price of private jet travel

The 8 cheapest ways to get the private jet experience

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

Once upon a time, extremely wealthy people bought their own planes. Later, other rich people realized they could buy shares in a jet instead of owning one since rare was the person who needed to use it on a daily basis. Today, alternatives to commercial air travel are entering the "Uber age," making airplane travel an on-demand perk as accessible as ordering up a car.

In the space pioneered by venerable players such as NetJets and XO, nimble newcomers are redefining what we'll call "affordable private jet luxury." You no longer necessarily have to pay thousands of dollars per flight; all you need is an app, as little as a few hundred bucks and, often, a tolerance for tiny aircraft.

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The latest wave of growth is just the beginning. "The private jet industry is currently booming," says Andres Morales, executive vice president of global operations for the aviation consultation company Skyline Group MC. "With more companies and individuals buying private aircraft, more jets are flying under capacity, so they look for different ways to offset their cost of ownership. That has resulted in an increase in the accessibility to flying private through different digital platforms that connect the consumer to a private aircraft."

The newer players are capitalizing on three trends.

First, cautious travelers are seeking ways to avoid crowded airport terminals and packed aircraft cabins during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Second, airlines are pulling back from less-profitable routes to smaller airports, complicating commercial travel to second-tier destinations.

And third, elite flyers who typically travel business class are getting fed up with some hassles of flying commercial. Security lines have grown significantly, legroom is shrinking and personal device holders are replacing inflight entertainment screens on some airlines.

Related: How travelers are using private jets to avoid coronavirus exposure

Private jet operators are seeing a dramatic rise in demand as a result of the pandemic.

"Unsurprisingly, we have witnessed a substantial increase in the demand for private aviation — both from new members of XO and current members — during this sensitive time triggered by the coronavirus," Ron Silverman, chief commercial officer of California-based on-demand private jet charter company XO, told us. "We expect demand to continue to grow as the situation remains unsettled and we are committed to meeting these requests."

With that in mind, let's look at some of the emerging players in the "affordable private jet luxury" space. While some services on this list are not entirely private, they all offer the convenience of flying out of smaller airports and private terminals where you can usually arrive just minutes before your scheduled departure time and avoid long security lines.

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JSX calls itself an "industry disruptor" aiming to "revolutionize the flying experience" with "celeb-worthy flying at an accessible price." Behind the hype is a straightforward proposition: You're buying a seat on a "private" jet rather than chartering the whole plane.

JSX's fleet of Embraer E135 and E145 regional jets operates scheduled service seven days a week between cities throughout the West Coast and Texas, including Burbank, California (BUR); Las Vegas (LAS); Oakland, California (OAK); Santa Ana, California (SNA); Phoenix (PHX); Reno-Tahoe (RNO); Dallas (DAL); Houston (HOU); and more.

JSX also operates various seasonal and pop-up flights, such as to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (SJD). The planes have 30 seats onboard, so they're not truly private, but they're much more spacious than most regional jets and have some other advantages over traditional commercial flights.

Related: Touring JSX's ultra-spacious 1-1-configured jet

A huge part of JSX's selling proposition is being able to arrive just 20 minutes before your flight. The jets operate from private hangars and terminals so there are no long check-in lines, traditional Transportation Security Administration screenings or baggage checks. The Points Guy has experienced JSX multiple times, noting that the experience was remarkably hassle-free .

Flights clock in as low as $129 each way and you can even earn JetBlue TrueBlue points for your flights . Among the believers is JetBlue founder David Neeleman , who invested; JetBlue and Qatar Airways also took a stake.

Related: As close to private as it gets: Flying JSX's new route to LAX

Although perhaps best known for its continuous helicopter service to airports in New York, Miami and Los Angeles, Blade offers on-demand charters for helicopters, turboprops and any class of private jet to practically anywhere in the world. As you'd expect, chartering an entire plane isn't cheap, but much like JSX, Blade also lets you book by the seat on regularly scheduled flights to popular vacation spots such as Aspen, Colorado; Miami; and Nassau, Bahamas.

Blade also offers a feature called "FlightTilt" that allows you to propose a shared charter on your schedule. The flight is confirmed once four other seats are sold. Alternatively, if you're looking to fly between New York and Florida and want to guarantee your shared charter at the time of booking, you can reserve a minimum of two seats for $3,750 each and allow Blade to sell the remaining seats on your flight.

Blade's scheduled New York-to-Miami service, dubbed BladeOne , is operated using uniquely configured Bombardier CRJ200s that fly between Westchester, New York (HPN), and Miami's Opa Locka Airport (OPF). This type of aircraft is typically used as a regional commercial passenger jet and can hold up to 50 people, but Blade's have been converted into luxury jets for 16.

Onboard, passengers enjoy an array of amenities, such as gourmet food provided by BLT restaurants, iPads preloaded with entertainment, cashmere blankets and specially designed amenity kits with personal care products from boutique brands.

One-way tickets start at $2,850 each (or $3,345, including 15-minute helicopter transfers) between Manhattan and Westchester. What ups the value is that if you purchase a set of two round-trip tickets on BladeOne, you'll also get a room for the weekend at the opulent Faena Hotel Miami Beach . I recently got to experience this service and it was truly A-list from beginning to end.

Related: What it's like to fly BladeOne from NYC to Miami

BladeOne flights to Aspen are operated by a Gulfstream G400 Large Jet and start at $3,500 per seat. Regardless of whether it's a BladeOne or FlightTilt flight, Blade is now requiring all passengers to be fully vaccinated .

If you're new to Blade, you can receive $50 off your first flight when you sign up with the code BRIANF&F. Those under 28 can get discounts on flights between Manhattan and the Hamptons in New York; Nantucket, Massachusetts; and Miami with a Blade-GX membership.

Much like BladeOne, Aero sells seats on shared private jet flights. It offers routes to popular vacation destinations, such as Los Angeles to Aspen; Napa Valley, California; Jackson Hole, Wyoming; and Sun Valley, Idaho. On Oct. 14, it will also be launching flights between Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

Flights depart and arrive in private terminals. They're operated by Embraer ERJ135LR jets, with 16 first-class seats arranged in a 1-1 configuration. Expect generous legroom, ample headroom and complimentary snacks and drinks. Even better, you can change or cancel your trip up to 48 hours before departure.

What if you could fly as often as you want, whenever you want, for a monthly membership fee? That's the concept behind Los Angeles-based Surf Air, which pioneered "all you can fly" in 2013. You can arrive up to 15 minutes before your flight on one of Surf Air's Swiss-built Pilatus PC-12 single-engine turboprops; New York fashion house Bespoken designed the clubby interiors.

Since its U.S. debut, more than 215,000 guests have flown Surf Air between about a dozen West Coast destinations, including Los Angeles, Oakland and Santa Barbara, California. Moving forward, the company plans to improve its operation by honing in on a few key routes, such as the Bay Area to Los Angeles and Dallas to Houston.

The company offers four membership options, ranging from $199 per month to $2,999 per month:

• Access ($199 per month): Gain access to all flights on a per-seat basis.
• Advanced ($999 per month): Unlimited off-peak flights for free and access to buy everything else.
• Freedom ($2,499 per month): Access the majority of flight inventory, including peak flights, for free.
• Unlimited ($2,999 per month): Fly where and when you want across the entire network with no limits.

The per-seat price for scheduled flights usually starts at $99 for off-peak, $199 for peak and $349 for premium. You can unlock preferred pricing and flight credits with a FoundersCard membership.

Surf Air recently added nationwide on-demand charters to its offerings, with charters starting at $400 per hour. You can choose from thousands of aircraft and book directly online without needing to speak with a broker. Like Blade, Surf Air does not own or operate any aircraft but rather acts as an agent for its members.

Related: The best cards for booking private jet travel

If you frequently travel between California, Arizona and Nevada, you might want to consider a Set Jet membership. For $99.95 per month (plus a one-time $99.95 security-check fee) you can book seats on private jet flights along the West Coast for just $450 to $490 each way — basically the cost of a commercial first-class ticket.

Set Jet currently offers flights between Scottsdale, Arizona; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Orange County, California; San Diego; and San Francisco, as well seasonal flights to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and Aspen ($1,000 to $1,700 each way).

Rather than have a fixed schedule, flight times are determined by the first person to request the flight. Flights are operated exclusively by Bombardier Challenger 850 aircraft with 13-16 seats. Onboard, you can expect complimentary top-shelf alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, premium snacks and free in-flight Wi-Fi. Set Jet also doesn't charge extra for bags or if you elect to bring a pet along.

In the next 12 months, Set Jet plans to acquire two Embraer Lineage 1000s and launch a $1,000-per-month "elite membership." With this membership, you'll be able to book cross-country flights between Los Angeles and New York for just $3,799 each way.

Related: The golden age of travel isn't over — it's evolving

Wheels Up is one of the biggest players in the industry and has been growing rapidly through the acquisition of companies including Delta Private Jets, Gama Aviation Signature and Mountain Aviation.

It launched in 2013 with a membership-only model focused on an exclusive fleet of Beechcraft King Air 350i aircraft but has since transitioned to a diversified services provider with one of the industry's largest fleets of owned, managed and third-party partner aircraft. Members can choose from more than 1,500 planes, including the King Air 350i, Cessna Citation Excel/XLS, Cessna Citation X and many others in the light jet, midsize jet, super-midsize jet and large-cabin jet categories.

It offers three membership tiers — Connect, Core and Business. Initiation fees range from $2,995 in year one for a Connect membership to upward of $29,500 in year one for the Business membership. Annual dues drop to $2,495 and $14,500, respectively, in year two. However, thanks to a new partnership with American Express, you can now get up to 40% off your membership and other perks if you have The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Connect members get access to some of the most popular Wheels Up features, including Hot Flights, which allows you to book discounted empty leg flights — when an aircraft is scheduled to fly without any passengers — for as low as $320 for an entire plane.

Related: Everything you need to know about Wheels Up private jet memberships

Like JSX and Blade, you can also "fly by the seat" on scheduled shuttle or charter flights to popular events. Core and Business members can take advantage of 24- and 48-hour aircraft-type guarantees, plus dynamic pricing with rates capped at $4,695 per hour for a King Air 350i. A midsized partner jet will set you back $7,695 per hour.

Members also have the opportunity to fast-track Delta Medallion status , earn Delta SkyMiles, get discounts on select Delta fares and more. Non-travel "Wheels Down" benefits include access to events such as private parties at Art Basel Miami , the Super Bowl and a hospitality house at the Masters Tournament.

In early 2021, Wheels Up quietly opened its mobile app to non-members. Now, anyone can book charter flights, but the rates will be higher. Non-members also don't have the same aircraft-availability guarantees as members or access to features such as shared flights or empty leg Hot Flights.

Related: Yes, you can fly private — here's the secret that will help you do it

While XO made a name for itself through its on-demand charter services, it also offers the ability to purchase individual seats on a growing number of regularly scheduled flights, as well as crowdsourced flights. XO-initiated "shuttle" flights, such as between New York and South Florida, start around $995 for members and $1,390 for non-members. These shuttle flights include a cabin attendant and complimentary food and drinks.

