Global aircraft charter company Air Charter Service analyzed private jet travel habits in 2020 to predict trends for 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic greatly affected air travel worldwide in 2020, but Air Charter Service looks ahead to 2021 with optimism.

Private jet travel bookings will increase in 2021

Throughout 2020, ACS tracked a decline in business-related private jet bookings of 31 percent less than in 2019. However, in 2020, leisure bookings were up 14 percent over 2019. Business travel is expected to increase in 2021 at a projected 85 percent compared to 2019.

Travelers will take less trips, for longer periods of time

Overall, ACS saw a 25 percent increase in new private jet customers throughout 2020. They predict travelers itching to take a trip will opt for smaller numbers of longer trips. Remote working arrangements factor into this reasoning, which could allow travelers to spend more time away.

Mexico and the Caribbean will be popular

Many of the Caribbean islands could open back up to tourists as early as June 2021. Despite bans and border closures, Mexico also stands to become a popular destination for U.S. travelers in 2021. Thanks to the close proximity to the United States, these destinations may be more familiar and comfortable as a first vacation for those who didn’t travel in 2020.

Luxury travelers look to personalized service

Given the uncertainty of traveling during the pandemic, travelers want personalized and trustworthy service for 2021. ACS only saw a 5 percent increase in online inquiries, while the overall new client numbers increased 25 percent, indicating a desire to speak to an actual person instead of booking online.

Read more about the 2021 predictions on the ACS website.