Wheely has expanded its airport transfer technology to private aviation, introducing real-time tail number flight tracking to deliver precisely timed chauffeur pickups for private jet passengers.
The new feature allows travellers flying privately to experience the same seamless arrival process already available through Wheely’s Perfect Airport Pickup service for commercial flights.
Passengers can now enter their aircraft’s tail number when booking a transfer in the Wheely app. Once the flight plan is filed, the system begins tracking the aircraft in real time and dynamically adjusts the chauffeur’s arrival time to match the aircraft’s landing, ensuring the driver reaches the terminal ahead of the aircraft, even if it arrives early.
Unlike scheduled airline services, private aviation operates with more fluid logistics. Flight plans may only be confirmed hours before departure, and access to private terminals, known as Fixed-Base Operator facilities, often requires prior authorisation.
Wheely’s system has been designed to handle these complexities. Chauffeurs receive live updates and route adjustments if a flight lands earlier than expected, is delayed or diverts to another airport within the company’s service area.
Where permitted by the terminal operator, drivers may wait planeside for passengers. In other cases, they will meet travellers inside the private terminal ready for immediate departure once the aircraft arrives.
The private aviation feature integrates directly into the existing booking flow. Customers enter their arrival airport, expected landing time and aircraft tail number when requesting a transfer. Tail numbers can also be added later, a common requirement for charter flights arranged through operators such as NetJets or Flexjet.
Once the aircraft is airborne or the flight plan is confirmed, the platform automatically begins live tracking. Customers can also include Prior Permission Required (PPR) details to ensure chauffeurs are authorised to access the relevant terminal.
The service launch reflects increasing demand from Wheely’s client base for private aviation transfers. The company already handles thousands of such journeys annually across its three primary markets: London, Paris and Dubai.
Common pickup locations include Farnborough Airport, London Biggin Hill Airport, Le Bourget Airport and private terminals at Al Maktoum International Airport.
The private jet charter market continues to expand, growing by approximately 13.5% year-on-year and reaching an estimated value of $24 billion in 2025.
By extending its flight tracking capabilities to private aviation, Wheely aims to remove waiting time, improve operational precision and deliver the level of discretion expected by high-net-worth travellers and corporate aviation clients.