The mega-rich are snubbing first class air travel in favour of hiring private jets.

Air Partner, the Crawley-based plane charter group, said more "high-net worth" individuals were opting to avoid the hassles of mass air travel.

The trend helped the firm post pre-tax profits of £3.5 million, compared with £1.6 million the previous year, with sales up 60 per cent to £90.3 million over the period. While most of Air Partner's business remains in the corporate and government field, its fastest growing area is flying wealthy individuals around the world.

David Savile, chief executive, said: "Air Partner's traditional Government and corporate sectors produced extremely strong performances and I am pleased to say that the group's jet-forleisure and high-net worth offerings are gaining market share."

Mr Savile said business travellers and celebrities were getting fed up with the amount of time it takes to pass through airports like Heathrow, especially for short journeys.

He said: "People are exasperated by commercial airlines."

Air Partner operates the largest fleet of Lear jets in Europe.

Hiring an eight-seater private jet for a weekend break in Europe costs about £15,000 but Mr Savile said hiring a private plane often proves cheaper than flying first class, when factoring in lost time or if travelling in large groups.

In 2003, the firm became the first aviation company to be granted a royal warrant from the Queen, entitling it to display the royal arms with the words "By Appointment".

The company, which employs more than 120 staff in 13 countries, has flown the Real Madrid football team and transported relief workers to disaster areas.

It has also chartered aircraft for US presidents and royalty.

The company now has 21 offices operating in 12 countries, including Europe, the US, Middle East and Asia.

This year it opened offices in San Francisco, Palma and Milan and said it would continue to look at new office space as it arose.