Flying on Private Planes for Less

The price of a luxury experience aboard a six or eight seat plane like this Cessna Citation doesn't have to be sky high.

Matthew Mmacri manages a fleet of corporate and private jets. He's also spokesman for a new service opening up private jets, to the public. "Depending on the size of the airplane. It can be in the commercial coach fare."

You heard right. Social media and websites like socialflights.com take group discount deals to a whole new level. The reason? So called empty legs. "The plane is dropping off at one location and flying back empty. And this is a cost that usually is just absorbed, but now it gives the opportunity for you to use that empty leg at a discount."

Here's how it works: you register on Socialflights.com for free. You can join an affinity group for shared interests or locations. Then search for empty legs that fit your travel needs, or post a trip you'd like to make.

"Now you're having access to aircraft at a price that is more reasonable compared to if you were to charter a jet by yourself."

Here's a comparison: on Jet Blue, a flight from New York to Syracuse on Saturday costs $164, not including taxes. For roughly thirty dollars more, you can take a private plane to Syracuse. That seat is just $200! And there's a private flight from Nantucket to White Plains on November 18th for $200. That's actually less than flying Jet Blue the same day. And of course, you can get background checks on the planes and the crews for your flights.

"And you can not only check the airline and whether they're gold or platinum rated but they offer a Tripcheck, which can tell whether or not the crew also passes."

Flights are non-refundable once you book, but you can sell your seat on the site. If the airline cancels your flight, or delays you more than four hours, social flights promises you your money back.

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