Easter Weekend by Private Jet

March is behind us and this year that means that the Easter weekend is almost upon us.

Regularly one of the busiest weekends of the year, we often see a surge in interest as people all over the world look to enjoy the first substantial break of the working year by escaping abroad for a well-earned break. This includes families planning holidays with children freshly home from school, those working in a corporate environment looking for a rest after the busy end of the financial year, and individuals looking to make the most of any remaining snow in the Alps before packing their skis up for the season.

It’s an interesting time of year, with many seeing Easter as the point at which winter transitions to spring, and we can all begin to look forward to the long, warm summer months ahead and put those cold dark evenings behind us. This sense of transition is emphasised by the varied enquries we regularly see for the Easter break. As mentioned, many are clinging on to the prospect of one last hurrah with a trip to the ski resorts of Switzerland, Austria and France, whilst others are determinedly looking forward, throwing off the shackles of winter as soon as they can and heading to the sunnier climes of the Cote d’Azur, the Costas and Balaerics, or the dusty yet enchanting Marrakech.

Given the high demand commercial airlines see at this time of year, with millions heading through Europe’s major airports, prices for any remaining seats – even on budget airlines – are often measured in the many hundreds, if not thousands of pounds.

Chartering a private jet for the Easter weekend is therefore a very realistic and viable alternative, with any discrepancy in price more than compensated for by the speed, efficiency and comfort offered, as well as the ability in most cases for private jets to travel direct to airports much closer to your final destination, and to which commercial airlines are simply not able to go.

This is even more so the case if one is able to take advantage of any empty leg flights that we are able to offer (see our regularly updated schedule of available empty legs here..)

So if you are planning a last minute break this Easter, please get in touch with us at Villiers for a quote.

Villiers Jets Empty Legs

There has been plenty of press recently over the potential saving one can make when flying privately by taking advantage of ’empty leg’ services.

Also referred to as ‘dead legs’, these flights are the result of an aircraft re-positioning in order to service a new charter request, or returning to their home airport after an existing client has employed an aircraft for a one way charter. The result is that the aircraft will have to fly a certain leg of its journey empty.

If you are therefore able to be flexible in your date of departure and exact destination (for example by flying to London Luton as opposed to London Gatwick), then charter operators are often prepared to offer substantial discounts for a seat on board one of their empty leg flights. In some cases this can be up to a 75% discount.

With a little bit of planning, then, it really is possible to take advantage of this system and utilise the empty legs to fly you and your friends or family by private jet at very reasonable rates…

One tip we can give you is that empty legs often follow a seasonal pattern, so, for example, during the European ski season it is likely that there will be a high volume of empty legs from airports such as Geneva, Zurich, Lyon and St. Moritz, whereas during the summer you may find there is a spike in the number of empty legs from Nice, Ibiza, Mallorca, or Malaga.

We are able to provide you with the details of a certain number of empty leg flights, details of which are updated weekly, and can be found on our website here. If you are planning a holiday, and by keeping an eye on our regular updates, we hope that you will be able to find something to suit and which allows you to experience all that flying by private jet has to offer.

See our full list of available empty legs here.

Head to the Slopes by Private Jet

Private jet charter to Meribel ski resort

Head to the Slopes by Private Jet

After a slow start that had many worrying about whether there would be any snow over the New Year at some of Europe’s best resorts, things have well and truly changed and for the ski enthusiast there is now plenty of snow across the alpine resorts in France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy. What had seemed like a potentially poor season is gearing up for a busy Easter, and as always in the preceding months we have seen a spike in ski related jet enquiries.

All is not necessarily business as usual, however. With the Swiss Central Bank abandoning its currency cap yesterday, the Swiss franc has surged against the dollar, euro and the pound in the last 24 hours. In real terms, this has meant that a cup of coffee in Switzerland has become almost 39% more expensive since yesterday in some cases.

How will this affect demand? For those with property interests in Swiss resorts such as Verbier, a bastion for British society during the Easter skiing season, it may be a case of simply having to endure the hike in prices and living costs for the time being. For those who aren’t tied down by historical loyalties to any particular country or resort, however, it would seem sensible to look elsewhere and we suspect that France and Austria will be the biggest beneficiaries. The skiing in both countries is as formidable as anywhere, and with much better value to be had we are gearing ourselves for a jump in the number of jet charters to Chambery Airport for the Three Valleys (think Meribel, Courcheval and Val Thorens), Geneva Airport for Chamonix, and Innsbruck Airport for those heading to Lech and St Anton.

Villiers Jet Charter are able to handle all private jet enquiries to Chambery Airport, Geneva Airport, and Innsbruck Airport for skiing holidays.

Samedan Airport, St. Moritz, and 5 other exciting airfields

Samedan Private Jet Charter

We receive a lot of private charter requests to fly into Samedan Airport at this time of year, only 5km’s from St. Moritz and therefore on the doorstep of some of the very best skiing in Europe. It’s possible for you to literally go from your private jet to your chalet in twenty minutes.

