O P E R A T I O N S
No trip or tour is ever the same
however, and each conversation begins
with discussing the artist or manager’s
preferences, timings and budgetary
constraints across the different travel parties.
The A party is usually the talent, their family
and handlers, the B party is often made
up of dancers and backing band and then
there’s also the crew.
“It starts with a conversation about what
they’re trying to accomplish on
the ground, taking a look at
their tour schedule and
sorting through what
the touring party or
parties see as their
top priorities,” says
Young. “Booking
agents who arrange
the touring artist’s
live performances
sometimes follow
a logical route from
city to city and other
times simply commit
to where the artist’s
best financial opportunities
await, as is often the case with
the European summer festival circuit for
example. Tour managers then have to work
with us to connect the dots in what would
not be a logical ground routing.
“Some artists choose to fly point-to-point,
either before or after a performance, some
simply supplement the occasional charter
when the bus leg is just too long between
cities. Superstar acts often chose to hub out
of one market and cover a large geographic
region, say, basing themselves in Paris or
42 | BU S INE S S A I R P O RT INT E RNAT I ONA L O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9
Berlin, but playing shows all over Europe,
before flying back to the same base and
hotel each night.”
Typical requirements for touring artists
including private terminals and early and
expedited check-in. When using a specific
jet for a tour there may also be a request
for livery and onboard branding, where an
aircraft may be given a new look with some
tour artwork – as can everything onboard
from headrests to amenity kits.
Many also request airport
representation, where
a dedicated flight
representative is
always there to see
off clients and make
sure requirements
are met.
Partying’s a thing
of the past
Fortunately for
private aviation firms
the stereotypical rock
star attitude appears to be
a thing of the past. Today’s
artists are mainly looking for a
comfortable spot to rest their head and
healthy catering.
“There’s usually a big focus on the health
of the artist when you’re arranging things,
it’s not all parties and craziness,” says
Hesar. “More and more bands are going
green and looking after their health. Many
aren’t drinking these days and perhaps are
vegetarian. Healthy food is important, and
they might have specific requirements like
tea with lemon and honey or they might
Planes of the rock stars
Many rock and pop stars are well known for their
private jet setting – and some have gone so far as to
buy a jet of their own. Here we take a look at some
of the famous faces making the most of the private
aviation sector.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z
Beyoncé bought a personalized US$40m Bombardier
Challenger 850 Learjet for her husband, Jay-Z, kitted
out with a cream leather living room, a kitchen,
bedroom and two bathrooms. The couple used this
plane for their On the Run tour back in 2014.
Celine Dion
Celine Dion has a Bombardier BD 700 Global Express
that she uses to travel to concerts and holidays. It’s
reported that the jet includes luxury bathrooms and
even a full service kitchen.
Drake
While Drake allegedly purchased a Boeing 767, David
Young, managing director of Fly Victor’s Private
Office, believes this was just a highly savvy branding
arrangement with Canadian company CargoJet “and
he didn’t really have to pay anything for it, he says.
Elton John
Elton reportedly charters a Boeing 737 when on tour
but according to the Las Vegas review he does have
a slightly diva demand when it comes to onboard
entertainment. It’s been reported that he and his
husband David Furnish regularly hire comedian Pam
Ann to entertain them during flights.
Lady Gaga
In 2012 Lady Gaga was famously lent a 279-seat
Boeing 757 by concert management firm Live
Nation for her Born This Way tour. The jet came
complete with her name embroidered on towels and
headrests, onboard wifi and flight attendants.
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift owns both a Dassault Falcon 50 and
Dassault-Breguet Mystere Falcon 900. This jet
is branded with her lucky number, 13, and also
features a registration that is personalized with
her initials.
U2
In 2017 U2 reportedly chartered the world’s largest
private jet, an Airbus A340-300. The company in
charge of flying the band from show to show during
the Elevation tour was Air X Charter.
“Wherever
there are enough
fans willing to fill
big arenas, artists will
go there and often by
private jet”
David Young, managing director,
Private Office, Fly Victor
Right: The most recent
incarnation of
Iron Maiden’s Ed Force One
is a Boeing 747