How Much Does A Private Jet Cost Per Flight? And Other FAQs

Travelling by private jet is the epitome of luxury and convenience, but how much does a private jet cost per flight? As we shall see, it depends, but for a moment, imagine having the freedom to fly wherever you want, whenever you want, with whomever you want, with no crowds, no waiting in long security lines, and no compromises on comfort. 

If you’re considering booking a private jet flight, this guide will help you understand the factors that impact the cost and answer some frequently asked questions.

Factors that impact private jet cost per flight

Private jet flights are priced based on several factors, including:

• Type of aircraft: The size and amenities of the aircraft will affect the cost. Larger, more luxurious jets will naturally be more expensive than smaller, simpler models.
• Distance: The distance of the flight will impact the cost, as more fuel and crew time will be required for longer flights.
• Number of passengers: The more people on the flight, the lower the cost per person, as the fixed expenses of the flight will be spread out over a larger group.

Private Jet Types, Seating Capacity, Range, Amenities

Here’s a description of the seating capacity, range, and amenities for the eight types of private jets:

Most of the photos were taken by Ian Haskell during his many travels around UK and European airports. Thank you Ian!

Very Light Jets (VLJs)

• Seating capacity: 4 to 6 passengers
• Range: 800 to 1,500 nautical miles
• Amenities: Small cabins with limited storage space, basic entertainment systems, and limited refreshment options

Examples:

1. Eclipse 500
2. Cirrus Vision Jet

Small Light Jets

• Seating capacity: 6 to 8 passengers
• Range: 1,000 to 2,000 nautical miles
• Amenities: Slightly larger cabins with more storage space and more advanced entertainment systems, as well as basic refreshment options

Examples:

1. Cessna Citation M2
2. Embraer Phenom 100

Super Light Jets

• Seating capacity: 6 to 8 passengers
• Range: 1,500 to 3,000 nautical miles
• Amenities: Spacious cabins with more advanced entertainment systems, Wi-Fi connectivity, and a variety of refreshment options

Examples:

1. Gulfstream G150
2. Cessna Citation XLS+

Midsize Cabin Jets

• Seating capacity: 8 to 10 passengers
• Range: 2,000 to 3,500 nautical miles
• Amenities: Spacious cabins with high-end entertainment systems, Wi-Fi connectivity, comfortable seating, and a variety of refreshment options

Examples:

1. Hawker 900XP
2. Bombardier Learjet 60

Super Midsize Cabin Jets

• Seating capacity: 8 to 12 passengers
• Range: 3,000 to 4,000 nautical miles
• Amenities: Large cabins with luxury entertainment systems, comfortable seating, Wi-Fi connectivity, and a variety of refreshment options

Examples:

1. Gulfstream G280
2. Dassault Falcon 50

Heavy Jets

• Seating capacity: 12 to 16 passengers
• Range: 4,000 to 5,500 nautical miles
• Amenities: Spacious cabins with high-end entertainment systems, comfortable seating, Wi-Fi connectivity, and a variety of refreshment options

Examples:

1. Gulfstream G450
2. Bombardier Challenger 604

Ultra-Long Range Heavy Jets

• Seating capacity: 14 to 18 passengers
• Range: 5,000 to 7,000 nautical miles
• Amenities: Large cabins with luxury entertainment systems, comfortable seating, Wi-Fi connectivity, and a variety of refreshment options

Examples:

1. Gulfstream G650ER
2. Dassault Falcon 8X

Executive Airliners

• Seating capacity: 18 to 50 passengers
• Range: 5,000 to 7,000 nautical miles
• Amenities: Large cabins with luxury entertainment systems, comfortable seating, Wi-Fi connectivity, and a variety of refreshment options

Examples:

1. Airbus Corporate Jetliner
2. Boeing Business Jet

These are the general characteristics of each type of private jet. However, it’s important to note that the exact specifications and amenities will vary by model and manufacturer.

So, How Much Does A Private Jet Cost Per Flight?

How Much Does It Cost to Charter a Private Jet in the USA?

You can probably guess from the list of aircraft types above that it’s difficult to give an accurate estimate due to the many variables.  However, one probably wouldn’t fly in the largest jets unless flying internationally, so if we were to look at midsize jets then, as a rough estimate, a 4-hour flight in a mid-size jet for 6-8 passengers can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000.

How much is a private jet for a 4-hour flight?

As a rough estimate, you can expect to pay anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 for a mid-size jet for 6-8 passengers.

How much is a 2-hour private jet flight?

For a two-hour flight you can expect to pay anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 for a 2-hour flight in a mid-size jet for 6-8 passengers.

Is it ever cheaper to fly private?

In some cases, flying private can actually be cheaper than flying commercially, especially if you have a large group of passengers. When you divide the fixed costs of the flight (fuel, crew, etc.) over a larger group, the cost per person can be lower than the cost of individual commercial tickets. However, it’s important to compare the total cost of a private jet flight with the cost of commercial flights, as well as the added value of the VIP experience and the convenience of flying privately.

Here’s an example comparison of 8 people flying first class on a commercial airline and 8 people flying the same route on a private jet:

Flying First Class on a Commercial Airline

• Cost: $30,000 to $50,000 for 8 first class tickets, depending on the airline and route
• Travel time: Approximately the same as the private jet flight, with the added time of arriving early for check-in, security, and boarding
• Comfort: Comfortable first class seats with more legroom, but still in a crowded cabin with other passengers
• Privacy: Limited privacy, as you’re still sharing the cabin with other passengers
• Convenience: Limited flexibility, as you’re subject to the airline’s schedule and routing, with the added hassle of check-in, security, and baggage handling

Flying on a Private Jet

• Cost: $60,000 to $100,000 for a private jet, depending on the factors mentioned above
• Travel time: Shorter overall travel time, as you have the freedom to fly at your preferred time and avoid the crowds and wait times at airports
• Comfort: Unmatched comfort and luxury, with a private cabin designed to your specifications and tailored to your needs
• Privacy: Total privacy and exclusivity, as you’re the only passengers on the aircraft
• Convenience: Maximum convenience, with the ability to fly directly to your destination and avoid connecting flights, as well as the added benefits of a private terminal and personalised service

This comparison shows that, although flying first class on a commercial airline may be more affordable, flying on a private jet offers a higher level of comfort, privacy, and convenience. The added value of these benefits may make the additional cost worth it for some travellers

How much is a private jet per hour in the UK?

Flights in the UK will cost anywhere from £3,000 to £5,000 ($4,000 to $7,000) for a mid-size jet for 6-8 passengers.

How far can a private jet fly?

How long is a piece of string?  Like all aircraft, the range of a private jet will depend on the specific aircraft, as well as the fuel capacity and the weight of the passengers and luggage.  Weather conditions can also affect the range of the aircraft, but for reasons of safety there will always be a margin for any such hindrances.

What are empty leg flights?

An empty leg, also known as a deadhead flight or ferry flight, is a private jet flight that has to take place without any passengers. This occurs when a private jet has been chartered one-way and needs to return to its base or fly to another location for its next booking.

For example, if a private jet has just dropped off passengers in Los Angeles and needs to return to its home base in New York, the return flight would be considered an empty leg.

Instead of flying empty, private jet operators will often offer these empty leg flights at a discounted rate to individuals or groups who are looking to fly on short notice. This can be an attractive option for those looking to fly privately, as they can save money compared to the cost of a full charter flight. 

The only drawback to this is that the flight may only be available on specific dates and times and may not be as flexible as a full charter flight.

Nevertheless, if you want to fly on private aircraft you can sign up for alerts and obtain quotes for empty leg flights.  Just be ready to fly at short notice!