XO also frequently offers empty leg specials which can feature savings of about 50%-75%. While most empty leg specials are for the entire aircraft, XO sometimes even lets you book empty legs by the seat. Just be aware that XO is known for canceling empty legs quite frequently so it's a good idea to have a backup option if your flight is canceled.

XO flights are available to non-members for an additional $395 fee. However, considering entry-level Rise memberships cost just $595 per year, it would make more sense to get one of those if you plan on booking more than two seats per year.

Founder William Herp calls Linear Air an air taxi for regional trips of 700-800 miles, when you don't want to drive and there's no good airline option. On sites like Kayak, he said, "We come up as the only nonstop option between places like New York City and Ithaca or Harrisburg and Bar Harbor, Maine."

The company was founded in 2004 and has grown by more than 1,600% since then. It doesn't own a single plane; like ride-hailing apps, the company partners with operators across the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. A straightforward interface lets you request departure and arrival airports by inputting a street address or ZIP code. Herp told TPG that the average transaction comes to about $2,000 for a passenger configuration of three to eight seats. "When you fill up the seats and maximize the opportunity, you're talking about $500-$800 per person," or less than many commercial flights.

Bottom line

There are a number of companies offering charter subscriptions and private jet-like experiences for less than you might think. Since there aren't any reasonable ways to book private jet flights with points and miles, be sure to use a credit card that maximizes the return on private jet travel because there are some serious points-earning opportunities here.

The Platinum Card from American Express is generally an excellent option for booking flights. It earns 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar for airfare booked directly with the airline or American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), offers numerous travel protections and now even comes with discounts on Wheels Up. However, private flights often don't code as airfare or even travel at all, so you'll probably be better off using a card with a high return on everyday spending , such as the Chase Freedom Unlimited.

For more on private jet travel and exclusive travel experiences, see:

• How travelers are using private jets to avoid coronavirus exposure
• What it's like to fly BladeOne from NYC to Miami
• Flying Embraer's super posh, quiet $10 million private jet
• Everything you need to know about booking empty leg private jet flights
• Everything you need to know about LAX's secret VIP terminal PS
• My very first flight on a private jet, Gulfstream's G500
• The best cards for booking private jet travel

How Much Does Flying on a Private Jet Actually Cost? (It Might Surprise You)

For those who would rather fly private, there are ample ways to charter a private jet or to purchase individual seats on a private flight. and the cost varies more than most travelers probably realize..

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From booking a seat on a semi-private flight to chartering an uber-luxurious private jet, private jet travel comes in many different shapes and sizes.

Photo by Oskar Kadaskoo/Unsplash

The convenience of flying private became abundantly clear to fans of the hit HBO show Succession as we watched the Roys zip off to exclusive retreats and far-flung business meetings in a matter of hours. That level of ease of travel at a time when flying commercial has become fraught with long airport lines and cascades of cancellations and delays may have some travelers wondering, how much does flying on a private jet cost, really?

It costs anywhere between $2 million and upwards of $100 million to buy a new private jet, and it costs between $1,300 and $13,000 per flying hour to charter a private jet, depending on the size and capacity of the airplane, according to private jet charter company Air Charter Service.

“For many, private travel is something they tried in the pandemic and a luxury they’re not willing to give up now,” global luxury travel agency consortium Virtuoso reported in a recent survey of travel advisors released in August 2023.

According to Virtuoso, now more than ever high-net-worth travelers are seeking privacy and personalization as they plan upcoming trips. “Private aviation is climbing in popularity for domestic and shorter international flights,” the luxury travel network noted.

Not surprisingly, several private jet charter companies and luxury resort and villa properties have partnered to offer travelers just that: private flight service directly to an exclusive villa or resort destination.

For instance, for $148,000 per person, you can fly on a two-week private jet itinerary hosted by Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts with stops in Greece, Egypt, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia, and South Africa. The 13-day African Wonders journey takes place on the Four Seasons private jet, and guests stay at Four Seasons luxury properties globally. Four Seasons currently hosts numerous other private jet journeys each year.

Private jets offer access to destinations that you might not be able to get to otherwise.

Photo by Shutterstock

How much does it cost to buy a private jet?

You could, of course, go all out and buy a private jet. Depending on the age, make, and model, private jets cost anywhere between $500,000 for an older used model, to upwards of $100 million for a state-of-the-art private jet with all the bells and whistles. Add to that how much it costs to operate and maintain the aircraft, which can be up to several million dollars per year, and we’re looking at quite the investment.

Dream quashed? Not necessarily. From private jet charter services to companies that sell individual seats on private planes, private jet travel is more accessible than you might think.

How much does it cost to charter a private jet?

According to private jet charter company Air Charter Service , you can expect to pay between between $1,300 and $13,000 per flying hour to charter a private jet , depending on the size of the aircraft. It typically costs between $1,300 and $3,000 per flying hour to charter a turboprop or smaller jet plane, which seats 4 to 6 passengers; between $4,000 and $8,000 per flying hour for a midsize jet, which typically accommodates up to 9 passengers; and between $8,600 and $13,000 per flying hour for larger private jets, which usually seat from 14 to 19 passengers. You can see how that translates into a cross-country flight below.

The cost for a six-hour cross-country private jet charter flight

Beyond Air Charter Service, other companies that offer private jet charters include Air Partner , PrivateFly , and Jettly , booking platforms for on-demand private jet charters.

How much does it cost to book a seat on a semi-private jet?

Because passengers are not chartering the entire aircraft the way they would when booking a private jet, the cost to book a seat on a semi-private jet ranges from as little as $209 one-way with semi-private carrier JSX to $1,800 one-way with high-end airline Aero.

JSX is one of the most prominent and affordable semi-private air carriers in the United States.

Courtesy of JSX

Which companies offer semi-private flights?

A growing number of companies are offering travelers the ability to book a single seat, similar to how you would on a commercial flight, on a public charter private jet flight or a semi-private jet. They include:

• Aero: Launched in 2020, the semi-private, luxury airline Aero offers one-way flights from Dallas to Aspen starting at $1,000, one-way flights from Los Angeles to Los Cabos starting at $1,800, and one-way flights from London to Nice starting at $1,600. Prices include one checked luggage and one carry-on. Aero flies from Aspen, Colorado; Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Las Vegas; L.A.; Los Cabos, Mexico; San Francisco; and Sun Valley, Idaho. It also flies between some European hubs, including London; Nice, France; and Ibiza, Spain.
• Blade: A helicopter and semi-private flight service, Blade mainly operates flights from New York City to Palm Beach and Miami, Florida; it also offers helicopter service from Manhattan to John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark International Airport. One-way flights to Palm Beach start at $1,250.
• JSX: Formerly JetSuiteX, JSX is by far one of the most affordable options for semi-private travel , with one-way fares starting as low as $209 on 30-seat Embraer E135 planes, which includes up to two checked bags as well as snacks and drinks on board. JSX connects several California hubs, including Burbank, Concord, Los Angeles, Monterey, Orange County, Oakland, and San Diego. The airline also flies to Austin, Dallas, Denver, Gunnison/Crested Butte (Colorado), Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, Orlando, Phoenix, Reno-Tahoe, Taos (New Mexico), and Westchester County in New York. JSX planes are outfitted with cushy leather seats and Starlink Wi-Fi.
• Surf Air: Surf Air is a jet membership service that includes both scheduled semi-private flights (such as JSX flights) and on-demand jet service. The semi-private scheduled flights operate from Truckee, San Carlos, Santa Barbara, and Hawthorne in California, and the on-demand flights can be booked to and from hundreds of hubs all across the United States. Memberships range from $199 per month to access the inventory then pay per flight to $2,500 per month to unlock an unlimited flight plan.
• Tradewind Aviation: The Oxford, Connecticut–based Tradewind Aviation operates on-demand and scheduled flights throughout the United States and Caribbean. Scheduled service includes flights to and from Westchester County in New York; Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts; and Newport, Rhode Island. Tradewind also flies between the Caribbean destinations of Anguilla, Antigua, San Juan, St. Bart’s, and St. Thomas. Flights run anywhere from $300 to hop between Caribbean islands to an opening rate of $395 to fly to Nantucket from Westchester. The aircraft fly out of private air terminals and flights include onboard refreshments.

There’s a private jet app for that

There are also several private jet startups that are based on a sharing economy-style model for booking private jets. One of them is XO , an app that allows passengers to book a private charter, a shared charter, or book seats on an available private flight. XO has two styles of payments, a membership fee model and a pay-as-you-go model. Memberships range from $595 per year, which allows you to skip the $395-per-flight service fee that applies to individual private flight bookings, or you can pay a $395 fee for a seat and add to that a $995 trip cost. For $995 per year, you can access the XO Reserve membership with a minimum $250,000 deposit that includes set hourly private charter pricing and no added fees.

Private jet app UberJets also helps users find and book charter aircraft. It doesn’t own or operate a fleet of aircraft and simply serves as a booking tool.

What is an empty leg deal?

An empty leg is a nonrevenue repositioning private jet flight—a private jet that has dropped passengers off on a one-way leg and would otherwise return to its home base empty. Because these are noncommissioned flights, they can often be accessed at a much lower price than a standard private jet flight as operators are happy to recuperate any of the costs and sell the flight for a deal—well, a deal for an entire private jet.

Private jet services such as Jettly and XO will often list their current empty leg deals and routes online.

What is a private jet card membership and how does it work?

A common way to access private jet service is through a private jet card membership. You pay a fee upfront—typically in the range of $100,000 to $200,000, according to Private Jet Card Comparisons , a site that allows users to compare the different programs available. Then private jet flights will be deducted from your initial deposit, typically at a set cost per hour. Hourly rates range from about $2,000 to $4,000 for a turboprop or smaller private jet up to $20,000 or more for a midsize or larger private jet that can fly longer-haul journeys.

“A jet card refers to debit card–style program that typically enables you to prepay for private jet flights at a fixed hourly rate with guaranteed availability,” Private Jet Card Comparisons explains on its site .

There are dozens of companies that sell private jet cards, including Air Charter Service, Air Partner, Airshare , Airstream Jets Inc., Alliance Aviation, Charter Flight Group, Delta Private Jets, Inc., Flexjet, International Jet, JetSuite, Jettly, Magellan Jets , Netjets, PrivateFly, Privé Jets, Quantum Jets, Unity Jets, VistaJet, and Wheels Up , among numerous others. Some companies specialize in shorter, domestic flights, while others offer access to global destinations, such as VistaJet .

For a fee of $250 , Private Jet Card Comparisons breaks down the options and what each card and program have to offer.

Pricing for private jet charters depends on the size and type of aircraft—and the distance you need to fly.

The benefits of flying private

Avoid the crowds at the airport.

If you fly a private jet out of a major airport, you won’t be going through the main commercial air terminals. Most private jet operators use a designated area adjacent to a major airport for check-in, security, boarding, and disembarkation. Some have converted these areas into sleek lounge spaces for more comfortable waiting environments. But the bottom line is, you won’t be going through the same check-in procedures and security lines as everyone else at the airport—you will have a separate, more secluded area only for private fliers. (Prior to check-in, make sure to establish what the luggage restrictions are as well as those for flying with animals—they will vary depending on the size of the aircraft and by operator, though many typically have standard luggage allowances and allow pets to come along.)

