When the first gray Michigan days arrive and thoughts begin drifting toward palm trees, warm breezes and afternoons that don’t require a parka, there’s the usual question: How soon can we get out of here?
For travelers flying with Premier Private Jets, the answer can be surprisingly simple.
Forget arriving at the airport two hours early, standing in a TSA line, waiting at the gate and hoping a connection cooperates. Private travelers can drive to the aircraft, climb aboard and be on their way.
“Flying privately can feel like cheating the system,” says Premier founder and CEO Josh Birmingham. “No TSA, no boarding delays, no waiting around, just going whenever you want.”
Birmingham founded Premier in 2013 after years as a corporate pilot, combining two interests that began early in life: aviation and entrepreneurship. His first business experience came around age 12, when he delivered the Flint Journal. His fascination with flying started even earlier, sparked by seeing Top Gun in 1986.
With encouragement from an airline pilot who became an early mentor, Birmingham headed to Florida Institute of Technology to study business aviation. He went on to fly corporate aircraft, moved into management and eventually launched a company of his own.
Today, Premier operates a fleet of 15 company-owned jets and has grown beyond charter flights to include aircraft maintenance and fixed-base operations, or FBOs. Its three FBO locations include one at Oakland County International Airport in Waterford, making Premier particularly convenient for Birmingham-area travelers.
The Birmingham connection comes with a bit of serendipity given the founder’s last name, but the decision to establish a Metro Detroit presence was very deliberate.
“The fact is, this is home for me; I had intimate knowledge of the area,” Birmingham says, noting that his previous experience flying in Metro Detroit showed him the demand for private aviation in communities such as Birmingham. For many clients, he says, the attraction isn’t simply luxury. It’s time.
“On average, clients save about three hours compared to flying commercial,” Birmingham says. “Time is one of the most valuable commodities there is.”
That difference can be especially appealing for families and snowbirds. Travelers choose their departure time, airport and aircraft based on the size and needs of their group. Premier can also accommodate children, pets, additional luggage, catering and ground transportation.
And when Michigan winter settles in, one destination clearly rises above the rest.
“South Florida is by far the most popular route for our Michigan clients heading into winter,” Birmingham says.
Premier created its Florida Jet Club around that migration, offering flat-rate pricing for flights beginning or ending in Florida. The company’s broader flight pattern is concentrated in the Midwest and along the East Coast, with Florida a major part of its business.
So when should snowbirds start thinking about booking?
Sooner is better if the trip falls around Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s, when aircraft availability becomes tighter. Premier’s Jet Card members can typically book with as little as 72 hours’ notice, while Florida Jet Club travelers are asked to provide seven days’ notice. For peak holiday periods, however, Birmingham recommends making plans as early as possible.
For those intrigued by private aviation but convinced it’s automatically beyond their budget, Birmingham suggests doing something simple before ruling it out: Ask.
“The biggest misconception is that private aviation is out of reach financially,” he says. For families or groups traveling together, especially those making the same trip regularly, he believes comparing the full value — not simply the price of one commercial airline ticket — can be eye-opening.
And there is something undeniably appealing about starting a winter getaway without first spending hours navigating an airport.
Michigan morning. Florida afternoon. No connection required.