Many people are looking for a stress-free flight for their family and peace of mind that all safety measures have been followed and the confidence that other passengers won't disregard the rules.
Private jet enquiries have rocketed since the easing of lockdown with many travellers using them due to coronavirus safety concerns with commercial flights and airports.
Private aviation company Air Partner saw a rise of 321 per cent for enquiries in June compared to last year with a swathe of travellers turning to the sector for the first time.
Many are looking for a stress-free flight for their family and peace of mind that all safety measures have been followed and the confidence that other passengers won't disregard the rules.
But for many of us flying in a private jet is purely a pipe dream due to the cost.
A typical flight for four people from London to Ibiza will set you back £11,400 or £2,850 each while a trip to Mykonos will cost £20,000 or £5,000 each.
But if you've always dreamed of flying on a private jet then there is a way you may be able to do just that for a fraction of the cost - on an empty leg flight.
Empty legs are flights that are due to operate without any passengers as the aircraft repositions back to its base, or is going elsewhere to be ready for its next flight.
If you are flexible and can move quickly, you could hop aboard the empty leg and save up to 75% on the cost of a conventional private jet charter.
It means that if you and 11 mates are extremely lucky you could bag yourself a luxury flight to Greece for £645 each, Portugal for £500 or Nice for £327.
A smaller group of four could be lucky enough to get a flight to Ibiza or Nice for £712 each, while for £781 you could fly to Portugal or Greece for £1,250.
But to get the incredible bargain private jet experience you need to be very lucky and flexible and ready to fly at a moment's notice.
"You have to be extremely flexible to try and get an empty leg as it's very much a last minute situation," says Kevin Macnaughton, Managing Director of Charter at Air Partner.
"The upside is empty leg prices can be anything from 50% to 75% off a flight so it is an opportunity.
Empty leg deals
Biggin Hill to Faro (4 pax) = £12,500
Empty leg (50%) = £1,562
Empty leg (75%) = £781
Biggin Hill to Faro (12 pax) = £24,000
Empty leg (50%) = £1,000
Empty leg (75%) = £500
Biggin Hill to Ibiza (4 pax) = £11,400
Empty leg (50%) = £1,425
Empty leg (75%) = £712
Biggin Hill to Ibiza (12 pax) = £23,000
Empty leg (50%) = £958
Empty leg (75%) = £479
London to Nice (4 pax) = £11,400
Empty leg (50%) = £1,425
Empty leg (75%) = £712
London to Nice (12 pax) = £15,700
Empty leg (50%) = £654
Empty leg (75%) = £327
London to Mykenos (4 pax) = £20,000
Empty leg (50%) = £2,500
Empty leg (75%) = £1,250
London to Mykοnos (12 pax) = £31,000
Empty leg (50%) = £1,291
Empty leg (75%) = £645
"If you're an individual and you want to try a private jet and you're not really concerned where you are going and you can get there last minute there's an opportunity.
"But if you want the full end to end experience of flying privately then you would want to control the schedule and all things you want on board.
"When you book a private jet it's all about the personalisation.
"You get picked up from your house by a limo.
"You can go to a smaller airport where you can be taken directly up to the aircraft 15 minutes before take-off.
"We will personalise the plane with your favourite flowers, chocolates, caviar, whatever you want on board the plane and up you go. You would have selected the size of the plane and the interior style you want."
With empty leg flights you have to get what you are given.
Mr Macnaughton explained: "Empty legs are normally one day prior or on the day and you would expect around 50 per cent off the flight cost - sometimes 75 per cent if it's hours before take-off.
"This is because the person who has booked the flight can change their time of departure, or their flight destination and that's how empty legs happen.
"You could think you're on for a 9am empty leg departure but then they change it to 11am so you must be flexible.
"With empty legs it will be whatever aircraft is there at the time.
"You won't be able to bespoke your catering and you'd probably have to go through the terminal, albeit quicker than a normal airport. But the experience on board, luxury seating, wine or champagne would be the same.
"Empty Legs happen at different times but are one of those things that airlines try to avoid because the more empty legs there are the less efficient it is."
But Kevin says the idea of an empty leg is definitely not for everyone and probably more suited to someone who wants to try out a private jet flight for the first time.
He explains: "What we've found is once someone has tried an empty leg flight and they get the 'bug' for it they then become more interested in flying privately.
"But it's the opposite way around. Flying on a private jet is all about you controlling your schedule and everything around your convenience, whereas with an empty leg, you're paying £5,000-£6,000 but can't control anything."
Air Partner have put in place strict coronavirus measures for clients to protect them but due to it being a private jet passengers don't have to wear a face mask if they don't wish.
Kevin said: "When we pick you up from your house in a limousine everything has been deep cleaned.
"Every touch point is disinfected and then we get you through the private jet terminal to the aircraft and make it a contactless experience.
"We make sure our operators are disinfecting aircraft and are wearing masks and pilots have temperature checks and are covid-free.
"People are paying for an increase in confidence when they fly privately.
"We recommend people wear masks but of course it's a private jet and so if the staff and pilots are wearing masks then the family may choose to be comfortable to not wear them as they are in their own bubble. With the filters on an aircraft it's safer to be on a plane that in an office."
But if you fancy trying your luck with an empty leg, while you're sipping on your champagne high above the clouds don't forget one very important thing - your flight home.
Kevin adds: "If you are that flexible then you can get down to those prices (75 per cent off) but then you've obviously got to figure out where you're going to stay and how you're going to get home so those are the challenges!"
To find out more about empty legs and private jet hire visit airpartner.com