Access to more destinations

Many private jet flights skip the larger, more bustling hubs opting instead to take off and land at smaller airstrips that are less congested. Those smaller airports can often get travelers even closer to their destination than a larger hub would, meaning less travel time to and from the aircraft itself. Access to destinations that don’t have regular commercial service or any service at all is another huge potential bonus of flying private.

Customized travel

When looking to book a private jet, travelers can customize the experience to their needs and wants (and budgets), including the size and style of the aircraft and the level of service. This can also translate into more work for the customer as it’s not as easy as simply going online and booking a flight—some back-and-forth communication is required between the private jet operator and the clients as they establish exactly which aircraft, flight routes, and service will be needed. The payoff is arguably worth it when you find the private flying experience that perfectly suits your desires.

The environmental impact of flying private

We’re not going to sugarcoat it. Flying private does not have a good track record when it comes to the environment. In a November 2019 report , U.K.-based nonprofit group Fellow Travellers together with economic democracy advocacy organization Common Wealth estimated that on average a private jet passenger journey within Europe emits around 7 times the greenhouse gases as the same business-class flight and around 10 times as much as an economy-class flight. Consequently, the report advocates for the rapid electrification of the private jet sector, which it notes is the segment of the air industry that is most amenable to going fully electric in the very near future.

That was confirmed by writer Elissa Garay in her AFAR article “ Electric Planes Are Coming Sooner Than You Think ,” which noted that some of the biggest gains in electric air travel include smaller two- to nine-passenger private electric planes.

Investments in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft are being made by companies that include Boeing, Airbus, NASA, and Toyota, as well as startups, such as California’s Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation, Germany’s Lilium, and the U.K.’s Vertical Aerospace, Garay reports.

While the Biden administration is making a big push to reduce air emissions by focusing on a switch to more sustainable aviation fuels, environmental organizations continue to emphasize that the biggest impact in the private aviation space will ultimately be a gradual conversion to fully electric flights.

This story was originally published in 2019 and was updated on August 16, 2023, to include current information.

All the Ways to Fly Private, Starting at $100 Per Flight

Private jet travel took off in a big way during the pandemic. Flying private, which has long been viewed as a swanky, sometimes out-of-reach indulgence, suddenly became much more attractive in the era of social distancing. And as a flurry of new players entered the market in response to demand, the prices, long considered sky-high, became more accessible as well.

These days, relaxing in privacy at 35,000 feet no longer requires access to your own personal G5. There are now dozens of options for travelers looking to take to the skies in seclusion, many of them with ticket prices that deliver less sticker shock than you might expect. And the fact that most services operate out of smaller airports and private terminals has become even more appealing since the start of the pandemic, increasing demand.

Air Charter Service, the world's largest private aircraft broker, saw its new clients increase 25 percent in 2021. Many of them made the leap to private because it offered a pathway to reunite with family, says Caitlin Uhlmann, CEO of the company's Chicago office. In 2022, one in four of those first-time clients went on to book again and are now repeat clients.

“Being in the industry over 12 years, I’ve never experienced the wave of new clientele and limited aircraft availability due to demand as I had in the last two years,” Uhlmann says. “It doesn’t seem that private travel will slow down in the near future.”

Learning to navigate the multitude of companies and different categories of private air travel—from fly-share services to fractional ownership—can feel overwhelming. Below is a primer on some of the ways to score a seat on a private aircraft. 

Charter open marketplaces

These days, all it takes is a strong Wi-Fi connection (and a handy app or two) to get yourself into a private plane. A number of newer services are connecting fliers directly with charter operators, allowing you to browse, book, and buy within minutes.

JetASAP , a free, self-service app that defines itself as an “Airbnb for air travel,” launched in November 2020, allowing fliers to secure and book private flights directly from their smartphones. There’s a free feature to search in both the app and website, and unlimited access is available for $79.99/month or $399.99/year. Fliers are never required to pay a commission—just punch in a flight request, which includes your airport of departure and preferred flight times. Live operators respond with quotes and can answer any questions, and members get access to an exclusive list of more than 1,000 bookable daily trips.

Another newcomer to the private aviation sphere,  FlyJets  debuted in January 2020. The platform operates like a travel search engine, allowing customers to filter results via their preferred aircraft size, location, and desired departure time. An app, with features including automated scheduling, is set to debut before the end of 2022. Prices can be as much as 50 percent lower than the costs of an average charter, and booking options include full charters, seats on shared charters, and group-purchases. Travelers can even bid on flights that lack a fixed price. They can also earn rewards for flying green, with carbon offsets delivered directly to their user dashboard.

Flyjets enables users to sort results by preferred aircraft size and desired departure time.

Traditional chartering services

If you want to get in the air without strings attached, but need a little more guidance in which plane to choose, charters are a great option. Charter companies work with dozens of private air operators to locate your ideal flight and manage door-to-door logistics, with no long-term commitment required. Many also offer the option to purchase a jet card, which you can load up either with a fixed number of flight hours or with money you spend like a debit card. The field is a crowded one: along with Wheels Up and Blade, there’s also Air Partner, Private Fly, and Jettly, among others. 

Founded in 2019, Aero offers white-glove service on a fleet of sleek 16-seater black jets. The company flies to Aspen, Colorado; Los Cabos, Mexico; Sun Valley, Idaho ; Los Angeles (Van Nuys and LAX); San Francisco ; London ; Ibiza; and Nice, France . Flights to Switzerland are coming at the end of 2022. Tickets on most routes run $1,000 per leg.

Blade  is a popular choice for city-based travelers. It connects fliers not just with jets but also turboprops, seaplanes, and helicopters in their contracted fleet via a user-friendly app. Its Blade One planes offer seasonal service from  NYC  to  Miami , Palm Beach, and Aspen. A jaunt from NYC to Miami on BladeOne starts at $2,975 per leg. There's no membership required and fliers can purchase multipacks of flight passes on certain routes.

Founded in 2013,  Wheels Up  provides access to more than 1,500 aircraft, with a fleet that includes gold-standard planes like the King Air 350i and Citation X. Initially, its offerings were only accessible via three tiers of membership. But late last year, it rolled out the Wheels Up app, which also allows non-members to browse and book one-off flights. Wheels Up Connect memberships have a $2,995 initiation fee plus annual dues of $2,495, and rates jump up from there. Core memberships, which cost $17,500 plus $8,500 in annual dues, include guaranteed access to certain tiers of aircraft plus access to bespoke partners like Abercrombie & Kent, Hertz, Tropic Ocean Airways, and more.

Fly-sharing

Fly-share companies are the easiest on the wallet. Companies like Surf Air , and JSX enable travelers to snag a coveted seat on a private jet charter—sometimes for as little as $100 each way—sharing space with only a handful of other passengers and enjoying perks like no security lines and departure from  private terminals . Here's an in-depth  breakdown of popular fly-share operators  and what each one offers.

JSX, a semi-private carrier, offers flights on 30-seat jets, out of private terminals, starting at $249 each way. The company currently serves 18 markets including Austin, Texas ; Los Angeles ; Miami ; and Westchester County, New York. Thanks to a new partnership with United Airlines, travelers can earn United MileagePlus miles for their flights.

Wheels Up offers three tiers of membership.

Membership programs 

For more frequent fliers, membership programs can be attractive. Through tiered subscription programs, you’ll pay a monthly or annual fee that unlocks access to an entire fleet of aircrafts that can then be booked on demand. 

Interest in this company is skyrocketing—new client memberships are at the highest they have ever been, and sales in the first months of 2022 were up 185 percent from the same period in 2021. VistaJet’s fleet of silver and red aircraft includes corporate jets and the long-range Bombardier Global 7500, which has a bedroom and full-size kitchen. Membership options include VistaJet VJ25, a three-year private flight subscription for those who fly between 25 and 49 hours per year.

With a $100 monthly membership fee and one-way flights starting at $750,  Set Jet  is one of the most affordable private air travel options on the market. Founded in 2014, the West Coast-based company currently offers domestic routes from  Los Angeles , San Diego , Orange County, Scottsdale , Las Vegas , San Francisco , and Cabo San Lucas, with seasonal charters to Aspen and Salt Lake City . And it’s growing fast—its fleet of Bombardier aircraft will soon also be taking off from  New York , with expansions into Florida and Texas also in the works. It offers good news for spontaneous travelers, too: Set Jet members can book a new flight up to 24 hours before takeoff and snag a seat on an existing flight up to 30 minutes before wheels go up.

One of the largest private aviation firms globally, XO Members and clients have access to more than 2,450 private jets across cabin classes. Seats or entire charters can be booked via the XO mobile app. XO Shared Membership is $595 per year, reducing the seat price for every booking including flights between New York and South Florida that are now offered up to four times daily, seven days a week.

Sentient Jet

Sentient Jet is the inventor of the Jet Card, which allows users to buy 25 hours of flights at a time and choose the aircraft size that fits their needs. The SJ25 Card offers access to light aircraft at a price of $174,375 for 25 hours; SJ25+ gets you 25 hours on mid, super-mid, and large-cabin jets for $224,622.

Magellan Jets

This Boston -based private aviation provider also offers charters, but an easier entry point is their membership program. Explorer100 Private Jet Members receive fixed-rate pricing across four cabin-size categories. With a starting account of $100,000, members receive a 12-month rate lock, guaranteed WiFi on flights, and long-leg/round-trip discounts.

Fractional ownership 

With fractional ownership, your piece of the pie is allocated in hours. Owners purchase a portion or share of an aircraft, which is doled out in hours of flight time. The bigger the share, the more hours you get in the air; and unlike membership programs, it's a one-time investment. Companies like NetJets , the granddaddy of private aviation companies, and Flexjet , whose young fleet includes Embraer's super-light Phenom 300 and the ultra-long-range Gulfstream G450, offer ownership starting at a one-sixteenth interest in an aircraft. Buyers should still be prepared to shell out at least $500,000 and often much more.

This story has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

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If you’re interested in using a private jet charter service, our private jet cost calculator can help you estimate the associated costs for your chosen route and aircraft combination. This valuable insight allows you to weigh the benefits of chartering a private jet against other travel options, ultimately helping you make the best decision for your needs and budget.

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For those considering purchasing a private jet, our private jet cost calculator provides an estimated ownership cost for your chosen route and aircraft. It’s important to note that this estimate does not include fixed costs such as maintenance or storage fees. However, it can still offer valuable insight into the potential expenses involved in owning a private jet and help you make a more informed decision.

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How Much Does a Private Jet Cost?

Flying staff.

Have you ever imagined owning your own private jet and soaring the skies in your own personal aircraft? Buying a private jet may not be as unimaginable as one might think. Learn how much a private jet costs, the pros and cons of owning a private jet, and what factors to consider when entering the market for a personal aircraft. Some choose to charter a private jet before owning one so that they can determine what type suits their needs. For that, check out our private jet charter cost estimator .

Should You Buy a Private Jet?

