I’ve flown business class three times — and on a private jet twice. Here’s which is better.

As an aviation journalist, I spend a lot of time in the sky.

Over the past year, I’ve experienced several luxury products, including long-haul business class on Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand, and French boutique carrier La Compagnie…

I flew on the world’s only all-business class airline and it felt more like flying on a private jet across the Atlantic

…as well as the multi-room Bombardier Global 5000 and Global 7500 private jets, the latter being the world’s biggest and longest-range purpose-built business plane.

I flew on a $75 million Bombardier Global 7500 private jet from Miami to New Jersey and saw why the ultra-wealthy love the plane

Because I normally fly in economy class for personal travel, it’s always a treat to experience these high-dollar options.

I flew on the world’s new 4th longest flight from New York to Auckland and Air New Zealand’s business class made the over 17-hour journey easily bearable

And, after several flights, I’ve found there are some cases in which flying business class is a better use of time and money than flying private…

…but it’s fair to say flying private adds a level of convenience and flexibility that airlines simply can’t provide.

Here are the biggest differences I’ve found when traveling in business class vs. on a private jet.

I flew on a $50 million Bombardier Global 5000 private jet from Montreal to New Jersey and saw why those who can afford it are flocking to private aviation

First and foremost, private jets operate under different federal regulations, many of which — like on going through security and smoking aboard a flight — are more relaxed than the ones for commercial aviation.

Source: Investopedia

Instead of flying out of a crowded airport with snaking security lines, private flyers will board out of fixed-based operators, called FBOs.

I flew on a $25 million Gulfstream G280 that private aviation company Volato will charter for $6,550 starting in 2024 — see inside

These are aircraft service providers for things like fuel and maintenance, and typically have a lounge area with free snacks and drinks available for travelers.

There are typically no security checks or long lines. So, on recent flights, I needed to arrive at the FBO only about 10 minutes before departure.

I flew out of a general aviation airport to see how the rich travel. I didn’t miss the hassle, lines, and frustration of commercial flying.

I either walked directly out to the jet from the small terminal or took a one-minute bus ride. And, I could park my car for free outside — though some people drive right up to the aircraft.

While many business-class tickets come with expedited security and passport control, the need to arrive at the airport early to check bags, traverse checkpoints, walk to the gate, and wait for boarding is still a hassle.

And, although I’m not a smoker, charter companies can allow passengers to smoke tobacco on board assuming it follows FAA regulations for things like ashtrays and signage.

Source: Stratos Jet Charters

For these reasons alone, I can see how the money — for those who have it —is easily worth the hassle-free experience — especially for celebrities who want to avoid the crowds.

But, the conveniences don’t come cheap. While Insider paid a media rate for my private flights, the ultra-wealthy will shell out thousands.

For example, a Global 7500 operated by charter company VistaJet ranges from around $12,000 to $20,000 per hour. So, an eight-hour leap from New York to London could cost $96,000 to $160,000 one-way.

Source: Elite Traveler

The same route in mid-April for eight people — VistaJet’s sleeping capacity — in Delta One suites is just over $93,000 roundtrip — or about $11,600 a ticket.

While splitting the Global 7500 among eight people brings the cost per person down, it is still substantially greater than booking roundtrip suites for about $11,600 a pop.

This is why I think the duration of the flight and the number of people onboard are the biggest factors in making private flying worth it.

On one hand, I can argue the luxuries on board private jets far outmatch those in business class…

…especially since the largest aircraft come with double beds, dining rooms, and theaters, creating a more spacious, comfortable atmosphere.

There is even a cargo hold accessible to passengers on these private planes, many of which can fit oversized items. Airline passengers typically have to pay extra for excessive luggage — even business class.

Source: VistaJet, Check out the $62 million Bombardier private jet that’s Canada’s answer to Gulfstream

Moreover, in addition to the aforementioned security and smoking rules, private travelers have more food flexibility because they aren’t tied to an airline’s predetermined menu…

…and they can access routes that commercial carriers don’t offer, like Elon Musk’s 12-hour trek from Mykonos, Greece, to Austin, Texas, in July 2022 — a route that would take at least one stop and 30 hours on an airline.

These personal, individualized amenities go beyond what can be offered in business class.

Not to mention, passengers are not at the whim of sometimes unreliable airlines, which suffered chaotic meltdowns during and after the pandemic. These, of course, affected everyone regardless of ticket class.

Wheels down: The super rich struggle to book private jets as more people shell out $10,700 an hour to avoid airline chaos

But, on the other hand, some wealthy travelers could see the cost-savings of flying in business class on a transoceanic flight worth ditching a private jet…

…especially since long-haul business typically has lie-flat seats. For example, Singapore Airlines has a large business class lounger on its Airbus A350 that comes with a roomy bed and a flat-screen TV.

I flew the product on a recent 18-hour trek from Singapore to New York, and I felt cocooned inside the little area thanks to the seat’s shell. It was my personal space, and I didn’t have to share any amenities.

I flew on the world’s longest flight in business class and thought the 18-hour trip from Singapore to New York was nearly flawless

The food was pretty amazing too despite having a set menu.

By comparison, there are a few places to sleep on VistaJet’s Global 7500, but not all are fully private. These include the double bed in the bedroom…

…as well as the double beds made from the theater couch and dining room seats. The two sets of four swivel chairs also create a pair of single beds.

For eight people to sleep comfortably, six would need to be couples, friends, or family members — it wouldn’t be a great option for colleagues, which VistaJet US President Leona Qi acknowledged during a demo flight in November.

Moreover, I don’t really mind not having as much choice in terms of meals. But, I know a lot of customers have specific needs and wants, which is more easily catered to on a private jet.

All things considered, if I had to choose between Singapore and a crowded Global 7500, I’d choose the former. I wouldn’t have to share a bed or have to fight over the private jet’s main television.

Not to mention, there is no purpose-built private jet that can connect Singapore and New York nonstop, making Singapore’s A350 business class a faster and more logical option.

Source: Bombardier

Granted, this is one of the few instances in which I think traveling in business class would be better than chartering a jet. And, it really only applies to ultra-long-haul flying.

Having also flown on several small and mid-sized business aircraft — like the Gulfstream G280, the HondaJet Elite II, and the King Air 350i — I think the convenience of flying private easily beats any airline product on short- or medium-haul routes.

I flew on an $8 million private aircraft that costs $5,000 an hour to charter and seats 8 — see inside the King Air 350i

And these aircraft are cheaper to fly on, but the cost is still much more than airlines.

A group of four people on Volato’s HondaJet Elite II would pay $6,000 per person roundtrip between New York and Miami — the first-class fare on Delta is about $1000 in April.

I flew on Honda’s $5 million private jet that seats 4 — see inside Volato’s HondaJet

But, the cost isn’t deterring demand, with some deep-pocket customers saying they will never go back to airlines — especially after the pandemic showed travelers the convenience of private aviation.

Source: CNBC

And according to VistaJet, its number of flight hours increased by 41% year-over-year in 2022.

Super-rich keeping flying private despite surging fuel costs making charters even more expensive

“If people need to fly, they will fly,” VistaJet’s Qi told Insider in October 2022. “No one likes to pay more money, but we live in a world where inflation is close to 10% and the most precious resource of our members is time.”