Who doesn’t want a comfortable, quiet trip with people they like being around? Unfortunately, private jets can be extremely expensive, with some costing up to $100 million. Needless to say, ownership is not an option for most people.
Fortunately, there’s a (still expensive but more affordable) solution: jet rental. Keep reading to find out how much a private jet flight rental costs.
In this article:
How Much Is It To Rent A Private Airplane?
Private jet rental pricing ranges from $2,000 to $14,000 for each flight hour, influenced by several factors as below:
1. Main Factors
a. Aircraft Size/Category
Different types of aircraft come at different prices. For example, small turboprop planes usually charge about $2,000 an hour, while ultra-long jets raise the number to $14,000. VIP airliners (the most luxurious) are undoubtedly the most expensive, costing $23,000 and more.
Also, do not forget that even charter aircraft types within the same category have varying market demands and performances! Based on our research, the gap between their pricing might range between $200 and $2,000+ per flight hour.
b. Aircraft Age
Newer planes generally cost more to rent than older ones. Depending on their exact age, the differences in business jet rental costs usually fluctuate between $100 and over $1,000 an hour.
c. Billable Flight Time (hourly)
Most of the time, billable flight hours cover the entire period from takeoff to landing (on-the-ground taxiing not counted). You need to consider:
- The time the jet is flying
- Positioning time (if any) to get the plane to the desired location
- Minimum charge when applicable (2 hours per day)
2. Extra Fees
a. Fuel Surcharge
There might be fuel surcharges when there’s a spike in the market’s fuel prices, usually between $600 and about $900 an hour. Fortunately, many companies still include fuel surcharges in the total private jet charter cost unless explicitly stated otherwise.
b. Overnight Crew Fees
Sometimes, crew members might have to stay overnight, meaning you need extra money to cover their lodging, food, and other requirements. That translates to an additional $200 to $400 per night for each crew member.
c. Short Leg Charges
These fees usually apply to bigger aircraft during shorter flights, varying by jet type. For example, the minimum might be 2 hours (midsize to large jets), 2.5 hours (ultra-long jets), or 3 hours (VIP airliners).
d. Internet & Hangar Fees
Wi-Fi on a rented private jet can cost between $3 and $8.5 per megabyte. You should also keep tabs on the hangar fees (often charged in winter to keep frost or snow off the aircraft), which range between $500 and about $1,500 a day.
e. Deicing Charges
Many assume they can save quite a sum by not paying the hangar fees; however, that couldn’t be further from the truth. If you let frost, snow, or ice pool on the aircraft, the company will charge you for deicing – which often starts from $1,500 (smaller planes) to more than $10,000 (larger models).
f. Pet Cleaning Charges
You can bring your beloved pets along during these flights, but watch out. If they make a huge mess on the jet, expect to pay some cleaning fees for carpet shampooing or deep cleaning. This service usually costs between $250 and $500+.
g. International Fees
These charges cover overflight permits, landing permits, and immigration and customs charges (if required by the destination region/country). It’s usually between $500 and more than $5,000.
3. Optional
a. Ground Transportations
Ground transportation varies between $100 and $1,000+ per reservation, depending on your preferences and needs. They’ll send a quote for those services to get your approval.
b. Custom Catering (in-flight)
Of course, standard beverages and snacks are always included in your flight. However, custom catering might come at an additional cost for any extra order – and just like ground transportation, they’ll also send you a quote for those additional services.
c. Carbon Footprint Offset
To offset some of the flight’s carbon footprint, you must pay about 0.06 percent of the entire flight cost. For example, if your flight costs $50,000, the carbon offset fee would be around $300. Feel free to use an online calculator to get the exact number.
Pros And Cons Of Renting Private Jet Travel
1. The Pros
Private plane rental brings many significant benefits to your travel experience, especially compared to commercial services. Below are some of the most notable ones:
Cheaper Than Buying A Private Jet
We all know that private jet models usually range from tens to hundreds of millions, not to mention the cost of a dedicated crew for maintenance, ongoing upkeep, and hangar space. Plus, not many of us use them that often. Some people only fly abroad once or twice a month, for example.
That’s why renting a jet is a much smarter choice finance-wise. It eliminates all the massive upfront costs of ownership, meaning you only pay for the flight time when you rent.
Limited Flight Attendants
Needless to say, you will be traveling with far fewer people than usual; after all, you are the one who controls this passenger list. Such an advantage has proven more valuable than ever since the COVID-19 disaster.
Extreme Privacy
Even first-class commercial flights can still be stressful and suffer a horrible lack of privacy. But now, with a rented private jet, it’s like you were taking a classy limo instead of a public bus; you can limit your interactions to the crew and your chosen companions only.
Controlled Schedule
No more rigid schedules and hectic mornings; feel free to select a departure time that suits your itinerary.
You can avoid the hassle of connecting flights (a common issue with major airliners) and even discuss the best route with your pilot. Given that private jets still have access to over 5000 major airports just in the U.S. alone, here’s your chance to reduce expenses and travel time to a great extent.
No More Security Checks
Since you will be flying on your own accord, you will naturally bypass all the bothersome security checks often required at departure airports, such as body scanners, metal detectors, TSA pat-downs, etc. Simply drive straight to your jet or arrange a pickup right after landing.
Unlimited Baggage
From what we have researched, private charters do not impose strict limitations on how much baggage you can carry. So, provided it fits within the aircraft’s weight limit, just bring all you want for a comfortable and relaxing trip.
Luxury Services and Amenities
Personalized services and private jets go hand in hand, from diverse entertainment options to spacious meeting spaces.
You should use this opportunity to reward yourself with the best treatments: request specific meals, try out new beverages, watch movies for hours, or even bring your beloved pet along. Nothing can stop you here.
2. The Cons
Private jets are smaller than major airliners, so don’t be surprised if weather changes tend to affect them a lot more. For instance, a normal storm is nothing for larger planes but might cause delays for private jets and force them to stay grounded for hours.
Another drawback is the long booking process. You can book a commercial airline in minutes, but things are not so easy with private jet rental. Even when working with a reputable provider, you must still choose a jet model, set the takeoff time, plan the route, decide on the destination, specify extra amenities, etc.
3 Other Available Options
Card Membership
One popular option is jet card memberships. You pay an initial fee (usually $100,000 to $200,000), and the cost will be deducted from that initial deposit as you take trips. The hourly rates depend on the jet size you choose for your journey.
Many companies offer services for both long and short flights. Research and go through the instructions carefully before selecting your membership.
Booking Seats On Private Jets
Instead of chartering an entire jet, some aircraft operators now sell individual seats from private flights. Much like securing a ticket with a major commercial airline, you can easily book a seat on regular routes, such as Las Vegas to LA, or vice versa.
Buying A Jet
Are you considering buying a private jet? Used models can be purchased for way less than $1 million. For brand-new ones, think twice before making your purchase — well, unless you are extremely wealthy.
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Conclusion
This article has outlined the cost of private flights. Of course, we cannot say it’s super cheap (thousands of dollars is quite a number for most people). But on the bright side, jet rental is still a much better investment than buying an entire aircraft just to fly it once or twice a year.
You can also consider other options like card memberships (remember to research carefully), semi-private jet services, or looking into used private jets. Feel free to reach out if you still have any questions.
