As many building service contractors (BSCs) look for new add-on services, one that might be worth considering—if for no other reason than few cleaning contractors are now offering it—is cleaning private jets. These may be the private airplanes of major corporations, celebrities, or wealthy people who do not want to fly commercial.
No matter who owns (or leases) the luxury aircraft, the expectation is for these planes to remain meticulously cared for and pristine.
However, before offering this service, there are a few things you should consider.
- Are you close to an airport? You need to live or have a crew available near an airport that caters to private jets. For instance, in the Chicago area there are two major airports: O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport. However, while the owners of some private jets may use and store their planes at these airports, they usually use airports in outlining areas.
- A crew must be available at all times. Let’s say a private jet owner flies to California in the afternoon, returns at 2 a.m., and is scheduled to fly to New York City around 8 a.m. In most cases, you will have the owner’s itinerary, so you will know when the plane needs service, but not always—crews must always be ready.
- Mum’s the word. If the private jet owners are celebrities or well-known people, they will typically want everything about their private jet, including where they fly and who went with them, kept confidential. This is crucial.
- Private jets invariably mean luxury. Many of these planes have bars, high-quality wood cabinets and panel treatments, quality carpeting, high-end restroom fixtures, and leather furnishings. Your crew must be well instructed on how to clean and maintain these furnishings. Damaging these areas can prove very costly, including losing the client.
Services to Offer
In order to provide an effective, thorough service, you must have a cabin cleaning routine or system. If two people are cleaning the plane, one should take on cleaning the bathroom, bar, and kitchen area, and the other should take on detailing the cabin. In most cases, you will not clean the cockpit.
As to the actual cleaning, most tasks are similar to other forms of commercial cleaning, but jets have some special cleaning and maintenance needs, including:
- Trash removal. Pay careful attention to open bottles as they can leak onto furnishings or the carpet.
- Bathroom detailing.In most cases, this will require cleaning all areas—fixtures, floors, walls, windows, mirrors, etc.—by hand. Some jet owners will want their bathrooms to have a pleasant fragrance, while others will not. Check with your client about this.
- Fingerprint removal.Expect to see one or more remote controls for the TV, stereo, or even to open and close shades. Clean these after each flight.
- Dusting.Be aware that dust can accumulate in unlikely areas of the cabin.
- Lighting.If accessible, change light bulbs when necessary.
- Polishing and streak removal.Clean and shine all interior windows, mirrors, and metal work. Polish all woodwork, and clean and polish all leather furnishings with appropriate cleaners and polishes. If you are unsure of which products to use, ask the plane owner or a distributor for help.
- Vacuuming.Detail vacuum all carpeting and upholstery.
- Sanitizing.If the chairs have pulldown tables or storage compartments, wipe the areas clean and sanitize them after every flight.
- Kitchen maintenance. Clean and detail kitchen areas and appliances. If there is a bar, clean all glass and mirror areas, line up the bottles like soldiers, and make sure bottle labels face outward.
- Exterior cleaning. Pressure washing the plane’s exterior is typically an extra-charge service upon request; however, in most cases, the owners will want you to clean the wheel hubcaps or coverings as part of the regular routine.
- Odor control.Make sure there are no odors in the plane, and if so, do not mask them. Find the source and eliminate it.
- An extra level of customer service.As an optional finishing touch, leave flowers.
Equipment Selection
Some luxury jets are very compact inside. As a result, the size of the equipment, such as vacuum cleaners or carpet extractors, must be small enough to transport, maneuver, and use safely on the plane. While smaller, the equipment also has to perform very effectively.
As to types of vacuum cleaners, backpacks are your best options. With the new camping harness available on some backpacks, these machines are much lighter and easier to use. Plus they can clean under furniture as well as the ceilings, ledges, baseboards, etc.
You may need a carpet extractor from time to time. Select a compact, light machine that has a “go-anywhere” design, similar to what auto detailers use to clean car upholstery and carpet. The machine will need to work well with a wand or a hand tool that releases cleaning solution into fabrics and then extracts moisture, just like a traditional extractor. Make sure the machine has a water-level indicator and that staff can easily remove and empty tanks.
Finally, green cleaning has entered the world of private jet cleaning. To be on the safe side, contractors should always select environmentally preferable cleaning solutions.
How to Attract Jet Aircraft Clients
It is doubtful a private jet owner will hire you without a referral. Because many of these planes are stored at smaller airports, it will be easier to discuss your service with the management and staff of the airport. This should be your first step.
Some of these airports may have special gates or areas just for private jet flyers. If allowed, leave brochures and cards in these areas.
Additionally, leave information with limousine services and nearby hotels where a private jet owner may spend the night. Once you start marketing your service, new marketing options will develop. Your goal, at least initially, is to make one or two customers happy with your service. Since this is a very personalized service, once you establish yourself with one or two clients, word will get around.
