Thailand by private jet: Bangkok, Phuket, Samui

About 6.5 hours from Tashkent to Phuket, about 6 hours from Almaty to Bangkok and about 6 hours from Dubai to Phuket.

November to March. Slots and parking at the resort airfields go early in that period, so dates are fixed together with the aircraft.

Ultra long range types such as the Global 6500 or Falcon 8X for the long legs. Inside the country, between the islands, light jets and turboprops do the work.

Quotes are free and a flight can realistically be put together from 6 hours, provided an aircraft is free and the airports issue slots. In high season it is unwise to leave it that late.

The standard path takes 6–10 weeks. Step 1: a letter of intent (LOI) with price and terms — 3–5 days. Step 2: a 5–10% deposit into escrow and signing of the purchase agreement. Step 3: a pre-purchase inspection — 1–3 weeks. Step 4: rectification of findings and price adjustment. Step 5: closing — simultaneous transfer of funds, title and risk, technical acceptance and ferry of the aircraft.

A pre-purchase inspection (PPI) is an independent check at a certified centre: airframe, engines, corrosion, records and compliance with airworthiness directives. It takes from 3 days on a turboprop to 2–3 weeks on a heavy jet and costs $15–100K — paid by the buyer. By market practice the seller pays to rectify airworthiness-affecting defects. A seller refusing a PPI is grounds to walk away.

The import budget depends on jurisdiction. In the EU the main items are any customs duty (most business-jet codes carry reduced or zero rates) and import VAT, which varies by country of entry (for example 19–22% in much of Europe). Registration in Aruba, San Marino or the Isle of Man under operation outside the EU allows a temporary-admission regime. We produce an exact calculation before the LOI is signed — an error here costs millions.

The standard is 24–48 hours before departure: that is enough to confirm the aircraft, crew and slots. For regular clients we arrange a domestic flight from 4–6 hours. International routes need 48–72 hours: overflight permits for some countries take 3–5 working days. On peak dates — Christmas, summer holidays, major forums — aircraft are booked out 2–3 weeks ahead, so plan early.

An empty leg is the ferry of an empty aircraft to its next job or home to base. Such segments sell at a 30–75% discount to the usual price: a flight that would cost $25K can come to $8–12K. The limits: the date and route are fixed to the aircraft's schedule, and if the main booking is cancelled the flight may shift. We publish current empty legs weekly — watch the listings.

Baggage is limited only by hold volume: a light jet takes 5–8 suitcases, while midsize and above fit skis, gun cases and golf bags — clear oversized cargo in advance. Pets travel in the cabin in a carrier or crate; a pet passport, microchip and documents for the destination country are required. Children fly from birth to 2 years with no surcharge.