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In a time well before many of today’s air charter and fractional companies came to be, there was Jet Aviation. Since 1967, Jet Aviation has enjoyed as fine a reputation as there is in the crowded field of private air travel. 



Are You Ready for Privileged Travel?
Now, if you’re reading this, most likely you’re a sophisticated traveler, successful business person, or entrepreneur who likes the idea of taking control – of your time, your money, and your lifestyle. Safety, security, and privacy are important to you when you fly. So are saving time, scheduling freedom, and control – over everything from whom you fly with, to when and where you fly to. If this description fits you, read on to learn more about the Privileged Travel jet card program from Jet Aviation.  
   
Jet Aviation launched its jet card program in late 2004 among a field of many competitors. In May, the company decided it was time to invite some travel journalists on a Privileged Travel flight to demonstrate what sets their program apart. The idea was to fly to a particular destination for a luncheon, and The Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, WV, was selected. The objective was to showcase Privileged Travel, and how flying as a Privileged Travel cardholder changes the way one flies forever. The event even had a name, “Privileged Traveler for a Day.” We spoke with Robert Seidel, senior vice president and general manager of Jet Aviation Charter and the Privileged Travel Program, about the day’s events. Here’s how it went.

Flying to Lunch
“Our guests were transported to Teterboro Airport in New Jersey by private luxury auto. From curbside, it was just a few yards’ walk to our Challenger 604 aircraft.
   
“After the required identification checks, we all boarded, the plane began to taxi, and we were airborne in a matter of minutes. Private jet aircraft fly well above commercial air traffic and adverse weather conditions, and you would be surprised at how much of a difference this makes in travel time and comfort,” said Seidel. Already, a very great difference from commercial travel was noted by all. But there was more to come.
   
When the cabin service began, guests were served a perfectly chilled flute of Veuve Clicquot and bit delicately into similarly chilled shrimp and other hors d’oeuvre. They then spent the little over an hour flight learning about Privileged Travel, and the ins and outs of private aviation in general.
   
The Privileged Travel Card comes in 10, 25, 50, and 100-hour denominations, and three categories: Classic, Elegance, and Avant-Garde, Seidel said. You can truly create your own jet card – just select the number of hours you want to fly and match it up with the type of aircraft you want to fly in. Prices range from $45,000 for a light jet 10-hour Classic Card, to $1,292,000 for a large cabin 100-hour Avant-Garde Card. All cards include gourmet catering, concierge assistance, and a dedicated customer service representative to book your trip and fulfill all your service requests.
   
According to Seidel, when the company first conceived the idea, “Our first goal was to come up with a product that not only met demand, but offered a flexible, affordable solution for clients who may not be familiar with traditional air charter.”
   
“A second goal,” Seidel said, “was to introduce unique components to our program that would ultimately set us far apart from competitors. That was the 10-hour card. The Privileged Travel 10-hour introductory card allows new entrants to private aviation to experience our charter services without a major financial commitment. They can upgrade at any time and we’ll roll their unused hours into the new card of their choice.”
   
“Touching down at Lewisburg Airport, literally within seconds we were deplaned and picked up by our hosts at The Greenbrier resort,” Seidel said. “In little over an hour we had left the city behind and were now safely tucked away in the Allegheny Mountains where a mild, misty day was in progress. But that did little to dampen our spirits.”

Land Closer to Your Destination
“What our guests soon realized is that, when you fly privately, thousands of airports are available for you to fly into, not just the few hundred available to commercial travelers. Often, that brings you much closer to your destination than was ever possible flying commercially,” Seidel notes. And the short ride to the resort illustrated that fact.
   
The little luncheon group dined in Sam Snead’s Restaurant, perched over a vista that surveyed The Greenbrier’s three golf courses, looking even greener against the day’s gray skies. If your knowledge of golf is limited only to the Woods, Singhs, and Mickelsons of today, then you may not remember when Slammin’ Sam was king of the links for almost four decades from the late 1930s to the 1960s. These courses and this restaurant are a pantheon to the man who was The Greenbrier’s pro golfer for his entire career. Patrons at this restaurant can view the collection of golf balls from Snead’s 35 holes in one, among many, many other items of golfing memorabilia on display in this museum-like setting.

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