The life of a private jet crew member must be pretty great, right? Luxury hotels, exotic destinations, rubbing shoulders with celebrities and billionaires are just another day.
There is certainly some truth to that, but the reality is a lot more challenging than you may think.
Take a closer look, and you’ll learn that behind every departure and every perfectly prepared cabin are long hours, unpredictable schedules, and an extraordinary amount of behind-the-scenes work. For most private jet professionals, glamour is the exception, not the rule.
For this blog, we take a look behind the scenes at the private jet service lifestyle and what it means for the professionals who work in it.
The Uncertainty of Always being Ready for that Call
Unlike commercial airline crews, whose schedules are often planned weeks or even months in advance, many private aviation professionals spend much of their careers on call. A phone can ring at almost any hour. A client who planned to leave tomorrow may suddenly need to depart this afternoon. A business meeting ends early. Weather changes. Family plans shift. An executive decides to visit another city before returning home.
Whatever the reason, that call activates crew and support staff within minutes, as entire flight operations begin moving into action. For the crew, it’s just part of the job description. Drop what you’re doing and get back to work.
Flight Preparation Starts Immediately
It’s not a matter of just starting up the aircraft and being prepared for takeoff. Any single flight is going to require a series of checks and planning that could include:
- Flight planning
- Weather analysis
- International permits
- Customs and immigration arrangements
- Fuel services
- Ground transportation
- Hotel reservations
- Catering
- Passenger preferences
- Aircraft cleaning
- Crew scheduling
All of this must happen within as quickly as possible based on what the client has requested. Team members have to work together with remarkable precision to ensure the aircraft is ready when the passengers arrive.
The Cabin Doesn’t Prepare Itself
Passengers boarding a private jet often notice immaculate interiors, beautifully arranged meals, fresh flowers, stocked refreshments, and personalized amenities.
What they don’t see is the work that had to happen beforehand.
Cabin crew will have a list of prep items that they need to get on right after they put down the phone:
- Shopping for specialty foods
- Coordinating catering deliveries
- Preparing table settings
- Restocking beverages
- Checking emergency equipment
- Organizing luggage
- Ensuring every passenger preference has been accommodated
And the list is not necessarily and easy one. Some travelers request very specific items from a favorite vintage wine to children’s snacks, dietary accommodations, or even preferred pillow types. It’s expected and support crew take it seriously.
No Two Flights are the Same
Commercial airlines thrive on consistency. Private aviation thrives on customization.
One morning’s mission may involve transporting executives to a board meeting.
That evening could involve flying a family on vacation. The following day might be a medical transport or an urgent business trip across several countries.
Every flight can bring new passengers, different expectations, changing schedules, and unique logistical challenges.
The Days can be Long
As you can see by the preparation needs alone, flying time often represents only a fraction of the workday. The crew members’ day begins long before passengers arrive … and after.
After landing, crew members focus on things like:
- Securing the aircraft
- Completing documentation
- Coordinating cleaning services
- Preparing for the next flight
- Meeting maintenance requirements
- Updating passenger requests
Fortunately, aviation regulations establish strict limits on flight and duty times to help manage fatigue and maintain safety. When those limits are reached, operators must schedule appropriate rest before crews can legally continue flying. Smart owners have multiple teams at hand by partnering with a flight management support firm.
Service at the Highest Level
Private aviation clients often include corporate executives, entrepreneurs, celebrities, professional athletes, government officials, and their families. They travel by private jet because they value time, flexibility, and privacy. They expect unparalleled onboard service.
A cabin attendant who may have been relaxing by the pool, or shopping when that phone rang with a mission change, is expected to drop what they are doing and prepare to deliver service comparable to a five-star hotel in what seems like a blink of an eye.
The ones who are great at it are able to switch into professional mode, check the mission brief, anticipate needs before they’re expressed, remember preferences and get on any last-minute requests right away. Remaining calm even when schedules change several times during the day, is just part of the gig..
Pilots are On Call Too
The workload isn’t limited to cabin attendants. Private jet pilots frequently perform responsibilities beyond simply flying the aircraft.
Depending on the operator, they may assist with many of the previously discussed preparation steps. Especially within smaller flight departments, everyone contributes wherever needed. The collective goal is to deliver a seamless experience for the client, and the whole team contributes..
The Sacrifices
The unpredictability of the on-call lifestyle can mean not being able to commit to personal or family events like birthdays, weekend plans with friends, holiday gatherings etc. The people who choose this career accept that as part of the job.
While some of us might think this would make crews unhappy it’s not usually the case. We’ve spoken with many pilots and many crew members over the years, and almost all will say that in the end they just love to fly and they love the lifestyle. It takes a special kind of person for this kind of career, but they are out there and they are what makes the private jet life what it is.
For many, it’s the variety, the opportunity to visit destinations that most people just dream about, the amazing, luxurious aircraft, fascinating people and even the problem solving challenges that make the job so interesting.
About Avionco
Formed in 2000 by Mike Dodd and Josh Dodd in Calgary, Avionco is a premier aircraft services provider, purpose-built to serve aircraft owners whose business and lifestyle needs require impeccable service and efficiency in everything they do.
Josh Dodd, COO, leads day to day operations with a team of dedicated senior management professionals delivering a complete suite of flight management services including Pilot and Crew selection, In-Flight and Ground Operations, Safety and Compliance, and Entry Into Service (EIS). Learn more at www.avionco.com