Short-Distance Private Flying

A breakdown of optimal private air travel strategy, focusing on maximizing time-value return and efficiency for different flight distances.

Private Flying Strategy

• JSX (Semi-private airline) is optimal for short regional flights
  • Cost around $300 vs normal $50 ticket
  • Provides private flying benefits at fraction of cost
  • Best for routes like Vegas to:
    • Salt Lake City
    • Scottsdale
    • Los Angeles

Time-Value Benefits Analysis

• Short flights (under 2 hours) provide highest ROI for private travel

  • Can reduce total trip time by 50-66%
  • Eliminates security and airport hassles
  • Most cost-effective since private planes charge by hour
  • Provides biggest marginal benefit vs commercial

• Long flights have diminishing returns

  • Security/hassle time becomes smaller % of total trip
  • Example: 5.5 hr flight vs 7 hr total transit doesn't materially change day
  • Better to fly commercial with larger planes at higher altitudes

Decision Framework

• Use JSX when available for short regional routes
• Only use full private when:
  • No direct JSX flights available
  • Trip is short distance
  • Time savings justify increased cost
• Use commercial for longer flights where private advantages diminish

The key insight is focusing private travel on short routes where the time savings compound most effectively relative to the costs involved.