently available in the US market. "We want to be at the forefront of new enabling technologies for our customers. Shared air charter options through our use of the MemberJets/Sky380 platform provides our customers with an innovative travel solution, and this without membership fees," adds Rennert.

With access to a fleet that ranges from everything from a 4 seater to large jets to helicopters and float planes, the possibilities and flexibility are endless.

“Private flying generally picks off where traditional commercial airlines leave off. We are able to provide not only a completely customized and easy way to travel by having our passengers avoid the long check-in and security lines at airports, but we are able to go to smaller, off the beaten path places that commercial jets can’t go. Community airports can be the jumping off point to the world.”

Rennert tells TravelPulse Canada often travelers will take a commercial flight to a major destination and then charter a smaller plane to travel to a more remote area that isn’t accessible by the larger jets. Or, they will add on a helicopter pickup at a major airport such as Newark, LaGuardia, or JFK to avoid the New York City traffic and make for a smoother, faster and stress-free arrival.

Safety is of course of utmost concern and in addition to adhering to all aviation industry regulations, ELEVATE has been assigned the ARGUS Registered Broker rating. ARGUS is the globally recognized leader in operational safety and risk management solutions for private aviation. In being granted this new title, ELEVATE becomes the only independent ARGUS Registered charter broker in Canada.

ELEVATE offers agents five percent commission and have currently set up a separate booking page to register which can be found here. Rennert says agents are a big part of helping to educate travelers on their options.

“The value agents deliver to air travel is tremendous, and we’ll work closely with agents to take the time to educate them on our offerings as the industry grows by leaps and bounds. We have to de-mystify how private charter works for travelers and promise our agents good commission.”