Exclusivity, comfort, ease of travel, business tool, pointto-point travel, range and speed, luxury, etc, are becoming essentials for business jet acquisitions and for the segment to thrive. Keeping in mind the demands of the discerning corporate jet traveller, air framers, operators and other related service providers are factoring in these critical elements that go to enhance the experience of the jet-set traveller. The business aviation industry is witnessing healthy growth and Honeywell Aerospace has forecast that nearly 10,000 new business jets valued at $250 billion will be delivered between 2012 and 2022 and the noticeable trend in the deliveries would be domination of larger models.

Appetite for larger cabin jets

There has been a definite shift in focus towards larger business jets in the past five years—the medium (mid-size) and larger types accounted for 53 per cent last year, compared to less than 40 per cent ten years ago.

What many predicted would be a ‘boom’ in very light jet sales was hit by the financial crisis in 2008 and the share of deliveries of smallest jets was 28 per cent. Larger cabin size and range are trends that are catching up with the corporate traveller who goes beyond national boundaries, for both business and leisure.

Design, a key factor

Unlike commercial airlines which have to look at practicality of moving large number of passengers, the business jet has to dwell more on appealing to the tastes of the high-flying air traveller. The need to enhance design is more accentuated in the business jet industry and this trend can be gauged from the fact that several operators make a beeline to the Business Jet Interiors World Expo and other related events which highlight design options and ideas, including showers and full dining tables. And some big fashion houses are involved in creating the designs and one of them is fashion designer Donatella Versace who is creating out of the world private jet interiors. Business jet manufacturers offer bespoke interior design, optimising style and quality, many a time in sync with the tastes of the high-flying customers.

Green jets, a continuing trend

While they may be globe-trotting in their private jets, the corporate jet traveller is becoming a global citizen with concerns for environment. Understanding their needs, airframers and operators have increased their green footprint which has also added value to their business. Dassault claims that their Falcon is among their fleet of the most environmentally friendly jets on the planet, implementing its “eco-design” concept, “from the mining of raw materials to production, from in-service operation to end of service and recycling.”

Last year, five Gulfstream aircraft flew from Savannah to Orlando on Honeywell’s renewable jet fuel. Gulfstream G150, G280, G450, G550 and G650 aircraft participated in the green flights. Embraer Executive Jets has new technology for low emissions and reduced noise. The aircraft are compliant with CAEP/6 Emissions and Stage 4 exterior noise limit.

In-flight entertainment

One of the key features of air travel is going to be communication and in-flight entertainment, particularly in business jets. The importance of the two is underlined as top executives want to be not only ‘connected’ to their businesses but also want to have the best of in-flight entertainment. They believe that ‘all work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy’ and insist on the best of both— communication and entertainment. Companies turn jets into screening room, install a concert-quality sound system and integrate their system with entertainment devices, including video game consoles, smart phones and tablets.

When business is finished for the day, cabin lighting can be subdued using touch screen sliders on tablet or iPhone/iPad devices. Sitting in soft leather seats, passengers can then put their feet up and relax after a productive time of work. Thanks to the onboard Wi-Fi they can catch up with friends and family by voice, text and e-mail, or alternatively simply relax with their favourite music, watching a High Definition (HD) Blu-Ray movie with surround-sound, or viewing it in 3D (all new TV monitors are now 3D ready).

Range and speed matter

While the business jet traveller is driven by the need to be at his or her destination at the quickest, range of an aircraft becomes important. The executive would not like to have stopovers, transit halts, etc which have a bearing on his/her ‘valued time’. The new minimum definition for ‘ultra long-range’ is 7,000 nautical miles. While development of a supersonic business jet will advance, airplanes cruising at about Mach 0.86 or slower will still dominate the market.

Spike Aerospace’s conceptual jet is expected to be a boon in the future for those who want to cut business travel times by half. Spike S-512 would have a maximum speed of Mach 1.8 and a cruising speed of Mach 1.6, meaning a flight from London to New York would be covered in less than four hours as opposed to six to seven hours now.

The Spike S-512 is designed to carry 18 passengers and is to have a range of 7,360 Kilometres. In concept form, the jet currently measures 131 feet and has a 60-foot wingspan. If everything goes according to plan, Spike Aerospace expects to sell the S-512 for $60 million to $80 million and will begin deliveries at the end of 2018.

When passengers are going on long-haul flights, they expect comfortable cabin size and other features. Amenities currently seen as extraordinary, such as full galleys and onboard chefs, will become quite common. All ultra-long-range airplanes will have sufficient water for showers and high-speed Internet with worldwide coverage.

Fractional and leased aircraft gains momentum

Fractional aircraft is bouncing back in the western world, though it is nonexistent in India. In the next decade, the benefits of flying privately through shared-use investments like in fractional aircraft will remain compelling, taking advantage of economics. Fractional programmes are a boutique product for those willing to pay a premium for the consistency, reliability, availability, flexibility and safety of fractional travel. This market is expected to grow in a steady manner in the next decade.

So also in the next 10 years, the air-taxi business will mature and thrive, driven by advancements in technology and dissatisfaction with airline service. Very light jets and aircraft such as the Cirrus SR22 have made air-taxi service safe and cost-effective. With advances like the Cirrus Vision Jet on the horizon, an ever-expanding percentage of the public will be able to afford private aviation service using air taxis.

Charter services to expand and improve

One noticeable trend in mature markets is that the number of low-end charter brokers and operators are shrinking. Meanwhile, the overall quality of the private aviation experience will improve. There will be a renewed push for regulation of brokers, which will result in closer alignment between brokers and charter operators.

The result will be positive for passengers, as there will be more economic security when they buy from a broker, and they’ll be assured of a superior travel experience. The focus will be on higher standards of safety and service—not just on price and meeting minimum regulations. Ultimately, prices will stabilise and the low end of the market will go away, resulting in fewer but higher-quality choices for private jet charter.

The business jet segment, thus, has to stay itself ahead of times as passengers are far more discerning and demanding of facilities which enhance their experience, be it on the ground or up in the sky.