Winter trips are special because of the beautiful scenery and the chance to enjoy the outdoors and popular ski resort towns like Aspen and Lake Tahoe. However, there are travel risks involved, like delays or cancellations caused by bad weather.
Private jet charters make winter travel more relaxing and comfortable while getting you to your destination promptly. Let’s take a look at some ways to improve your next winter trip!
Winter Trip Checklist for Smooth Flying
Preparation is crucial for winter travel, especially if you’re flying to remote locations, hauling luggage and equipment, or stopping at multiple destinations. Here are eight things you should always check before going on a winter trip to enhance the travel experience.
1. Plan your trip and book your aircraft in advance
The sooner you take care of organizing your trip and finding a private jet, the more choices you will have. When it’s closer to the holidays, you’ll find fewer and fewer suitable options, which means you have to take what remains. In addition, the cost of the remaining available planes will increase every day.
2. Be at the airport at least 30 minutes before departure
Due to heavy traffic at airports in the peak winter season, there’s an increased chance of losing a ‘slot’ (the time interval allotted for take-off and landing of aircraft) even by a slight delay. Be at the airport at least 30 minutes before your jet’s departure time so you don’t lose your slot.
3. Fly in or out during daylight hours
With the onset of darkness, the small airports of resort towns don’t operate due to safety concerns. Since it gets dark faster in winter, particularly in mountainous areas, the risk of bad weather increases in the early mornings and at night.
Therefore, most small airports located along the route of popular ski resorts don’t accept planes after dark. If you’re late for departure, there’s a risk that you won’t be able to board at the destination airport and you will be sent to the alternate aerodrome.
4. Helicopter transportation at ski resorts: Organize daytime flights for the entire route
A helicopter transfer of passengers from the airport of the arrival point to the ski resort in Colorado, New York, or wherever should be planned for the day. Helicopters should only move during the day due to safety concerns when night flying. So ask the broker to plan a trip in advance so the entire flight, from takeoff to landing, is during sunlight hours.
5. Arrange with suppliers at alternative airports
The risk of aircraft leaving for an alternate aerodrome due to bad weather when traveling to the ski resorts is quite high. In this case, you need to ask your broker to compile a list of airfields in advance and find suppliers who will, if necessary, provide transfer and service.
6. Choose one service provider for the entire route
Use fewer suppliers to reduce your risks for complications. For example, it will be more convenient for passengers if the plane and the helicopter for transfer are parked nearby, and they’re responsible for the luggage. This task is simplified by having one supplier engaged for both private jet charter and helicopter transportation.
7. Ski equipment: Check the capacity of the luggage compartment of the aircraft in advance
Check the dimensions of the luggage compartment of the selected business jet in advance.
Make sure that the volume, length, and width can accommodate your ski equipment. To do this, you need to know the dimensions in advances, as well as the quantity of equipment. Otherwise, it will have to be placed in the cabin.
8. Choose alternative airports at ski resorts
From Park City, Utah to Stowe, Vermont, the arrival of most private jets to ski resorts is often planned through the small airports of nearby towns. This typically entails increased risks since the receiving capacity of small airports is more affected by bad weather or time of day.
We recommend that you consider other landing options and take a closer look at larger airports. They may be a little further from your ski resort, but they’re easier to get in and out of, and can even land a plane in the dark.
Enhance Your Winter Travel
Private jets offer many benefits over commercial airlines, especially for winter travel to ski towns like Vail, Colorado and Jackson, Wyoming. With this checklist, you’ll enjoy a superior flying experience, regardless of the season’s challenges.
That’s why Aeraway Flight Specialists regularly monitor weather forecasts and act proactively for our clients, adjusting the time and location when necessary, to ensure smooth flights. From speed and ease to comfort and safety, your winter trips will never be the same.
Request a private jet charter quote now to elevate your trips with luxurious accommodations and unparalleled service!