The future of business travel
Images courtesy of VistaJet
Although the uptick in private travel may have begun as a way to circumnavigate the perceived health risks of commercial flights at the height of the pandemic, its popularity seems here to stay. Jade French investigates for ALHAUS magazine.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, private business aviation has beat pre-pandemic numbers in surprising ways. One company that has exceeded expectations in the sector is VistaJet, which has seen a rapid increase year-on-year of 64% in global flight hours, representing a 57% rise on pre-pandemic figures. Of course, private travel remains an expensive option, but new payment models are looking to open up it up to individuals, families and businesses. With ways to share the cost via group charter flights and card membership schemes, the world of private jets is also looking for new ways to bring younger flyers into the fold. As our lives grow ever increasingly ‘on-demand’, private jets are betting on the benefits of less-restricted schedules, tailored experiences, and faster processes when it comes to growing business travel clients.
VistaJet’s appeal is found in its innovative business model, which is based around a handily accessible floating fleet. This means members have access to an entire fleet whilst paying only for the hours they need. VistaJet has an enviable and unique global reach—covering 96% of the globe with 187 countries flown to. The bar was raised in 2021 when VistaJet achieved record-breaking figures. As founder and chairman, Thomas Flohr, put it: “There is clearly a paradigm shift in the global client’s view of private aviation and Vista’s world-leading position has enabled clients across the globe to experience its benefits as a critical mobility solution. Vista’s shared economy, asset-light and subscription strategy is accelerating this trend”.
Business aviation, in particular, has been enjoying a boon as wealthier travellers are prioritising ease and safety as the appeal of face-to-face meetings and deal making remains. January 2022 has seen one of the strongest starts to the year for the private aviation industry. According to WingX, European business jet travel was ‘up 56% compared to January last year’. For VistaJet, that translated to an increase of 49% in corporate interest since the start of the pandemic. With the trend set to continue, private jet providers like VistaJet are also emphasising 24/7 in-flight digital connectivity and flexible departure times to account for meetings overrunning.
Thomas Flohr, founder and chairman on board
VistaJet is a company looking to finesse a fragmented sector, as seen in their recent acquisition of AIRHAMBURG’s operating platform and maintenance services. For Flohr, “[the] acquisition will augment Vista’s scale and fleet offering across key strategic regions and brings together two long-established reputable companies… The merger is the latest step in Vista’s relentless transformation of the highly fragmented business aviation ecosystem”. Working with other providers helps to build on recognised and trusted brands whilst integrating and making new services more visible.
Sustainability remains an important part of the puzzle for every part of the travel and aviation sector. Again, VistaJet's shared fleet model means it increases the use of each flight to maximise efficiency. Using Sustainable Aviation Fuel helps to reduce emissions by 80% and each aircraft has removed single-use plastics. New eco-friendly initiatives remain at the forefront of plans for the years ahead—not least their aim to become the first in the industry to achieve carbon neutrality by 2025. This commitment is a good sign, particularly after business aviation saw some negative coverage at COP26 last year.
Creating a more cohesive and centralised way of booking private jets helps to encourage more people to fly private for business—and not just senior executives. As a leader in the industry, VistaJet is modelling a new way to tailor the future of business travel based on flexibility, customisation and on-demand accessibility.