Villiers Guide to Private Aircraft

It can be confusing knowing which private jet is best suited to the journey you might have in mind. With so many different categories of aircraft, and several highly respected manufacturers, you might be wondering where the differences lie and how the various aircraft perform relative to one another.

We thought that it might be helpful to provide a basic guide to the differing categories of private jet, and equally to the aircraft within those categories, in order to clear up any confusion!

We hasten to add that each aircraft on the market will have its individual strengths, and the below is merely a guide based on our own humble opinion…

Very Light Jets

Nimble, cost effective, and ideal for short hops and flights of up to 2 hours, very light jets (VLJ’s) are the most recent classification of private jet and are able to land on short runways and comfortably carry 4-5 passengers.

	Citation Mustang	Embraer Phenom 100	Honda Hondajet
Capacity	5	5	6
Speed	483mph/ 777kph	449mph/ 722kph	483mph/ 778kmh
Range (miles)	1,343	1,356	1,358
Take-Off Weight	3,930kg	4,750kg	4,173kg

Our vote for best VLJ narrowly goes to the Phenom 100, which compared with what in our view are its closest competitors, the Cessna Citation Mustang and the new Hondajet, has the better package of range, efficiency, and take-off weight.

Light Jets

The competition heats up in the Light Jet category, with a number of manufacturers staking a solid claim, including Bombardier, Cessna, Embraer and Hawker Beechcraft. Light jets are fast, efficient, and are able to access a far greater number of local airports than Medium to Super Midsize business jets, and are ideal for flights of up to 4 hours.

	Embraer Phenom 300	Citation CJ4	Learjet 45XR	Hawker 400XPR
Capacity	6	9	9	9
Speed	521mph/ 839kph	519mph/ 835kph	533mph/ 858kph	539mph/ 866kph
Range (miles)	2,268	2,220	2,268	1,949
Take-Off Weight	8,150kg	7,688kg	9,163kg	7,303kg

In the light jet category, we feel that the Bombardier Learjet 45XR just has the edge over the Cessna Citation CJ4, thanks largely to its improved take-off weight, comparable speed, and aesthetic design.

Medium Jets

Medium or Midsize jets are the workhorse of the business jet world, suitable for longer range flights usually of up to five hours, or for shorter flights with higher passenger numbers. There are a number of aircraft competing in this category, all of which are excellent, including:

	Embraer Legacy 600	Hawker 850XP	Learjet 85	Gulfstream G280	Citation Sovereign
Capacity	13	13	8	10	12
Speed	518mph/ 834kph	515mph/ 829kph	541mph/ 871kph	528mph/ 850kph	529mph/ 852kph
Range (miles)	3,250	3,040	3,000	3,600	3,671
Take-Off Weight	22,500kg	12,701kg	15,195kg	17,960kg	13,959kg

In our humble opinion, despite having a slightly lower passenger capacity than some of its competitors, the Gulfstream G280 wins the crown for Midsize Jets, with fantastic range and fuel efficiency as well as a healthy take-off weight.

Super Midsize Jets

Once you are in to Super Midsize jets, you tend to gain many of the advantages of Large Cabin and Global Jets in terms of range but at a more competitive price and in most cases with a lesser capacity in terms of passenger numbers. These aircraft are great for flights of six to eight hours and have short intercontinental range. Included within this category are:

	Gulfsream G450	Challenger 605	Hawker 4000	Falcon 2000LX	Citation X
Capacity	16	13	12	10	12
Speed	561mph/ 903kph	542mph/ 872kph	554mph/ 891kph	530mph/ 852kph	604mph/ 972kph
Range (miles)	5,000	4,603	3,774	4,600	3,700
Take-Off Weight	19,500kg	21,863kg	17,917kg	19,413kg	16,374kg

Whilst we can highly recommend any of these aircraft, in our view the Gulfstream 450 is without doubt the vehicle of choice in this category. With a superb range, incredible speed, and large cabin, we just cant find it in ourselves to look beyond this exceptional aircraft.

Large Cabin / Global Jets

Global Jets

Leaving aside converted and privately owned commercial airliners, Large Cabin / Global Jets are the ultimate in private aviation and offer the greatest range, comfort and capacity to businesses or individuals. These aircraft are fully intercontinental, offer full sleeping arrangements, have galleys as standard, and are quite simply the only way to fly if you are looking for the best.

	Global 6000	Falcon 7X	Gulfstream 650
Capacity	19	19	18
Speed	590mph/ 950kph	559mph/ 900kph	562mph/ 904kph
Range (miles)	6,900	6,835	8,052
Take-Off Weight	45,246kg	31,750kg	45,200kg

How can you choose between these three extraordinary aircraft? Each offer the maximum in creature comforts, and wherever you are heading your arrival is bound to turn heads. Thanks to its truly remarkable range however, we feel the Gulfstream G650 just pips its competitors to the post. We should add that the advent of the Global 7000 next year, with its improved range and speed, may well in our view tilt the balance back towards Bombardier.

