Simply Abu Dhabi XXXIV

2 2 9 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I I n the world of elite service, private aviation is the pinnacle. Providing the highest of safety standards and an unwavering commitment to the ultimate travel experience—bespoke from take-off to landing— the convenience and comfort of travelling in a private jet is unsurpassed. At the forefront of aviation in Thailand and the whole of South-East Asia is MJets. Founded in 2007 as the corporate flight department for its shareholders, MJets stepped up another level in 2010 when it pioneered the first and only fixed-based operation (FBO) in Thailand offering seven distinct business lines. These include aircraft charter, aircraft management, consultancy, aircraft maintenance, air ambulance, and an exclusive (and recently expanded) private jet terminal with VIP lounge located in Bangkok at the Don Mueang International Airport. With an emphasis on HNWIs travelling to and from Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand, MJets provides a truly international service. Voted number one FBO in 2017 in Asia and fourth in Europe, theMiddle East, Africa and Asia Pacific by Aviation International News, the operation is aided by its affiliation with the Minor Hotel Group. Crew training with the luxury five-star Anantara Hotels & Resorts is reflected by the multi- lingual in-flight service team who provide a warm Thai welcome from the moment guests step on board. The luxurious executive lounge in Bangkok is fully equipped with all facilities to make life as comfortable as possible while in transit, including private meeting rooms, private accommodation, crew rest areas, shower facilities and on-site customs and immigration. In addition to this, MJets’ quality ground handling service is the largest private aviation handler in Thailand, capable of providing additional security services when required. It is safety, convenience and comfort rolled into one thrilling package. Safety is, at all times, at the forefront of the experience. MJets retains the best pilots available via selective recruitment and training programmes. Both pilots and crew are trained and rated at Cessna’s Flight Safety International and Gulfstream’s CAE Dubai training centres, meaning guests’ wellbeing is never in doubt. MJets boasts a diverse and growing fleet of aircraft, each one tailored and configured to suit the preferences and lifestyle of the client. From access to short runway airports, maximum comfort for long- haul flights or simply speed, the range of aircrafts span mid-size to ultra-long range Gulfstreams. The Cessna Citation Bravo is a fuel-efficient light jet able to perform trips like Bangkok to Kolkata non-stop. The Cessna Citation X is the fastest business jet in the world with a top speed of 617mph. The Cessna CitationCJ3 is a comfortable light jet with an extended cabin for extra comfort, while the GulfstreamG200 is the complete super-midsize jet, fully equipped with two living areas. And the GulfstreamV is the daddy of the pack, the gold standard for business jets designed with productivity and comfort in mind. But aside from comfort and speed, what are the main benefits of travelling via private jet rather than first class on a commercial flight? The answer is time. And for HNWIs who are more often than not cash rich, but time poor, the advantage of time is priceless. It starts on the way to the airport. Small jets don’t need the huge runways and staffs offered by major airports, so they can fly out of smaller spots. There are many more minor airports than major ones, so clients often don’t have to travel as far to get to one. And they’re less congested, making the experience entirely more pleasant. Long check-in lines are eliminated, so airport arrival can be minutes before departure, rather than hours, and once landed, clients’ luggage is taken straight to the car on the runway, so there’s no time spent at the baggage carousel. Flight schedules are centred around the client’s timings, and if the plane has the required fuel capacity, certain destinations can be reached non-stop. In addition, private jets are usually designed to climb faster than airliners, so they’re above adverse weather conditions sooner, and they usually fly faster and higher, too. Commercial jets cruise around 35,000 feet, smaller jets typically fly around 51,000 feet. That puts them above air traffic, which means routes are more direct, they don’t compete with bigger planes for space, and the extra flexibility lets the jets capture better winds and avoid bad weather, too. Whether chartering a flight or the proud owner of a private jet, MJets offers expediated luxury at its finest.