Private jet charter means VIP lounges. No long waits and queues to check in or retrieve luggage. Flights when you want them, to thousands of airports not served by airlines, reducing your transfers. Peace, quiet, space and privacy on your flight. Comfortable seats. Luxurious surroundings. Far less close contact with others, reducing potential exposure to Covid-19 and flu.
With so many benefits to offer, it’s easy to see why private jet charter has become so popular—and why it might tempt you. But you might also be asking: how much does private jet rental cost?
Factors Determining Private Jet Charter Cost
The main factors affecting the price of private jet rental are:
Aircraft Category & Model
Generally, the bigger the aircraft, the more you pay. From very light jets to ultra-long-range jets, prices vary from $2,000 to $10,000+ per hour. The aircraft’s capabilities and amenities may affect the price too, and market demand also plays a part. Prices within a category can vary by $200 to $2,000 per hour or more.
Aircraft Age
Aircraft age can affect prices by $100 to $1,000 per hour or more, with newer aircraft usually more expensive.
Billable Flight Time
Billable flight time includes time in the air, positioning fees and, when applicable, the industry standard (2 hours minimum per day).
Additional Expenses
Examples are:
- Landing fees (charged by the airport for maintenance): $150 to $500 depending on the airport and aircraft size and weight.
- Ramp and handling fees(charged by the fixed-base operator): from $100 to $500 per visit (may be waived if a minimum amount of fuel is purchased).
- Fees charged by the government of your departure or destination country. For example: US Segment Fees, variable by region and calculated per passenger ($4.50 per passenger, per leg) and Federal Excise Taxfor domestic flight legs (7.5% on the amount paid for air transportation).
Extra Services
Certain trips, destinations, and passenger requirements will incur extra costs. These include:
- Necessities such as crew overnights, short legs, aircraft positioning, hangar storage, de-icing, fuel surcharges, aircraft daily minimums.
- Requested services, such as a concierge, transfers or specialized catering.
- Incurred costs such as Wi-Fi use and deep cleaning,
Buy a private jet or rent? Which option is best for you?
This depends on how often you fly, where you fly to, and who you take along, and how much stress you want!
Four Things to Consider Before Buying a Private Jet
- Purchasing a private jet is only cost-effective if it’s range, capacity, and capabilities are ideal for all your flights. Otherwise, you’ll still need to charter flights for bigger groups, more distant destinations etc.
- Are you prepared to recruit, employ and pay a pilot and crew? They will need to be paid a retainer if you expect them to be constantly available. And if you often make back-to-back journeys or need flights at short notice, your crew will need rest. This could mean employing additional staff or booking charters to cover some flights.
- Aircraft maintenance and flight costs—fuel, crew, hangar fees, insurance, maintaining galley and technological equipment—have risen steeply in recent years. This has caused a decline in private jet ownership.
Ownership may seem prestigious, but chartering offers much more convenience and flexibility than jet ownership, plus a host of bespoke services. Even frequent flyers usually find it much easier and cheaper to charter a private jet than own one, particularly if they join a jet card scheme.
Private Jet Charter: A Service Worth the Cost
A high-quality broker will ensure their pricing is transparent, letting you see the fees that make up your final quote. If you fly frequently, flying privately may actually save you money. Flights that fit your schedule and get you closer to your destination can reduce transfer costs, lost business hours and overnight hotel stays. So why not ask for a private jet charter quote before your next trip?