Read how the latest travel trends are being influenced by recent world events and discover where your next charter flight is likely to take you.
Emerging Travel Trends
The global pandemic has forever changed how we view the world and the way we’re likely to experience our planet in the future. Use our exploration of up-and-coming travel trends to inspire your next private jet charter booking with us.
Working from hotel
Traditionally in office speak, ‘WFH’ stood for ‘working from home’ and far more of us started doing this during the pandemic. Now, following the rollout of vaccinations, countries have re-opened their borders and companies are using technology to make working from anywhere increasingly viable. ‘Virtual desk’ is redefining ‘WFH’ to mean ‘working from hotel’. If you can work from anywhere, why not make it a location that’s warm and sunny with a great view? Even most remote settings – which can easily be reached by private plane – have an internet connection, so you’ll be all set.
Business and more pleasure
Following the damaging effects of the pandemic, ACS’s Group Private Jets Director, Andy Christie, forecasted that, by the end of 2021, business travel would return to around 80% of the levels seen during ‘noraml’ times in 2019. While the Omicron wave initially slowed air travel, this prediction has been realised, but the world of aviation has changed forever. One of these changes is the move towards favouring less-crowded charter flights, particularly with increasing numbers of people embracing the possibilities of bleisure travel (adding leisure activities to business trips).
Last-minute booking
With rules and regulations for travel changing often, many travellers are only feeling confident enough to make last-minute travel plans at short notice, often taking advantage of small windows of opportunity to go abroad amidst renewed travel restrictions. This is giving rise to a trend of spontaneous travel, an ACS speciality that we’ve honed over decades, getting our clients where they need to go in the shortest possible time by private jet charter.
Travel for good
Recent world events, not least the pandemic, have caused people to assess their impact on the planet, particularly when they travel. As a result, luxury ecotourism is seeing a surge in popularity. Resorts such as the newly opened Lindos Grand Resort & Spa are part of the ‘Forest Ambassador’ programme in Rhodes, which aims to plant, water and protect new trees. Other locations, like safari reserves in Africa, are incorporating preservation work into their trips too, giving travellers the chance to support sensitive and protected areas with tourism revenue.
Off the beaten track
More luxury travellers are seeking wholly private holidays, starting with a private plane rental and landing in a destination away from crowds. Private villas and dining experiences are seeing an upswing in online searches, and the hospitality industry is getting on board by offering fantastic alternative destinations with all the benefits of more famous locations but without the crowds.
The big break
Following years of staycations, many individuals are impatient to travel abroad again and, when they do get the opportunity, they’re demanding trips of a longer duration or involving a more extreme challenge to make the most of their time at the destination of their choice. This includes off the beaten track expeditions that appeal to people who have been stuck at home for lengthy periods. Some examples are quad biking safaris from the Okavango Delta in Botswana to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, and hikes through the Wakhan Corridor in Afghanistan.
Multi-generational trips
Many families have been separated during the pandemic for health reasons. As a result, planning a getaway with loved ones is proving a popular way to reconnect. There are many destinations that provide suitable activities for all ages, and staying in a villa or similar holiday home means groups can enjoy each other’s company under one roof.
Wellness breaks
Holidays with a focus on wellness were already popular before the pandemic, but now there are new demands for immunity-boosting retreats and trips that prioritise personal health and fitness. For example, Chenot Palace Weggis in Switzerland offers a series of seven-night wellness programmes and treatments, and is home to a 5,000 sqm medical spa facility that provides diagnostic screening tests.
Carbon offsetting
Clients choosing to travel by private jet are becoming increasingly more conscious of carbon offsetting and its value to the planet. Carbon credit systems are one way to fund investment in green projects. ACS launched a carbon offsetting programme in February 2020 that enables customers to offset the carbon emissions from their flights by adding a 0.5% fee.
The personal touch
With travel confidence having suffered due to Covid-19 restrictions, changing government updates, and last-minute cancellations, travellers are looking for a more personalised, trustworthy mode of transport. Throughout the pandemic, ACS has continued to see a larger increase in new clients overall compared to online enquiries, which confirms to us that individuals now prefer to speak to an Account Manager in person — and we’re happy to oblige.
To find out more about private plane charter and receive a personalised quotation, contact our experienced brokers, or call now on +44(0)20 3820 2489.