Romance, Culture, Spas or Shopping: Charter a Private Jet and Make the Most of a Weekend Away

How does hiring a private jet help maximise my down time?

Whether you’re a hard-working professional running an international business, tasked with organising a busy family schedule or part of an international, time-pressed couple, everyone wants to maximise their leisure time. With air travel now becoming more complicated due to staff shortages across cabin crew and baggage handlers, air travel is not quite as speedy and efficient as it once was. Not to mention the hours lost in security and check in queues, and the recommendations by commercial airlines to arrive three hours prior to departure. All of this is lost time which could be recuperated and put to use enriching your weekend break away. This is where the convenience of privately chartered air travel really comes into its own.

Chartering a private plane with LunaJets is the ideal way to make the most of weekends and down-time. The convenience of hiring a private jet from LunaJets is that it’s the ideal mode of transport for a quick weekend getaway. You’ll get a bespoke, stress-free journey with far less time spent in queues and airports and more time spent relaxing and enjoying life.

“Why spend hours in airport queues when those hours can be spent strolling along the Seine?”

Don’t I still need to allow lots of time for check in and getting to the airport?

In a word, no. Forget lengthy queues and crowded terminals: private jet customers speed through boarding and check-in procedures within the quiet, relaxing ambiance of a private passenger terminal. Your luggage – as much as you wish to carry – is transported directly onto the aircraft for you. If needed, passengers can often access their luggage during the flight, making your flight a really easy, personalised experience, where you can relax into your own space.

Rediscover the joys of travel: enjoyable, exciting, relaxing

Travelling by private jet is an experience that once tasted, simply becomes a must-have way of life. Both the time spent in the air, and the travel experience becomes enjoyable again. Not only does LunaJets remove the stress and strain usually associated with flying, you will see that flying is taken to whole new heights, and becomes enjoyable, exciting, and yes, relaxing!

How far in advance should I book my private jet?

Booking a private jet with LunaJets is easy and quick, and can be done in just two hours, if needed. In fact, the main draw for many of LunaJets’ private clients is our quick and convenient booking process. The minimum lead time required to arrange a private jet from any one of our European airports is two hours, although private jets are usually booked with ample time in advance – we recommend two weeks to ten days. However, in urgent cases, we can also charter a private jet when passengers are already in the air, within half an hour. Read more about last-minute charter possibilities.

How do I know when to get to the airport?

With LunaJets, you simply sit back and enjoy seamless private transfers to and from the airport.

How safe and hygienic is it onboard?

Once on board, sit back and enjoy the comfort and luxury of private air travel – the most exquisite way to fly. Sumptuous leather seats, hygiene-controlled air quality and delicious food and snacks catered to your desires, preferences and dietary requirements such as vegan, halal or gluten free dining. We think it’s probably the safest way to fly, away from crowds, and in your own private space from your home to hotel.

First time chartering a private plane? How to book

Once you have selected and booked your private jet flight with LunaJets, and selected your preferred time of day or night to fly, our LunaJets’ agents take care of the rest, including collecting you and fellow travellers from their designated departure point. If this is the first time chartering a private aircraft, take a look at our Private Jet Charter Guide.

How do I know which type of plane to charter?

Unsure which type of plane to charter or how many people will be travelling? Browse our jet comparison table or call LunaJets for personalised advice. For shorter flights within Europe, clients typically choose a Very Light or Small Light Jet, or a Super Light Jet for slightly larger groups (up to nine passengers).

Discover the best of European weekend getaways: romance, culture, spas and shopping

On the hunt for special weekend ideas? Look no further than our round-up, below.

Wherever you’re based in Europe, quickly locate your nearest private airport terminal with LunaJets’ destination finder. Simply enter your departure destination, and the closest suitable private airports will be shown, as will commercial airports with private terminal facilities. Don’t forget that you can choose your preferred departure time, too. Why not take a look at trending destinations, too?

Love is in the air: fly by private jet on a romantic getaway to Paris or Seville

Looking for magical spots for long, intimate dinners, dreamy architecture, and plenty of quiet streets for meandering and handholding? C’est Paris, obviously. The city of light is an eternal favourite for a romantic destination, and for good reason. For somewhere different, consider Seville, with its mild year-round climate, enticing Flamenco melodies drifting on warm winds and enchanting streets full of tumbling bougainvillaea flowers.

Paris: feel like a queen and stay at the Pavillon de la Reine (boutique hotel and spa) situated on the delightful Place des Vosges, perfect for shopping in the trendy Marais quarter and the nearby rue de Rivoli.

Seville: stay in Casa di Poeta, a beautifully restored 17th mansion tucked away in the picturesque Barrio Santa Cruz, with nightly flamenco guitar and a flower-filled courtyard in an establishment popular with politicians and royal European guests.

Charter a plane for spectacular weekend shopping in Zurich and Madrid

If you’re familiar with the best shopping spots in London and Milan, how about sampling some of the best European shopping in Zurich or Madrid? As well as being a beautiful and historic city on the shores of a stunning lake, Zurich has a host of shopping options, from international fashion and watch designers on Bahnhofstrasse to artisan chocolate shops and concept stores in Zurich old town.

