Flying in a private jet is more common than you think. From the outside, it sounds like something only the likes of music and movie stars or Russian oligarchs can afford. But these days it’s getting more accessible and the private jet charter cost much more attractive, depending on the details of the trip. If you want to calculate what your expenses will be, nothing beats a private jet charter cost estimator.
From business trips to bachelor parties, those special trips to Vegas and James Bond-type flights – everything’s possible and you don’t have to own a jet or be a British super spy to make those dreams come true. As mentioned above, nowadays the pricing is more attractive than ever and depending on the details of you charter, they can be quite reasonable. Wondering how much a flight will cost? Let’s take a look at some values below.
Private Jet Charter Cost Estimations
Even though we can only offer you a board overview of what price looks like, it’s still extremely helpful. But remember, the size of the aircraft is only one aspect – you also have to take into account the crew, dates, airports used, among other factors as we’ll explain throughout this article. Patrick Harris, the President at Velocity Jets, has a really helpful and realistic way to estimate jet charter costs. Let’s take a look at his “calculator” below:
| Location | Flight time | Light | Mid-size | Heavy |
| Miami (MIA) to Los Angeles (VNY) | 5.2 hours | $21,000 | $24,000 | $33,000 |
| New York (TEB) to London (EGLF) | 6.5 hours | – | – | $60,000-85,000 |
| Chicago (MDW) to New York (TEB) | 2 hours | $9,000 | $12,000 | $18,000 |
| St. Maartin (TNCM) to Miami (KOPF) | 3 hours | $15,000 | $18,000 | $23,000-25,000 |
| Chicago (MDW) to Los Angeles (VNY) | 4 hours | $16,000 | $21,000 | $30,000-32,000 |
Why Fly Private?
Apart from feeling fancy and ostentatious, there are a few advantages to taking a private jet. For one, there are about 500 airports for commercial flights and about 5,000 airports and airstrips for private aircraft in the US alone.
So you might find an airport a lot closer to your final destination than you imagined. This is great in terms of cost and when flying to remote areas.
Yes, this is one of those cases where size matters also because it is an important bullet point on your jet charter cost estimator.
How to Estimate Private Jet Charter Cost
Let’s take a look at how the essential details (type of aircraft, hours of flight, airports and more) have an effect on your overall cost estimation.
Types of Aircraft
Speaking of size, this aspect weighs heavy for more than one reason. The size dictates how much fuel it can hold. Which means you don’t have to stop mid-way to refuel while on a long trip.
But remember that a bigger jet and more fuel while convenient will cost you more money. Size also allows capacity. Common sense dictates that more people means more luggage.
A standard service operator will give you four choices.
- Turboprop: On a jet charter cost estimator, this is the cheapest option. These planes can’t go beyond 1,800 nautical miles and are slower than most other jets in the business.Capacity: 4-9 people.
Examples: Beechcraft King Air 350i and Pilatus PC12. - Light jet: This is the next model with a maximum space of 80 cubic feet for luggage and goes up to 2,000 nautical miles. They can access smaller airports and airstrips, but unsurprisingly, the cabin space is limited.Capacity: 6-9 people.
Examples: Embraer Phenom 300 and Nextant 400XTI. - Mid-size jet: This is slightly bigger so it has 200 cubic feet for luggage. It can go up to 2,500 nautical miles and the cabin is taller than the previous models.Capacity: 8-10 people.
Examples: Cessna Citation Latitude and the Hawker 800XP. - Super midsize jets: These are recommended for trans-continental trips. So obviously their flight capacity is more than the previous models but the final number on the jet charter cost estimator varies depending on the model you pick.Capacity: 8-12 people.
Examples: Bombardier Challenger 350 and Gulfstream G200. - Heavy jets: Now these are big jets. They can travel as far as 4,000 nautical miles which makes them an excellent choice to travel between continents.Capacity: 18 people and their luggage.
Examples: Bombardier Global 5000 and 6000 and Gulfstream GIV.
While you’re at it, you might also want to check about smoking and pet preferences. Granted they come with their own “baggage” on the jet charter cost estimator but it might just be a priority for you.
How Cost Is Determined
This is the second-most important factor in hiring a private jet, first being safety. The jet charter cost estimator takes a variety of things into account before showing you the first draft of your final invoice.
This is particularly useful because some companies do not give you a break up of the charges in the invoice.
Airport
Each airport levies a different charge for the many services it provides to your pilot and aircraft. This money is used to maintain runways and airport buildings.
Your jet charter cost estimator will show a charge for landing fees. The airport levies this depending on the size and weight of the aircraft.
There is also something called ramp fees which depends on how long you will park your jet. It will be higher for a multi-day round trip compared to a one day one-way trip.
Destination
When you start your trip, you want to decide between getting picked up at the nearest airport or going to the jet’s homebase. If you want to be picked up, the jet charter cost estimator will add something called reposition fees.
As you now know, distance dictates the size of the aircraft unless you are okay with stopping for refuelling. If you do stop, consider the charges levied by another airport (apart from your destination).
Now, if you are flying a short distance, it is called short leg. You can take a small aircraft which is cheaper but it will fly at a low altitude which uses more fuel.
If you’re going on a one-way trip, your jet charter cost estimator will call it an empty leg. The aircraft has to return to its base empty and you have to make up for it.
If you’re going on a multi-day trip, you have to pay a minimum amount whether you use up all the nautical miles or not. Kind of like hiring a cab for an outstation trip.
For example, if you were travelling from Miami (KOPF) to Van Nuys (KVNY) in the first week of June 2020, these are your estimates.
| Type of aircraft | One way | Round trip |
| Light | $26,100 to $33,300 | $41,000 to $50,100 |
| Mid | $31,300 to $38,200 | $50,100 to $61,200 |
| Super mid | $38,100 to $46,600 | $59,300 to $72,500 |
| Heavy | $44,500 to $54,400 | $73,100 to $83,100 |
| Ultra long range (depending on service provider) | $65,500 to $80,000 | $113,200 to $128,700 |
Waiting Time
This one comes from the service operator. When you book a jet for a round trip, whether it is a few hours or a few days, the aircraft loses business while it waits at the airport. You’ve got to pay for that.
Crew Fee
The food and transportation of the onboard crew is also your responsibility. If it’s a multi-day trip, you must also take their lodging into account.
Peak Season
The pricing is also higher before and after the holidays when there is more travel. The most common law of the market: greater demand, higher prices.
Add-Ons
If you’re flying international, you will be charged for permits, customs and taxes. There is also a catering charge for meals beyond the standard food and beverages. And, of course, there is a price on in-flight phone services and cleaning the aircraft once you’re done.
You obviously have to pay for fuel which depends on the market rate. Sometimes, the estimator adds a surcharge to accommodate fluctuation in projected and actual cost.
Make room for unexpected charges, like your destination airport being shut due to bad weather. Some charge you for flying to an alternate airport while some don’t. Apart from these, there is a federal excise tax of 7.5% per flight.
Conclusion
Even though it can sound like a lot of math and complex details, estimating a jet charter’s cost really isn’t that complicated as long as you have the general guidelines as seen above. Plus, you have to know what you’re paying for so that you get what you need. If you feel like you’re ready, then jet, set and go!
