If you’re a first-time flyer when it comes to private flights, you’ll probably have a few questions running through your mind. You might be wondering how the weather could impact your flight, or if you should be concerned about cancellations. Here’s what you need to know. 
How Weather Affects Private Jet Flights
There has been a massive boom in interest and bookings for private jet travel as the travel and tourism industry moves through its recovery phase of the pandemic. This boom is due, in large part, to people looking for ways to steer clear of crowded commercial flights to reduce their risk of coming into contact with the virus. Many are opting instead for plane rental, where the only people on board are their nearest and dearest, the pilot and a handful of flight attendants.
With so many first-time private jet charter clients emerging, there have been plenty more questions and uncertainties that require answers and clarification. Let’s take a look at a common concern among all clients: the weather. How might rain, snow, fog, or wind affect your private flight? Should you prepare for cancellations or delays? Here’s everything you need to know for maximum peace of mind.
Will rain impact my flight?
Good news – a little bit of water shouldn’t be enough to keep you grounded, unless the rainfall is especially heavy and might cause visibility problems. The vast majority of modern-day charter planes are equipped with strong windscreen wipers, windscreen coatings that allow for seamless runoff, and high-pressure air systems that help the pilot to see clearly even when it’s bucketing down. Having said that, some pilots may be a bit more cautious about heavy rain when it comes to takeoff and landing, sometimes waiting for it to slow down before taking the next step.
Will thunderstorms impact my flight?
Thunderstorms are more concerning than a heavy rain shower, especially if they make it impossible for a pilot to avoid flying the plane through the clouds. Most airports are quite strict about taking extra precautions when there are thunderstorms in the area, often restricting aircraft movement and delaying re-fueling until the weather improves. Luckily, the pilot will be sure to be on the lookout for gaps regarding approach routes to get you airborne faster.
If thunderstorms pose a problem during your flight, it’s usually quite easy for a pilot to plot a different flight route to ensure that the aircraft doesn’t come into direct contact with anything that could be a potential problem, even if it means adding a bit of extra flight time to the clock.
Will fog impact my flight?
Visibility is once again the main concern when flying through fog. Of course, whether it will impact your flight will depend on how thick and persistent it is. But thankfully it’s much easier for private aircraft to simply alter their take-off position and re-route the flight to take advantage of gaps in the fog.
Will ice and snow impact my flight?
There’s nothing to worry about if there’s a sudden drop in temperature or a bit of snowfall when an aircraft is already in the air. The challenge comes when it’s time to take off or land. Ultimately, it’s crucial that the runway is clear for an aircraft to take off or land without any risk of slippage. It’s also very important for the aircraft itself to be free from ice and snow build-up. Luckily, when flying privately via a small airport and on a light jet, it’s much faster and easier to de-snow and de-ice all the necessary components. Do, however, keep in mind that de-icing an aircraft can have an effect on the overall cost of a private flight.
Will wind impact my flight?
It’s quite rare for wind to cause delays when flying privately. However, it can affect the performance of an aircraft. If flying in the same direction that the wind is blowing, the aircraft’s ground speed increases and flight time is often shortened. If flying in the opposite direction, the opposite is true and there may be a fair amount of turbulence along the way. Remember that turbulence can be unnerving, but it’s nothing to worry about.
The bottom line
In short, while certain extreme weather conditions have the potential to cause a flight delay, considering how most charter planes make use of smaller airports, there’s a lot more flexibility to play around with. This means you’re likely to deal with much shorter weather-related delays as the pilot/private jet charter company will be constantly looking for a convenient gap to get you airborne and moving as quickly as possible. What’s more, they’ll be able to take that gap at a moment’s notice, without having to worry about clashing with another aircraft’s departure or arrival time.
Book private jet travel with ACS
Come wind, fog, rain, or shine, we at Air Charter Service (ACS) are always dedicated to providing our clients with world-class private jet charter services. Whether you’re looking for light to heavy jet charter, helicopter charter, group charter, or cargo charter, we’ve got you covered. Contact us now for a plane rental quote or browse through our comprehensive aircraft guide to explore the various aircraft on offer.