An hour of flying costs $5,000.

With commercial flights becoming a nightmare for many travelers during the summer, more and more people are turning to private airlines.

In mid-August, American tourist Taylor Rains flew on a private jet, a King Air 350i worth $8 million. For this experience, she paid $5,000 (approximately 120 million VND) for a seat on a flight from New Jersey to New York (about 430 km). The flight time was one hour, and there were eight passengers on board.

To use this service, travelers can choose from two options: become a member of Wheels Up, the company that owns the King Air 350i and other models, or travel independently. If you are a member, you must pay a $400,000 deposit upon registration.

Non-members can also book Wheels Up flights through the mobile app, but flight prices are not capped, meaning rates can vary significantly depending on demand. On average, a ticket costs around $5,000 per hour for smaller aircraft and up to $13,000 for larger jets.

The aircraft has two pilots. To become a Wheels Up pilot, candidates need a minimum of 3,500 flight hours to become a captain and 1,200 to become a co-pilot. Pilots must undergo intensive training, as well as first aid for emergency situations.

Because they used a private service, Taylor and the other passengers didn't need to check in their luggage, go through security screening, or have their tickets checked at the airport. Therefore, the boarding process was quick and easy for the passengers.

With a capacity of 8 passengers, the aircraft is designed with 4 seats facing each other, all upholstered in new, comfortable leather. According to the female passenger's review, the interior is luxurious, comfortable, spacious, and has ample legroom. It is easy to move around the plane and converse with other passengers.

During the hour-long flight, passengers will have access to a variety of snacks and drinks in easily accessible compartments throughout the cabin, such as water, soda, juice, potato chips, and nuts.

Instead of using pull-up and pull-down curtains, airplane windows are electronically controlled. With just the push of a button, passengers can adjust the window light to their liking.

The spacious, luxuriously designed restroom features a large full-body mirror for guests to check their appearance. Additionally, the sink is fully equipped with first-aid supplies and personal hygiene items, such as bandages and mouthwash.

Taylor's flight wasn't smooth due to weather conditions. But she said she still felt comfortable because of the amenities and comfort inside. When the plane landed, it only took her a few minutes to disembark.

After this trip, she understood why the wealthy prefer using private jets when traveling. They are expensive, but they are private, convenient, and fast, saving a lot of time.

"Overall, I really enjoyed Wheels Up's service and this experience reminded me how convenient private flying is and why affluent travelers are turning to it," Taylor said.

However, Taylor shared a note that the King Air 350i has four seats facing each other, so on the recent bumpy flights, some passengers may have felt unwell. If you are prone to motion sickness, remember to bring some anti-motion sickness medication.

Phuong Thao is an editor at Travellive magazine. She is passionate about traveling and enjoys capturing moments with her camera in every place she visits. Travel, art, and lifestyle are Phuong Thao's favorite writing topics.

Phuong Thao