The return of the jet-set - is there something in the air?

The private jet market is booming again, according to results released this week by one charter firm, echoing recent sentiments from a chauffeur company.

American private jet firm New Flight Charters says that its bookings were up 76 percent in June compared to the year before, describing the news as a "terrific report card" on both the company and the industry in general.

It says that overall in the first half of 2010, bookings rose by almost a quarter as clients booked to fly to 41 US states, along with Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and Italy.

The results are echoed by a recent survey which suggests that business is beginning to pick up for chauffeur drivers, albeit more slowly.

One chauffeur firm boss told Business Travel News that while corporate volume remained flat, business from hotels and private aviation clients offering limousines for their customers has risen.

As demand for luxury travel recovers, companies are becoming better than ever at ensuring that it's available for their customers.

In June, UK flag-carrier British Airways announced it was partnering with CitationAir to allow passengers to book a private jet for North American and Caribbean travel - for between $6,000 (€4,650) to $10,000 (€7,750) per hour.

More recently, online booking site LastMinute.com said that its customers will be able to compare and book private jets through a tie-up with PrivateFly.com.

Offers from London included a £16,500 (€19,650) return to Sardinia's Costa Smeralda or a £23,500 (€27,985) return to the Greek island of Mykonos.

Lastminute.com's Mark Bower said that "an increasing number" of the site's customers were looking for luxury travel experiences.

http://www.newflightcharters.com/

http://www.businesstravelnews.com

http://www.ba.com

http://www.lastminute.com/