As more business professionals seek the exclusivity, convenience, and luxury of private jet travel, theyâre also looking to get it without the expense of owning the jet themselves. âTheyâre experienced cord-cuttersâŚThey look at business aviation and ask, âWhy own an entire aircraft when you can share the cost and use it with others?ââ President & CEO of Executive AirShare Keith Plumb recently told Forbes.4
In 2017 more than a quarter of business travelers were in the market to purchase a private jet, but manyâeven those in the ultra-high net worth (UHNW) segmentâopted out of outright ownership or even fractional options, instead choosing to:
And, as these trends in private jet travel give more people more options and attract new travelers into an elite world, charter organizations and other private aviation companies are seeing new customers become instant convertsâbut not without offering some differentiation in service, like high-speed inflight Wi-Fi.2
Todayâs business travelers face new demands that validate the need for private jet travel. Expanding technology, more regulations, fast-developing wealth in emerging markets, and global demand for business services require round-the-clock focus, and thus more productivity on the go.3
Industry pros, like ARGUS founder and CEO Joe Moeggenberg, donât see the trend reversing, but rather continuing to become the new norm. âBusiness aviation must, and is, addressing the shift from a product to a service. Itâs no longer based on ownership. It is about creating unique service offerings.â4
And whatâs clear is that one unique service offering few private jet travelers can do without is inflight connectivity.
Todayâs business travelers expect to be connected throughout their trip. But these travelers arenât homogenous; charter jet customers generally fall into two groups:
The first is a younger, more flexible clientele seeking an on-demand experienceâthink tech startup founders, entrepreneurs, and other disruptors whoâve grown up in the digital age. They want flash, style, and the creature comforts of their well-appointed offices but without having to spend a fortune because theyâre also less wealthy than their jet-owning counterparts, with an average wealth of $67 million, compared to $1.5 billion for private jet owners.3
The second group comprises more traditional corporate travelersâ14% are in financial services and 35% engage in philanthropy. More âcustom suitâ than high-end hoodie, they expect bespoke service and the ability to conduct business in the air without skipping a beat. Being able to answer emails, stream videoconferences, and close deals mid-flight is as important to them as the speed and convenience of private jet travel itself.3
Despite their differencesâwhether attributed to industry, generation, or other factorsâwhat keeps all of these customers coming back is an âexclusiveâ flight experience. And theyâll actively seek out the charter operators who can offer exactly what they want, when they want it.
Wi-Fi seems like a no-brainer, as ubiquitous in public and private spaces as air and light. But unless a charter aircraft is relatively new, it may not be equipped with the kind of connectivity required for todayâs fast-paced, highly driven business travelers. However, upgrading an aircraft with reliable inflight Wi-Fi can make all the difference in the number of first-time and repeat charter bookings, as well as overall customer satisfaction.
For example, business travelers can change up their destination for the next leg of the trip at a momentâs notice simply by connecting to the aircraftâs Wi-Fi and logging into a booking platform. Now, they can do it from the air to save time, hassle, and make sure they get first crack at their preferred flight options. The connectivity also helps pilots and crew communicate with teams on the ground who can help facilitate the changes and keep passengers happy, all of which contribute to improved sales and marketing efforts for many organizations.
â[Wi-Fi] differentiates us,â says Jessica Naor, Sales and Marketing Director at Grandview Aviation. âWe capture more trips because we have this capability.â
âBusiness jets are todayâs cell phoneâŚyears ago considered a luxury, now a vital, affordable, and competitive tool,â says Million Air CEO Roger Woolsey. âThe use of private aviation is the greatest corporate force multiplier, unlocking companies to improve productivity, gain market share, and used to drastically outperform competitors.â4
As the appeal and accessibility of business aviation continues to evolve, charter organizations have to stay on their toes, casting a wider net for potential customers through online booking services and mobile apps, while catering to the whims of newer customers and traditionalists alike.
No longer beholden to rigid travel plans, travelers accessing inflight connectivity are available and adaptable when previously they were âout of pocket.â Wi-Fi enables them to respond quickly to changing business demands or unexpected events in their personal lives. Travelers of every age and profession now have the ability to organize their time the way theyâre accustomed to in the digital age: on demand and en route.
Whether they need to book a car service, accommodations, restaurants, meeting space, tours, or any number of executive perks, Wi-Fi makes it all possible. And itâs not just about business and logistics. Watching movies, TV shows, or the newsâaccessed via streamingâkeeps them entertained and enhances their overall experience.
No matter the age, experience, or job title of the passenger, charter operators canât afford not to offer fast and reliable inflight connectivity if they want to remain competitive and relevant.
To learn more about how Gogo inflight connectivity solutions can make your charter jet operation more attractive to wider audiences and more profitable, connect with a Gogo inflight connectivity consultant.
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