Flying private: what it costs, and where you can go

If you thought private aviation was strictly the preserve of billionaires, business tycoons and celebrities who'd rather not queue at airport security, think again. Well, sort of.

Chartering your own plane from Cape Town certainly doesn't come cheap, but with a range of aircraft and operators to choose from, flying private is no longer simply about champagne and plush leather seats.

It's also about convenience, flexibility and reaching the places where commercial airlines simply can't take you. From business travellers visiting remote work sites to well-heeled tourists heading for exclusive safari lodges, private charter flights are carving out a niche in South African aviation.

And it's a booming business worldwide. According to aviation analysts WINGX, global business jet departures reached a record 3.9 million last year. Africa recorded particularly strong growth of 15 percent, even if it was from a small base.

Because the South African market is different to the busy private aviation corridors of Europe and North America. Here, it's less about making the short hop between glamorous cities and more about covering long distances quickly, and reaching remote destinations without days on the road.

How do I book?

The good news is that booking a private flight is considerably simpler than you might imagine. There's no need for a membership card, or an aviation broker on speed dial. All you really need is a destination, a date and – here’s the biggie – a budget.

At Cape Town-based MS Aviation, Gary Templeton explains that most enquiries arrive by email. Once a client accepts a quotation, the company allocates an aircraft and crew, and takes care of the logistics. The company's aircraft are based at the ExecuJet private aviation facility at Cape Town International Airport, where passengers can relax in a private lounge before boarding.

Over at Cape Town Aviation, Lucy Rodriguez says it's a similar process. Clients contact the company via email or WhatsApp, with their travel dates, destination and passenger numbers, before receiving a tailored quote with aircraft options.

Once the contract is signed and deposit paid, the company handles the finer details of departure times, luggage and catering.

And forget arriving two hours before take-off.

"For local flights, passengers only need to be at our facility 20 to 30 minutes prior to departure," says Rodriguez, explaining that some business travellers arrive just five minutes before wheels-up. "You arrive at our private lounge, walk 20 metres to the aircraft, board and depart."

There are other perks, too. Cape Town Aviation offers pet-friendly flights, while luggage generally travels with passengers on the aircraft. And, within operational limitations of the destination, departure times are largely up to you.

Private jets or propeller?

If you're imagining a sleek Gulfstream with polished timber and deep leather armchairs, you might be surprised to learn that private aviation covers a surprisingly wide range of aircraft.

While large business jets certainly have their place, smaller turboprop aircraft are particularly popular in South Africa, thanks to their versatility and ability to operate from relatively short and remote airstrips.

MS Aviation primarily operates Pilatus PC-12 and King Air 200 aircraft, with capacity for up to nine passengers. Cape Town Aviation owns two King Air B200 aircraft and a Learjet 45XR, and has additional aircraft available for larger or more specialised charters.

The King Air is particularly useful for safari travel, says Rodriguez, thanks to its twin-engine configuration and ability to access remote landing strips: "Based on our fleet we can fly directly into most safari reserves which eliminates the road transfer from the airstrip to the lodge, unlike when flying commercially."

For international travellers arriving in Cape Town, it’s not hard to see the appeal: step off a long-haul flight, transfer to a private aircraft and fly directly to a safari lodge without the hassle of another commercial flight and a lengthy road journey. For locals, you can leave the office at lunchtime Friday and be sipping your first safari G&T by sunset.

Where can you fly?

The short answer? Almost anywhere there's a suitable runway.

The Garden Route and Kruger region are popular routes out of Cape Town, but private charters can also unlock lesser-visited corners of South Africa and neighbouring countries.

"Private game reserves are most popular among tourists," says Templeton, although MS Aviation also regularly flies business travellers to remote mines, renewable energy projects and farms.

Cape Town Aviation's routes stretch across Southern Africa and beyond, with the company recently completing two 10-day safari itineraries through Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

"We fly to many remote airstrips that only certain aircraft can access," says Rodriguez. "Once in the aviation industry you realise how many airstrips and towns are in South Africa that one has never heard of."

For corporate clients, the attraction is often simply a matter of time.

"Business travellers can often reach remote areas, complete a day's work, and return home all on the same day, a process that typically takes two days on commercial routes," says Templeton.

There are some unexpected assignments, too. MS Aviation has even assisted with cheetah relocations!

So, how what's the damage?

Now for the million-rand question. And thankfully, you don't necessarily need a million rand.

Imagine you and your crew want a blow-out weekend in Plettenberg Bay? MS Aviation says it will cost around R89 950 (excluding VAT) for a one-way flight from Cape Town to Plett. That flight can carry up to nine passengers (if you pack light). Fill all nine seats, and that's a shade more than R10 000 per person. Still considerably more expensive than a FlySafair ticket to George (the nearest airport), but perhaps easier to justify for a group celebrating a special occasion or heading away together.

What about a safari? For a one-way charter from Cape Town to the Kruger area, MS Aviation says you can expect to pay around R308 954 (excluding VAT).

The important distinction is that you're chartering the entire aircraft, not buying an individual seat. Prices depend on everything from passenger numbers and fuel requirements to aircraft availability and distance travelled.

There's another catch: the aircraft usually doesn't remain at your destination during your holiday. It returns to base or moves on to another booking, and the fare must factor in those positioning costs.

Which brings us to the intriguing world of empty-leg flights.

In Europe and North America, travellers with flexible schedules can sometimes snap up discounted private flights when aircraft are being repositioned between bookings. These flights are generally sold as whole-aircraft charters, rather than individual seats, and depend entirely on the aircraft's route and schedule.

The smaller market in South Africa and more dispersed destinations mean opportunities for empty-leg seats are less predictable, but they do exist and it’s often worth enquiring.

Or make the flight the holiday

For a different take on private aviation, Africa Sky Runners is turning the journey itself into an adventure.

Rather than simply chartering an aircraft to get from A to B, the company offers curated fly-in escapes to some of the Cape's most remarkable landscapes. From the Tankwa Karoo to the Whale Coast, a fly-in trip will save hours and hours of road travel.

"All our Cape experiences depart from Stellenbosch or Cape Winelands, so you're out of the city and in the Karoo or on the coast in about an hour, instead of four to six hours on the road," explains director and pilot-guide Mike White.

The company uses high-wing Cessna 206 and 210 aircraft, carrying up to five passengers each, depending on weight, with experienced bush pilots taking guests into remote gravel airstrips.

Its signature Desert, Space & Stars experience flies guests into the Tankwa Karoo for an overnight desert adventure featuring sundowners, a campfire and spectacular stargazing. Prices start at R11 000 per person for a minimum of three guests, including flights, accommodation, meals and local drinks.

For something closer to home, De Hoop Discovery by Air combines a scenic coastal flight with lunch and local wines at the Fig Tree Restaurant, returning the same afternoon. Prices start at R9300 per person for a group of four.

Newer offerings include a two-night Sutherland escape featuring fossil landscapes, cheetah tracking and stargazing, while the three-day West Coast Wine & Dine by Air itinerary visits the West Coast, Karoo and Robertson, from R38 000 per person based on four guests.

White also offers bespoke itineraries, ranging from private celebrations to ambitious multi-country flying safaris across Southern Africa.

And perhaps that's the real appeal of flying private from Cape Town. Yes, it's expensive. Yes, there's a certain glamour to skipping the queues and having your pilot on standby, but the real luxury – and the reason to consider the splurge – is the time it buys you in some of the Cape’s most spectacular landscapes.