Virgin to help fliers, private jet charters connect

0 Comments | USA TODAY, June, 2007 | by Marilyn Adams

For those who can't abide flying with the masses, chartering a private jet may be getting a bit easier, though not necessarily cheaper.

Billionaire Briton Richard Branson, chairman of Virgin Atlantic Airways, is about to dip his toe into the tantalizing but murky waters of the private jet charter business.

Compared with the commercial airline industry, the private jet charter business is small -- about $8 billion a year in sales -- but it's growing fast, both in hours flown and revenue.

Virgin Charter, a new Virgin-financed website scheduled to launch this fall, plans to use Internet technology to provide prospective buyers with immediate price quotes for the trip destination, day and time requested. Buyers will also get details about the specific...