Why the future of flying is in the hands of charter airlines
Many of you already know the hassles one must endure to fly someplace in today’s post-September 11th world. The long security lines, the baggage inspections, and not to mention what happens if they don’t like the way you look. Flying on commercial airlines today is almost more of a hassle than it’s worth. Recently I had the unfortunate opportunity to fly down to DC and was forced to endure yet another round of security hassles that made me think hard about where things are going in the airline industry and what I can do to make my travel agenda more bearable.
It may not be yet apparent, but if you look close you can’t miss it. The airlines really are struggling, and not just with financial issues. Technology has caught up with the airlines business model in a fantastic example of how human ingenuity can really make or break future markets. You see, the airlines have new competition in all the small charter airlines that operate out of local airfields. Granted, few travelers have had the luxury to afford the services of a pure charter flight to their destination, but that’s all about to change.
Recently a whole new class of small business jets have begun to enter the market. These air charter friendly 5-7 passenger aircraft have greater range, fuel economy, and comfort than past jets of similar size. But that’s not what has everyone excited. It’s all about the price, and in the case of startups like Eclipse Aviation, makers of the new Eclipse 500 business jet, the price is a cool 1 million. Sounds expensive don’t it, well maybe for individuals that price is a wee bit out of reach but for many corporations and charter outfits that price is downright cheap.
So back to how this affects the airlines. You see, these new jets allow air charter airlines to offer flights that cost about the same as most 1st class and some business class seats on major airlines. The charter flights won’t require long security check-ins and fly when you need to, not when the airlines feel like it. Imagine requesting a flight a few days in advance, and then showing up for that flight 5 minutes before you need to leave, with just enough time to pop the trunk on the car and move the bags into the waiting micro-jet. Sounds nice? You bet it does!
Sure this is an up-and-coming technology, micro-jets and on-demand charter flights for reasonable prices, but how does one benefit from this today? I decided to see what I could find for local charter service that might be using the new jets (and have the lower prices!). I was in luck, a small company that flies out of Hanscom field in Bedford, MA is on the right track to offer such flights! Linear Air provides charter flights and more for those in the MA area, check em out!
Here are some more resources for those who are also frustrated with the current state of affairs with the major commercial airlines:
Great article on Linear Air’s solution to airport hassles
http://www.linearair.com/10-02-05%20Boston%20Globe.pdf
Even in the UK they are complaining…
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5197902.stm
How VLJs (Very Light Jets) are changing the market.
http://www.avchart.com/charter-news-details.asp?ID=32
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