Private jet passengers zip directly from the road to a waiting plane on the tarmac. Now, there may be a new and unlikely stop in between: the terminal.
To the uninitiated, private airport terminals evoke images of unlimited caviar and bottomless Champagne. In reality, most are bare-bones, back-of-house facilities with little more than a security guard, maintenance, and a gas tank. In fact, private terminals, called Fixed Base Operators (or simply FBOs) are often older and frill-less compared with their commercial counterparts—sharing space with local governments and flight schools.
‘Yellowstone’ vibes abound at Million Air’s newly overhauled Westchester FBO.
Courtesy of Million Air
But since the pandemic, private jet use has increased as much as a 30 percent, according to SimplyFlying. Private planes are also getting larger, such as Bombardier’s soon-to-be-released Global 8000, which has a wingspan of 104 feet—wider than one of their most popular jets, the Challenger 300, with a mere 64-foot wingspan.
And as the demand for private aviation grows, a number of FBOs around the world are undergoing an extreme makeover, with added amenities to win over customers and grow their business.
“We are seeing high demand for hangar space, particularly for newer and larger business jets,” Richard Layson, vice president of regional FBO operations in the Americas for Jet Aviation, told Robb Report.
The company just completed construction of a new Scottsdale, AZ, facility in partnership with NetJets, which features a palm-tree lined driveway and sleek interiors.
Golf simulators offer something to do while you wait for take off.
Courtesy of Million Air
They aren’t alone. Million Air, which operates 37 international FBOs, recently upgraded its facilities in Burbank, Dallas, and Westchester County, N.Y. The new 70,000-square-foot Westchester location includes a spacious terminal designed like an upscale fishing lodge complete with high, cathedral ceilings and oak beams that bring the outdoors in. In advance of boarding, passengers can relax in lounge spaces with plush couches that look like a setting from Yellowstone or practice their swing at a panoramic-view golf simulator. The facility also has an on-site barista who whips up customized coffee without needing to leave the comfortable area.
At San Diego’s FBO, the San Diego Jet Center, new management company Air Center unveiled plans in April to renovate and update the WWII-era facility. It’s getting a brand-new 14,400-square-foot terminal that will open in 2025. The enhancements will include new hangar space, dining areas, and a new fueling area.
High ceilings and lots of wood create a cozy—not at all airport—environment.
Courtesy of Million Air
Meanwhile, Coachella Valley’s Desert Jet Center hosts a new 32,500-square-foot facility that serves Palm Springs, La Quinta, and surrounding California communities. The facility features a modern passenger lounge, hospitality bar, and special pet-friendly areas. Inside the new FBO, passengers are greeted with a rotating collection of fine art and personalized cocktails upon arrival.
But it’s not just new demand that is finally packing out private terminals with the amenities commercial passengers have long come to expect—it’s younger demand.
“There’s a need for modern facilities and a broader scope of services at FBOs,” said Pascal Couture-Tremblay, vice president of operations at Flygreen. “And with the newer demographic of clientele, the industry is blossoming.”
Couture-Tremblay says many FBOs are now designing their amenities to provide unique experiences for these youthful private jet-setters, such as photo-op locations.
The Coachella Valley’s Desert Jet Center has a new 32,500-square-foot facility with a rotating art collection.
Courtesy of Million Air
“TikTok stars, young celebrities, and new entrepreneurs continue to represent a growing demographic in the private air travel sector,” Global Air Charters, based in St. Paul, Minn., recently shared in a market analysis. “Millennials are not only purchasing their own aircraft, they’re taking advantage of opportunities to book private charter flights with reputable jet brokers.”
As many FBOs undergo extensive upgrades, some iconic locations were already ahead of curve. The Harrods FBO in London has white-glove service, including butlers wearing top-hats. The London-Luton outpost recently refreshed its interiors with what it calls the “most comfortable soft furnishings on the private jet circuit.”
Harrods’s also has a variety of suites for even more privacy, including the Charles Henry Suite (named after the company’s founder), which features high ceilings and plenty of space for relaxation or a family to enjoy.
Passengers also rave about the Fontainebleau Aviation in Miami, a 52-acre property with complete with one of the largest canopies that can cover an entire jet to protect guests from walking through rain or harsh southwestern sun.
