Day in the life

What does a private jet broker do?

We act as aviation consultants. Our customers know when and where they want to fly, plus who or what will be travelling with them; we then use our knowledge of the charter market to approach the right aircraft operators for their journey. We also take the time to understand and accommodate each client’s preferences, including factors such as the purpose of the trip; the luggage specifications; and any specific requirements, such as mobility assistance, tall passengers or catering expectations.

We have access to thousands of aircraft all over the world and, once the request has been made, we source the best aircraft that suits our client’s demands. Once our client has agreed on the aircraft and booked, we then organise the details for the day of the flight, covering everything from onboard catering to landing permits. In many locations, we can also arrange for a welcoming representative to greet passengers and help their airport experience run smoothly. There are many variables in aviation and it’s important that we pre-empt potential issues in advance. We do our very best to meet all our clients’ requirements, predicting anything they may want on board or updates they may like to receive to feel reassured that everything is in hand.

How does someone become a private jet broker?

Many of our brokers come from a sales, travel, or customer service background, but our thorough training programme at ACS means that everyone who works here has an excellent and up-to-date working knowledge of the aviation industry and how to interact with our customers. At some point in their training, all of our brokers – regardless of where they will work in the world – take classes at our London HQ. This helps our staff to start on the same footing, while growing their international professional network.

What personal qualities does a private jet broker need?

They need to be able to multitask and have incredible attention to detail, keeping abreast of daily changes and variations. Resilience is also important as this industry can be very fast-paced and we are looking after logistics for multiple customers with high expectations. It is incredibly important that they love working with people and can communicate with companies and individuals all over the world. A private jet broker needs to have the desire to be successful and strive to be the best, while working and collaborating with a supportive global network of colleagues.

What does a typical day look like for an ACS private jet broker?

The day starts as soon as we wake up, checking emails and texts before travelling into the office. We might have been flight watching overnight to ensure our customers’ journeys went as planned. The job is both reactive and proactive. We will follow up on enquiries from customers, ensure we have the information needed for a booked flight, communicate with our overseas offices where necessary, check with our suppliers that all is on track and keep an eye on any flights that we organise. We also call customers that we haven’t heard from to see if we can be of assistance, or to say hello or mark a special occasion with them. Every broker will try to see their flights off at the airport and visit their customers in person where possible.

What are the benefits of using a private jet broker?

By using a private jet broker, you gain access to the best available aircraft and pricing on the market. A broker is not restricted by loyalty to a specific fleet and is therefore able to source the most suitable options from the entire market. ACS provides an honest view on each aircraft offered; for example, often the cheapest choice does not have the nicest interior or cabin size. Price is not the only consideration. The type of aircraft a customer is used to, interior amenities, aircraft age, size or even speed can also be considerations. A broker will always try to provide a client with a variety of options, explaining each one, so they can make an informed decision. ACS also has a global reach – with offices around the world, we offer choices in any location and have local knowledge of operators and airports.

How do private jet brokers go above and beyond for customers?

At ACS, we’re only as good as our last charter, so we always try to go above and beyond for our clients. This could involve standing outside a building in India waiting for a permit official to leave so we can hand them our submission first; sourcing sushi or kosher catering in unlikely locations; putting in-flight entertainment packs and toys on board for children travelling; staying up all night sourcing replacement aircraft for a technical issue; thanking handling agents for expediting our fuel stop when a customer is on a tight schedule; our flight representatives driving to collect further catering after a supplier lets us down... We always do our utmost to get customers on the flight they requested and ensure they have an excellent experience.

How do ACS private jet brokers differ from others?

The term ‘brokers’ can conjure up images of lone operators or faceless corporations, but that is not who we are. We prefer to call ourselves consultants, as it’s not all about the sale by any means. At ACS, customer satisfaction is our number one priority. We want to be open and transparent with our clients and build relationships so they can be confident they’re always receiving the best service. An ACS broker is available 24/7 for their customers; if we go on holiday, a full brief is given to a colleague with a seamless handover. We also have a bespoke in-house system to manage our enquiries and flights, keeping everything on track so that we can respond quickly.

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