Flying on a private jet is an experience unlike any other. Vastly different than flying on a commercial airliner, you will find yourself excited and maybe a little overwhelmed, especially if it is your first flight aboard a private jet. To ensure your experience is one to remember for all the right reasons, here are some private jet etiquette tips to keep in mind.
Don’t Overindulge
When you board a private jet, it will be great to know you will have many of your favorite foods and drinks at your fingertips. However, this does not mean you should let yourself go wild during your flight. Instead, be mindful not to overindulge in food or alcohol during your flight. If you do so on alcohol, you may find yourself treating everyone around you poorly and exhibiting behavior you will find to be embarrassing once you sober up.
Arrive a Little Early
One of the biggest benefits of flying on a private jet from San Francisco is avoiding the inconveniences of check-ins, baggage checks, and long TSA security lines that come with flying commercial. However, this does not mean you should procrastinate and think you will be fashionably late for your private jet flight. Proper etiquette for flying private is to arrive about 30 minutes before your flight departs. Not only is this common courtesy, but it also demonstrates you have respect for your jet’s crew and your host, should you be flying as a guest.
Make Certain Requests Well in Advance
If you need to make specific requests regarding the foods you want or need to have on your flight, don’t wait until the day of your private jet flight to do so. Instead, always display proper etiquette by making your requests well before your flight. Making your requests at least 72 hours in advance will usually be fine. Remember that the crew on a private jet wants to make your flight as pleasant as possible, so do your part to make their job easy.
Don’t Overpack
Since a private jet is smaller than a commercial airliner, you likely won’t be able to bring bag after bag of luggage with you on the flight. To avoid embarrassment and ensure your flight has no last-minute delays, always try to bring a reasonable amount of luggage with you on your flight. When booking your flight, always ask if there are any limitations on baggage or certain items you can or cannot bring with you on board the jet. This will help you to avoid last minutes annoyance and travel accordingly.
Always Bring Your ID
Even though you won’t have to deal with a TSA checkpoint to board your private jet flight, you will still need to bring your ID to get on the aircraft. Even if you assume everyone will already know you, never leave your ID at home. If you do, you may stay grounded as you watch the jet take off with the other group members. Should you take a private jet on an international flight, remember to bring your passport since you’ll never get off the ground without it.
Talk to the Crew
Private jet flights are almost always much more laid-back than commercial flights. Because of this, don’t be afraid to strike up conversations with your flight attendants and pilots. Since the crew will likely already know about you, such as your food preferences or other interests, you may become fast friends with everyone. Interacting with your crew will help them to serve you better and the best. Once your flight gets going, it’s also not unusual for pilots to let passengers have a view of the cockpit, which will give you something to tell everyone when you get back home.
If you feel you got exceptional service on your flight, you can tip your crew members if you wish. By keeping this and other tips in mind before, during, and after your flight, you’ll have an enjoyable flight for everyone sharing space with you in the cabin.