Before answering, there are many factors to consider when buying a private jet. The initial cost of the aircraft will cost $1.1 million to $90 million , brand new, however, used jets will still cost millions of dollars. Beyond the initial costs, there are many other costs to consider, such as fuel, maintenance and repairs, storage, registration, and flight crew costs. You will also want to consider where you will fly and how often you will use your private jet when selecting an aircraft type and budget for your private jet costs. We will also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of owning a private jet, along with how to finance your purchase. 

Factors to Consider When Buying a Private Jet

• Your Travel Routine: How often you fly, how far you travel, and how many passengers you wish to fly are all factors to consider when selecting the size of a private jet.
• New or Used: Used planes cost significantly less than brand new planes, however, you will want to consider the maintenance, repair, and upkeep costs. 
• Number of Crew Members: The cost of a qualified crew can cost upwards of $215,000 annually, depending on the size of the private jet. So, you will need to budget for necessary crew members.
• Fuel and Maintenance Costs: You will need to budget a realistic amount annually for fuel, as well as, maintenance repairs, some of which can be unexpected. A windshield could crack costing you $10,000 to replace, so it is important to have available funds for potential mishaps.

Costs Involved with Owning a Private Jet

As mentioned, there are additional costs, to the jet itself, to think about when considering buying a private jet. 

Jet Pricing and Fuel Costs

The larger the jet engine, the higher the hourly cost for fuel . You will want to consider how much fuel you plan to use and what the hourly fuel cost averages for the private jet(s) you are interested in purchasing. The type of jet, tank capacity, gallons per hour of fuel burned, and the average cost of jet fuel in your region should all be considered when calculating estimated fuel costs .

The Hourly Rate

The hourly rate refers to the total cost of operating a private jet per hour. Crew costs, handling fees, landing fees, and aircraft repositioning fees, are all examples of costs that go into the total hourly rate of operation. For example, a propeller plane averages around $2,000 per hour, whereas a large 10-16 passenger jet can run $7,500 per hour. 

Insurance(s)

Private jet insurance is available for liability, medical, hull coverage, and legal defense. The standard minimum liability covers up to $1,000,000 in damages and $100,000 per passenger, but higher premiums are available for more coverage and additional policies are required for hull (damage to the jet), and potential legal defense. 

Airport Clearance Charges

Fees for landing and use of airports vary depending on the airport and the weight of the aircraft. Fees can also be added for long term waits, crew per diems, overnight, de-icing, etc. The clearance fees can amount to several hundred dollars, but are sometimes waived if refueling. 

Maintenance and Repairs

Private jets are costly to maintain and repair and the amount will vary based on type of aircraft, age of the aircraft, and frequency of use. As a general rule, you can expect to absorb between $500,000 and $1,000,000 in maintenance costs annually. 

Storage Costs

Unless you own an airplane hangar, you will need to factor the cost of storage into your annual operating budget. It is recommended that you are utilizing a minimum of 100 flight hours per year to justify the ownership of a private jet. As an example, a $1,000,000 private jet will require enough space to cost around $3000 per month to store. 

Your private jet will require an experienced flight crew to assist with passengers and operations. An overnight flight crew within the U.S. can cost approximately $750 for a midsize jet and can double for a long range flight. A full time flight crew for a large aircraft can cost over $200,000 per year. 

Upgrading/Add-ons

If you are not buying a private jet that is brand new, you may consider upgrades or add-ons to your used aircraft. You may wish to add value by upgrading the interior of your jet or decrease fuel cost by adding winglets to your jet. You may also be required by law to make certain upgrades to meet current requirements. For example, mandates may require certain avionics systems to be upgraded or installed to legally fly your private jet. 

The top five value added upgrades are --

• Avionics System Upgrades
• LED Lighting
• High-Speed Internet & Wi-Fi
• Enhanced Vision Systems

Privacy and Confidentiality

Owning your own private jet can provide privacy and confidentiality for those who wish to avoid public air travel. No security checkpoints or lines of people in the airport. Celebrities and high profile business executives often fly on private jets for safety and security reasons. 

Passenger Safety Costs

Private jets offer safety advantages to passengers which come at an added cost as compared to commercial aircraft. Private jet companies contract with third-party companies to ensure that they meet FAA requirements and regulations, which results in frequent safety checks at every level. Private hangers offer passengers a way to relax while minimizing contact with other travelers as they would encounter in a public terminal, thus increasing their safety. Safety is also increased with fewer passengers on board, shorter distances traveled to smaller airports, and the ability to fly above air traffic and inclement weather. 

How To Finance a Private Jet

Most people do not have the millions of dollars in available cash to buy a private jet, therefore, financing is the most popular method of purchase. There are several methods of financing available to acquire a private jet. 

Leasing a private jet is a popular option for many whose flight requirements are 50 hours or more annually and wish to have ownership benefits without the long term financial commitment. Leasing allows use of a private jet without the upfront purchase cost and also avoids depreciation at the end of the lease. 

Personal Loans

Many lenders, such as traditional banks and aviation lenders offer personal loans for private jet financing. As with auto financing, factors such as age, make/model, history, and down payment will affect the terms and interest rates of your personal loan. 

Charter Flight Memberships

Charter flight memberships are another option of acquiring the use of a private jet while maintaining the feeling of private jet ownership. Charter companies offer memberships, often with an annual and/or monthly fee plus the cost of the flight. Members enjoy a choice from a fleet of private jets, assistance with flight booking, flexible travel, security, and privacy. Chartering a jet can range from $1,300 - $6,000 per hour for medium sized jets and increase to $10,000 - $16,000 per hour for larger jets. 

Advantages of Buying a Private Jet

As you can imagine, there are several advantages to buying a private jet. Not only does private jet ownership provide an elite status symbol, it also lends additional perks from privacy and confidentiality to accessibility and complete customization options for your private jet. 

By owning a private jet, you can avoid the hassle of public air travel which considerably cuts down on the number of travelers encountered. Private jets allow you to bypass security checkpoints and public travel registrations. 

Customization

Options for your own private jet are your choice, so you can customize your entire hull to meet your specific needs. Maybe a full kitchen is important for entertaining guests, or an office space to conduct business is necessary, or a full custom workout space is a top priority. 

Accessibility 

The ability to travel to remote areas or destinations away from major airports is an additional advantage to buying a private jet.

Disadvantages of Buying a Private Jet

As with any large purchase, there are also disadvantages to buying a private jet, such as a number of ancillary costs, operational challenges, and depreciation concerns.

Initial Investment and Upkeep Costs 

Obviously, buying a private jet has a large upfront cost. Even if the purchase is financed, the down payment and likely upgrade costs are significant. Once the aircraft is ready to fly, you will incur ongoing maintenance costs. Parts wear down and break, debris collisions can happen, and fuel and fluids need replaced. 

Hiring and Managing Flight Staff 

Operating a private jet also requires crew members who are highly skilled to assist in the operation of your private jet. The size and subsequent cost of a flight staff depends on whether or not you pilot the plane yourself, the size of your private jet, the frequency of use, and the number of passengers transported.

Buying vs. Chartering a Private Jet

The decision to buy or charter a private jet is not only dependent upon your budget, it also depends on your frequency and method of use. For example, if you fly frequently but stay at destinations for long periods of time, crew and storage costs will increase. Buying a private jet has higher upfront costs and maintenance costs, while chartering a private jet allows you to avoid these costs by providing an hourly fee for usage of the private jet. We have listed out the pros and cons of buying a private jet and explained how chartering a private jet works, which should help you decide on which method is best for your specific circumstance.

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Can You Afford a Private Jet? Pricing and Costs Explained

A private jet can cost anywhere between $200,000 for an old used plane to hundreds of millions of dollars for the newest, largest private jets.

Purchasing a private can be extremely expensive compared to chartering one, so many people prefer to charter than outright buying a private jet.

A chartered private jet costs substantially less since it only requires passengers to pay per flight hour instead of also being responsible for paying for the plane itself, as well as the pilot’s salaries and other expenses, including hefty maintenance costs.

Chartering a private jet can be even less expensive if you obtain a private jet membership. 

Table of Contents

• 1 Cost of Buying a Private Jet
• 2 The Cheapest Private Jet You Can Buy
• 3.1 Very Light Jets
• 3.2 Small Light Jets 
• 3.3 Super Light Jets 
• 3.4 Midsize Jets 
• 3.5 Super Midsize Jets 
• 3.6 Heavy Jets 
• 3.7 Ultra-Long-Range Heavy Jets 
• 3.8 Executive Liners/Bizliners 
• 4 Consider Private Jet Membership Instead
• 5 Is Buying or Chartering a Private Jet Worth It?
• 6.1 Personal Loans 
• 6.2 Leasing
• 7 5 of the Most Popular Private Jets to Buy or Charter

Cost of Buying a Private Jet

The cost of buying a new private jet is between $2 million to $100 million, depending on the plane’s size, range, and features.

Second-hand private jets are substantially cheaper than new ones, since private jets rapidly depreciate.

Once purchased, private jets also involve high maintenance costs. 

The Cheapest Private Jet You Can Buy

The Cirrus Vision Jet is the cheapest private jet with a price tag $2 million.

But you could potentially purchase a used private jet for as low as $200,000.

Used Learjets can cost as little as $230,000, such as the Learjet 23.

Cost of Chartering a Private Jet

Chartering a private jet costs between $1,000 to $10,000 per flight hour depending on the type of jet.

Very Light Jets

The cost of chartering a very light small private jet ranges between $1,100 – $3,000 per flight hour depending on the aircraft’s model, price, and the chartering company’s location. 

Small Light Jets 

The average cost of chartering a small light jet ranges between $2,000 – $4,000 per flight hour depending on the aircraft’s model, fuel prices, and the chartering company’s location. 

Super Light Jets 

Super light jets have more cabin and luggage space than light jets and very light jets.

So their price per flight hour is higher and costs between $3,500 to $5,000. 

Midsize Jets 

Midsize jets have comfortable, luxurious interiors with a passenger capacity between 5-10, so they’re mostly used for business purposes.

As such, mid-sized cabin private jets cost between $4,000 to $6,500 per flight hour on average.

Super Midsize Jets 

Super mid-sized cabin jets have wider bodies with higher speeds, longer-range capabilities, and even more luxurious interiors along with being able to hold 8 – 11 passengers.

Their cost per flight hour ranges between $5,000 to $7,500 per flight hour. 

Heavy Jets 

Heavy jets provide excellent comfort for long haul flights, and they can carry between 10 and 20 passengers.

The cost of chartering a heavy jet is between $6,500 and $8,000 per flight hour.

Ultra-Long-Range Heavy Jets 

Ultra-long-range jets can comfortably cross oceans, so they’re almost entirely used by multinational corporations to make non-stop ocean-crossing flights.

Their chartering costs are also high, with the average cost being between $9,000 to $14,000.

The most expensive ultra-long-range private jets, like the Gulfstream G700 , can even cost $18,000 per flight hour. 

Executive Liners/Bizliners 

Executive liners are large, typically converted commercial airline aircraft used by the world’s elite.

These planes can vary considerably in size and interior, since every plane can be heavily customized.

The cost of chartering an executive liner starts at $39,000 per flight hour. 

