Affordable Private Air Travel Takes Off: Flights starting at $111, Uber-Style

If you're accustomed to the ease of booking travel with just a click or swipe, it may be unexpected to discover that as you seek out more luxurious options, the process becomes more challenging.

Have you ever fantasized about flying in a private jet? Typically, this involves contacting a broker - and if you don't already have one readily available, it can feel like a daunting task. Additionally, you may need to invest in a costly membership just to receive a quote. Furthermore, the expenses can be uncertain, as private jet operators may bill clients for additional fuel costs after the journey.

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Introducing the Uber of private aviation, KinectAir has now made it easier for regular people to access private planes. Founded in 2019 for private air travel in the Pacific Northwest, the website allows users to book regular on-demand flights. Starting from December 2023, customers can take advantage of booking "empty leg" repositioning flights across the US at a discounted price. With quick hops available for as low as $111 per person, KinectAir truly offers a (relative) bargain for private aircraft travel.

Co-CEO Katie Buss, a former pilot in the US military, expressed a desire to shift public perception about short flights, stating, "We want to change the way people think about short flights." She emphasized that private flights are not just for the wealthy elite, but rather more accessible than commonly believed. Buss aims to provide people with a glimpse into the experience of flying private, without the need to swipe a credit card or interact with a concierge, ultimately offering a unique and alternative form of travel.

She says the company wants to "revolutionize" the private flight market in the same way that Uber did for taxis and Airbnb did for the hotel industry.

Cheaper planes, cheaper flights

KinectAir says it uses turbo-prop and piston-engine aircraft which are more fuel-efficient than jets.

And in order to maintain affordable prices, they are utilizing turbo-prop and piston-engine aircraft. Despite flying at a slower speed, both options are more cost-effective to operate compared to a regular jet. According to Howard, the difference in speed is less significant for flights under 500 miles. He claims, "If you fly a jet to the same location, you'd be paying five times as much and only arrive a few minutes faster."

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However, the real savings in flight prices comes from "empty leg" repositioning flights. This is when an aircraft has already been booked for one trip and can pick up additional passengers to take them to its next destination.

KinectAir offers empty leg flights at up to 75% off regular private airplane prices. The majority of these deals are for last-minute bookings, with three quarters of all bookings made within 72 hours of travel. The company is strict about safety, only adding operators that pass their safety ratings, according to pilot Buss.

Cheaper than flying commercial

KinectAir makes use of "empty leg" repositioning flights which would normally not carry passengers.

KinectAir

KinectAir's advertised prices for last-minute fares can even undercut commercial airlines in economy. For example, a this week's empty leg flight from Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport to Palm Springs was on sale for $698, which translates to just $233 per person for the three-seater aircraft.

CNN found the cheapest direct one-way fare from Phoenix to Palm Springs for $300 departing from Sky Harbor International on December 14. This price includes a free seat assignment but does not include a checked bag, which would cost an additional $30. Alternatively, a first-class seat would cost $425 one way, nearly double the price of KinectAir's empty leg. Another option is a $264 flight with Sun Country Airlines, but it would involve a 40-hour journey with a stopover in Minneapolis.

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Upon reviewing another online broker, the most affordable option for a five-seater plane from Phoenix to Palm Springs was $3,198, which averages to $639.60 per person.

JSX, a semi-private airline that offers individual seats on private aircraft, does not currently offer flights on that route. However, they do offer flights from Phoenix to Las Vegas starting at $249 per person, which is comparable in distance. "In many cases, last-minute commercial flights are more expensive per seat, not to mention first class tickets," explains Howard.

In our situation, a full aircraft must be filled, however, it's a great option for a last-minute family of four. United might charge the same amount as a private flight. The most affordable flight for sale is currently from Sunriver, Oregon to Aurora, Oregon on December 10th for $333 in a three-seater Diamond DA62 light aircraft, which equates to $111 per person for the 48-minute flight.

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The priciest available empty leg is a flight from Spokane, Washington to Bozeman, Idaho on December 13th. The eight-person plane can be chartered for $1,792 for the 71-minute journey, equating to $224 per person. Plus, there are no membership fees or transaction fees unlike many other competitors.

Wheels Up, for instance, has an initiation fee of at least $2,995 and a minimum $2,495 membership fee from the second year onward. NetJets and UberJets also require membership, while KinectAir's fees are included in the displayed price. Unlike Wheels Up, NetJets, and UberJets, you can view KinectAir's prices without providing personal data or scheduling a phone call.

Typically, booking a private plane involves receiving an estimate and then getting the final bill after the flight, once any extra fuel costs have been factored in. However, with KinectAir, the price you are quoted is the price you pay.

KinectAir's main competitor, Airble, sets itself apart by not charging membership fees, offering real fares instead of estimates, and featuring a "deals" page for empty leg flights. Additionally, Airble provides the option for users to reserve a private flight and mark it as a "shared flight," enabling other users to book seats and reduce the price per passenger. For example, a one-way flight from Phoenix to Palm Springs this week costs $10,740 for eight people, or $1,342.50 per passenger.

Looking to the future

Travelers don't have to pay subscription or signup fees to use the service.

KinectAir

Opening a private airplane company amidst the worsening climate crisis is undoubtedly a controversial decision.

According to a 2021 study by Transport & Environment, a non-profit organization focused on environmental issues, just 1% of people contribute to half of all global emissions from flying. Additionally, the private aircraft industry has grown by 31% from 2005 to 2019, with 40% of private flights being "ghost flights" - flying empty as they reposition for their next pick-up.

Howard explains that filling empty flights is a method to increase the efficiency of flights, noting that turbo-props and piston planes consume less fuel compared to traditional jets. Meanwhile, Matteo Mirolo, the sustainable aviation policy manager at Transport & Environment, pointed out that private jets' tendency for short flights makes them less environmentally sustainable, with 80% of popular private flight routes in Europe having a rail alternative. However, it's a different scenario in the US, where train travel is not readily available in most parts of the country.

Mirolo stated that due to their smaller size, private jets have the potential to pioneer the adoption of new technology as it becomes available. Howard added that this platform is a first step towards preparing for the future of electric and hybrid planes, which are projected to begin with smaller aircraft. The company plans to eventually sell single seats, but acknowledges that it will take some time.