How much does a private jet cost to hire?
Business travellers are becoming increasingly aware of the significant efficiency benefits of hiring a private jet – which can save hours of travel time and avoid the need for overnight stays when travelling on business. And for executive group travel on some itineraries, the cost per head can be comparable with business class fares.
However cost-consciousness is at an all-time high: In this economic climate, transparency has never been more important for today’s private jet customer who wants to know that a) they have paid a fair market price and b) what they are paying for.
This transparency has not always been available but this is changing rapidly, thanks largely to the industry embracing online technologies. At PrivateFly.com, we offer a Quick Quote calculator which gives an instant online price for private jet hire – for any global trip.
How private jet charter costs are calculated
The cost of chartering a private jet hire is always quoted for the whole aircraft, not per passenger.
The quote will depend on a number of factors, in addition to obviously the type of aircraft and distance of journey. Other costs include:
- Airport landing fees: An airport will charge a fee for each landing, which depends on the aircraft’s weight.
- Airport handling fees: At most airports, a private jet aircraft to be managed on the ground by a fixed based operator (FBO) or aircraft handling company. The handling charges will cover the cost of arranging fuel, sanitation, passenger transport to and from the terminal, crew rest facilities and any other aircraft requirements.
- Passenger taxes and levies: Passenger taxes and levies may be payable for entry or departure, depending on the airport and country.
- Crew costs: In addition to their salaries, the crew’s expenses when they are working (ie meals and hotel costs) are paid by the aircraft operator and billed to the charterer. Most private jet aircraft will have two pilots on board and possibly a flight attendant on larger aircraft. Smaller propeller aircraft can operate with only one captain.
- Ground transportation: Crew taxi costs and any requested cars for the passengers will usually be added into the charter price.
Private jet hire price example
Below is an example of the private charter cost for a Citation XLS medium jet (seating up to five passengers), on an overnight return flight between London City Airport and Frankfurt Airport, with the aircraft’s base at London Biggin Hill airport.
| Outbound | |
| London Biggin Hill to London City (positioning) | 11 (nm) |
| London City to Frankfurt Main | 334 (nm) |
| Total distance | 345 (nm) |
| Flying hours | 1 hrs 18 min |
| Flying cost for 1 hr | £2,684 |
| Flying charge (hourly rate for 1 hr x flying hours) | £3,489 |
| Landing fee in London City Airport (LCY) – included | £0 |
| Handling fee London City Airport (LCY) | £1,600 |
| Landing fee Frankfurt Main Airport (FRA) | £450 |
| Handling fee Frankfurt Main Airport (FRA) | £280 |
| Taxes and levies | £55 |
| Crew hotel costs | £180 |
| Crew expenses | £80 |
| Ground transport | £350 |
| Total cost leg 1 | £4,884 |
| Inbound | |
| Frankfurt Main to London City | 334 (nm) |
| London City to London Biggin Hill (positioning back to home base) | 11 (nm) |
| Total distance | 345 (nm) |
| Flying hours | 1 hrs 18 min |
| Flying cost for 1 hr | £2,684 |
| Flying charge (hourly rate for 1 hr x flying hours) | £3,489 |
| Landing fee in London City Airport (LCA) | £2,100 |
| Handling fee London City Airport (LCA) – included | £0 |
| Landing fee Biggin Hill Airport (BQH) | £300 |
| Handling fee Biggin Hill Airport (BQH) | £250 |
| Taxies and levies | £172 |
| Total cost leg 2 | £6,061 |
| Total cost – return | £10,945 |
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