Consider Private Jet Membership Instead

A private flight club membership provides you with short-notice booking for both domestic and international flights at set rates per flight hour.

You can purchase a private jet membership from a charter company, who will then let you use their fleet.

Private jet membership subscriptions are normally sold in annual increments, with a minimum term of one year.

Some private charter flights even offer fractional jet ownership. 

So, simply put, having a private jet membership reduces the cost of flying in private jets.

Is Buying or Chartering a Private Jet Worth It?

Owning a private jet gives you complete freedom over the plane and removes the need to work with an outside company.

But, purchasing a private jet involves a very high up-front and long-term costs since the plane itself costs millions of dollars if new, and at least $200,000 for the very cheapest second-hand models.

Owning a private jet also means you’re responsible for the pilot and flight crew’s salaries and the jet’s maintenance and repair costs, including the purchase of fuel.

In contrast, chartering a private jet gives you less control over the aircraft, buy arguably gives you more flexibility.

For example, you could charter multiple flights in different locations and take off from anywhere instead of depending on a single plane.

Chartering a private jet is likely to cost less long-term, even for the most frequent of flyers, since you’re only charged an hourly fee instead of having to buy the plane itself, as well as paying for any maintenance costs.

So, chartering a private jet is more flexible and less expensive than buying one, but buying a private jet would give you more control over the aircraft.

In the end, the right choice depends on the traveler’s needs. 

The Best Ways of Financing a Private Jet

You can finance a private jet through either leasing or by obtaining a personal loan. 

Personal Loans 

You can obtain a personal loan from a bank or financial institution to buy a plane like you would buy a house.

Loans for a private jet would require millions of dollars, so you would need a very strong financial history. 

Many private jet owners lease their planes to help generate revenue when not using their aircraft themselves. 

Plane owners offer both dry leasing , which involves leasing a plane without a pilot, crew members, or insurance, and wet leasing, which includes a pilot, crew, and insurance.

Leasing is a great way to test and experience a plane without immediately financially committing to it long-term. 

5 of the Most Popular Private Jets to Buy or Charter

• Embraer Phenom 100 EV: The Embraer phenom 100 EV is a light, entry-level plane with 5 passenger seats.
• Cessna Citation Mustang: The Cessna Citation Mustang is a popular private aircraft that’s known for its luxury leather interior. 
• Gulfstream G100: The Gulfstream G100 is a long-distance aircraft with 7 passenger seats. 
• Dassault Falcon 8X: The Dassault Falcon 8X is an impressive business jet with 12 passenger seats that comes in 30 different layouts.
• Bombardier Learjet 35: The Bombardier Learjet 35 is a long-distance plane that has a strong fuel economy. 

In conclusion, a private jet costs anywhere between $200,000 to millions of dollars.

The cheapest private jets are old second-hand planes, and the most expensive planes are the largest, newest planes that provide an unmatched, luxurious flying experience.

Purchasing a private jet is significantly more expensive than chartering a private jet, since chartering a jet only involves paying an hourly fee.

It’s even possible to reduce the cost of chartering a plane by becoming a member of a private jet club.

Helen Krasner

Helen Krasner holds a PPL(A), with 15 years experience flying fixed-wing aircraft; a PPL(H), with 13 years experience flying helicopters; and a CPL(H), Helicopter Instructor Rating, with 12 years working as a helicopter instructor.

Helen is an accomplished aviation writer with 12 years of experience, having authored several books and published numerous articles while also serving as the Editor of the BWPA (British Women Pilots Association) newsletter, with her excellent work having been recognized with her nomination of the “Aviation Journalist of the Year” award.

Helen has won the “Dawn to Dusk” International Flying Competition, along with the best all-female competitors, three times with her copilot.

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• Owning a private jet is costly, with prices ranging from $3 million to $75 million, plus maintenance fees, airport fees, and wages for pilots and crew.
• Chartering a private jet can cost between $2000 and $11,000 per hour, depending on the size of the aircraft and the length of the flight.
• Different types of jets have varying seating capacities and ranges, with prices ranging from $1 million to $440 million, depending on the model and whether it is new or used.

When it comes to private jets , there really are two options. You can buy outright or you can charter a private jet. Each has its advantages and disadvantages , but here we look at the costs involved.

Owning a jet

Buying a private jet can cost anywhere from $3 million to $75 million upwards, so it is an expensive toy to play with. Added to that, maintenance fees can cost between $500,000 and $1 million yearly. Then there are airport and hangar fees as well as the wages for pilots and cabin crew. The price of a new aircraft can vary immensely depending on its features, the size, and the range of the aircraft.

Also, customization of the interior, the avionics, and the engines used. A used Gulfstream can be bought for around $32 million, whereas a new Bombardier Global 7500 would cost around $73 million. If the aircraft is being used for less than 150 hours per year, private jet rental can seem a more economical option as you cut back on those extra fees.

Chartering a private jet

This is achieved by renting the whole jet by the hour. The price will vary considerably depending on the size of the aircraft, how many passengers there are, and the length of the flight. A typical private jet charter can cost anywhere between $2000 and $11,000 per hour. In simple terms, hiring a six-seater jet could cost around $5000 per hour.

So a flight of three hours would cost $15,000, making each seat worth $2500. Compared to some first or business-class seats, it doesn't sound like a huge leap but would not be available to the everyday economy traveler. Private jet programs can also be an option, where 'owners' share an aircraft or buy so many hours of travel on the jet.

Very light jets

Very light jets such as the Embraer Phenom 100, Cessna Citation Mustang, and Eclipse 500 hold between four and seven passengers and can manage a flight of up to three hours. Used, they will cost between $1 million and $2.98 million. A new jet of this class averages $4.5 million. They have lower operating costs as they can use shorter runways and cost $2-3 per mile to operate.

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Light jets generally have a private bathroom and room for eight passengers. Examples would be The Embraer Phenom 300E, Learjet 35, and Hawker 400XP. These would set you back $1.89 million used and new $5.75 million.

Want answers to more key questions in aviation? Check out the rest of our guides here .

Midsize jets

These jets seat around seven passengers and can travel up to five hours. The Gulfstream G200 and the Cessna Citation XLS are good examples. They can cost anywhere between $9.9 million to $29 million depending on whether new or used.

Super midsize jets

Options in this class include the Cessna Citation X, Bombardier Challenger 300 and Embraer Legacy 500. These have a range of around 6,200 kilometers and a flight time of five to six hours. These have seven to nine seats and a bathroom, and a small galley.

Heavy jets such as Bombardier's Challenger 604 and Challenger 850 and the Gulfstream G550 seat between 12 and 14 passengers. They have a designated galley, up to two bathrooms and a stand-up cabin and separate room areas. These aircraft can cost anywhere between $15 and $30 million dollars, used and can travel intercontinental routes without having to refuel.

Ultra long-range heavy jets

The ultra-long-range heavy jets tend to seat 17–19 passengers and can have separate living areas and full-size beds. Their range is between 8,500 and 14,630 kilometers, examples being the Dassault Falcon 7X, Bombardier Global 7500 and Gulfstream G650ER. These can be bought new for around $72 million.

Airliners can be classed as the Airbus Corporate Jet and Boeing Business Jets which sell for up to $440 million (depending on size) and have an average range of 10 hours.

• Private Aviation

Jet Charter Quote

Private jet charter cost estimator, private jet cost.

How much does a private jet charter cost? A private charter flight cost depends on aircraft size, distance and locations you are traveling, trip duration and other factors. Get an estimate on private jet charter prices with our flight cost calculator or see our charts below for more details. We have a large, diverse charter fleet and access to thousands of aircraft worldwide. We will provide the perfect jet for your next flight.

Use our interactive map to receive an instant jet charter quote.

Private Jet Prices

Rates provided include the aircraft, crew, and fuel, and are not inclusive of additional trip specific related expenses such as aircraft positioning flight time, overnight expenses, international handling, federal excise taxes, etc. Contact one of our travel advisors to obtain a guaranteed private jet price quote for your specific aircraft and itinerary.

Private Jet Charter Estimate

Private jet rental prices are estimated and quoted as either same-day round trip flights or include one overnight stay. Private jet rental costs may increase for multi-night stays, changes to the itinerary and other variables. Contact a travel advisor and request a personal flight analysis for a more detailed quote.

Sample One-Way Jet Charter Costs

What is a private jet charter.

A private jet charter is when an individual or company hires a private jet charter company, authorized by the FAA under FAR part 135, to conduct a flight between two or more points. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 135 grants authorization to a company through Air Carrier Certificate to offer on-demand flights on private jets.

How can I charter a private jet?

To charter a private jet, contact an FAA Part 135 certified Air Carrier like Clay Lacy Aviation who is authorized by the FAA to conduct private jet charter flights for individuals, businesses and governments.

How much does it cost to charter a private jet?

Private jets are chartered by the hour ranging from $3,500 to $18,000 per hour and vary by the size, make, model, and age of the private jet. Sample round-trip quotes include: New York to Los Angeles on a Gulfstream G450 – $102,000. Los Angeles to Aspen on a light jet – $21,500.

What is included in the cost of chartering a private jet?

Private jets are chartered by the hour ranging from $3,500 to $18,000 per hour and vary by the size, make, model, and age of the private jet. This cost includes the use of the entire jet to any location in the world including crew members, fuel, etc. Additional costs beyond the hourly rate can include overnight parking charges, highly customized catering, international handling fees for permits and landing rights.

How to find the best private jet charter company?

The best private jet charter companies are certified by the FAA as Air Carriers and should provide you with their Air Carrier Certificate. In addition, they should be audited and certified by third party safety providers Wyvern Wingman and ARGUS Platinum .

Can you get a last minute private jet charter?

Private jet charters are offered “on-demand” which means they are not pre-scheduled flights, but flights that are conducted when and where the passenger requests. You can schedule last minute private jet charters however it will usually take between 3-6 hours from the time of booking to takeoff which allows the crew time to get to the airport and prepare the plane for your flight.

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Private Jet Rental Cost

How much does it cost to charter a private jet.

The Private Jet Charter Rates listed below are generally displayed on your private air charter quote, but since all flights are individually priced and jet charter rates are personalized, be sure to check your quote directly.

Although it may sound complicated or even intimidating for novice private flyers, don’t worry at all, we try to make it as simple as possible and are happy to answer any question you have with complete transparency.

By supplying a simple breakdown of “Flight Charges” which covers most fees, the only additional fees you should see displayed on your air charter quote should be ground transportation, catering, customs/taxes and international fees, making the process of flying a lot easier.

