FLEXIBLE, CUSTOM CORPORATE AIR TRAVEL SOLUTIONS

THE CHALLENGE:
PJS needed to manage all logistics and transport of 1,600 passengers from Boston to San Diego for a meeting on the same travel day, all within just a 2-hour arrival window. This would not be possible using commercial air because it would require many flights arriving at different times throughout the day. The client also wanted to ensure that every passenger had the same quality experience, a level of exceptional service not easily managed when flying on a commercial airline.

THE SOLUTION:
PJS utilized five wide-body aircraft to reduce the number of separate flights necessary and keep the cost per passenger consistent.

• Handled all logistical details providing the client with a single point of contact, rather than several contacts at a number of different vendors
• Positioned eight PJS staff members in Boston and one staff member in San Diego to greet the passengers when they arrived, to assist with ground transportation and ensure that each flight proceeded without a delay

   

• Included a PJS Flight Concierge on each flight to ensure that each passenger received the same experience and level of customer service
• Provided direct service void of change fees, cancellation fees, baggage fees or transfer costs

THE RESULTS
All 1,600 passengers arrived in San Diego on time, well-fed, rested and ready for the event, while the client saved $57 per person when compared to flying commercial. By using private aviation, the company also saved itself valuable time that would have been lost due to staggered arrival times and increased overall employee productivity.

FLYING LARGE GROUPS TO REMOTE LOCATIONS

THE CHALLENGE:
Every year, a prominent New England auto chain rewards its top-performing sales executives within the region with a group incentive trip. The company looks to hold this event in inspiring, unique and often off-the-beaten-path locations worldwide with the goal of a reward that encourages its employees to work at the top of their game.

However, these remote locations are typically hard to reach commercially and even more difficult when arranging travel for 40+ people. The company had also researched private charters and found that few aviation companies support this size of a group without limiting where it could travel. Providers tend to shy away from larger trips because managing full-time operations and concierge staff, people on the ground and contact with airliners, all while maintaining a high level of customer service is a hefty lift.

THE SOLUTION:
PJS matched the New England automotive company with a VIP airliner that supported its large group headcount and provided full-service operational facilities from the trip’s start to finish. 

The VIP airliner contained 68 first-class seats, a full bar, entertainment and wi-fi capabilities to keep employees comfortable on board. PJS also coordinated regional-specific catering at prominent locations along the way to the final destination whenever the aircraft needed to stop for fuel. 

THE RESULTS:
Working with PJS allowed the automotive group to maintain its unique incentive experience by making travel a part of the vacation. All employees were able to fly together as a group, facilitating ease in logistics, coordinated arrival and departure times and team bonding — all before even arriving at its destination. 

The organization now annually flies its top sellers with PJS and has relied on PJS for over 15 years. The company is no longer limited to specific locations and changes its event destination annually to fly to exotic places such as the Maldives, Vietnam, Cabo and Seychelles. 

FROM COMMERCIAL TO TOTAL FLIGHT MANAGEMENT

THE CHALLENGE:
Corporate Inc.’s executive team utilized commercial airlines (a combination of Business and First Class) for most of its aviation needs. The company’s senior executives were often accompanied by a small team, with frequent route density between Atlanta and destinations including Switzerland, Boston, New York, Brazil and the UK. Occasionally, the volume of passengers made private travel economically compelling. However, the company had yet to take advantage of this resource.

Corporate Inc.’s executives recognized that they required a travel solution that would minimize travel time and maximize efficiency and productivity. When they connected with PJS to explore solutions for their business-related travel, PJS immediately identified all of the company’s needs and preferences, including the following:

• All flights had to be non-stop
  
  
• Preference for premium, late model aircraft
  
  
• Safe, on-time operation, coupled with a cost-efficient use of flight funds
  
  
• Unique travel needs and aircraft preferences of executives
  
  
• Ability to choose aircraft type based on passenger counts or flight length on a trip-by-trip basis
  
  
• Last-minute changes, including frequent passenger additions or name changes
  
  
• Ability to quickly adjust itinerary, change the departure time, day or location

THE SOLUTION:

After identifying the individuals’ specific needs, PJS conducted a review of Corporate Inc.’s flight history. The results showed that Corporate Inc. required between 140 to 160 hours of flight time per year in a combination of small cabin and large cabin aircraft. Most of its flights were round trip and were either out and back in the same day (domestic) or with one or two overnights (intercontinental).

