As 2021 draws to a close, all eyes are on the key themes for 2022.
As a global aircraft charter and provider with 27 offices around the world, operating more than 23,000 flights per year, Air Charter Service (ACS) has a unique and in-depth insight into the travel patterns and habits of the high-net-worth traveler.
Following the boom in private travel – ACS has seen a 49% increase in inquiries since pre-pandemic in 2019 – the experts at ACS are delighted to provide some key trends that they’re seeing both in 2021 and into 2022, based on their intimate knowledge and frequent interaction with this community. These include:
- Ultra-Luxe Pet Travel
Research shows that 3.2 million UK households have adopted pets since the start of the pandemic, and the subsequent rise in luxury pet travel is guaranteed to follow in 2022. Having seen a significant rise in the demand for flying pets with them on passenger aircraft – including trans-Atlantic ride-sharing for owners’ of cats and dogs – ACS is a specialist at catering for animal travel, and predicts that luxury experiences, both in the UK and overseas, for owners and their beloved pets will only grow in number as we move into 2022.
- 2022 Private Jet Destinations
As travel to USA and Asia recovers more slowly, ACS reported that the most popular destinations in 2021 for UK travelers, based on the airports traveled to by private jet were: Nice and Cannes, France; Faro, Portugal; Palma, Mallorca; Ibiza and Greek islands. Factoring in the continued popularity of short haul travel and the recent boom in the yachting industry, ACS predicts that these destinations will continue to be popular in 2022, along with port towns Olbia and Ajaccio, Sardinia, and Antibes and Monaco.
- The Net-Zero Carbon Movement
The world is growing increasingly eco-conscious and with that, ACS predicts that the new wave of customers coming into private aviation will drive an increased uptake in carbon offsetting. It is becoming clearer that unlike many other industries, the technology to make aviation carbon neutral isn’t available yet, however, there are industries where the technology to offset carbon exists, but the funds do not. Carbon credit systems are a way of funding investment in green projects, which would otherwise not receive the investment they need. As a result, offsetting more than 100% of carbon from private aviation flights will be an option taken up by more customers, either directly through charter providers or through their own schemes.
ACS launched their own carbon offsetting program in February 2020 to enable customers to offset the carbon emissions from their flights by adding a 0.5% fee to their next flight, a contribution that is invested – without any commission or margin charged – by ACS into buying carbon credits from carbon offset schemes certified by the United Nations and Gold Standard.
- Ultra-luxury Lifestyle Concierge Services
The pandemic has caused a monumental shift in the priorities of the ultra-wealthy traveler, with factors such as privacy, safety and reliability taking precedence over cost. As sectors outside of hospitality (e.g. private jet charter) saw a subsequent boom in demand, ACS noted that travelers were looking for more than just a flight – with customers saying they prefer one point of contact for the whole journey, including hotel and experience bookings – and now, businesses that will stand out are those that not only looked after the flight, but provide luxury concierge services for the client that ensure they feel protected and well catered for throughout the process. Next year, ACS predicts that businesses outside of hospitality will continue to evolve and build lifestyle management teams to suit the ‘above and beyond’ expectation of the UHNW traveler and developing specialties outside of their usual remit.
Air Charter Service is an award-winning aircraft charter company providing private jet, commercial airliner and cargo aircraft charters around the world. Founded in the basement of Chairman Chris Leach’s home with CEO Justin Bowman in 1990, today ACS arranges over 23,000 charter flights per year and employs more than 500 staff across a global network of 27 offices spanning all six major continents. In addition to the company’s flight-only operations, the Travel & Concierge team creates bespoke private jet packages covering all aspects of a luxury holiday, from private jet flights to exclusive accommodation and unique travel experiences