Charter a flight with LunaJets for spectacular shopping in Zurich and stay in Zurich’s quintessentially elegant Dolder Grand Hotel for spectacular views over the lake. Although the hotel is situated slightly out of town, guests can request a shuttle or private limousine service to reach the centre.

Charter a plane with LunaJets for the weekend and fly directly into Zurich Kloten Airport (13km from city centre), with its own private aviation terminal.

It is no surprise that superb shopping can be found in Madrid, one of Europe’s eternally stylish cities. What is unique about shopping here is that it’s home to lots of small independent stores, some of which are so specialised that they only sell one item, from handcrafted handbags to chic capes and world-class olive oil – all of which you can bring back in your luggage on your private plane, hassle-free.

Charter a plane to Madrid with LunaJets and fly into one of three airports: Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport, Madrid–Cuatro Vientos Airport or Madrid–Torrejón Airport.

Escape on a private jet to world-class spas in Andermatt or Gleneagles

Sometimes shopping isn’t the answer, and everyone in the family needs some rest and relaxation, with some rejuvenating treatments thrown in. Two of the best spa hotels in Europe right now include the Chedi Hotel and Spa in Andermatt, Switzerland and Gleneagles Scotland.

The Chedi Hotel in Andermatt is as breathtakingly gorgeous as its mountainous surroundings, boasting opulent rooms with Hästens beds and glass-fronted fireplaces as well as an unusual Swiss-Asian style. A bonus feature is a hedonistic spa and Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant.

Easily reach Andermatt by flying into Zurich, Basel, Milan or the airfield for private aircraft at Buochs; from Buochs airfield the drive to Andermatt takes 45 minutes.

The acclaimed five-star Gleneagles Hotel and Spa is one of the best spas in Scotland – a magnificent paradise of sybaritic delights with a focus on health that offers complementary and alternative therapies with every imaginable face and body treatment. You might never leave the Beauty Lodge with its saunas, steam rooms, hydrotherapy "vitality" pool, wonderful relaxation places, and other amenities.

Enquire with LunaJets about flying to Gleneagles by flying into Edinburgh or Glasgow airports; or enquire with us about chartering a helicopter to land at the hotel, directly.

Soak up a weekend of art and culture in Munich or Geneva

Art-lovers should make a beeline for Munich, a German city with an astonishing art heritage. Fly by private jet into Munich and pack in as much art as you can by taking in the Alte Pinakothek and Neue Pinakothek. Located close to each other, Alte Pinakothek is one of Europe’s oldest museums, home to Old Masters, Renaissance artworks and Dutch masters. In the Neue Pinakothek you’ll find modern art including Impressionist paintings and works by Goya, Turner, Klimt, and van Gogh. If that’s not enough, head to the Kunstareal district, one of Europe’s most important cultural hubs with an assortment of museum and art collections.

In Munich, stay at the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski, or the Bayerischer Hof, both of which vie for top spot among Munich’s most luxurious hotels.

Fly with LunaJets to Munich and land directly at Munich airport (private airport terminal) or to Oberpfaffenhofen Airfield (20km outside Munich), for business jets only.

Finally, for tailor-made culture and craftsmanship, watch and jewellery afficionados should venture to the beautiful historic city of Geneva on the shores of Lac Leman, and immerse themselves in watchmaking history through the ages. Book a tour at the Patek Philippe Watch Museum before shopping for new additions to your collection on the elegant Rue du Rhone, home to some of the world’s most celebrated watchmakers and jewellers, from Cartier and Piaget to Adler and Mont Blanc.

Fly with LunaJets directly into Geneva Airport (private terminal), or combine with a trip flying into the private terminals at Zurich or Basel. Easily reach Geneva in a couple of hours by private luxury vehicle transfer: enquire with LunaJets’ specialised agents for a detailed itinerary and travel planning tips.

Thinking of becoming a frequent flyer? Enjoy deals with LunaJets’ Loyalty Programme

Did you know that thanks to LunaJets’ position as the market leader in European private jet hire, the cost of hiring a private jet is not as much as you might think? Frequent flyers can make use of our loyalty programme, and benefit from deals and access. Our Loyalty Programme rewards clients who are frequent flyers with LunaJets in the most simple and straightforward way. There are no miles to count or jet card to sign up for; we simply keep track of your flights and automatically credit your account according to your completed number of flights.

Explore the possibility of flying empty legs, too, and enjoy around 75% off the regular price of chartering a private jet.

Thinking of referring a friend? LunaJets clients are rewarded for recommendations

Even if you are not a frequent flyer, but have appreciated LunaJets’ premium, highly personalised service and wish to recommend us to a friend, we will reward you. For each of your friends who flies with us, you will instantly earn a credit on your future LunaJets booking. It’s our other way of saying “thank you”.

So, to sum up – try Paris or Seville for a romantic weekend getaway, Scotland and Switzerland for best-in-class spas, Munich and Geneva for culture and art, and Zurich and Madrid for seriously stylish and unique shopping.