Private Jet Charter Rates Vary Depending on the Following:

• Charter flight itinerary – The dates you are planning to travel, your airports of departure & arrival, and if there are any stops on the way creating a multiple leg flight.
• Aircraft availability – Many flights are booked using planes directly from the airport of departure. Sometimes it ends up being more cost-effective having us re-position an aircraft from a different location to pick you up from your preferred airport and accommodate your flight.
• Aircraft type – Different trips require different aircraft type. The length of your trip, the amount of passengers you are traveling with, or distance you will be traveling, could change what type of plane that is needed. You could use a smaller turbo prop airplane to go from one state to another but if you want to visit a different continent, you will surely need a heavy jet. Sometimes your flight is just to beat the traffic and a helicopter charter is your best bet. If you are an experienced flyer you may even have a preferred make or model plane.
• Catering – One of the best parts about flying private. You get to choose exactly what you want on board, whether it be your favorite wine, cheese & fruit platter, pancakes for dinner, fish, steak, veggie, or a Kosher meal. (If you are requesting to include these in your quote.)
• Ground transportation – Although we do not provide this service directly, we can assist in arranging through a third party vendor. You may require a limousine, town car, SUV or even armored transportation. (If you are requesting to include these in your quote.)
• Federal excise taxes, flight segment taxes
• International fees when traveling abroad – When flying to or from countries other than the USA it is expected that other countries have fees unique to their land and these are passed on directly to the flyer as they are taxes
• Customs fees & cross border fees (where applicable)

These are the main factors that can influence charter rates and your private jet charter cost . Other fees that may also influence the cost to charter a plane may include but not limited to the following. You should expect that these are automatically built into the “Flight Fee” section and will not be itemized.

• Landing fees – Each time the plane lands there are miscellaneous fees associated with towing the airplane, and ramp fees. These change by aircraft size and location.
• Fuel prices – This factor changes daily and varies between airports
• Additional crew fees – If you are on an intercontinental flight, or just have many hours of non-stop flying throughout the day, it is possible that additional pilots or flight attendants are required by the aviation laws. These are added in automatically for safety purposes.
• Incidental fees such as flight phone charges, De-icing, and pet clean up fees are not included as part of your private jet charter cost and are normally billed at actuals after your flight has completed, or can be charged directly to a credit card.

Private Jet Rental Costs in 2024

The cost to charter a private flight in 2024 starts at around $2,000 an hour* in a turboprop, $5,000 an hour* in a light jet, $7,000 an hour* in a midsize jet, and $10,000 an hour* or more for a long range jet or VIP airliner.

* Hourly charter rates displayed are based on market averages and previous trip as of 2023, and will vary based on a variety of factors ranging from year, makes and model of aircraft; routing, scheduling/availability, fuel prices and more, and do not include ramp, hangar, FBO, overnights, daily minimums, taxes, international fees, catering, ground transportation, or de-icing.

Instant Charter Quotes & Private Jet Rental Estimates

Our advisors provide a transparent, consultative approach to arranging private flights, and we’re happy to discuss the ever-changing factors that go into private jet rental costs in all areas of the globe.

Call us directly at +1 (888) 987-5387 for an instant private jet charter estimate from one of our advisors, or submit a request through our form to receive a free charter quote with all-inclusive, to-the-dollar pricing.

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Best for design enthusiasts, best for luxury, best subscription service, best for a wide range of aircrafts, flying private is cheaper than you think — here are 6 airlines to consider for your next flight.

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I'm a travel writer, but it's not always as glamorous as it sounds. When I fly, I often book commercial in coach for the best price to get my family of four where we need to go. 

However, there are posher options that are affordable on a case-by-case and route-by-route basis, and I'm not talking about first class.

Rather, it's entirely possible to fly private or semi-private. In some cases, it can even be cheaper than flying economy and removes the long waits and crowded lines associated with busy airports. And with boarding taking place in private hangars and planes allowing a much lower passenger count, private jets lend more naturally to social distancing. 

Considering that June had more private flights in the U.S. than any month since October 2007, and after my own positive experiences flying semi-private , I rounded up some of the best carriers, from chartering your own flight to booking a publicly available seat on a semi-private jet flight. The best part? They offer prices that the average person can afford.

Here are the best private jet companies with affordable prices:

Book a flight with JSX

JSX is a private regional airline that feels like a posh private-flying experience, except the public can purchase tickets. JSX caps flights at just 30 people and operates out of private terminals and hangars (technically known as "fixed-base operators," or FBOs), which are adjacent to many major airports.

JSX saw a 55% increase in new leisure-market customers from February 2020 to February 2021, according to a statistic provided by the brand's internal analytics team. I've flown it multiple times and always choose it when rates are cheaper or equivalent to flying commercial, which they often are.

With JSX , you'll bypass the traditional airport altogether and travel through a private jet terminal. You also won't encounter crowds and TSA lines, but can still feel secure since JSX uses TSA Secure Flight, the same TSA-provided background-check processes that major airlines use.

On ordinary or off-peak dates, the airfare is quite competitive (even lower than some budget carriers' for certain legs) and the experience is far superior, including snacks, drinks (alcoholic and non), checked bags, and pet fees.

Read our review of JSX here .

Book a flight with Aero

Aero is among the country's newest airlines, launching in February 2021. It offers premium seating on direct flights between private terminals, using custom-designed 16-seat jets; no flight will have more than 16 passengers.

This shared-charter model offers the benefits of private aviation — like bypassing commercial airport terminals and packed airliners — for a fraction of the cost with access to a curated list of coveted destinations.

Aero offers a seamless experience through its personalized concierge service available to all guests, which includes hosts giving personalized attention, from booking on-the-ground transportation and localized experiences to curating in-flight amenities and sourcing special beverages and artisan snacks — basically any preflight and post flight logistics that the passenger wants to be handled.

Interiors are designed by Aero's in-house design team (not common among startup airlines, where design is typically outsourced). Interiors include dynamic lighting, a custom Bongiovi Acoustic Lab sound system built into the panels of the walls for 360-degree sound, hand French-stitched Italian leather seat covers, custom suede sidewalls, and signature ultra-leather piping on the ceiling.

Book a flight with Set Jet

Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Set Jet is a membership-based private jet charter, available for security pre-screened and pre-approved members. While there is a monthly membership fee, if you fly often, the value can be quite strong.

Only members may fly and to be eligible, you must be a U.S. resident with a valid driver's license or passport issued domestically.

Set Jet facilitates private jet charters to six of the most frequently traveled destinations on the West Coast, as well as nonstop private jet charter flights between Los Angeles and New York City, and seasonal flights to Cabo San Lucas and Aspen. The service operates through private terminals without the traditional inconveniences related to commercial air travel.

Members fly on the Bombardier Challenger 850/CRJ 200 and CRJ900 aircraft, specifically customized with 15- to 19- seat cabin configurations. Top-end amenities and finishes make these planes resemble luxury hotel suites with high-gloss wood, marble accents, buttery leather, and plush carpeting. Pilots are typically military-trained jet fighter pilots with significant experience and pristine records.

Read our review of Set Jet here .

Book a flight with Wheels Up

Wheels Up allows travelers to book private charter flights at an all-inclusive hourly rate. Founded in 2013 and a publicly traded company as of July 2021, Wheels Up is one of the major players in private aviation, having acquired many others along the way.

Originally a membership-only model, the company now allows anyone to book available flights on-demand using the app. There are 1,500 planes in the fleet, including the King Air 350i (an eight-seater propeller jet), the Cessna Citation Excel/XLS in the middle category (with a four-hour range), and the ultra-fast and high-flying Cessna Citation X, with a large, posh cabin. It can fly over six hours nonstop.

I got to try out two of these on a company-sponsored trip between Los Angeles and Napa. With seven to 10 seats in each aircraft (compared with, say, 30 for JSX or up to 19 on Set Jet), Wheels Up offers a truly elite private jet experience. When I flew the Citation X, the cabin had eight luxurious leather seats and even a posh leather-covered loo. Snacks and beverages were available on-demand in a small lounge area, and the ride was smooth, quiet, and peaceful.

Wheels Up members also receive benefits at Wine Access, Waldorf Astoria hotels; pay-by-the-seat shuttle service from Westchester to Nantucket through Nantucket Shuttle Service; AmEx membership discounts; and many other perks and benefits.

Book a flight with SurfAir

Los Angeles-based Surf Air offers members access to private charter flights for a fixed monthly fee.

The service focuses on scheduled short-haul flights across California and Texas, with frequent flight options similar to commercial airlines but with the posh feel and perks of private air travel. Members can book trips via an easy-to-use mobile app, and then arrive at the airport just 15 minutes before takeoff without lines or crowds.

Memberships start at an accessible $199 per month, which allows access to all flights on a per-seat basis. For $999 per month, travelers get unlimited off-peak flights and access to buy everything else. Prices go up from there: for $2,999 per month, you can fly without limits across the entire network.

Book a flight on Blade

Blade allows travelers to book by the seat on scheduled flights throughout the Northeast and West Coast, or charter or crowdsource a flight anywhere in the world. The fleet includes not just jets but also helicopters, turboprops, and seaplanes for mega flexibility. In doing so, they offer many options at multiple price points for a range of travelers, and the diversity of the Blade fleet is unique in the field.

No membership is required to fly Blade . Users simply download the app or book online for scheduled flights. Travelers may also use the app to book their own private charter, crowdsourced charter, or individual seats on a scheduled flight.

In New York, it's become quite a popular way to reach JFK to connect to major flights as opposed to the slog of traffic.

Read our review of Blade here .

FAQ: Cheap private jet flights

How much does it cost to fly private.

It depends on the airline you choose. The ones on this list that are only semi-private start as low as $119 per flight with no membership fees. 

If you charter a totally private flight, however, expect to pay thousands of dollars in most cases.

What is the cheapest private jet company?

We've seen strong value on a per flight basis from JSX as their fares are pretty low so long as you don't book during peak times.

Subscription model private airlines, however, such as Set Jet or SurfAir come out as affordable in the long run if you're someone who flies frequently.

How do I find private flights?

Start with our list here. Many of these companies allow you to book cheap private flights either on their website or via their mobile app.

• Main content

RUNWAY GUIDE: A PERFECT MEDIUM IN PRIVATE JET MEMBERSHIPS

August 9, 2024.

Many travelers continue to endure the tediousness and unreliability of commercial travel, or even the on-demand charter market, despite having the resources for a private jet membership.

Often, the hesitations that prevent them from fully migrating to private travel are connected to the perceived large upfront financial commitment of whole or fractional aircraft Ownership and their need to preserve and maintain maximum liquidity.  

Leasing a private jet may be the ideal philosophy for those who prefer a scheduled, subscription-like approach to their jet access, but with a greatly decreased upfront deployment of capital.

To strike the ideal balance between preferred access, asset ownership responsibility and increased cash availability – private jet leases are an excellent option.

Learn how Flexjet encourages new entrants and seasoned flyers alike to view a lease as an ideal solution to either supplement flight time or explore more discerning levels of private aviation.  

THE IDEAL BALANCE BETWEEN JET CARD AND FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP

For those desiring a more consistent product than what the charter market can provide, fly with a frequency that makes purchasing hours on a card in 25-hour increments not the most cost-effective, but don’t have the appetite for fractional or whole aircraft ownership, leasing has evolved into a compelling sweet spot.

At Flexjet, our  aircraft leasing program  offers the premium advantages of purchasing a fractional share without the large upfront capital commitment.

Private jet subscriptions are best categorized as a jet lease program when they:

• Provide guaranteed access to flight time in a particular aircraft in a closed fleet.
• Are for a 3–5-year period of time.
• Require a monthly lease payment (or subscription fee) and an occupied hourly rate when you fly.

