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Private Jet

Regarded as one of the biggest and most established private jet companies, Priester Aviation focuses on executive jet charter, private flight services, and plane management, while upholding the relationship-based tradition it has built over the course of its 75-year history in the business.

With the extensive knowledge and experience behind them, Priester is a one-stop shop for everything private jet-related, so let’s explore the company in more depth and see what exactly it offers. 

About the Company

While it’s normal to discover businesses with centuries-long history in sectors like apparel, Priester Aviation’s 70+ years in the aviation business make it a pioneer in the aviation sector. The Chicago-based firm, which was first established in 1945 as a flying school, steadily added private charter flights and FBO services over the years, turning it from a regional supplier into a national corporation.

Priester Aviation is privately owned, with Andy Priester as the CEO. The founder was his grandfather George Priester, while his dad, Charlie Priester, joined the company at the early age of 14. In 2021, Charlie Priester became Chairman Emeritus, and his son Andy took over as Chairman and CEO, passing the company’s leadership torch to a third generation.

Since its establishment, Priester Aviation has developed into diversified worldwide aircraft management and on-demand charter business. Under Andy’s direction, the Priester Aviation fleet has increased from seven to 75 aircraft and counting. 

On-Demand Charter Flights 

Priester Aviation offers private charter services both locally and globally through on-demand charter on a variety of aircraft. Flyers get guaranteed availability and can schedule a flight minimum of 168 hours beforehand on peak days and 14 hours beforehand on non-peak days.

Flyers also benefit from the simplicity of the booking process, the extensive fleet of aircraft, and quick turnaround times.

Empty Leg Flights

Flying on an empty-leg flight is ideal for private jet passengers with adaptable travel schedules. The planes, amenities, and locations that can accommodate your schedule are listed on their Priester Aviation website. The empty-leg discounts are changed periodically, the prices are reduced compared to on-demand charter, and the schedule is fixed for departure days (because they are pre-booked flights). 

Aircraft Management 

Priester Aviation provides a variety of aircraft management plans designed to match clients’ specific requirements and optimize their profit. Owning and running an airplane makes handling the technicalities difficult. Still, according to Priester Aviation, they handle every plane as if it were their own, look out for clients’ investments, and increase their profits by leasing their jets when they’re not in use.

Company Card Programs

With the Centerline Jet Card, frequent flyers have access to concierge-level service and more flexibility. Only clients in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Denver/Mountains, South Florida, and New York can purchase a Priester Aviation jet card.

A 25-hour variant for the Centerline Jet Card is available from seven major airports across the US, including Chicago, New York, Miami, Dallas, Los Angeles, Denver, and Atlanta. 

Cardholders can enjoy perks, such as:

  • A refundable deposit 
  • Instant booking
  • Assured availability
  • No positioning costs
  • Adjustable cabin category, and more. 

According to Priester, private flyers can join the program only upon invitation. The reason behind this is maintaining exclusivity of the membership program, which they’ve succeeded in doing.

Pricing

Priester Aviation provides charter flights for a daily minimum of $11,500 and hourly rates beginning at $4,000. An Executive Travel Consultant is available to assist clients in organizing their upcoming trips and requesting a quote. After calculating every detail of the upcoming flights, clients get a transparent price. 

For example, an estimated price for a round-trip from Chicago to New York is $12,900.

The Fleet 

Priester Aviation

Priester Aviation’s diverse fleet includes private jets from manufacturers such as Embraer, Cessna, Bombardier, and Dassault. All aircraft are accessible on demand. 

Let’s take a closer look at their fleet.

1. Light Private Jets

Chartering a light jet is the most cost-effective choice for a short trip that takes up to a few hours. This plane category doesn’t have a stand-up cabin, but it has a range of models that can be cozy for a quick excursion and a local trip of any kind. The typical design can accommodate 4 to 6 persons and provides small but enough luggage capacity for a short trip.

Our Recommendation: Learjet 40

The Learjet 40 was created by the Bombardier Corporation to meet the changing market demands and went beyond the capabilities of its forerunner, the Learjet 31A. The Bombardier Learjet 40 tops its class for both performance and endurance. This private jet is also significant for its roomy cabin, which is bigger than most of its competitors, as well as its cutting-edge avionics and its capacity to fly at high altitudes of more than 50,000 ft. The Learjet 40’s cabin is designed to accommodate six people, but a seventh person may sit in the restroom, which has a seatbelt for this occasion.

Specifications and amenities:

  • Passengers: 7;
  • Cabin width: 5 ft 1 in;
  • Cabin height: 4 ft 9 in;
  • Cabin length: 17 ft 7 in;
  • Max flight range: 1,690 nm;
  • Cruise speed: 457 mph;
  • Baggage capacity: 65 cu ft.
  • CD/DVD and power outlets;
  • Refreshment center;
  • Full lavatory.

Priester Aviation offers light private jets, such as Citation V, Bravo, Encore+, CJ2+, CJ3+, CJ4+, Hawker 400XP, and our recommended model Learjet 40, as part of their aircraft catalog.

