PrivateFly, a leading private jet booking mobile platform, celebrates ten years with stories behind their Ten Most Unforgettable Flights. PrivateFly has accommodated their customer needs from the most wacky (ten pets on one jet) to the most serious (California wildfire evacuation) with a “can do” attitude. While flying by private jet is no longer just the domain of the rich and famous, there is no doubt it still creates an element of mystery and intrigue.
1) THE BEST MAN IN A HURRY
When commercial airlines experience delays, often a private jet can save the day. When a best man’s connecting flight was canceled his role was put in jeopardy and he turned to us to make his arrival possible. We were able to transport him from the domestic terminal in Fort Lauderdale straight to the steps of a Kingair 200 where he changed into his tux and landed in Eleuthera, Bahamas just in the nick of time.
2) THE BIGGEST FLIGHT (VIA APP)
In 2013, using the PrivateFly iPhone app (launched in 2010 – the first app to offer Jet pricing and booking), a Saudi Arabian family office booked a multi-leg trip to Europe. With such demanding requirements, the best aircraft for the job was the Boeing Business Jet. The aircraft, a VIP conversion of a 737 airliner, is capable of nonstop flights of over 6,000 nautical miles. Fitted with an office, boardroom, lounge, master bedroom, and two bathrooms it allowed the clients to travel a great distance in ultimate space and luxury.
3) THE TOTAL ECLIPSE
Full solar eclipses are pretty rare – and one of the best ways to catch the ideal view is at 30,000 feet! In August 2017, we flew clients from Denver, Los Angeles and even Italy to Jackson Hole, Wyoming for the optimal view of the phenomenon.
4) THE COLOR-COORDINATED PRODUCT LAUNCH
When a major brand wants to make a statement, the customization of a private jet can make all the difference. In 2018, “millennial grey” made a comeback in big way: a Gulfstream GIV completely outfitted in grey from its leather seats to the pilot and crew uniforms made one international sportswear brand’s product launch unforgettable. PrivateFly was able to coordinate the perfect aircraft with film crews and executives to take this product launch to the next level.
5) THE BITCOIN BOOKING
From Brussels to Nice – an ordinary sounding route, but with one important difference: In January 2014 it was the world’s first private flight to be paid for in bitcoin. After careful research PrivateFly added bitcoin to their payment options to make it easier, and more efficient for customers on challenging timescales to get to where they needed.
6) THE CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES EVACUATION
In January of 2018 California experienced some of the most devastating wildfires in its history. A couple that feared getting in the path of the flames decided to evacuate, and a small jet leaving from a regional airport closest to their home was the safest and quickest option. We were able to get them from inquiry to the skies within 2 hours.
7) THE 10 PETS ON ONE JET
Flying with pets is a normal request for a private aviation company. But it’s another matter to arrange a journey with two dogs, two cats, and six pet birds (four pigeons, a cockatiel and a finch) on board…oh and their owners! In 2017 the flight took off to relocate 10 animals and their owners to a new life in Alicante, Spain.
8) THE MEDICAL FLIGHT
While PrivateFly has assisted in many medical evacuation and repatriation services, one flight in particular stands out. In 2017, a client was looking to fly her husband home after he was hospitalized in Florida during their holiday. He desperately wanted to get home to Michigan, but with challenging operational limitations due to it being a holiday period it was looking unlikely. The team at PrivateFly worked around the clock, overcoming all the obstacles, to get him home.
9) THE FRESCA-ONLY FLIGHT
In 2012, an American craving a taste from home was desperate to have Fresca on board his flight from London to Geneva. With such short notice, an airline pilot friend was enlisted to help bring back the desired drink on his imminent flight from New York. Personally collected from the London airport, a case of Fresca travelled in style with a last-minute taxi dash to a different airport before the client took off. Time was tight, but pilot friends in high places can make anything happen!
10) THE TIME-PRESSED TAKE-OFF
Short-notice ‘go-now’ flights are an everyday occurrence for PrivateFly, but in 2017 they were tested to break their all-time speed record. A client wanted to return to his home city of Dublin from Nice Cote d’Azur, after securing last minute tickets to an event. Requesting the flight at 2:18 pm (GMT), and wanting to land before 5:00pm (GMT) he was testing the limits of what was possible. But by identifying a suitable aircraft already in position, they had the client take off at 2:47 and land at 4:10pm – earlier than expected!