A jet lease may be suitable if you:

• Plan to fly 50 or more hours per year
• Need a higher level of flexibility in your travel arrangements
• Want to steer clear of significant capital deployment

At Flexjet, we rely on our decades of experience, our global fleet of world-class aircraft and our passion for genuinely elite travel to guide the creation of each program and its offerings.

Private jet leases at Flexjet are well-suited for those with interest in exploring the best private aviation has to offer, but at scheduled, short-term and predictive costs. We offer tailored solutions for individuals and businesses seeking the benefits of private aviation without the constraints of traditional ownership. It is undeniable they provide unparalleled convenience, luxury and personalized service.

Do you want to learn more about Flexjet’s unmatched programs and services? Contact our team  via our website  to discover more about our exclusive  exclusive fractional jet ownership ,  private jet lease , or a  premium charter on-demand jet program .

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• Here’s a Way to Choose Among the Dizzying Array of Jet-Card Options

They might seem the same, but the terms are so different that choosing the wrong program could have a significant financial impact. Here's one way to find the best solution.

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What’s in your wallet? If you’re a private flyer, there’s a good chance it’s a jet card.

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Sentient launched the industry’s first jet card in 1999, with terms that were recognizable to clients. Since then, the jet card concept has become popular for its simplicity and seeming proximity to a credit card. There’s something comforting about a pre-paid card with clear terms. In reality, jet cards have morphed into multiple forms, with dozens of providers tailoring their cards around very different conditions and pricing models.

The Covid newcomers, in late 2020, were forced to navigate this unfamiliar territory, enticed by brochures of smiling clients sipping champagne on beautiful jets. But when it came time for the client to choose a program, he or she faced a dizzying array of options that would most likely have a dramatic impact on the real cost of the flight.

“The collateral images of the jets and lifestyle are all beautiful,” says Doug Gollan , founder of Private Jet Card Comparisons . “But when you have 80 providers that offer 1,000 options it becomes extremely confusing.”

First-time fliers had to learn the language and hidden nuances of business aviation which, as most discovered, is more complex than booking a first-class seat on a commercial airline. Understanding fixed versus dynamic pricing, guaranteed availability, empty leg charges, lead times, jet types, blackout periods, and other restrictions, as well as dozens of other variables, along with inflexible terms that can penalize clients if they don’t stick with the plan, became necessary to walk the financial tightrope.  

When Gollan started Private Jet Card Comparisons in 2017, he positioned it as the Consumer Reports for private jets, providing breaking news about industry providers, while offering an objective comparison of programs. Members received detailed analyses of different programs, their terms. and bottom-line pricing for flights. “We started out by using XL spreadsheets to compare the many terms of different programs,” he says. “It was a manual, very time-consuming process. Today, it’s much more automated.”

Its upgraded Decider Custom Analysis Report, launched today, is now in a PDF format, resembling a report generated by a family office or wealth fund, with a logical presentation of firms. I filled out the 20-question form for new members to figure out the best fit program that would include 50 hours in a midsize jet from my home airport of Tampa, Fla., to Columbus, Ohio, where my mother lives.

The easy-answer questions led to a detailed 25-page analysis of seven aviation firms, from small boutique providers to the largest fractional firms (where you purchase a share in a specific aircraft type), along with detailed information about each, including service areas, history, fleet types and sizes, and costs of three flight scenarios from Tampa to Columbus, which varied substantially by provider.

The initial choices one makes will often determine the providers listed in the report. Gollan recalls receiving an angry call from a subscriber who complained about not having Wi-Fi on the recent flight. He asked the subscriber whether they’d specified Wi-Fi in the initial questionnaire: “They’d said no, and that was reflected in the choices we gave them.”

The report does not recommend one provider over the other but simply lays out apples-to-apples details for the client. Private Jet Card Comparisons, which receives no commission or paybacks from providers in the report, doesn’t perform financial due diligence on the providers. But it does have a link for breaking news, which is surprisingly hard-hitting, so any red flags about providers become apparent.

The report is presented in an easy-to-digest, thorough way in both a PDF and an Excel spreadsheet. “CFOs love the Excel version because they can go into more detail about the costs of different flight scenarios,” says Gollan.

But its real value could be time savings. “Nobody likes to spend hours researching multiple providers to find out the best match for their needs,” he says. “But they also want to make a smart choice for something that could potentially cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

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6 Most Expensive Private Jets in the World

Private Jet Charter Cost & Prices

Private jets can be one of the most convenient ways to get around to places in a short time and in the most luxurious way. You can skip to the next town without waiting in line at the airport in long queues or being stuck in traffic on the highway. However, depending on the type of activity you are looking to do or the purpose of taking a chartered plane, the cost and prices may differ.

Not everyone can invest in a charter jet of their own, but that does not mean that a private jet experience is one that is reserved for only those who own one. It is quite possible to rent a chartered plane and if you can afford it, it should not set you back more than a portion of your paycheck. So whether you want to take a trip to the Hamptons (which will be a short flight if you are traveling from the East Coast in the United States), or if you want to take a trip overseas, in which case the flight will be longer, there are different types of private jets you can select. The private jet charter cost and private jet charter prices will vary depending on which service you choose.

But since this is usually not a regular economy flying experience, you want to rent a type of private jet that is the most cost effective and is perfectly suited to your needs. In the following sections, you will be acquainted with the types of private jet available and the private jet charter cost and private jet charter prices that you may have to deal with.

What Impacts Private Jet Charter Prices

There are several factors that go into determining how much a ride on a private jet might set you back, as we’ll delve into deeper detail below. The following are some of the essential factors that add up to the private jet charter cost:

• Fuel Prices: As you know, fuel prices are constantly fluctuating. To make up for this fluctuation, a surcharge is usually added to the price of the ticket so that the difference between the projected cost and the actual cost of flying can be bridged.
• Aircraft & Runway: Flights actually need to book the runway and the gate for the airport they are landing at. Accordingly, the price of the ticket may vary based on the size and weight of the aircraft, which will determine the landing fee.
• Airport fees: The airline also needs to pay airport fees which includes all the services required to manage the aircraft once it is on the ground, such as ensuring there is fuel for refilling, cleaning the aircraft toilets, arranging passenger transport to and from the terminal, etc.
• Ramp fees: Ramp fees will likely be charged on return journeys if the plane is parked at an airport overnight or longer.
• Flight Crew & More: The cost of accommodating crew members in case of multi-leg journeys, including taxis to and from the airport and hotel.

Price Per Hour of a Private Jet Charter

As has been made quite evident above, since there are different types of private jets that you can rent, the private jet charter costs and private jet charter prices may vary. The following is a brief estimate or a ballpark figure for how much various private jet rental services may set you back.

Let’s begin with how much an air taxi service may cost. For example, a Piper Aztec may cost you approximately $2,900 per hour to fly from New York to Montauk. Meanwhile, a half an hour flight from Montauk to White Plains may cost $2,800 per hour on a Piper Seneca. If you want to take a few more people on board with you, a Cessna Citation jet may be a better option. A private charter flight on this service may cost approximately $3,900 per hour .

If you are looking to travel a longer distance and need to take more people on board, it might be best to upgrade to a mid size or super midsize charter plane. One of these planes will allow you to cover a longer distance within a shorter time. Some of the larger super midsize jet planes can also take you across the Atlantic on either side of the ocean. But even longer flights within the United States are best covered through these mid size or super midsize jets. For example, for a six-hour journey from Los Angeles to Washington, you can be at your destination for approximately $30,000 on a midsize Learjet 40/4oXR. This is typically a journey for 5-6 passengers . If there are more passengers on board, you can upgrade to a mid size jet like the Hawker Beechcraft 900XP, which is a more luxurious ride for approximately $38,000 and can accommodate around nine passengers . Both the services will approximately cost around $5,500 and $7,000, respectively, for every hour in the air.

Super Midsize

However, if you are looking to fly for longer than six hours, it is recommended that you opt for a super midsize. In the overall expense, you may end up spending less money with a super midsize jet than on a mid size jet for long distances. The problem with hiring a small plane to cover long distances is that you will need to stop at least once to refuel, depending on the duration of the journey. But with a super midsize jet, the private jet charter cost and private jet charter prices are balanced out. For example, for a nine-hour journey from Chicago to London, a journey on the Embraer Legacy 500 may cost you approximately $74,600 . This works out to approximately $8,776 per hour in the air . You can also take on board around 10-12 passengers on one of these private jets.

A heavy jet probably has the highest private jet charter cost and private jet charter prices, but it also allows you to take more people on board so the tariff can be divided. A heavy jet also offers other comforts like flight attendants, a wider cabin and other amenities that may be absent from other private jet experiences. For example, a long flight from New York City to London may be the most comfortable on a Gulfstream G550 . This is a luxurious private jet that can accommodate up to 16 passengers on board. This flight may cost you approximately $14,000 per hour in the air . There are also options for upgrading to more luxurious offerings, such as the Airbus A319 but such a luxury airline will also set you back accordingly. The private jet charter cost and private jet charter prices can also go up to the six digits in pricing.

Extra: Empty Legs

As is evident from the descriptions above, heavy jets can cost a lot of money and if you do not have as many passengers to take on board with you, the private jet charter cost may not get adequately balanced or divided. But there is a way to make this luxurious journey without shelling out as much money. Empty leg flights can reduce the cost of the journey by approximately 75% and are ideal for when you need to take a flight at the last minute. Whenever a private jet makes a one-way journey, it is likely to come back empty. The tickets for the journey back are offered to passengers for more reduced and subsidized prices. For example, for an air taxi or for a light jet , you may have to shell out approximately $1,300 and $3,000, respectively, per flying hour. For a midsize and super midsize flight , the private jet charter cost may be approximately $4,000 to $8,000 per flying hour. Finally, for a large or heavy jet , the private jet charter prices may be approximately $8,600 to $13,000 per flying hour.

Types of Private Jets: A More In-Depth Look

As seen above, there are a few different types of private jets that you can choose from, depending on the capacity and the distance that you expect to fly. They heavily impact the overall cost so it’s a great idea to really get to know the unique qualities and capacity of each type. The following are some of the main different types of private jets that you can consider renting for your trips.

An air taxi is a small aircraft, typically a commercial carrier, which is used to make short trips. These short flights can be taken on demand and often on short notice, provided all the paperwork is in order. There are several air taxi companies that operate in the private air vehicle space, such as Skyway, Linear, Airstream Jets, Inc, Volocopter, etc. Even cab aggregator Uber has been planning to launch an air taxi service that would revolutionize casual travel by the air.

A light jet, also known as a very light jet, is a small business jet that can seat between four to eight people. The jets are typically used by companies to fly senior management around, but can also be rented for private purposes. Typically, a very light jet has a maximum takeoff weight of 10,000 pounds or below. These are also jets that can do a relatively short distance but can stay in the air for at least three or four hours. Some of the popular light jet services are HondaJet, Cessna Citation M2, Embraer Phenom, etc.

A mid-size aircraft is one that is preferred for a longer-range trip. These are typically transatlantic flights for approximately nine passengers. These aircraft are not as heavy but at the same time, they are able to cover a longer distance and can descend higher heights than a light jet or an air taxi. Some of the popular mid-size jets include Learjet 45, Learjet 60, Hawker 800, Citation Excel and more.

