To air cruise or not to air cruise…that is the question.
Making the decision to create a tour by private jet or, as it is popularly know now, an air cruise is often considered a significant product development step when a company hasn’t been involved in this style of travel before.
Changing the misconceptions - the resource requirements as well as the financial risk involved in creating, what we would describe, a journey like no other - are an opportunity. The below has been written to assist you in navigating your way through the misconceptions, hopefully we eliminate all if not most of your concerns and open your eyes to the opportunity.
Bartelings | VIP 757 interior
Most travel companies endeavour to create client loyalty and to undertake activities to ensure new, future loyal, clients join the happy existing, regular travellers they service. One of the core strategies often involves product development whether by expanding in type of travel (from touring holidays to cruise options) or by expanding to other destinations with the same type of holiday option. Or of course by doing both. Air Cruising straddles both areas in our view, increase client loyalty and attract new clients to your brand. Furthermore, creating and promoting such a trip makes a significant statement about your brand in relation to prestige, profile and innovation. If it all sounds so good why aren’t more companies offering this style of travel? Let’s see if we can counter some of the often heard misconceptions.
“increase client loyalty and attract new clients to your brand”
Let’s discuss some of the most common comments we receive when discussing options with prospective clients.
It is too much work and we don’t have the resources.
It is no surprise to anyone reading this that this is raised as a point. Creating a whole new product with no previous experience is time consuming. It takes time to develop the skill and knowledge to create, promote and successfully operate an air cruise. Potentially, it takes staff away from their day to day responsibilities. At Bartelings Associates we offer two types of “packages”, as well as tailored solutions, to avoid the drain of existing resources or indeed the need to up resources within the business. The core elements of each are:-
Air Cruise Solution 1
Includes the full development of a tour by private jet based on your specific requirements. Although Bartelings Associates will take full responsibility over the project you (if you wish) can be fully involved in all aspects of the trip including, but not limited to:-
Destinations
Departure date(s) and duration
Group size
Inclusions
Price point
Project Timing : 8 weeks
Deliverables
We will deliver a full tour, with contracted services after the 8 week project has been completed.
Proposed itinerary, written up (in English).
All contracted services.
Full working pricing model which can be “manipulated” to calculate pricing and margins.
Air Cruise Solution 2
For those companies who prefer to create, contract and operate their own tour we offer services to source a relevant aircraft for the tour you are planning to create. Main considerations around finding the right aircraft are:-
Destinations | ability to operate in/out | range required.
Group size
Trip duration
Project Timing : 4 weeks
Deliverables
The main objective is to source and secure an aircraft for the trip planned by the client on the best terms.
Confirmed aircraft charter for the trip.
Signed contract.
With both Air Cruise solutions described above Bartelings Associates can also provide an experienced Tour Leader and team who will operate the trip on your behalf. Furthermore, Bartelings Associates can advise you on your marketing and your administration processes if requested.
Bartelings | Creating memories
Financial Risk
We are all concerned about our bottom line and ultimately undertaking a project of this magnitude needs to return a profit. At the same time, as is often said, one needs to speculate to accumulate and by engaging with Bartelings Associates, as per above, you have access to the expertise and knowledge to successfully operate air cruises.
Whether you choose solution 1 or 2 above, or indeed look for a tailored option, we would agree the appropriate fees. This is part of the investment you will need to make. The fees will be cost effective and because you are paying based on a contract there is not the cost, and other legal obligations, of increasing your companies head count.
The other financial concern tends to be the cost of chartering an aircraft. Apart from the fact that Bartelings Associates are experts in sourcing you the best aircraft for any given itinerary we will also negotiate the terms. Part of these terms will be a penalty free period during which you can hand the aircraft back to the operator without any cost. Traditionally, we suggest a promotion period of 18 months prior to departure and in the knowledge that most bookings generally arrive in the first 6 months we would have a good understanding of the potential of success 1 year out. Having a penalty free period until 1 year before departure is the minimum we can negotiate.
“penalty free period during which you can hand the aircraft back to the operator ”
Having operated many of these tours over the years we have seen the positive impact a tour like this can make on a company’s bottom line and we have also seen the high levels of client satisfaction resulting in further bookings and additional air cruise itineraries.
Surprised? Ready to explore air cruises? Talk to the Bartelings Associates team by emailing info@bartelingsassociates.com or call +44 7768 614235 (or +44 1308 297027 during UK office hours)