Chartering Flight?

[return to the red]

Just thought I would see if anyone has chartered their own plane for a large group?

Getting married in Vegas and looks like the attendees will number between 100 - 150 would it make sense to charter a flight specifically for our group? what would the costs be?

[Sliver]

Holy crap. If you're having that many attendees why don't you get married in Calgary? Seems kind of crazy to me to expect 100 - 150 people to go so far out of their way for you.

Unless you're paying for the flight, in which case you are my new hero.

[Envitro]

I know that it costs about $15,000 to charter a small turbo-prop plane (KingAir 100/200) for a return trip to Northern BC from Calgary. This was about 3 years ago too, so not sure about prices.

AirCanada Jetz services NHL teams and they do private charters as well. If you need something smaller check into Sunwest or Canadian North

[Sliver]

WestJet charters planes as well. Seems like you're about the right size for one of their 737s.

[return to the red]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Holy crap. If you're having that many attendees why don't you get married in Calgary? Seems kind of crazy to me to expect 100 - 150 people to go so far out of their way for you.

Unless you're paying for the flight, in which case you are my new hero.

It's my second wedding but my soon-to-be's first. All my friends love Vegas and are ready to leave right now. Her family can't wait so 100 seems about right.

Just throwing around the idea and getting prices but i'll let ya know what Air Canada says for interest sake.

[DementedReality]

u can try these guys, i know them as i am in the logistics industry

www.airpartner.com
MIA office 816 421 4346

they are a charter broker, maybe they can help.

[pylon]

Maybe one of the 1%ers here could lend you their jets for the weekend at a fair price. I would help, but mine is in the shop getting a new transmission.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

not sure what some of the east coast charters would cost you (as there's the potential added cost to get to YYC & back)

however:

Air Jazz and CanJet are based out of YHZ but I believe both service YYC (Jazz without question does)

[CaptainCrunch]

I used one of the Charter calculators created by U.S. Sky link

I estimated 100 passengers, I booked for April 11th through to the 14th (I don't know when you crazy kids are getting married) I did it based on a round trrp from Calgary to Vegas and back.

Low Cost of $83,200 high cost of $147,000.00, that's each way btw

Because of the number of passengers, you're looking at chartering an airliner class jet.

[CaptainCrunch]

To make it worth while, you should sell seats on your plane for non wedding guests.

[Joborule]

Chartering a plane?

return to the red balls so hard.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

The big problem with a charter is the fact that the plane is empty going to YYC, full YYC-LAS, empty LAS to origin, empty origin to LAS, full LAS-YYC, empty YYC to origin

that's a lot of flight time flying without anyone on it. It's your job to pay for that

[OldDutch]

Maybe instead of charter, you call up an airline and see what a group discount will get you.

Plus with a charter, the time the plane leaves rarely works for 150 people. Plus collecting payment etc sounds like a hassle.

I did a Vegas wedding with 100 people in 2009, we all just booked flights on our own. That way everyone could leave at different times, people had options to take expensive direct flights, and the one cheapo who wants to only pay $400, and go through Phoenix/Houston/Chicago at 6AM has that option too.

Anyways, congrats and good luck!

[return to the red]

stop shattering my dreams!

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by pylon

Maybe one of the 1%ers here could lend you their jets for the weekend at a fair price. I would help, but mine is in the shop getting a new transmission.

I want to be your jet mechanic.

Is he also servicing the ballast tanks?

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Low Cost of $83,200 high cost of $147,000.00, that's each way btw

83,200 * 2 /100 = $1664 per passenger
147,000 * 2 / 100 = 2940 per passenger

would you not expect to pay $600 or less if you booked via westjet?

Why not just call westjet's main customer service number and tell them waht you are thinking of doing. Would you not also need to ensure that all guests are at the same hotel in vegas.

[MelBridgeman]

Originally Posted by Sliver

WestJet charters planes as well. Seems like you're about the right size for one of their 737s.

We looked into chartering a Westjet plane for two local hockey teams headed to Vancouver for a tournament...turns out it was cheaper to just buy group tickets

I think we paid around $300 return /with all the fees and if we would of charted the jet it was more like $450-500 per person.

But i would imagine if you could fill the plane the price per person would go down. With players/coaches/parents we maxed out at 100 people, which was about 30+ short of a full plane.

That is my experience.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

I want to be your jet mechanic.

Is he also servicing the ballast tanks?

Yep.....

Also getting the siding replaced on it too.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

A group rate makes more sense, despite not being nearly as cool

The plane is scheduled to fly there anyway
You don't worry about paying landing fees at either airport
You don't worry about the plane flying empty
The sale of the plane's empty seats aren't your concern
You can get better flight times as you're not being pigeon holed around scheduled flights
You get a deal as you're driving up the price tickets for everyone else, if you charter the seat prices remain low(er)
Airline would rather you spend on their already sunk costs, rather than add new ones

If you fly Air Canada you'll get Aeroplan Points, I doubt you will if you charter


You might want to call some travel agents to see if they have packages already done up for flights to Vegas

[SportsJunky]

Originally Posted by return to the red

It's my second wedding but my soon-to-be's first.

Didn't you go through a nasty breakup with your first wife not long ago? Now you're getting back on the horse? Already? Wow, that takes guts. I wish you guys all the best.