| Image Travel: Jet Setting Takes Off in San Diego
Story by Patty Kovacevich
More and more San Diegans are saying farewell to commercial air transportation and soaring into lofty blue skies via exclusive private air travel. Why? Forstarters, it just makes ‘good plane sense.’ Say goodbye to cattle car transportation. This mode of travel is like a luxurious limousine service in the air – extravagance, ease, comfort, and privacy. Posh service and pampering for your every business or personal need make private jetting an irresistible mode of travel. Living the fantasy and landing in the lap of luxury have become a way of life for many sophisticated San Diego travelers. There are few luxuries like a private flight.
Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, many travelers have become squeamish about flying in large commercial airliners and are all too aware of the increasingly long lines as a result of heightened security at airports. Privacy and privilege combine with an atmosphere of enchantment to whisk you into the world of private air travel.
Privacy is the Golden Rule
Corporations recognize that superior charter air companies never reveal the business names they book, the people who fly, where they go, or the business conducted. More than ever, corporations and business executives are raving about the ease and effortless convenience of private jet travel for business purposes. One can save more than four hours of travel time in a business day without the hassles of commercial travel lines. Private aircraft can transport you much closer and more directly to smaller destinations forbidden by commercial aircraft. Most businesses demand travel, so why not make it an efficient pleasure?
For personal travel, privacy and exceptional service are fundamentals. More and more individuals are embracing the casual elegance of private jet travel by gathering together friends and family to head off to spectacular destinations that makes getting there as pleasurable as staying there. Though most travelers are high-net-worth individuals, gathering a group for personal or business travel can make chartering a private jet more reasonable.
Freedom Becomes a Passion
Increasing numbers of San Diegans are escaping stress and winter with a quick hop to Vegas, a sweet golf game in Palm Springs or a shopping fete to New York or Paris. No more squealing kids in the aircraft, your passengers are onboard by your invitation. The flight soiree is your custom design or you can call a charter jet service company to help map out your perfect dream sojourn. A luxurious round trip spree to Las Vegas or Palm Springs for four is around $8,000. A family of four to New York for a week can start around $30,000. Heading to Rome, on the other hand, might begin around $110,000.
The cost starts with the number of travelers and your destination, and the rest depends on what mode of travel you prefer - a Gulfstream 1V, Learjet 35A, or one of the fast new Eclipse 500 or Adam A500 lite jet for a quick turnaround. There are many types of aircraft to choose from, and your charter service company is dedicated to serving you and your experience. You might even enjoy it so much that you begin talking ownership. That, too, can easily be arranged with an array of options. Full or partial aircraft ownership is soaring.
One of the top choices for private air travel from San Diego is Jet Source, (www.jetsource.com) a full service business aviation facility for private aircraft charter, aircraft acquisition, avionics and maintenance which is located at Palomar-McClellan Airport in Carlsbad. Jet Source is known as the elite-status, ‘Tiffany’ of on-demand charter jet service offering the ease of a personal getaway to anywhere in the world, or the convenience that makes business travel an experience that exceeds any fi rst class commercial flight experience. Jet Source’s beautiful new 120,000 square foot facility at Palomar Airport entices the traveler with its modern décor and pristine opulence. One realizes upon entering the imposing two-story, floor-to-ceiling glass executive terminal at Jet Source, that you are a million miles from the long, tired terminals of commercial travel.
"Jet Source is the only private charter operator in San Diego where you only have to make one call," declares Megan Cunningham, Charter Service Manager for Jet Source.
"If we don’t have it in our fleet, we have a network of approved vendors from across the county and we’ll find it for you. You’re never going to be told we can’t provide the aircraft that fi ts your needs like other charter service providers. We operate from a single point of contact on your fi rst call."
Personalized detail and full travel consultation begin with an inquiry of your travel needs. Private jet travel with companies like Jet Source will determine the trip, the aircraft, and the type of travel that best serves your needs. If you need help with dreaming up getaway ideas, these companies can often help you turn your sky-high dream to a living grand scheme.
"Each of the smallest incidentals such as ground transportation, catering, luggage, and special requests are all taken care of for you with the utmost proficiency. From the minute you arrive at the airport all you have to think about is enjoyment of your trip," Cunningham continues.
Jet Source is well known in the aviation industry for possessing the highest standards in customer service as well as aircraft safety. Its exclusive Platinum Rating from the ARG/US, Aviation Research Group US, proves Jet Source exceeds all criteria for quality and safety. Currently, Jet Source is the only company in San Diego to achieve this platinum rating.
"We operate to a much higher standard," boasts Frank Milian, President and COO of Jet Source, and a 35-year pilot himself. "Safety is our fi rst priority. We are a high-end operator. Our pilots are certifi ed FAA simulator-trained and are full-time employees of Jet Source. We control the pilots’ flight time so an overworked pilot is never flying our aircraft. We have a strong conviction to differentiate ourselves from the competition. Peace of mind for your family and friends is imperative to being able to relax and enjoy the experience," adds Milian.
Get What You Pay For
None of this comes at a discount. Jet Source prides itself on operating at the highest standards and that level of quality and excellence costs money. Like riding in a fine automobile, the luxury and smoothness of the experience are all worth the investment.
"If someone is looking to shop price, that is, the cheapest way to get some place, then they probably don’t want to look at Jet Source. That’s not us. We insist on a much higher level of safety and training of crew. The companies that sell charter based on price tend not to do the things we do. We offer nothing less than the very highest criteria for superior private jet travel," Milian continues.
Milian was drafted by local billioinaire entrepreneur Richard McWilliam, owner of Jet Source, and Founder and CEO of Upper Deck, a premier sports and entertainment publishing company in Carlsbad. McWilliam knew Milian would never compromise any component of operation and that Milian would take Jet Source to the highest levels of service and performance. Full concierge services are available through the new Jet Source Gift Card, offering ground limousine transportation, gourmet catering and impeccable personal attention to every single in-flight detail.
Another preferred Jet service is Jimsair Charter and Management. A part of Jimsair Aviation Services, the company is located at San Diego International Airport (Lindbergh Field). From their convenient downtown location and terminal, Jimsair’s company-owned planes can reach out to the US, Mexico and Canada with ease. Indeed, Baja is their specialty.
Whether it is an almost new King Air 200 for a local hop or multi-stop regional business trip or a beautifully refurbished Hawker 700 medium jet to whisk off to Cabo for a luxury week-end, Jimsair can provide the finest in business or personal travel. Building on Jimsair’s 55 years in the aviation business, the Charter Department offers a personal and safe level of service with all pilots trained at Flight Safety International and a ARG/US Gold rating. With an on-site catering service, Jimsair can enhance any trip with a wide range of culinary treats. For San Diego, Jimsair Charter is the Home Team, standing by for your call.
With the growth of private air travel in San Diego, escaping to a spectacular hot spot in your own private aircraft will continue its prestigious climb. Exciting amenities will be added and travel will rise as a worldclass experience, all in the privacy of your own chosen aircraft. Fasten your seatbelt. Beautiful blue skies ahead. It’s going to be a magnificent ride.
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**Read a PDF about the popularity of private jet charter services
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