*In all of the above the capacity displayed is maximum capacity in a high density configuration. Speed is maximum speed under optimum conditions, as is range.

The Monaco Grand Prix by Private Jet

This coming weekend will see the blue riband event of the Formula 1 calendar take place – the Monaco Grand Prix.

Ask any aspiring or current F1 driver which Grand Prix they would like to win, and you will more often than not receive the same answer – Monaco. The same can be said were you to ask any motor sport enthusiast which event more than any other they would like the chance to witness first hand.

Held in the small city state situated in the south east corner of France, the Monaco Grand Prix epitomises all that is glamourous and appealing about the sport, with the cars racing through the narrow streets and along the famous harbour front against a backdrop of wealth including casinos, super yachts, and some of the most expensive real estate in the world.

Fans travel from all corners of the globe to watch this spectacle unfold, whilst businesses and institutions spend hundreds and thousands of pounds entertaining clients and ensuring that they enjoy the benefits of their hospitality and the warm Mediterranean climate for the duration of the weekend.

If you are intending to head to Monaco this weekend but have yet to make your travel arrangements, there is still plenty of time to organise a private charter and make sure you arrive in style. Villiers Jets will take care of all the arrangements, including a departure from your nearest UK airport to Nice Cote d’Azur, from which Monaco is a 35 minute drive or 7 minutes by helicopter transfer.

For all private jet hire enquiries to the 2015 Monaco Grand Prix, please get in touch with us at Villiers Jets.

How to Fly By Private Jet at the Best Possible Price

People often assume that flying by private jet is a hobby only affordable to the super rich. Whilst there is inevitably an inherent cost, it is possible to travel by private jet at a cost that is less painful for your wallet than you might expect. Here are some tips we can recommend if you want to try and secure yourself a jet at the best price:

1. Make the most of empty legs

Empty legs are re-positioning flights. Once an aircraft has delivered its passengers to their destination, the aircraft will often have to relocate to a new destination to pick up fresh passengers, or return to its home base. Aircraft operators charge a fraction of their usual prices to fill their seats on these flights, meaning you are often able to fly privately at the cost of a standard business class flight or less.

2. Fill up the aircraft

Charter quotes are provided on the full cost of hiring an aircraft, including fuel costs (the bulk of the price), staff costs (pilots and any cabin crew), and commission, to name but a few. This cost will largely remain the same whether there is one person on board or nine. Whilst there are some variables, the more seats that are occupied, the cheaper the cost per head will be – so if you and some friends are treating yourself to the holiday of a lifetime, it makes sense to fill up that aeroplane and keep your costs down.

3. Fly from established private jet hubs

There are certain airports that have more private jet movements than others. The very nature of the fact that a large number of private aircraft will be coming and going from these airports, as well as a good number being based at them, increases dramatically your chance of being able to quickly pick up an empty leg if one becomes available.

4. Be flexible on timings and plan ahead

Keep an eye on a general time when you would like to travel. If you’re able to anticipate roughly when you would like to fly, but can be a little flexible on the exact timing, you will in all likelihood be able to secure an empty leg to where you want to be. This is all the more likely if there is some flexibility in your destination (for example by being prepared to fly to Cannes rather than Nice), and if you intend to fly to an area well serviced by private jets during a period of high volume, such as the south of France during the summer months.

5. Book in advance

Failing all of the above, as is true with most things in life the earlier you book the better value you will see. If you are able to book early, aircraft brokers and operators will be vying for your business, and you are likely to receive the most competitive quotes available. On shorter notice, less aircraft are available, and the chances of a substantial re-positioning on the part of those that are available become higher, all translating into a higher cost to you.

Five UK Destinations for St George’s Day

Five UK Destinations for St George's Day

Five UK Destinations for St George’s Day

With the approach of St George’s Day, we thought we would fly the flag for UK domestic private jet charter and recommend our top 5 domestic destinations that might tickle your fancy this St. George’s Day weekend.

Private Jet Charter to Cornwall
1.Cornwall (Newquay Airport – IATA: NQY)

Newquay is Cornwall’s principal airport in the south west of the UK and is a short flight from London. The airport is able to handle all aircraft types and is only 4 short miles from Cornwall’s scenic north coast, and is equipped with a dedicated private jet terminal handling all private and general aviation.

During late April and early May, temperatures can average out at around 15 degrees with plenty of sunshine, allowing for a very pleasant spring lunch by the sea or in the midst of some of the most scenic countryside of the UK, with rolling green hills, attractive villages and dramatic coastal panoramas.

