How much to charter a flight?
 

Disclaimer: I have no idea if this is feasible...

I'm a member of a semi-pro band, and we are making an early start organising next year's tour. One suggestion that's been put forward is to go to Scotland.

Would it, theoretically, be possible to charter a flight for around 20 musicians, plus kit, from an airport in the midlands to somewhere in Scotland? If so, how much would it cost, and how would I go about organising it?

expensive
 

I do not live in the UK and where I live it is apparent that we hire aircraft somewhat cheaper than you do. But I do have an idea of the distances you are trying to fly and can give a hugely wide guestimate.

An aircraft that carries 20 people plus bags is going to be pretty big and pretty expensive too. Now i reckon you will be going somewhere like Glasgow or Edinborough. So flight is going to be about an hour each way. Such an aircraft is probably gonna cost you 3000 pounds an hour so i reckon 6000 pounds should cover it. That is probably a slight over estimate. Call some regional airlines to find out something more specific.

It will usually be cheaper to pay for your 20 seats on a commercial flight. But it WILL be cheaper to hire a bus. Whats wrong with road tripping i ask??

The Stones travel by EAC 747 I think, certainly their kit does - overheard a conversation on 123.45 t'other night. Give them a ring .....:D

silentbob - What's wrong with a bus? Have you ever been in a ROOM with 20 jazz musicians? Let alone stuck on a bus for God knows how many hours... :ugh:

Thanks for the info though everyone, keep it coming.

20 jazz musicians. cripes thats a lot of bags. so 20 kilos personal luggage then bout 10 kilos head for band equipment. bout 80 kilos person hmm
quick use of brain

2200 kilos to scotland.

need a shed or atr 42 or how bout a dak from air atlantique (may be quicker by bus though:p ) Actually AAG may have their ATR 42 running by october. Coventry base so no positioning charges, big cargo hold at the front. would have thought a couple of grand an hour. you can but ask.

What with assembling people at destination and putting all on a coach anyway, then to hotel etc, it seems like it may be easier and barely slower just to use luxury coaches anyway?

Agree with Notso. Midlands to Central Scotland is 5 - 6 hours by coach. Big luxury number with all the toys (there are lots of specialist companies for this) - you'd have to get everyone assembeled to board and then get them to the gig, so you'd have road travl cost and tiome at both ends, which may make up the time. However if you were playing Aberdeen or Inverness then flying would be a time saver.

AB

Check your PM's.

If you want to do it in style you can charter one of our VIP 727's :)

Just enough seats for the band and 5 or 6 groupies!

Buzzz

Hiya Aerbabe,

Check your PM. Hope it helps.