VIP Air Travel Revs Up Big Time

Oct. 23, 2006 — -- It is, perhaps, the quintessential symbol of wealth and status: executive jet air travel.

And for those who have the means, traveling VIP-style certainly has its perks.

Private airports, on-demand flights, and, of course, that finely appointed, better-than-first class, exclusive cabin -- amenities most fliers might have only seen while thumbing through an in-flight magazine.

But for the megawealthy, VIP is better when it's bigger.

Companies that specialize in executive jet conversion say there is a growing market for the even bigger, deluxe wide body aircraft.

Geneva-based PrivatAir, which markets flights on large luxury aircraft, tells ABC News there is a demand.

"Our large VIP flights are just always booked," said marketing manager Nicole Gildea.

PrivatAir will take delivery of a Boeing 767, converted for luxury VIP charter, next year.

The aircraft will accommodate 56 passengers in first-class comfort and feature a dining area for eight with the range to fly nonstop from Geneva to Los Angeles or Singapore.

Lavish amenities on VIP aircraft can include 50-inch plasma TV monitors, multiple sleeping quarters, and minigyms with exercise equipment.

Design firm Lufthansa Technik has designed and built more than 100 VIP luxury jets and says its very basic executive conversions start somewhere around $15 million for a Boeing 737.

"In the VIP design business, pole position is very important," said Lufthansa Technik manager Aaga Duentaupt. "We always want to be the first to offer customers the latest in technology."

Lufthansa Technik has in the works a VIP design plan for the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner; it's due out sometime in 2008.

Orders for the $150 million 787 have mostly come from commercial airlines, but its supersize price isn't keeping private VIP operators away.

"We have signed a letter of intent. We have money down on the airplane, but we haven't signed a firm contract as of yet," said PrivatAir chief executive Gregg Thomas.

"People are understanding that long-range airliners are a very good value proposition in terms of their acquisition price and capability," Thomas said.