SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–An extensive analysis by the Stanford Transportation Group, a leading U.S.-based aviation consultancy, has revealed that the number of best-paying passengers of U.S. airlines has stagnated at low levels while the number of travelers using business aircraft is reaching new highs. The results indicate that travelers on business aircraft now generate a record 41% the number of passenger trips as those made by airline first-class, business-class and full-fare coach passengers combined.
Stanford Transportation Group (STG) has completed its biennial review of premium passenger activity in the U.S. domestic airline and business aviation markets. STG analyzed the number of one-way U.S. domestic passenger-trips by fare category and developed estimates of ridership on business aircraft—jets and turboprops. “Premium” airline traffic is defined as those passengers traveling on first class, discounted first class, business class, discounted business class and full-fare coach tickets as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s 10% ticket sample. These are passengers who pay a premium for added comfort, privacy or the need to depart without advanced planning.
“As a group, the number of premium trips has fallen from 20% of overall airline travel prior to 9/11, to less than 10% of airline travel,” said STG Managing Director Gerald Bernstein. Business aircraft travel is estimated from analysis of FAA and NBAA data, commercial data sources and utilization surveys; it is all considered “Premium.”
“First class commercial travel is certainly not what it used to be, and many savvy travelers are realizing that private jet travel is worth the extra money,” explains Kevin Godlewski, President of Executive Charter Services. “In the last 12 months we have definitely seen an increase in the number of people defecting from commercial travel and opting for private jet travel.”
