Hurricane Irma, now downgraded to a Category I hurricane, continues to wreak havoc across the East Coast of The United States.
There were very few businesses that this devastating hurricane did not affect, and private jet charter companies such as Jet Partners saw a dramatic upsurge in flight demand as the storm approached.
The Cost of Last-Minute Flights Increased Dramatically As The Storm Approached
Hurricane Irma’s rapid rise and approach gave most South Floridians very little time to plan for evacuation. However, many residents and visitors did not take the storm seriously and did not make travel arrangements beforehand.
Even as late as Wednesday, September 6th, demand for private jets was relatively healthy – and Jet Partners, alongside other air charter companies, had plenty of flights available for average, standard hourly rates.
However, on Thursday, September 7th, evacuation orders were issued in South Florida. It became apparent that Hurricane Irma would be an incredibly powerful Category V hurricane when it made landfall in South Florida – and demand for flights increased dramatically.
Jet Partners, like other companies in the area, had an incredible upsurge in flight requests, which exceeded our total number of available aircraft in the area.
A Shortage Of Aircraft Meant Some People Couldn’t Fly – For Any Price
Many incoming callers believed that, if they had enough money, they could simply book a private jet with any air charter company. But this was not the case – even the wealthiest customers could not just book a flight by paying a lot of money.
For example, we had a CEO who was in Palm Beach and needed a flight to Atlanta. He offered a budget of $40,000 – but Jet Partners, just like many other companies, had already been fully booked. He was forced to drive north with the rest of the evacuees – which could have placed him in significant danger.
Booking A Charter Flight in Advance Provides Peace of Mind (And A Fair Deal)
If you book private jets often, you’ll know that waiting until the last minute can sometimes help you get a better deal. However, we’re here to tell you that this is not the case in a crisis.
Hurricane Irma is a great example of this. Once it was evident how dangerous the storm was, demand surged – and we were unable to serve every incoming client. This illustrates an important point. In case of a serious incoming natural disaster like a hurricane, the best way to secure a fair rate is to book early.
Even if a storm does not look too dangerous, it’s better to be safe than sorry – and making travel arrangements in advance is well worth the peace of mind, knowing that you have a confirmed, reliable method of evacuation, if necessary.
At Jet Partners, we offer fair rates, reliable service, and a service area that covers the entire United States. In a critical situation, we can provide you a cost-efficient, time-saving method of evacuation – and if you book in advance, you’re sure to be able to secure transportation out of the affected area.