With an elevation of close to 6,000 feet, the air is thin, and this combined with ice, snow, wind, and a lack of any ILS make Samedan an airport to keep most pilots on their toes. Which lead us to think about some other airports which provide a bit of excitement as you come in to land…

Courcheval, France

Courcheval Private Jet Charter

The runway is very short and has a steep gradient, conditions can be very challenging, and there is a vertical cliff at the bottom of the strip. On the other hand, you can ski straight from the terminal building, and will have incredible views as you approach the airfield.

Saba Airport, Dutch Antilles

Saba Private Jet Charter

Saba, in the Caribbean, is a beautiful island and getting there is half the fun. The runway is, at 400m, reputedly one of the shortest commercial strips in the world. On top of this there are steep hills to one side, cliffs at both ends, and the sea on the remaining side. Once you are safely down, however, it will all seem worth it as you enjoy a relaxing Caribbean break.

Madeira, Portugal

Madeira Private Jet Charter

Built out over the sea, and with winds coming down off the hills behind the runway, Madeira requires a good level of concentration from pilots as they approach the airport. There is also a relatively short runway as far as larger commercial traffic is concerned, but the charm and beauty of this little island in the Atlantic ensures there are plenty wanting to visit.

Princess Juliana Airport, St Maarten

Princess Juliana Private Jet Charter

It is not so much that there is any particular difficulty in landing at this renown airport, more so how close one comes to the beach adjacent to the end of the runway which makes it such fun. Aircraft regularly come and go, and immediately prior to touchdown can be as little as 50 feet above the permanent crowd of plane spotters who welcome new visitors to the island. An additional Caribbean thrill, to say the least!

London City Airport

London City Private Jet Charter

Flying in to London City is a great experience. With a short runway, pilots require special certification to land here as it requires a steeper glideslope than usual for commercial or private aircraft, given its unique location in the heart of London. On the other hand, approach and landing give some spectacular views of London’s increasingly dynamic skyline, and once on the ground, conveniently close to the centre of the city.

Fly from London City Airport to Samedan, St Moritz with Villiers from €10,760, or request pricing online to fly to or from any other destination worldwide.

5 Top Winter Christmas Destinations

If you’re short on ideas as to where to spend your Christmas this year, we thought we’d give you some inspiration and list our top 5 favourite cities in which to enjoy a winter break.

5. Prague

Private Jet Charter Prague

With its narrow medieval alleyways, and snow covered town squares filled with market stalls selling traditional handcraft wares, Prague offers plenty for those of you seeking a traditional Christmas experience. Traditionally spiced hams and sausages sizzle in the cold air, tempting you as you browse the shops for Christmas presents or take a walk around Wenceslas Square, named after Saint Wenceslas of Christmas carol fame, Duke of Bohemia in the tenth century.

4. New York City

Private Jet Charter New York

From the world class shopping to ice skating around the famous Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Centre, from romantic walks through a snow laden Central Park to taking in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, New York has something for everybody at Christmas time. Immortalised in numerous films, nothing comes close to experiencing the real thing first hand.

3. Vienna

Private Jet Charter Vienna

Spend Christmas in Vienna and you will soon discover that for the Viennese, this is a very special time of year. Christmas markets magically spring up in the city’s most picturesque squares, the warming aromas of glühwein and freshly baked Christmas treats spiced with nutmeg and ginger hang in the air, and the sound of carols and festive music drift across the city from the many carol services and live music on Riesenradplatz. You’ll want to come back next year.

2. Bruges

Private Jet Charter Bruges

Bruges comes alive at this time of year, with a wonderful Christmas market on Bruges Market Square adorned with festivities and Christmas lights. Undoubtedly, Bruges is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, with cobbled pedestrianized streets, snowy canals, and grand squares, all framed by wonderfully preserved medieval architecture. The city is also a chocolate lovers dream – with countless shops selling delicious Belgian chocolates and pralines. Don’t miss it!

1. Copenhagen

Private Jet Charter Copenhagen

For a truly fairytale Christmas, you will be hard pressed to beat Copenhagen. Take shelter in a snug bar or local pub and watch the snow gusting outside; go for a walk down beautiful Nyhavn, with its charming brightly coloured townhouses and shops, or head to the magical Tivoli Gardens for a warming glass off glug (local mulled wine) and a romantic evening at the Christmas fair. We can’t recommend it enough.

And not forgetting…

London

Private Jet Charter London

How could we possibly compile a list of top Christmas destinations and not include our home town?! The chances of snow are perhaps slim, but there is so much to do over Christmas that its hard to ignore London. Ice skate at the beautiful Somerset House, treat the kids to the evening of their lives at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, visit the giant Norweigan Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, or sing carols at Westminster Abbey for midnight mass.

And if all of that bores you… Speak to us to arrange your private jet to one of the other Christmas heaven’s we’ve mentioned above. Happy Christmas!