Private jet flights can be surprisingly accessible – if you know how

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I experienced it for exactly two hours and 25 minutes. It's a lifestyle the shrewd but less affluent traveller could also live too – but they might need to bring their own picnic.

Switzerland. Such speed is addictive, and surprisingly accessible - if you know how...

to say, “That’s three hours of my life I’ll never get back,” when fighting through each end of a flight involving major airports, usually miles from where I actually want to be.

With its platinum service, which offers exclusive access to over 300 private jets, I've gained extra time in my life. Arrive discreetly at Farnborough's reception, give a brief nod and a quick glance at Will Ferrell chatting in the lounge, and you'll be airborne within 30 minutes, enjoying fine dining at 41,000 feet shortly afterwards, before landing just as efficiently 90 minutes later.

Private jets can make use of smaller airports that commercial aircraft cannot, such as Samedan, which is just 10 minutes from St Moritz. It's like a private jet hub.

Flying privately isn't just about enjoying champagne and fine dining: my entire journey from start to finish was completed in the same time it takes commercial passengers to go through the airport terminal. This speed is a significant advantage for many people.

I flew on Flexjet's state-of-the-art, "mid-size" £18m, 8.25-hour-range Praetor 600. Seven of us travelled in Rolls-Royce-like luxury at 965kph, plus cabin attendant Amelia, who calmly set tables, served two courses and drinks – champagne, of course – all from a compact galley. And so serene: on approach to Samedan, it felt like floating above the Alps on air. It was a flight you never wanted to finish.

The cost? Flexjet doesn't pretend to be anything but a luxury service for those who don't have to worry about the price tag. For a one-off £1.26 million upfront fee and then £19,000 a month for the Praetor, "owners" get 50 hours' use and can fly whenever and wherever they want.

The next step "down" is a standard private jet hire through the likes of Air Charter Service at approximately £12,600 for a one-way flight from London to St Moritz.

There's also something known as "empty legging".

Skiing breaks are expensive, so making the most of the time on the slopes, and let's be honest, the après-ski, is crucial. Seasoned skiers understand that flights and transfers can eat into a whole day of a skiing holiday.

But brush up on private jet "empty-leg" flights, understand the process – and you can snag the occasional bargain. However, be prepared to be turned down by those who already use the system and don't want too many others getting in on the act.

Empty-leg flights involve a private jet flying a party one way, but with no paying passengers on the return journey. Consequently, deals for seats on those empty legs can be negotiated: discounts of more than 50 per cent aren't unusual. It's in the financial interest of private jet owners and operators to fill otherwise-empty seats.

Assuming the jet's six or seven seats are filled, a one-way empty-leg flight could cost around £5,000 to £6,700. Split between the passengers, that's between £850 and £1,000 each. Other routes on smaller jets can be even cheaper.

The last-minute nature of these deals requires flexibility - it's particularly suited for individuals who own a property in the mountains or can organise free accommodation through friends.

Flexjet doesn't offer empty-leg seats, but other companies do. Be prepared to be flexible with your travel plans: be prepared for flight schedule changes or cancellations, or you may have to travel at unusual times, or hold off until the last minute to get the best price.

Catering is often provided; nonetheless, you might need to bring your own champagne and sandwiches if it's a last-minute arrangement. But aside from the sheer convenience, there’s also the prestige factor. Can you put a value on that?

"There's undoubtedly a feel-good factor, or bragging rights, and people will pay for that, but sometimes not as much as they might think," says Andy Christie, of Air Charter Service, which operates 28,000 private jet flights annually.

Christie says that savvy travellers with flexible itineraries and those who are aware of empty leg opportunities aren't hesitant to snap up deals through him.

For the sake of impartiality, I decided to explore another alternative: a four-hour train ride from St Moritz to Zurich Airport, followed by a flight to London, which cost nearly £500. Whoever was in my seat on the Flexjet Praetor probably arrived home around the same time as I made my second of three train changes.

* Empty-leg flights can be expensive, especially if you book at short notice.

Most private jet charter companies provide empty-leg deals. First, get to know the variety of private jet sizes available. Some, such as the Phenom 100, have just four seats, no toilet and can take you as far as southern France; others, such as the Gulfstream G650, seat up to 19 people, have beds, and have a range of 7,500 miles.

In the UK, with a desire for something specific, or perhaps some spare time to fill, a sense of adventure or a willingness to be flexible, ask what's on offer, or request to be notified about potential opportunities.

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