PJS determined that Corporate Inc. would need a forward-looking, cost-effective solution by using locally sourced aircraft under a single provider to ensure consistency of aircraft, communication, and onboard experience. A successful plan also needed to ensure price consistency, transparency and centralized invoicing at the corporate purchase order level. Based on travel needs and preferences, PJS recommended its Total Flight Management (TFM) program, an on-demand, risk-free program, which allows for complete flexibility – including changes in routes, timing, frequency, and annual spend — without financial commitments or minimum usage.

THE RESULTS:
Corporate Inc. opted to enroll in the TFM program. In addition to the cost savings as a result of the increased time efficiencies, the company saw an increase in employee retention, as valued personnel were able to get more work done while traveling; stay connected while in the sky via WiFi and satellite phones; and spend more time with their families, contributing to a more favorable work-life balance. The financial benefits of the program and happier employees equaled a win-win for the company.

A Shuttle Program Is Especially Helpful Post-acquisition, Allowing Company Executives To Be On-Site Frequently Without The Burnout Associated With Commercial Travel.

PJS has developed scheduled service programs for several corporations allowing them to transport their employees to where they need to be in a safe, reliable, cost-effective and comfortable manner. Whether our clients’ projects require daily movements of hundreds of employees from multiple points-of-origin or a single movement of a high-value team, PJS has the experience, resources, and reputation for fault-tolerant delivery critical to the success of any Managed Travel Program.

EXAMPLES:

• Post–Acquisition: PJS facilitated a shuttle four times daily over a three-year period for a pharmaceutical company which acquired a competitor.
  
  
• Access to Remote Offices: PJS currently organizes a daily shuttle for an automotive company to fly various members of the management team to a manufacturing location that is underserved by commercial aviation, turning a two-day journey into a few-hour flight.
  
  
• Transporting Workers to Remote Projects: Examples include crew rotations to off-shore drilling facilities and transporting engineers to remote launch sites.

THE CHALLENGE:
A high-net-worth individual with varied business interests, board memberships and family members in multiple locations was looking for a comprehensive air charter solution to facilitate ease of travel while maintaining a single, consistent point of contact. This individual also owned multiple homes resulting in frequent one-way trips and a typical average flight time of 100 hours per year. To add to the challenge, many of the homes were located in remote areas not easily served by commercial airlines. Furthermore, this individual did not wish to commit to a large capital outlay over a long period of time (i.e., a fractional share), nor did he wish to pre-pay brokers whose financial situation was murky and who could not provide in advance the specifics of the aircraft on which he would be flying.

THE SOLUTION:
The individual engaged PJS on a consultancy basis to analyze the situation and make a recommendation. PJS immediately identified a number of needs, including:

• On-demand flight access with a single, consistent point of contact, uniform billing and a developed client profile
  
  
• Ability to freely interchange aircraft types to meet different itineraries of varying durations
  
  
• Ability to pay for all post-flight usage and avoid tying up capital unnecessarily
  
  
• Ability to pre-approve all aircraft
  
  
• A program which could provide one-way pricing for seasonal travel between domiciles

After identifying the individual’s specific needs, PJS presented a Total Flight Management (TFM) proposal, which included:

• A dedicated inflight Concierge assigned to the account, who met with the client before his first trip and gave him a rundown of everything he could expect.
  
  
• A Blanket Charter Agreement, extending payment terms of up to 14 days post-flight
  
  
• Ability to confirm all flight itineraries via email

THE RESULTS:
In consultation with PJS, the client purchased a membership plan, which would be the most cost-effective solution, allowing the client to fully maximize his aviation value across the board, while enjoying vastly increased savings and flexibility, all without sacrificing aircraft quality or safety. With improved time efficiency for business travel, the client was also able to enjoy more quality time traveling with his family, all at greater cost savings per hour, thanks to a well-planned, personalized aviation program.