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With so many footballers moving clubs over the off-season period, Mike Browning explains how we’re ideally positioned to organise their private jet charters throughout the season.

New football season. Same unrivalled service.

“With so many footballers moving clubs over the off-season period, we’re expecting high demand across Europe and the Middle East as footballers get used to their new schedules and surroundings,” says our Private Jet Assistant Director, Mike Browning.

“Whether they’re going home for a couple of days, meeting up with their national team during the international breaks, or flying family and friends out to watch them play, footballers enjoy the flexibility a private jet charter gives them – and we’re available 24/7 to take their call.”

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Why we’re a popular choice for footballers

“It’s been another busy summer period for our team. We’ve flown numerous footballers around the world for their holidays, with popular destinations including Ibiza, Madrid, Italy and the south of France. There was another influx of private jet charters for us to arrange in July, as footballers returned to their respective clubs for pre-season training.

“There are many reasons clients repeatedly use our services and recommend us to their friends, families and teammates. Firstly, we’re available 24/7, which means we can source a suitable private jet in double-quick time for a last-minute flight. There have been countless occasions when I’ve received a call in the morning requesting a flight for later that day.

“We’re able to achieve such fast results because of our experience, global stature and reputation. ACS has been providing private jet charters for over 30 years and has offices across six major continents. The operator relationships we’ve built in that time give us unrivalled access to thousands of private jets around the world, while our international presence gives us superior buying power over our competitors. This means our clients always get the most cost-effective charter solutions for their specific requirements.

“With seven offices across Europe specialising in private jet charter services, we can communicate in several different languages. Whether it’s Portuguese, Spanish, German, Italian or English, a lot of our clients enjoy being able to talk to someone who speaks their language, knowing their preferences are always met and nothing is lost in translation.

“But it’s our attention to detail that really sets us apart. From organising landing permits to arranging Champagne onboard, we work tirelessly to ensure every charter requirement is met, so all our clients need to do is arrive shortly before their flight. If plans change at the last minute, we’re available around the clock to find alternative solutions. When possible, we’re also present at the airport on the day of departure to ensure the charter runs smoothly.

“Our comprehensive and personable service is something our clients really value.”

We’re available 24/7 throughout the new season

“Some of our private jet charters this summer involved flying footballers to their new clubs to finalise transfers. These one-off round-trip charters allowed them to sign all the paperwork, fulfil press commitments, and fly back home to celebrate and organise their personal logistics ahead of the new season.

“Whether their club is in England, Spain, Germany or Saudi Arabia, a lot of players sign for sides a few thousand miles away from home and family. While they’ll be based near their training ground, many still like to travel home or fly loved ones over when they can.

“These trips are often spontaneous and, due to tight fixture lists, can’t involve the delays or cancellations that are often associated with scheduled services. As a result, a private jet charter is often the most convenient and reliable option.

“We’re available 24/7 to accommodate these trips and can provide a private jet charter quote within a few hours of an inquiry. Whether it’s needed on the same day or in a week’s time, we’ll always source the most cost-effective solution for the client’s unique requirements.”

What are the popular private jets for footballers?

“An aircraft is selected for charter based on several factors including route, passenger numbers, budget and availability. For short trips around Europe, our clients favour aircraft like the Cessna Citation Latitude, Bombardier Challenger 605 or 650 and other light and midsize jets, while those travelling further afield require a larger, long-range aircraft.

Cessna Citation CJ2

The Citation CJ2 is ideal for cost-effective short trips for up to six people, with enough room in the hold for one suitcase per passenger. The more modern CJ2+ boasts a newer aviation system and lower fuel consumption, which can be reflected in the overall charter price.

Embraer Phenom 300

The Phenom 300’s cabin feels incredibly spacious for a super-light jet. It has enough seats for up to eight passengers and can fly non-stop from London to many of Europe’s major cities. The large baggage hold can accommodate about seven suitcases.

Cessna Citation CJ3

The Citation CJ3 is an upgraded version of the CJ2 and CJ2+. It boasts a larger cabin than its predecessor and can fly six or seven passengers for up to three-and-a-half hours. The newer CJ3+ is very similar, but replaces the CJ3’s Collins ProLine 21 cockpit with a Garmin G3000 integrated flight deck. Both are renowned for their practicability and economy.

Cessna Citation XLS/XLS+

The midsize Citation XLS is one of the world’s most popular private jets to charter. It can fly for up to four hours and seats eight passengers, with a spacious interior, generous luggage space, and the ability to land on short runways that scheduled aircraft can’t access. The upgraded Citation XLS+ has more modern engines for an overall better performance.

Bombardier Challenger 350

The Challenger 350 is a modern super-midsize jet, introduced in 2013 as an upgrade of the Challenger 300. Large enough for nine passengers, it can complete non-stop Trans-Atlantic flights and popular European routes.

Embraer Legacy 600/650

These larger heavy jets can connect London with all of Europe and have space for up to 13 passengers. The Legacy 600’s seats can be transformed into six beds and its cabin is split into three spacious zones, making it ideal for both daytime and evening flights. The upgraded Legacy 650 has a similar interior to its predecessor but has a 15% longer range – which means it can fly from London to the Middle East non-stop.

Bombardier Global Express XRS/6000

Originally launched as the XRS before being rebranded as the 6000 in 2011, this ultra-long-range jet can seat up to 16 passengers and sleep eight. The Global Express XRS can fly for up to 12 hours, meaning it can connect Europe with the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Flying football teams

While our private jet specialists are available 24/7 to cater to individual charter requests, our group charter division is already taking bookings for team travel for 2023 and beyond.

“Football teams often need our help with team travel for domestic and European away games during the busy fixture schedule,” says our Global Football Sales Director, Alex Sadat Shafai.

“The aircraft required varies from team to team, but priorities usually include seat pitch and recline and operational capabilities, so we often source business class aircraft that deliver in these areas. With 68 business class seats and lots of space for equipment in the baggage hold, the Boeing B737-300 VIP is ideal for a football team flying to a match in Europe.

“Other team requests are more cost-sensitive, so we present a range of options with a mix of business class and economy seats that allow the group to travel together on a lower-priced charter.

“While we’re adept at organising group charters with little notice, we have less aircraft availability than the private jet market, so we advise our clients to book early to ensure they’re getting the most cost-effective charter solution.”

To organise your next private jet charter or to book a larger aircraft for a team, contact one of our charter experts.

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