When travel plans require flights — regardless of if you're doing so for business or pleasure — those trips can quickly become more stressful. Residents who live near the nation's Capital have a couple of options in terms of commercial airports, including Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore Washington International (BWI), but each presents the same problem:
Flying out of a commercial airport means that you'll likely be spending a lot of time rushing to get from one place to another, waiting in lines, and dealing with crowds of other frazzled travelers.
The good news is there's an alternative to all that hassle. Traveling out of a private airport can mitigate some of the most dreaded aspects of air travel. Read on for everything you need to know about commercial aviation compared to from private airports, what's involved in the processes, and the pros and cons of each.
Places like Dulles International Airport have a goal to get as many people in through their doors and onto their flights as possible, so commercial airports are built with this goal in mind. Any big airport is designed to process thousands of travelers each day, and, for the most part, doesn't put a lot of focus on creating exceptional passenger experiences.
Very few people will tell you they truly enjoy all aspects of the process involved in flying out of a commercial airport. Planning a whole trip when traveling out of a commercial airport can be stressful and chaotic. Here's how that typically looks:
Let's not even talk about what happens with snow, ice, rain, and other Washington, DC area weather-related delays that require the FAA to make recommendations and the grounds and facilities crews to keep up with deicing the runway and aircraft for safe travel.
It's easy to see why traversing a commercial airport is daunting, and many people dread traveling for exactly that reason. Also, the stress of a trip to the airport is compounded when you've got a large party to watch out for or children (of any age) added to the mix.
Luckily, private airports offer an alternative to some of these issues.
Unlike commercial airports, private airports are designed to give passengers a more convenient and high-quality experience. Here's what you need to know about private aviation and what it's like to travel from a smaller airport:
Hassles such as storms or trying to corral all the members of your party still exist, of course, but traveling from private airports still eliminates many of the things that make air travel so stressful. The quieter, calmer environment can be perfect for business executive teams looking to get to a destination for company business, government officials who need to conduct meetings in air, as well as everyday travelers seeking access to a more luxury flight.
While private airports can remove a lot of the hassles involved in commercial airline travel, it's important to keep in mind your particular needs and understand how the two options differ. Some of the downsides of commercial might be outweighed by its pros, for example, and those perks might not be available through private airports.
Here's a quick overview of the benefits and drawbacks of both private and commercial airports to help you decide which is right for your next business or personal trip from the Washington, DC area.
Some people prefer to fly out of certain commercial airports as some offer state-of-the-art technology and modern conveniences. Here are some of the pros of commercial airports:
While commercial airports offer some benefits over private airports, here are some negative aspects to keep in mind:
When you live in a metropolitan area like Washington, DC, you might feel the standard commercial airline experience is your only option. The truth is that there are plenty of jet charter opportunities available, and those private jets may be the best option for your situation.
Traveling on a private jet charter from a private airport has a few distinct advantages over the commercial airline options at large airports, and these factors make private airports attractive to business travelers and frequent fliers alike. These include:
Traveling out of a private airport offers travelers plenty of conveniences and personalized service, making the entire process a breeze. There are a few drawbacks, though, including:
The truth is that you don't know if a commercial or private aircraft is right for your trip until you look into the pros and cons of each. Any traveler who has questions about whether a commercial airport or private airport is the right option should feel welcome to reach out to a private jet charter provider to ask for more information.
If you're interested in skipping the stress of flying commercial at Washington Dulles and want to have a great private airport experience, the Advanced Aviation Team is here and ready to provide you and your party with the best available private jet charters.
We've been serving the greater Washington, DC, area — executive parties, government officials, and more — with luxury private jet charters for years, and our team is happy to answer any questions you may have about the pilot team we employ, the aircraft we have available, the number of miles we can take you, and any other step of the process.
Contact us today for more information.