How Much Does It Cost to Charter a Private Jet? (Price Guide)

Private jet charter is priced by the flight hour, and the hourly rate depends mostly on the size of the aircraft. A turboprop on a short regional hop sits at the bottom of the range, and an ultra-long-range jet crossing an ocean sits at the top. The rate you are quoted covers the aircraft and crew for the time it flies, and a trip total usually includes more than the hourly rate.

Published hourly figures also vary a lot between sources, even for the same type of jet. This guide shows two sets of hourly rates side by side, explains why they differ, and then covers what else shows up on a charter bill.

The range above spans every size from turboprops to large jets. Where a flight lands in it depends on the jet, the route, and the season. Light jets seat a handful of passengers on shorter trips, while large-cabin and ultra-long-range jets carry more people over much longer distances at higher rates.

Charter is quoted per aircraft, not per seat. The price is the same whether one passenger or six sit in the cabin.

The two sets below do not agree, and neither is wrong. The first comes from CRAFT, which estimates rates from published jet card pricing of 16 companies.

The second comes from Black Jet, which gives base charter rates.

The Black Jet numbers are much lower for the same class. A light jet runs $2,900 – $3,500/hr at Black Jet and $7,500 – $9,500/hr at CRAFT.

A few likely explanations:

• Jet cards versus on-demand charter. CRAFT's figures come from jet card rates, which are prepaid and often bundle fuel and taxes into one price. Black Jet's are described as base rates, and the source says they come before taxes and standard fees.
• Aircraft mix. A "light jet" can mean an older, smaller aircraft or a newer, more capable one, and the rate follows.
• What the rate includes. Fuel, the federal excise tax, landing fees, and crew expenses may or may not be in the hourly number.
• Date and market. Rates move with demand, fuel prices, and season.

Before you compare two operators, ask what each rate includes.

Since people book trips rather than hours, it helps to see a total. CRAFT estimates a one-way flight by length.

These are estimates before minimums, peak-day surcharges, and airport fees, and they are not quotes. A two-hour midsize flight costs about $19,000 – $21,000, which is roughly what two hours at the hourly rate would suggest.

The hourly rate is only part of the total. Expect some or all of these:

• Federal excise tax, which applies to many charter flights and is often shown separately.
• Fuel surcharges when fuel prices rise.
• Positioning or "deadhead" charges. If the jet starts at a different airport than you, you may pay for the empty leg to get it there.
• Landing, handling, and parking fees at the airports.
• Overnight crew costs if the crew stays with the aircraft.
• Minimum daily hours. Some operators bill a minimum number of hours per day even for short flights.
• Catering, ground transport, and de-icing.

Black Jet states that its base rate typically excludes federal excise tax and trip-specific extras, so ask for an all-in quote.

• Fly the right size. A light jet on a short route with a few passengers costs far less than a midsize jet.
• Be flexible on dates. Peak days cost more.
• Ask about empty legs. An operator repositioning an aircraft may sell the empty flight at a discount, though availability is unpredictable.
• Compare a jet card. Frequent flyers sometimes prefer a prepaid card with fixed rates, though terms vary by provider and the fine print matters.
• Consider a turboprop for short trips, since the hourly rate is lower.

Charter is a pay-as-you-go option with no commitment. A jet card prepays hours at set rates. Fractional ownership buys a share of an aircraft with a purchase price plus monthly fees. Which is cheapest depends on how many hours you fly each year, so compare quotes for your own use. A financial adviser can help weigh these options against your tax situation.

Use a charter operator or broker that can show its Part 135 air carrier certificate details, ask which company will actually operate the flight, and confirm insurance coverage. Brokers arrange flights on aircraft run by certificated operators, so ask for the operator's name before you pay.