In commercial aviation, ground handling is the same standard anywhere. However, things are often different in business aviation. Commercial aviation is very much led by regulation and procedures, whereas business aviation, still regulated, leaves much more space for personalized experiences and offers very individual services. 

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Global private jet charter company Mercury Jets looks at some logistics behind a private jet flight and explains what are below-the-wing and above-the-wing services that are provided in this industry.

If we start with the fixed base operator (FBO), the private lounge that awaits every private jet passenger, the manager of the FBO will know his planned flights for the day and needs his team to be in the right place at the right time for things to run smoothly both landside and airside. 

One of the flights planned for the day is a chartered flight on a Bombardier Global Express. A family of six is set to board the aircraft on an international flight from Fort Lauderdale to Buenos Aires, Argentina. 

Behind the scenes of a private jet flight

Firstly, the aircraft needs to be retrieved from its hangar. It can be towed to a suitable position on the ramp, ready for the crew to board. Refueling the aircraft after it has been towed from the hangar will take around 30 minutes. Lavatory and water services are also needed as below-wing services.

The family wants to board as quickly and seamlessly as possible, with minimal time spent at the FBO. They plan to spend little time in the lounge. The pilots will pass through the FBO, and security 90 minutes before the flight departs. They will then be transported to the aircraft to prepare for the flight.

Before the passengers arrive at the FBO, security and ground handling staff need to be in place and ready to receive them. Upon arrival, the FBO coordinator will greet the family and take them through the processes from landside to airside as seamlessly as possible. Ground handlers at the airport will have transportation ready and await to take them to the aircraft. This kind of service can be defined as an above-wing service.

Some additional processes such as filing a flight plan and submitting Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) documents are also performed, typically carried out by the flight crew or the operators dispatch or operations team. 

Inflight catering is later carried to the aircraft, where the staff stows and starts preparing it. The passengers’ luggage is loaded onboard, and then the pilots must be ready to receive the passengers. A whole team of staff is behind every private jet flight, and it involves many moving parts. Due to the very tailored nature of private jet flights, there are also exact procedures to follow. 

Commercial versus private aviation

Business aviation has very different requirements from commercial aviation because it is so heavily customized and has to be precise to work effectively and efficiently. Passengers can even drive up to the aircraft (in select airports, like Opa Locka) and go. The only things that may vary are the aircraft type, the number of passengers, the destination, and the time spent on the ground. However, in commercial aviation, everything is much more set in stone regarding aircraft type, turnaround time, and set destinations.

The ground handling process is quite similar in both aviation realms. The above wing services help the crew and passengers with the security through the FBO and organize accommodation and ground transportation as needed. This would also include any assistance with in-flight catering and concierge facilities for anything else the passengers or crew may require.

Every flight is treated individually, and the entire process works to meet the sometimes complex needs of the clients and the flight. These above-wing services are customary in business aviation, where the aim is always to provide the best service for the VIP passenger experience, from entry to the FBO to closing the aircraft door once it’s ready to depart.

In a nutshell

By comparison, the below-wing services that are common in commercial and business aviation include aircraft refueling, hangar space, ground support, baggage handling, passenger steps, ground power units, lavatory and water services, and aircraft pushback and towing. Yet not all of those services will be required in business aviation as that depends on the aircraft type and size and the passengers’ requirements.

Every flight is unique, and it often takes a large team to work carefully behind the scenes in conjunction to make things happen. Excellent teamwork, communication, and professionalism from a well-oiled team are required to make a private jet flight appear as a seamless process while still offering a tailored VIP experience.