One of the most common misconceptions about renting a private jet is that it’s exclusively reserved for the rich and famous. After all, the cost of purchasing a private jet often runs into the millions of dollars - and that’s just for the plane itself.
However, as private air travel becomes more reasonably priced, private jet charter costs are often much more cost-effective than you think. Whether you’re planning a large group holiday, or you’re looking at traveling across the country with your family, charter flights allow you to pick the most sensible option for your needs.
But just how much does it cost to rent a private jet, and how do you go about hiring one?
Private Jet Charter Cost
How much it costs to rent a plane is typically determined by variable factors like the size of private planes, the type of aircraft, how old the plane is, and the total billable flight time.
These variables go on to influence the per flight hour rate, which is a fixed cost that is calculated based on the time the plane is in the air. This doesn’t include the time you spend on the ground, landing fees, or taxi fees.
Private Jet Per Flight Hour Rates
The most economical choices for a charter flight are Turboprops, which are very light jets that typically seat 2-4 people or executive light jets that seat 6-7. These planes are often popular choices for short family flights. These typically cost $2,000-$3,100 per flight hour.
Midsize or super-midsize jets that seat between 8-10 people cost more, but they also offer more in-flight amenities and a greater flight range. The typical price per flight hour for these private planes is $3,200-$6,000, making them well-suited for group vacations.
If you need even more space, large and ultra-long-range jets have a capacity of 10-16 passengers, making them popular for party trips, special occasions, and large family holidays. These larger jets have even more on-board luxuries, and so tend to cost between $5,600-$11,000 per flight hour.
VIP airliners and long-range airliners are the private planes that often come to mind when people talk about charter flights because they offer the most in-flight luxury and have the highest flight range. Because of this, they’re popular for large groups who want to vacation abroad. These private planes have the highest per flight hour rates of $16,000-$30,000.
Private Jet Variables
The estimates above are ball-park figures, as every private jet charter company will charge different per flight hour rates depending on their fleet. There is a multitude of factors that influence not only the per flight hour rate but the total cost of chartering a private jet.
✈️ Aircraft Category
As a rule of thumb, the larger the aircraft, the more it will cost per flight hour. However, larger planes mean you can split the cost of chartering a private jet across more passengers, which can help you keep costs down.
✈️ Aircraft Type
There are a variety of plane makes and models within each aircraft category, meaning that there’s going to be a plane available for everyone’s budget. Depending on the type of aircraft that you choose, this can alter the price of your flight by hundreds or thousands of dollars.
✈️ Age of Aircraft
Newer planes typically cost more per flight hour, as they’ll need fewer repairs and have more modern features. This can also increase the cost of your flight by hundreds or thousands of dollars.
✈️ Billable Flight Time
The total billable flight time doesn’t just include the per flight hour rate, but also the time it takes to load, position, and taxi the aircraft both at the beginning and end of your flight.
✈️ Landing Fees
Depending on the destination airport, its size, and the size of your aircraft, you’ll have to pay fees towards airport upkeep. In the US, landing fees can cost between $150-$500.
✈️ Ramp and Handling Fees
This again depends on your destination airport, but these fees cover the handling and parking of your aircraft. This can cost anywhere from $100-$500 per visit but are sometimes waived if you purchase a minimum amount of fuel from the airport.
Additional Private Jet Costs and Fees
When you’re looking at how to charter a private jet, you need to remember that you’re not just paying for the plane. In addition to the billable flight time, you also need to pay for the crew, airport fees, and any additional luxuries you may want in-flight.
✈️ Crew Overnight Fees
If you’re planning on booking a long-haul flight, then you’ll be looking at between $200-$400 per diem per crew member to cover food, lodging, and other expenses related to them being away from home.
✈️ Short Leg Fees
These fees typically apply to larger planes if you’re booking them for flights under a certain duration, which is usually set by the private jet charter company. The minimum daily flight time for a charter flight is usually two hours, but it’s worth checking this before you book.
✈️ Aircraft Positioning Cost
This covers the amount of time that the pilot has to spend flying from their home base, picking up passengers, and returning.
✈️ Hangar Fees
Hangar fees are usually charged in the fall or winter, and they cover the cost of preventing ice, snow, or frost buildup on the plane. Depending on how large your chosen aircraft is, this can run between $500-$1,500 per day.
✈️ De-icing Charges
If ice, snow, or frost does accumulate on an aircraft, it must be de-iced before it can take off. This can cost between $1,500-$10,000 per application.
✈️ Wi-Fi
Newer aircraft come with Wi-Fi as standard, however, if you charter an older plane, there are usually additional fees of $3-$8.50 per megabyte of Wi-Fi, depending on the region.
✈️ Cleaning Fees
Depending on the amount of time it takes to clean the aircraft, and what needs cleaning, these costs typically range between $250-$500 or more.
✈️ International Fees
If you’re chartering a private jet to fly internationally, then you’ll have to factor in fees for landing permits, overflight permits, customs, and immigration. These can cost you between $500-$5,000.
✈️ Fuel Surcharge
If prices for aircraft fuel has increased, you might end up paying additional fees to cover your fuel usage. Depending on the size of the aircraft and its fuel efficiency, this could cost you between $600-$900 per hour.
Optional Concierge Service Fees
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Catering
Most chartered private jets include some standard snacks and beverages. However, if you want a more luxurious experience, this can typically cost in the hundreds or thousands of dollars. As an example, you can expect to pay $600-$1,000 for a lunch for four passengers.
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Ground Transportation
Depending on the airport you travel from and your needs, ground transportation can cost anywhere between $100-$1,000 depending on your choice of vehicle and privacy needs.
How to Calculate a Private Jet Charter Cost
Now that you know the elements that determine how much it’ll cost to charter a private jet, here’s an example we’ve drawn up from a private jet charter cost estimator.
Example of a Common Private Jet Charter Trip
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Trip Type: Round Trip
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Number of Passengers: 6
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Aircraft Type: Midsize
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Trip Duration: 2 days, 1 night
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Per Flight Hour Rate: $3,600
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Billable Flight Time: 6.8 hours
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2x Crew Overnight Fees: $800
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Landing Fees: $500
Total Flight Cost: $25,780 + tax and segment fees
So, before tax, passengers on this flight can expect to pay $4,297 each for a round trip flight.
Empty Leg Flights
If you’re looking to save money on chartering a jet, you could enjoy savings of up to 75% by booking an empty leg flight.
When a chartered jet only has a one-way flight, they have to fly back to their home base or their next destination with no passengers. So, many private jet charter companies offer a significant discount on empty leg flights. While this does give you less flexibility than if you were to charter a private jet yourself, it’s a great way to save money on the experience of an exclusive flight.
How to Charter a Private Jet
Private jets are a fantastic option for events, parties, family reunions, or business travel. So, if you’re interested in chartering a private jet, whatever the occasion, get in touch with our professional flight consultant and request a quote! We’d be delighted to talk you through your options.
The prices we’ve used as an example are for reference only, and may not reflect the cost you’ll be quoted for your specific needs. We can give you a more exact figure when we know where you want to travel, what kind of aircraft you’re looking for, and what experience you’d like to have while in the air. Simply contact us online, or call one of our friendly team members, and we can talk more about how we can make your luxury flight a reality.
