Private Air Charter????

[Snow Shoe]

Has anybody ever done this from an airport near you to MCO? I am by far not rich, our last child is starting college out of state this fall, but the cost of flying our family is getting more and more expensive through the usual commerical airlines. Flights being canceled, changed, or out right elimated for one thing is getting outragious! The long lines at security and having to be at the airport at least 2-3 hours ahead of time is finally getting to be a real problem. The airlines staff also seem to be getting...well, having take it or leave it attitude, there's going to be somebody next in line that will want that seat if you don't take it at our price.

I'm seriously considering buying into one of the business jet charter companies just so I can leave from our regional airport to and from MCO, on my time schd. Has anybody had any experience business or private doing this? I know what the costs are already, so I'm looking for information about service, checking in, etc, things that aren't written down.

 

[OKW Lover]

When you look into this, keep in mind that there are closer airports to WDW than MCO if you're flying charter. I believe the Kissimmee is much closer.

I'd be very interested in hearing how this works out.

 

[Disney_Mama]

I have not done it myself...but my girlfriend in PA and her family have done it a few times and she said it was amazing. Arrive at the airport just before your flight time. No security, walk right on to the plane and take off.

 

[CarolA]

I have not done this but worked for a company that had a fleet of planes and we did use them on business trips. A few things to consider

1. Parking and rental cars. We always had a tough time finding rental cars at "reasonable" rates at the charter terminals. (Generally even at a lot of major airports you don't go into the main terminal) If it's close most of them will transport you to the main terminal. If not, like here in Atlanta, then you are at the mercy of the transport options at that airport.

2. Number of planes etc. These planes just like the airlines break down. You want a charter service with a decent size fleet.

3. Insurance. Ask to see thier insurance certificate. If they are running a good operation they will have a HUGE insurance bond. If they can't get one, this might not be a good sign.

 

[JoeCathyAngelina]

There are a lot of Private charter flights available anywhere from $1,000 to $8,000 per hour depending on the type of plane you choose or is available.
This is a typical charter flight from Boston to MCO.
http://www.onesky.com

Select Aircraft Class..Seats....Hourly Rate

.....LIGHT JET...........5-7......$1,737 - $3,037

....MEDIUM JET.........6-8......$2,600 - $3,788

....HEAVY JET...........9-12+...$3,625 - $8,450

....TURBO-PROP.........5-12+...$931 - $2,072

For what it's worth, driving from Boston to WDW takes 22 hours and Cost $400 total.
We did the drive 2 times and it was NO BIG DEAL.

Good luck all,
Joe

 

[grimley1968]

As a private pilot myself, I know just enough about the costs of aviation fuel, jet fuel and hourly operating costs of all kinds of planes to realize that it is way, way more expensive to fly this way than commercially.

But if you can swing the extra $$$, oh man, is it worth it to fly this way!

When you consider that it would cost me more in fuel costs alone to fly my little 2-seater Cessna 152 from where I live to WDW-area airports than flying commercially into MCO, the economics of flying commercial look much better.

But all the benefits others have mentioned are definitely true: more airport choices, much easier security, closer parking, less time door-to-door, etc.

Again, if you can swing the higher costs easily, it's a no-brainer to charter your own.

 

[CarolA]

When you consider that it would cost me more in fuel costs alone to fly my little 2-seater Cessna 152 from where I live to WDW-area airports than flying commercially into MCO, the economics of flying commercial look much better.


Again, if you can swing the higher costs easily, it's a no-brainer to charter your own.

Well from the customer point of view the economics may look much better, but I think you point out one of the reasons we have "service" and other issues. The TRUE cost of flying is much higher then the public is paying..... Something has to give. This board is FULL of folks who think $39 each way is what they should pay..... But it's just not an economic model that makes any sense.

 

[grimley1968]

Well from the customer point of view the economics may look much better, but I think you point out one of the reasons we have "service" and other issues. The TRUE cost of flying is much higher then the public is paying..... Something has to give. This board is FULL of folks who think $39 each way is what they should pay..... But it's just not an economic model that makes any sense.

At at least $4.30/gallon for aviation fuel (Avgas), which is what most piston-engine planes like mine use, it costs far more than that $39 figure just to fill up my little Cessna's 26 gallons in both her tanks. And that full tank would get me to around mid-Georgia, if I chose to fly in ignorance of prudent fuel reserves. I would need at least another tank, and maybe part of another one, to get to central Florida. We're talking at least $125 or so in fuel alone, not to mention an hourly amount I set aside for my plane's annual maintenance costs.

Jet fuel is significantly cheaper, as in maybe a dollar or more per gallon, because it's basically kerosene and because so much of it is produced for a much larger consumer population of Jet-A than Avgas. By volume, jets do carry more weight more efficiently and cheaply than my little Cessna can. But it's definitely costing much more than $39/person each way, no matter how short or how direct the flight is going.

Airlines had to slash prices until recently just to fill up their flights. Charters only fly when they have paying passengers, so there's no incentive for them to offer ridiculously cheap pricing like the airlines have in the past.

But wow, is it nice if you can do it once in your life! As much as I love flying myself in my little (and admittedly very spartan) Cessna 152, having a professional pilot fly you in any kind of general aviation jet is a real treat. Now that is really top-notch service.

 

[OKW Lover]

Just wondering if the OP actually wound up doing this. Or anybody else?

 

[KKB]

We won a contest last fall and flew private charter for a week...OMG, it IS the only way to fly. Totally spoils you! No wait, no lines, show up late--leave late, show up early--leave early. We even had no security after a couple days, and could leave luggage on the plane!!!!!!
I know it was $55K for the plane/fuel/fees/pilots for 1 week. (8 seater) Crazy that looks much better than $2500/hour!!
I SOOOO hope I am rich enough to fly charter always some day!!!

(Actually if you divided it between passengers, it could be SOO worth it! Friend have discussed it to fly to football games)

 

[Ineedavacationnow]

Not charter, but a dear friend's family has their own fleet of jets. Dad is a pilot and often comes and picks them up to take them somewhere. They fly like we drive. One time they were 3 states away on a vacation. Grandpa flew one of the kids home for some school thing, waited the couple of hours and then they flew back to their vacation.

What I would give to fly that way.

Dad will call when he is about 1/2 hour from the local airport. They pack up a few bottles of wine, some snacks and the dog and we bring them the 5 minutes to the airport (vs. an hour to the commercial airport.)

Daddy taxies up and they literally can just get on the plane. Very little, if any security.

Usually they are back in the air in about 1/2 hour after the usual checks and whatever else you have to do before you can take off again.

It seems to be so convenient. No tickets, no cattle calls, no security, no rude customers putting their seats down.