Buying private jet charter
For first time and occasional flyers, and anyone who searched what a private jet costs.
The short version.
Three things worth knowing first.
- 01
The cabin size and the hours it flies make up the bulk of a charter price.
- 02
The shape of the trip matters too. On a one way flight, the aircraft still has to come home.
- 03
Two quotes only compare when they sit on the same basis, so read what each one leaves out.
What sets the price.
- 01
The aircraft
Light jets cost less per hour than midsize jets, and midsize less than super midsize. Flight time comes from the distance, the speed and taxi time.
- 02
The shape of the trip
A round trip and a one way flight can price very differently, because positioning is real cost. Operators also set a daily minimum, typically about two hours on light and midsize jets.
- 03
The extras
Taxes and passenger charges, crew overnights, landing and ramp fees, and deicing in winter can all sit outside the headline number.
- 04
The date
Many operators add a surcharge on peak days, and the busiest dates can need more notice.
A good quote reads like a receipt written before the trip.
Questions worth asking.
Put these to anyone you talk to, including us.
- Do I pay only for my time on board, or for positioning flights too?
- Is federal excise tax inside the number, or added to it?
- Who holds the operating certificate, and what third party audit rating does the operator carry?
Want the answers for your situation? Call a pilot at 615.652.9091
Where a pilot helps.
Every flight is operated by an FAA Part 135 air carrier. We act as your agent: we source the market, review the aircraft against written standards and negotiate on your behalf. A pilot reviews every option before you see it.
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- The short version
- What sets the price
- Questions worth asking
- Where a pilot helps
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Questions after reading?
Tell a pilot about the trip. You will hear what the price includes and what could change.