Private Jet Charter to the Isle of Wight
2. Isle of Wight (Bembridge Airport – IATA: BBP)

Bembridge Airport on the Isle of Wight is located on the west of the island and is suitable for light aircraft only.

The Isle of Wight remains a popular destination for private aviation in the UK, particularly for those who also maintain an interest in all things maritime or sailing. The climate in late April or early May is similar to that of Cornwall, with average temperatures hitting 15 degrees and benefits from plenty of sunshine throughout the spring and summer.

Private Jet Charter to Northumberland
3. Northumberland (Newcastle upon Tyne International Airport – IATA: NCL)

Newcastle Airport is a fully fledged international airport and the principal aviation hub of the north east of England. The airport serves both commercial and private aviation, and is able to handle all classes of private aircraft with a dedicated private jet terminal for all private and VIP aircraft traffic.

Newcastle is the gateway to the north east of England and Northumberland, one of the most beautiful counties in the UK. Encompassing the Scottish borders as well as Northumberland National Park, this is an area of outstanding natural beauty with plenty to offer the intrepid visitor.

Private Jet Charter to Jersey
4. Jersey, The Channel Islands (Jersey Airport – IATA: JER)

Jersey is the largest of the Channel Islands, a small cluster of islands situated about 12 miles west off the Norman coast of France under the jurisdiction of the UK. Jersey Airport is fully equipped to deal with all private jet traffic, and has a dedicated private aviation terminal on site. Alternatively, private jet charter direct to Guernsey (IATA: GCI) is also possible.

Jersey is a beautiful destination with a mild climate, with rolling hills of emerald green surrounded by the wild seas of the Atlantic. The island has a rich gastronomy, producing world renown creams and butters, the famous Jersey Royal potatoes, and a rich and delicious supply of seafood, all of which provide for some wonderful restaurants and hotels.

Private Jet Charter to the Lake District
5. The Lake District, Cumbria (Carlisle Airport – IATA: CAX)

Carlisle Airport in Cumbria, the north west of England, is the closest airport to the Lake District capable of handling private jet traffic. The airport is fully equipped to cater for private aviation with a dedicated executive terminal.

The Lake District in Cumbria is one of the most picturesque regions of the UK, and provides a stunning backdrop for a short break or weekend away. The area is typified by the forests, mountains and lakes which lend the area its name, with the dramatic landscapes continuing to attract artists and writers, as they historically always have done, along with a new wave of international visitors taking advantage of the many excellent restaurants and enjoying the outstanding natural beauty of the area.

For all UK domestic private jet or helicopter charter, please contact us directly at Villiers Jets for a quote.

Moscow – Nice, Russia, and the Private Jet Industry

Moscow - Nice, Russia, and the Private Jet Industry

Moscow – Nice, Russia, and the Private Jet Industry

With the news that the most popular private jet charter route in the world is between Moscow and Nice, we thought it would be a good time for us to have a closer look at the appeal of chartering a private jet to the wealthy Russian and just why this might route in particular is so popular.

The emergence of a wealthy Russian elite with huge wealth and a proclivity to spend has been well documented since the fall of the Berlin wall and the end of communism. Newspapers, magazines, and wealth watchers have all made a habit of reporting on the extravagant lifestyles of the oligarchy, as they flit between rubbing shoulders with business leaders and politicians in the worlds global cities to partying with celebrities and the glitterati in the trendiest summer hot spots. And who hasn’t read an article somewhere about their propensity for buying up the most expensive properties and penthouses in London, Paris and New York?

It is not unusual to find that many Russians own multiple properties – a HQ, a place to call home in London or New York whilst they are on business, and a villa in Cote d’Azur or Ibiza or a penthouse in Miami for partying. Given the frequency with which they travel as they go about their business, it’s inevitable that many choose to fly privately. Not only is it more time efficient for them to charter a private jet, it also takes them closer to where they need to be, and affords them a mode of transport in keeping with their expensive tastes whilst maximising their privacy.

Whilst many oligarchs own their own private jets, many affluent Muscovites are happy to charter, and in doing so regularly do so through established European companies which have established a good reputation and a high level of service and efficiency. In doing so we see many private jet charter enquiries not just between Moscow and Nice, but Moscow and Ibiza, Moscow and Malaga, and Moscow and other Mediterranean destinations such as Corfu and Sardinia. The volume of jet charters is certainly most noticeable on the Moscow – Nice route, and given the historical appeal and glamour of private jet charter in the South of France and its reputation as one of THE places to be for the international wealthy to be seen at the height of summer, we don’t foresee this changing in the immediate future!