Touring has always been an important part of a band’s life cycle and longevity, so as to remain in contact with their fan base. However, with worldwide venues booked for a band’s tour, reaching them all logistically can only be achieved by chartering a private jet. It is not a luxury item but a necessity for bands and artists as a business tool, saving precious time and avoiding commercial travel completely.
It also ensures discretion and privacy, which would be almost impossible to achieve when flying commercially and are at risk of being mobbed by fans, which can also be a matter of security and safety. With a tight schedule between venues, the time-saving factor is essential, whether crossing the Atlantic or hopping around Europe. Time is money and tours generate a lot of money.
Type of aircraft used
The type of aircraft used can vary considerably depending on exactly what is needed. If it is a single artist just traveling with friends or family and a tour manager, for example, a private jet with under 19 seats is fine.
A Bombardier Challenger 850ER or Global 6000 or a Gulfstream G550 would easily work for trips, whether Transatlantic or just moving around Europe. Beyoncé, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga have all used at least one of these aircraft when touring in Europe. The aircraft also have an area that can be closed off for privacy or sleeping.
Many bands need to carry their instruments and equipment with them, as well as an entourage, so a VIP configuration aircraft would be suitable, like a Boeing 737 with 55 business class seats, instead of the standard commercial configuration. Fleetwood Mac, U2 and Robbie Williams have used a similar aircraft on previous tours within Europe.
When carrying production and staging equipment, a larger aircraft is required. A VIP configured Airbus A340 with 100 business class seats could be chartered for such purposes. It could fly for between 12 and 16 hours, depending on how much cargo and how many passengers are carried.
It has a range of 7,000 nautical miles and can cover the distance from New York to Singapore. Another alternative would be the Boeing 767-300 ER which seats up to 96 passengers and has a range of 5900 nautical miles and can fly from Los Angeles to Berlin.
Other options
In some cases, two aircraft may be used, with a smaller private jet for the artist or band and then a second larger aircraft, for the entourage and equipment, so that could be a Boeing 737 with VIP configuration or if it’s just for equipment, a cargo freighter aircraft can be used. Current popular aircraft for bands/artists are the Global 6000 and the Legacy 650.
The Global 6000 is a top of the range aircraft with up to 19 seats but often configured for 14 seats and suited to both ultra-long-range flights or just when you need to get somewhere fast.
The Legacy 650 is a 13-seat aircraft and smaller than the Global 6000, but has much more baggage space. It has a range of 3900nm and could fly from New York to London with ease. Both have private areas for sleeping and resting.
Comfort and convenience
Of course, traveling by private jet is pretty much always going to be comfortable and with lower cabin altitudes, state-of-the-art air filtering systems and circadian rhythm lighting, artists can arrive for a gig well rested and ready to go hit the stage running.
Convenience is king and operators can carefully tailor everything to the artists’ schedule and preferences. Flexibility is important too, when a last minute TV appearance, for example, crops up and a quick trip is needed. Festivals may also involve a helicopter charter to the site.
Tailored service
The artists can choose exactly what they want onboard the aircraft. It might be a certain type of amenity or their favorite food and drink, from a top champagne and a caviar service to just a fast food meal and popcorn.
Preferences can even be extended to the exterior of the aircraft, with some bands promoting their tours, with personalized decals or livery. Aircraft chartered for tours are dedicated to the band and the length of the tour and the aircraft is at their disposal during that time.
Well known tour aircraft
Of course, how can we not mention some of the most recognized liveries of tours. The Rolling Stones’ used a Boeing 737-400 in 2014 and 2015 before moving up to the much larger Boeing 767-300ER in 2017.
Both aircraft featured the band’s name and famous lips logo. These aircraft announce the bands’ arrival well before they reach the stage and are often part of the whole tour experience and are a clever way of promoting tours.