If you’ve never chartered a private flight before, but you’re contemplating doing so for the first time, you may have asked yourself: how much is a private jet flight? And when calculating private jet flight cost, how does it compare to flying on a commercial airplane? Although flying private will generally cost more than flying on a commercial airplane in coach, there are far more benefits to flying private that make it well worth the added expense. If you already fly first class when you fly on commercial planes, flying private may also be within your financial means. In fact, many people are surprised to learn just how affordable flying private can be.
Several factors to consider
The cost of a private flight charter is based on numerous factors and clients typically pay an hourly rate to charter flights.
One thing you’ll want to consider is the size of the aircraft and the type of aircraft. Some private airplanes simply offer a more luxurious experience than others; these planes are generally more expensive, so they are usually more expensive to charter. The size of the aircraft is taken into consideration, too. Smaller aircraft, such as helicopters and turboprop planes, will cost less to charter than larger airplanes and jumbo jets.
The distance you’re traveling is also a major factor to consider. The further you travel, the costlier the private flight will be. The fuel costs and crew’s time are also factors that influence this cost.
Private jet flight cost and hourly rates
The cost to charter a private flight will typically begin at $1,300 to $3,000 an hour for smaller planes, and upwards of $10,000 an hour for bigger airplanes. This is a general estimate, however, and the final cost will be based on several other factors.
Calculating the cost of your trip
Now that you have a more general idea about the cost of chartering a private flight, you may be ready to make the final decision to charter a private flight, but you’re looking for the exact cost for your upcoming trip. At Luxury Aircraft Solutions, we’re always available to discuss your different private flight options and can provide you with quotes for your upcoming trip. You can also use our convenient instant quote tool to see how much your private flight would cost.
Cutting down on private jet flight costs
If you’re looking for ways to lower your private jet flight cost, you have several options that can potentially help you save.
Purchase a jet card. If you plan on flying private often, investing in a jet card can help you easily manage costs by booking with a consistent rate, always ensuring availability, and giving you a simple way to manage your past and remaining flights. Clients have the option of purchasing jet cards in denominations of flight time or dollars, and you may have the opportunity to cut down on costs by purchasing more upfront. Contact us for more details, and to go over your different options.
Empty legs. When planes fly back to their origin after a private flight, these flights are known as empty leg flights. If your travel plans are flexible, empty leg flights are a great way to reduce the cost of your private jet flight. Regardless of whether anyone charters this specific route, the flight needs to happen anyway, which is why you can potentially score a good deal. Reach out to us to learn more about upcoming empty leg flights in your area.
Smaller plane. If you’re traveling solo or with a very small group, choose the smallest available plane that’s available for your journey. Typically, the smaller the plane, the lower your private flight charter will cost.
Shorter distance. Again, if your travel plans are flexible, consider traveling a shorter distance if you’d prefer to fly private and looking to cut down on costs. For example, let’s say you’re looking for a tropical destination for an upcoming vacation, but you’re flexible about the specific destination and you want the trip to be special with a private flight. If you’re flying out of Miami, chartering a private flight to the Bahamas will cost a lot less than flying private to Hawaii.
Charter only a portion of your flight for bigger trips. If you are planning a big trip, such as an international location or far away destination, consider a compromise if you’re still looking for a cost-effective way to charter a private flight: charter just the first leg of your flight. If you’re connecting flights at an airline hub, chartering the first leg of your private flight from your town can still make your trip special and help to simplify your travel plans. If you live in a rural area and you’re far from major airports, for instance, chartering the first leg of your flight from a nearby municipal airport can save you a great deal of time.
Share with friends and family. If you’re traveling with a big group, the combined cost of plane tickets on a commercial flight may not cost much less than chartering a private flight, depending on how many people you’re traveling with and what type of aircraft you’d consider chartering. Contact us today to go over the different options available for your group, and consider splitting the cost of your upcoming chartered flight.
Charter your private jet flight today
Whether you have questions about chartering a private flight, would like more information or you’re ready to get started, contact us today. We are always available to answer any questions you may have and charter a private flight that suits your needs.
