Private Jet vs Commercial: Are Private Jets Safe?
The airline industry is constantly searching for ways to optimize safety and improve the experience for flyers, both commercial and private. Even though both jets share an impressive safety record, there's a general misunderstanding that commercial flights are much safer than private jets. It's no wonder so many people ask the burning question, “Are private jets safe?”
So, which one is safer after all between a private jet vs commercial?
The fact of the matter is that private jets are often much safer than commercial flights for several reasons. Below, we're exploring six different aspects where commercial and private flights differ to point the reasons out.
Terminals
A typical commercial terminal means interaction with about 600 different people as you make your way from the airport parking lot to your seat on the flight. Even upgrading your ticket to first or business class usually means you're still encountering upwards of 100 people before you take your seat.
When you fly private, you arrive at a private terminal where you will interact with 3-5 people before hopping on the plane. You only need to arrive about 15 minutes prior to taking off, making the terminal experience practically non-existent in the best way.
People/Crowds
If you're not fond of crowds, you probably don't love the fact that you're practically sitting in an organized crowd of people every time you sit down on a commercial flight. The more people are around you in an airtight container like the passenger cabin, the higher the chances are of catching a virus or other bug from someone in close proximity.
However, when you fly private, you're only on board with as many people as the host has invited. A private jet sees an average of 4.2 people on board per flight, with most jets fitting up to 10 at the most. That means a lot more legroom (and breathing room) for you on board.
Weather
Many people are concerned by the fact that private airliners are much smaller than commercial jets. They assume that the size makes them more vulnerable to all kinds of bad weather, but that's far from the truth.
Because commercial aircrafts are so large, they typically remain around 35000 feet and rarely go above or below it. On the other hand, small private jets can operate smoothly over 40,000 feet, and many even go up to 45000 feet, making it more agile, especially in cases of bad weather.
Landing
While commercial flights can only land at major airports due to the size of the craft and the runways' length, smaller planes can land at just about any airport. Should someone go wrong or the flight need to be diverted, it's easy to adjust plans and land elsewhere if needed.
Crews
Another thing that's wonderful about flying private is the familiar crews you get to fly with every time. When you fly commercial, you're being taken care of by a new-to-you pilot and flight attendants. While most crew members are great at their jobs, it doesn't make it any less nerve-wracking for you when you don't know them or their flying history.
Flying private means you usually know your pilot and crew members personally before you ever step foot on the plane. Not only does it make the flying experience more enjoyable, but it also brings you peace of mind when you've flown with the same crew many times before.
Safety
Are private jets safe? Yes, sometimes even more so than commercial flights. Commercial airlines attract customers with good deals, while private airlines stand out from the crowd by providing third-party safety checks and their results. Private plane brokers keep close track of all safety records of the operators they use and only keep operators who meet their high standards of safety.
Commercial airlines don't have the budgets to afford this kind of extra work, so they stick with lower prices to attract new customers.
Conclusion
Flying on a private jet vs commercial is different in countless ways; safety is just one of them. While many people are under the misconception that commercial flights are much safer than private ones, that's simply not the case.
The next time someone asks, “Are private jets safe?” tell them yes. In terms of the terminal experience, cabin crowds, and weather reactions, this method of flying is superior. Further, a private plane's landing capabilities, familiar crews, and operator safety checks make their case as the safer option that much stronger.
