Jet Charter Cost Guide: How Much Does it Cost to Fly Privately?

The charter plane cost depends mainly on the type of aircraft used. Since there are hundreds of models for hire, the price per flying hour often varies significantly.

Let’s take a quick look at the cost per flying hour of different types of jets:

• Turbo Prop: These are the smallest of aircraft that can seat anywhere from 2 to 8 passengers. The cost to fly a turboprop can be as low as $800 per flying hour for a 2 passenger airplane to almost $2500 per flying hour for an 8 passenger turboprop. Most charter companies will usually quote hourly prices at the higher end of this price range. 
• Light Jet: A light jet carries between 4 to 8 passengers. Based on the size, model and age of the aircraft, the charter plane cost of a light jet is between $2200 and $3800 per flying hour. Depending on the definition of what constitutes a light jet, sometimes large turboprop aircraft are also included in this category. 
• Midsize Jet: These planes are able to accommodate 6 to 12 passengers. A typical midsize private jet costs between $3500 and $5000 per flying hour. Cessna Citation XLS, Dassault Falcon 20 and Gulfstream 250 are examples of midsize jets. 
• Super Midsize Jet: A super-midsize has the capacity to seat 8 to 14 passengers. The cost per flying hour ranges from $4000 to $6500. This super jet may look similar to a midsize jet but it is typically more customizable and flies farther. 
• Heavy Jets: This is the largest category that can easily fit 12 to 16 individuals. The cost to fly a private heavy jet is approximately $6500 to $11500 per flying hour. Heavy jet, ultra-long-range jet and large jet are name variations used interchangeably.

What Are Additional Expenses That Add to the Charter Plane Cost?

There are a lot of additional expenses that clients need to pay. These can include crew overnight costs, landing fees, income tax, fuel surcharge and segment fees. A lot of individuals overlook these additional expenses. The lack of understanding often results in surprises when clients are quoted a final price.

Charter plane costs a lot more than paying per hour charges only. To ensure a smooth ride, here are a few changes to watch out for:

• Crew Overnight Fee: If you’ve booked a multiple-day journey, the owner will likely charge a crew overnight fee. The cost covers food, lodging, and related expense of the plane crew.
• Landing Fee: The final quote will always include a landing fee. Almost every airport charges this fee because it enables them to maintain runways, buildings, and facilities.
• Federal Income Tax: Everyone needs to pay income tax. You can clearly see the federal excise tax and other taxes on the detailed price quote.
• Segment Fees: Segment fees are charges levied by the government. The fee is usually very low compared to the overall charter plane cost.
• Fuel Surcharge: A fuel surcharge is included in the price if you’re paying a fixed annual cost. The surcharge allows owners to compensate for an abrupt change in oil price.
• Reposition Fee: If the required aircraft flies from its home base to your local airport, a repositioning fee is included to cover the charter plane cost.

Additional expenses may also include wait time fees, one-way fees, short-leg fees, de-icing fees, crew per diem fees, cleaning fees, catering fees and similar charges.

By now, you must have guessed that per flying hour cost is just a ballpark figure, which doesn’t reflect the total cost to fly a private jet. Perhaps, a Jet Card membership is a much better option.

How to Calculate a Charter Plane Cost?

The total cost to fly a private jet can be broken down into three sections. These are:

1. Per Hour Flying Cost
2. Billable Hours
3. Additional Costs & Taxes

We’ve already explained per hour cost and additional expenses. However, customers should keep an eye on any billable hours, particularly if they are hiring the private jet for multiple days.

What Is Billable Flight Time

A billable flight time or billable hour is the minimum flight time per day. If the billable flight time is two hours, it means that the owner can legally charge the two hours of flight time even if the actual flight time is only one hour on that particular day.

Similarly, if the plane stays on the ground on a specific day, the plane will be charged a price equivalent to two flight hours per day.

Following examples will help you understand the fundamentals of calculating private jet costs:

Calculating the Private Jet Cost – Examples

Round-Trip Destination A to Destination B (Flight Duration 2 Hrs) For 3 Days

1. Flying Cost: $16,000 (4 hours flight duration R/T charged @ $4,000 per flight hour)
2. Billable Hours: $8,000 (The plane was not used on the 2nd Day. Therefore, it was charged a minimum of two billable flight hours @ $4,000 per hour).
3. Other Costs & Tax: $3,000

GRAND TOTAL: $27,000

Round-Trip Destination A to Destination B (Flight Duration 2 Hrs) For 2 Days

1. Flying Cost: $16,000 (4 hours flight duration R/T charged @ $4,000 per flight hour)
2. Billable Hours: $0 (The plane was used on both days. It was in service for the outbound segment on the first day and the inbound segment, the following day).
3. Other Costs & Tax: $2,500

GRAND TOTAL: $18,500

Round-Trip Destination A to Destination B (Flight Duration 2 Hrs) For 1 Day

1. Flying Cost: $16,000 (4 hours flight duration R/T charged @ $4,000 per flight hour)
2. Billable Hours: $0.
3. Other Costs & Tax: $2,500

GRAND TOTAL: $18,500

One-Way Trip Destination A to Destination B (Flight Duration 2 Hrs) For 1 Day

1. Flying Cost: $8,000 (2 hours flight duration charged @ $4,000 per flight hour)
2. Billable Hours: $0.
3. Other Costs & Tax: $1,500

GRAND TOTAL: $9,500

One-Way Trip Destination A to Destination B (Flight Duration 1 Hr) For 1 Day

1. Flying Cost: $4,000 (One hour flight duration charged @ $4,000 per flight hour)
2. Billable Hours: $4,000. (Minimum billable flight time per day is 2 hours. The plane was only used for one hour; therefore, the owner charged another extra hour).
3. Other Costs & Tax: $1,500

GRAND TOTAL: $9,500

Jet Card Membership

Due to the price discrepancies and hidden costs, it is often difficult for clients to budget for the charter plane cost. If you want to use a private jet regularly, getting your accounts in order can be a bit difficult. One way to sort this dilemma is to use a fixed-price private jet membership card.

The Jet Card from the Charter Flight Group offers the convenience of flying your favorite jet without worrying about the nonessential and undesirable expenses. With membership costs as low as 50K and starting at only $3,700 per flying hour, the charter plane cost doesn’t have to feel expensive and full of discrepancies. What’s more, Jet Card members get discount rates and only 1.2 hours of billable flight time, which keeps private jet costs to a minimum.

When ready, the concierge can get you in the air within a short 3-hour notice. As a privileged member, you will also get access to more than 6000 turboprops, executive jets and airlines. If required, customers can select the exact make and model for each flight.

Here is what makes a Jet Card so special:

• No planes with piston engines.
• Every pilot knows their plane inside out because pilots are not hired to fly for the day.
• Dedicated 24/7 concierge service and trip planning.
• Extremely competitive pricing.

It goes without saying that if you want to streamline your costs to fly a private jet, get a membership card.

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