Whenever I assist a potential aircraft buyer with an acquisition, my first step is to do all I can to talk them out of it. If I throw every possible hurdle at them to convince them it is a bad idea, and they still want to move forward, I know they were meant to be an aircraft owner. Before I explore those hurdles – and then discuss the benefits of aircraft ownership – let’s briefly review your alternatives. Perhaps one of these options is a better choice for you.

Fly commercial Are you serious

First of all and I say this only partly in jest you should at least consider the commercial airlines, especially for international travel. Yes, I know what you are thinking long delays, bad service, no privacy, limited airports, inedible food, and all the things that make us want to avoid airlines like the plague. However, for international trips the service on many first class airlines has gotten much better and actually rivals what you will experience on a private aircraft. Sure, you have to arrive several hours early, go through TSA, have your bags X-rayed, and possibly take connecting flights. On the plus side, though – and it’s a big plus – there is an order of magnitude cost differential between international commercial flights and flying on a private jet. You can easily save many thousands of dollars on every trip. Okay, now that I have made my plug for the commercials, let’s talk about your private travel options. » Read more: Aircraft Management & Acquisition – What to Know Before You Own (And Why You May Not Want To)