A super midsize jet is one that has more width and space in the cabin. These jets typically have the capability to ascend to higher altitudes and can do relatively long-range flights. The jets have a transatlantic capability but at the same time are not as heavy as a full-bodied plane. They are large enough to accommodate 10-12 passengers. So if you are looking to rent a plane to take a quick international flight, or even to one of the United States islands, this is a good option. Some of the aircraft of this class are Bombardier Challenger, Cessna Citation X, Hawker 4000, Gulfstream G200, Dassault Falcon 50, etc.

Heavy jets are larger jets and are often considered or referred to as the king-size jets. These jets have wider cabin space and can accommodate between 12 to 14 passengers. These jets are ideal for taking intercontinental flights that can be in the air for 10-12 hours without requiring a stop for refueling. If you need to fly from the United States to somewhere in western Europe, this would be the private jet you should choose—provided you can fill the jet to capacity.

Bonus: Empty Legs

An empty leg flight is one of the relatively cheaper private jet charter prices. An empty legs flight is generated when a private jet has to pick up passengers from another airport for their next flights, or has to return to its base airport after dropping passengers off. The idea is that the flight is going to be in the air as it is, regardless of whether it has been able to book passengers. If you are able to get on the flight at one of these points of transit, the price is generally a lot lower. Empty legs can be found on any private jet services.

If you’re interested in learning more about the costs of private jet charters, be sure to read our follow-up articles below:

• Average cost of a private jet charter
• Private jet charter cost estimator
• Private jet charter cost per hour
• Private jet charter rates
• Private jet charter quotes

Final Thoughts

Renting a private jet can be an expensive affair, but it also brings with it perks of many kinds. You will be able to avoid traffic on the freeway if it is a journey that can be made by road, you will have more space to yourself on the plane and you can also travel with family or business associates you are familiar with. A private jet can also be a more cost-effective way of traveling if you remove all the other expenses related to flying. Besides, renting a private jet can also be an experience you indulge in every now and then. It does not need to be the only way you travel, but it certainly can be one of the most desirable ways to travel.

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The magazine of Glion Institute of Higher Education

The world’s most expensive private jets

BUSINESS OF LUXURY

In this article

There are more than 23,370 privately owned aircraft worldwide , with privately owned jets representing the pinnacle of luxury and exclusivity. Reserved for the ultra-wealthy and influential, private jets offer unparalleled comfort, speed and convenience. As the ultimate status symbol, they offer a glimpse into the elites’ lavish lifestyles, with impressive interiors full of opulent finishes and meticulous design elements designed to rival those of palaces or superyachts.

This article explores the most expensive private jets in the world, their unique features, ownership and role in the broader travel industry.

Private jets in the travel industry

Luxury aircraft are primarily used for exclusive and personalized air travel, offering privacy, comfort and efficiency. They are typically owned by ultra-wealthy individuals, corporations, royal families and occasionally governments. Individual owners include business magnates, celebrities and high-profile executives who prioritize swift and discreet transportation. Providing ultimate luxury , these jets vary in size and capability, from smaller light jets to large, long-range models such as the Gulfstream G650ER or Bombardier Global 7500.

Unlike commercial aircraft, private jets provide direct, customized travel solutions. They bypass the constraints of public airports, offering access to smaller, more convenient airfields closer to final destinations. This capability reduces travel times and improves productivity for executives and business leaders, who can conduct meetings or relax in luxurious surroundings during flights.

Hospitality roles in the private jet industry

Operating and maintaining these aircraft requires a specialist workforce. Several hospitality roles are integral to delivering a seamless and luxurious experience for private jet passengers, for example:

• Cabin crew : flight attendants look after passengers’ comfort and safety. They manage onboard services such as serving drinks and meals and maintain a high standard of hospitality throughout the flight
• Concierge services : arrange ground transportation, hotel accommodation and entertainment bookings to suit passengers’ preferences
• Catering specialists : provide tailored gourmet food and beverage services, working with chefs to conceive bespoke menus and create a luxurious dining experience
• Maintenance crew : ensures the aircraft’s interior and amenities are pristine before each flight. They handle everything from cleaning and restocking supplies to checking all systems are operational and ready for passenger use
• Pilot and co-pilot : primarily responsible for flying the aircraft safely, pilots in the private jet sector also interact with passengers, providing updates on flight progress and creating a smooth, comfortable and informative journey
• Security personnel : oversee the safety and privacy of passengers and crew members. They also handle security screenings, manage access to the aircraft and implement safety protocols throughout the journey
• Client relations managers : act as liaisons between clients and the private jet company to ensure all client requests and preferences are met, provide personalized service and build long-term relationships with clients

All the roles above require skills such as communication and customer service, which can be acquired by studying for a hospitality degree. This could also help you get the experience and expertise to excel in providing luxury services to private jet owners.

The most expensive private jets in the world

High-end privately owned aircraft represent the pinnacle of luxury and innovation in aviation. These jets are owned by some of the wealthiest individuals and corporations globally and include:

Airbus A380

Owned by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal of Saudi Arabia, this exclusive aircraft is valued at around $500 million. The plane in question is truly a pinnacle of luxury aviation, boasting amenities such as a concert hall, Turkish bath and even a garage for a Rolls-Royce. It is equipped with a prayer room featuring automated mats that always face Mecca, aligning perfectly with Prince Alwaleed’s cultural and personal preferences.

Boeing 747-8 VIP

Joseph Lau, a prominent Hong Kong real estate tycoon, owns this huge private jet, which is valued at approximately $367 million and is based in Hong Kong. It offers 4,800 square feet of opulent space that features an onboard gym, several guest suites, a large office and a sophisticated dining room. Reflecting Lau’s refined taste, the interior showcases high-end materials and state-of-the-art technology, making it a hallmark of luxurious air travel.

Airbus A340-300

This aircraft is owned by Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov and is valued at $350-400 million. It stands out for its extensive customization, boasting luxurious bedrooms, multiple bathrooms and an elegant dining area. Equipped with advanced security systems, it is adorned with bespoke materials and furnishings that epitomize Usmanov’s affluent lifestyle and attention to detail.

Boeing 747-430

The Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, known for his wealth and lavish lifestyle, owns this private jet that’s valued at $323 million. This Boeing 747 is famous for its opulent interior, which includes lavish gold and crystal accents throughout. It features a master bedroom, guest rooms, luxurious bathrooms with gold fixtures and expansive living and conference areas. Designed to reflect royal luxury, the aircraft exemplifies the Sultan’s unparalleled standards of comfort and extravagance.

Boeing 787-8 BBJ

Owned by the Chinese conglomerate HNA Group, this aircraft is valued at $300 million. It is engineered for ultra-long-range travel and showcases an advanced aerodynamic design. The aircraft’s interior is designed for both comfort and style, featuring a master suite with a walk-in closet and spacious shower, a lounge area and an elegant dining room. Equipped with cutting-edge technology and premium finishes, it embodies the refined preferences of HNA Group.

Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, former owner of Chelsea Football Club, owns a customized Boeing 757 valued at $170 million. Known as ‘The Bandit’, this medium-sized airliner has undergone extensive upgrades. It now features a luxurious interior with amenities such as a large bedroom, dining room, kitchen, office and lounge. For security, it includes advanced features such as an anti-missile system, radar jamming device and bulletproof windows. It has a luxurious interior with a large bedroom, dining room, kitchen, office and lounge. Abramovich’s attention to comfort and safety underscores his commitment to luxury and protection.

Gulfstream G650ER

Owned by celebrity and influencer Kim Kardashian, this private aircraft is valued at $150 million. It is among the fastest and most advanced business jets globally, capable of speeds nearing Mach 0.925 and has a range of up to 7,500 nautical miles. Dubbed ‘Kim Air’, Kardashian’s jet features a contemporary interior that includes a bedroom, bathroom, lounge, bar and cinema. It also has high-speed internet, a satellite phone and a video conferencing system and exemplifies luxury and functionality.

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Alternatives to jet ownership

It is possible to access a private jet without the commitment and cost of owning one thanks to a range of services tailored to affluent individuals and corporate clients, for example:

• Charter services : allow travelers to book flights on-demand, paying for the aircraft’s use for a specific trip. This option provides flexibility in choosing the aircraft type, departure time and destination, making it ideal for one-time or occasional flyers
• Jet cards : offer prepaid access to certain flight hours on private jets. Members enjoy fixed hourly rates, guaranteed availability and additional perks such as VIP treatment and concierge services
• Fractional ownership: involves purchasing a share of an aircraft, from one sixteenth up to one half. Owners pay an initial purchase price and ongoing maintenance fees and gain access to the aircraft for a certain number of hours per year
• Memberships: provide access to a fleet of aircraft for a monthly or annual fee. Members enjoy discounted rates, priority booking and access to exclusive events and perks
• Empty leg flights : these become available when a private jet travels without passengers. This happens when it’s returning to its home base after dropping passengers off or flying to pick them up. Travelers can book these flights at significantly discounted rates, offering a relatively budget-friendly option for spontaneous trips

How can a hospitality school prepare you for a career in luxury travel?

Private jets, yachts and other forms of luxury travel are some of the perks reserved for the ultra-rich, who expect the highest levels of hospitality and customer service. Working in the luxury hospitality industry typically requires specific qualifications and attributes that cater to the high standards of service and guest experience expected by affluent clientele. A hospitality school such as Glion, highly regarded in the luxury sector, provides a specialized education focused on refined service and attention to detail. Some of the benefits of studying for hospitality degrees at this kind of school include:

• Specialized knowledge : gain expertise in high-end service standards and hospitality management tailored for luxury clientele
• Develop practical skills : acquire hands-on experience through practical training modules and hospitality internships that simulate real-world scenarios
• Industry connections : establish valuable networks with industry leaders and prestigious establishments, paving the way for hospitality career opportunities
• Cultural sensitivity : develop a deep understanding of global cultures and etiquette, which is necessary for serving international guests
• Career readiness : graduate with the confidence and skills needed to excel in luxury hospitality roles immediately upon entering the workforce
• Personalized education : benefit from smaller class sizes and personalized attention.
• Leadership development : develop leadership qualities and decision-making skills essential for managing upscale hospitality operations
• Innovation and trends : stay updated on the latest industry trends and innovations through specialized curricula and guest lectures

Private jets remain the ultimate symbol of wealth, power and luxury in the travel industry. The most expensive jets in the world, owned by billionaires and royalty, showcase the pinnacle of customization and luxury achievable in modern aviation. With dedicated hospitality personnel creating a seamless and extraordinary travel experience, private jets are truly luxurious.

Operating and maintaining luxury aircraft demands a highly specialized workforce, meaning there are plenty of hospitality roles available in this sector. From cabin crew and concierge services to catering specialists and maintenance teams, each role contributes to the high standards expected by this elite sector.

A degree from a prestigious hospitality school equips students with the skills and expertise necessary for excelling in these roles, preparing them to meet the rigorous demands of the luxury travel and hospitality industry.

Photo credits: Main image: Getty ZhangKun

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