New York to Dubai by Private Jet: A Pilot Explains

New York to Dubai is one of the longest private jet trips people book. It is about 5,950 nautical miles, or roughly 13 hours in the air heading east. Only a few jets can fly it without stopping, and the way back is harder still.

Enzo Viardot is Co-Founder and COO of Elysium Jet, a private jet charter broker with offices in New York and Dubai. He is also a Falcon 900 pilot. The best brokers are often pilots too, because they know how the jet, the crew and the permits all fit together. Here is how he plans this route.

Can you fly New York to Dubai nonstop?

Yes, if you pick the right aircraft. For a real nonstop with a safe fuel reserve, Enzo recommends one of these ultra-long-range jets:

• Gulfstream G650ER
• Gulfstream G700
• Gulfstream G800
• Bombardier Global 7500
• Bombardier Global 8000

A Global 6000, a Global 6500 or a Falcon 7X can sometimes make it heading east, with good tailwinds and a light cabin. "But it's not something I would promise a client," Enzo says.

The return trip is the hard part. "From Dubai to New York you have headwinds most of the way," he says. If you want to fly back nonstop, it has to be one of the ultra-long-range jets.

When a fuel stop is the better choice

"More often than people think," Enzo says. He flies the Falcon 900, and on this route one stop changes very little:

• You are on the ground for about 45 minutes.
• The price is noticeably lower.
• You have many more jets to choose from.

His usual stop is Shannon, in Ireland, because it is quick and well run. Some clients turn the stop into a night in Europe. Smaller jets, like the Challenger 350, need two stops, usually Gander or Bangor first.

How far ahead to book

Permits set the timing, not the aircraft. Sometimes a jet based in the UAE is already in New York with its permits in place. "Otherwise, we can usually organize the flight with 48 to 72 hours' notice," Enzo says.

Permits, crew rest and catering

Permits. The operator handles the landing permits, which normally take a few working days, and the overflight permits along the way. Enzo's passenger team can often help speed them up. Airspace in the Middle East changes often right now, so the operator confirms the final route close to departure.

Crew rest. A 13-hour nonstop needs an extra pilot on board. On a trip with a fuel stop, the crew can also change during the stop if needed.

Catering. Plan for two proper meals. Food comes from an aviation caterer or from a restaurant the client likes. "The flight attendant suggests dishes that still taste good after being reheated in flight," Enzo says.

How to pay less

Enzo's first tip surprises a lot of people: don't ask several brokers to quote the same trip.

"We all work with the same aircraft on the market," he says. "When several brokers contact the same operators for the same flight, the operator sees a lot of demand. There's no room left to negotiate, and the price goes up."

His other tips:

• Accept one fuel stop. This is usually the biggest saving.
• Pick a jet based in New York or Dubai. Then you don't pay for empty flights to bring it to you.
• Be flexible on dates.
• Watch for empty legs on this route.

Quick checklist

• Want to fly both ways nonstop? Book an ultra-long-range jet.
• Happy with one 45-minute stop? You will pay less and have more jets to choose from.
• Allow at least 48 to 72 hours for permits.
• Choose your two on-board meals ahead of time.
• Ask one broker to quote, not several.

Looking for a charter company for this trip? See private jet companies in Dubai or browse private jet charter companies in our aviation directory.

Photo: Enzo Viardot on board a private jet. Supplied by Elysium Jet.