Ever wished you could swap your typical Uber ride for a more glamorous lift in a private jet? It sounds like a fantasy, but thanks to a unique app, this luxury is more accessible than you might think. YouTuber DownieLive, also known as Mike, decided to put this service to the test to discover if it lives up to its nickname as the ‘Uber’ of the sky. “They say the app is just like Uber for private jets,” Mike shared. “We’re gonna give it a try.”
The app, named Airble, is designed to simplify the process of booking a private jet. Available on the App Store, it allows users to effortlessly enter their desired destination and travel dates. “It is very simple. You type in where you want to go and what dates you want to fly. It gives you a list of planes that are available for you on that date and you just pick the one that you want,” Mike explained while demonstrating the app.
Airble capitalizes on a concept known as Deadhead, where pilots or crews need to return to their base after completing a flight. This often results in several empty seats, which the app offers to the public at significantly reduced prices. Though it still doesn’t come cheap—it is a private jet, after all—Mike found the costs reasonable under the circumstances.
For a one-hour flight from Vancouver to Kelowna, he spent $542.29, a modest amount considering he bypassed a tedious five-hour drive and an additional four hours of flying. Compared to the alternatives, Mike noted, “It’s certainly traveling in luxury.”
With his private jet booking, Mike ended up paying only about $150 more than he would have for an economy class ticket, which costs $398 for a four-hour flight. Moreover, he saved nearly $300 in comparison to the $810 he would have spent on a business class ticket.
The perks of flying private were plentiful: a separate check-in area just for private flyers, no queues, no baggage wait (as you load your luggage directly onto the plane), access to a private lounge, relaxed liquid restrictions, no delays waiting for other passengers, and even a personal escort to the aircraft by the pilot.
Mike’s experience highlights the unmatched luxury and convenience of flying via a private jet, proving that sometimes, the splurge can be well worth it. Talk about traveling in style!