Wingly Review: Can booking private jets really be affordable?

You would have probably heard of ride-sharing apps that help you cut the cost of transport by traveling in groups. They are super useful for backpackers on a budget who need a more reliable mode than public transport.

Now, how would you feel if there’s a similar app that helps you share private flights to make air travel more budget-friendly? 

Wouldn’t it be nice to book a private aircraft for a sightseeing trip, without worrying about your bank account for once! Well, that’s what Wingly offers you.  

Wingly is a platform that promotes that concept of carpooling on air! But is it legit? Is it actually a cheaper way? Where does it operate?

Read our Wingly review to find out! 

What is Wingly?

Founded in 2015 by Emeric de Waziers, Lars Klein, and Bertrand Joab-Cornu, Wingly is the world’s largest flight-sharing platform. While France, Germany, and the UK are the largest markets of Wingly, it supports worldwide. At present, there’s only a web version for you to use its services. 

The company aims to bridge the gap between the excess supply of private aircraft and limited demand from passengers. As private flying is mostly a luxury afforded by a small faction, most seats go unreserved every year. With Wingly, Pilots get to admit more passengers, sharing the total cost among them. In turn, passengers also get to fly in a private aircraft at a fraction of the cost! 

How does Wingly work?

Private aircraft owners are supposed to fly a mandatory number of hours per year to sustain their pilot license. However, the cost of flying is expensive. By sharing the cost with passengers (the number varies from 1-6 depending on the size of the aircraft), pilots get to complete the requirement at a much lower cost. 

Private aircraft pilots aren’t allowed to earn a profit via this method. Now, for passengers, this means an opportunity to fly at a much lower rate when compared to commercial flying services. Wingly connects pilots with passengers. Pilots can offer their flight tours on the website, and interested parties can book them. Wingly earns a commission for every tour booked via it. 

How can I use Wingly?

1. Visit the Wingly website and enter the “departure city.” You have to create an account to place bookings but anyone can browse tours.
2. You will get the flight tour options available from that city. Note that the choice varies depending on the availability of pilots in the city. You can filter the options by type, seats, date, price, destination, and aircraft type. 
3. Select and book a trip that caters to your requirements and wait for the confirmation.
4. If the flight you are looking for isn’t available, you can create a flight request specifying the departure airfield, aircraft type, flight type, and distance. The request will be sent to a pilot whose profile fits the passenger’s requirements. If the pilot agrees, he will accept it and get in touch with you for more planning! (Only available for Wingly Pro)

What we liked about Wingly

• A great experience 

A private flight is a great way to enjoy a bird’s eye view of stunning landscapes. If you are traveling with a group of friends, booking a 4-6 passenger aircraft tour by pooling the cost would be a memorable activity. Another plus is that these smaller planes can access areas that large aircraft cannot. Most past users have also highlighted how their pilots added value to the experience by sharing their local knowledge of the location. You can also book a flight tour as a gift for your loved ones or friends.

• Plenty of choices of trips 

Wingly is very useful for travelers in Europe because the options are plenty. There are sightseeing trips, excursions, and one-way journeys offered by pilots in the Wingly community. You can read reviews left by past customers to see if the tour is worth it. The ability to get a flight trip customized to your liking is also another plus! However, the options available for other destinations are limited.

• A cost-effective way of flying 

Wingly has made private flying more accessible to travelers, and it’s one of the reasons why the platform has grown popular, especially in Europe. Cheaper than commercial aircraft services, it has proven to be budget-friendly for both pilots (with a passion for leisure flying) and passengers (who love an aircraft ride). 

Most flights cost under €200, and you can even find tours under €100. For example, a sightseeing trip in Paris, covering 14 castles and other landscapes for an hour, costs only €76 per person. 

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What we think Wingly could do better

• Improve the safety concerns 

Wingly has faced a fair share of criticism and backlash from those who accuse the concept. One of the things that were highlighted was the difficulty of gauging the expertise and skills of the pilots as well as the working condition of the aircraft. 

Although Wingly mandates all its pilots to have completed a pre-defined number of flying hours, there’s always a risk factor. One is that they don’t fly as often as commercial pilots. Moreover, they don’t go through rigorous aircraft maintenance rules that commercial flights undergo. You have to check your pilot’s credentials thoroughly beforehand. 

• Reliability issues 

Flights can always get cancelled, even at the last minute, depending on factors like poor weather conditions, the pilot’s availability, or issues with the aircraft itself. So, if you have booked a flight to travel to a particular city, it’s better to have another transportation option standby. It’s also noteworthy that small private aircraft aren’t roomy, and luggage could be an issue sometimes. 

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Is Wingly Worth It?

If you're looking for flights that are a bit more enjoyable and luxurious with much more space for yourself, Wingly is definitely for you! Besides, it's definitely way cheaper to book a flight with wingly than it is to rent a private jet for a weekend getaway or a faraway excursion!

If youre looking for cheap commercial flight tickets however, we have a different recommendation for you. Why not check out our review on Scott's cheap Flights or Dollar Flight Club to see if these sites can provide you with the cheapest tickets to your dream destination?

Regardless of where you're going or who you're going with, you'll need a plan.