2. Midsize Private Jets

Compared to light jets, mid-cabin aircraft provide more space and more amenities, such as a higher cabin and enclosed restrooms. Other perks are the jet’s greater range and speed capabilities, making it suitable for international flights. 

Our Recommendation: Learjet 55

The Citation XLS+ is one of the most popular choices among private jet fliers. Travelers experience great luxury and enjoy the roomy cabin, in-flight amenities, accessibility to small runways, and excellent cruising speed.

Specifications and amenities:

  • Passengers: 8;
  • Cabin height: 5 ft 8 in;
  • Cabin width: 5 ft 6 in;
  • Cabin length: 18 ft 6 in;
  • Max flight range: 2,100 nm;
  • Cruise speed: 500 mph;
  • Luggage capacity: 90 cu ft.
  • 2 fully enclosed lavatories
  • CD/DVD, flight phone, and iPod connectivity;
  • International Wi-Fi;

Priester Aviation offers midsize private jets such as Learjet 45XR/ 70/ 75/ 60/ 60XR, Citation Excel, Hawker 800XP, 900XP, 950XP, Phenom 300, and our recommended model XLS+, as part of their aircraft catalog.

3. Super-Midsize Private Jets 

Another preferred aircraft category among private flyers, the super-mid jets offer transcontinental range, enclosed restrooms, and roomy cabins. The jets in this category are a great option for the majority of domestic and international journeys, and are suitable for bulky luggage and items like golf bags and skis.

Our Recommendation: The Citation Sovereign

With its lengthy cabin, the Citation Sovereign provides comfort and adaptability. The Sovereign is the best option for domestic trips requiring more flight endurance and handling international travel with its coast-to-coast flight range. This private jet has a remarkable speed and performs excellently on short-field runways. As we can see, for international or regional travel, The Sovereign has a comfortably designed seating layout, amenities, and enough baggage that can accommodate every flyer’s luggage.

Specifications and amenities:

  • Passengers: 8;
  • Cabin height: 5 ft 8 in;
  • Cabin width: 5 ft 6 in;
  • Cabin length: 25 ft 3 in;
  • Max flight range: 3,000 nm;
  • Cruise speed: 530 mph;
  • Luggage capacity: 125 cu ft;
  • CD/DVD and flight phone;
  • 2 fully enclosed lavatories;
  • International Wi-Fi;
  • Full galley.

Priester Aviation offers super-midsize private jets, such as Hawker 4000, Challenger 300/350, Gulfstream 280, Praetor 600, and our recommended model Citation Sovereign, as part of their aircraft catalog. 

4. Large Private Jets

Large jets, also known as heavy cabin jets, offer the utmost in range and comfort. They have a flat floor and a fully upright cabin, providing comfort and amenities like no other jet category. Clients can indulge in nonstop international and intercontinental flights while being taken care of by a flight attendant. A pressurized cabin, huge luggage section, and onboard entertainment are among the amenities provided when chartering a large private jet.

Our Recommendation: Global 6000

Up to 13 passengers can sit comfortably in the Global 6000’s roomy cabin. This large private jet is a great option for long-distance flights because it has a very long flight range of 6000 miles. An entertainment system, full galley, flight phone, Wi-Fi, and many more amenities are included.

Specifications and amenities:

  • Passengers: 13;
  • Cabin width: 7 ft 11 in;
  • Cabin height: 6 ft 2 in;
  • Cabin length: 43 ft 3 in;
  • Max flight range: 6,000 nm;
  • Cruise speed: 590 mph;
  • Luggage capacity: 195 cu ft;
  • Two fully enclosed lavatories;
  • Full galley;
  • Airshow system and power outlets;
  • International Wi-Fi.

Priester Aviation offers super-midsize private jets such as Falcon series, Challenger 604/605/650, Gulfstream GIVsp, G450, Legacy 600/650, and our recommended model Global 6000 as part of their aircraft catalog.

Company Safety Policy and Standards

As a co-founder of the Air Charter Safety Foundation and a proponent of a strict safety culture within its organization, Priester Aviation is a creative force in the aviation industry. Priester has undergone third-party safety audits and gained accreditations by the Air Charter Safety Foundation, ARGUS (Platinum rating), IS-BAO (Stage 3), and Wyvern.

In order to be completely transparent, Priston Aviation gives the FAA unrestricted 24/7 real-time access to their operational and maintenance data, enabling ongoing supervision.

Partnerships

Priester Aviation expand their services through a strong alliance network with the following companies:

  • Vertiport
  • FlightSafety International
  • Nantucket Wine and Food Festival
  • Aircare Solutions Group
  • Burger Boat Company

Conclusion

Known as one of the US’s biggest and most veteran private aviation firms, Priester Aviation offers private charter, jet management, and aviation consultancy to their clients. Their aircraft are ideally situated all around the world to offer the most mobility and economy, and they have an exclusive membership program, so check their site to research them even more.