Maintenance Costs You Can Expect to Pay When Owning a Jet 

The cost of maintenance varies from plane to plane. For example, a midsize plane could need about $500,000 in maintenance per year, while a larger jet could need $1.5 million yearly. 

Add those fees to the average cost of buying a private jet (measured in millions), and you’ll understand your financial obligations clearly. Here’s what you need to know. 

11 Maintenance Costs to Plan For 

Most jets need several different types of care and maintenance to remain safe and legal to pilot through the air. These are just a few of the important maintenance categories to consider as you craft your private jet budget.

1. Routine Inspections 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires inspections for the legal operation of an aircraft. If you fly 100 hours, your jet needs an inspection. If you don’t travel that much in 12 months, you’ll need an inspection when the calendar year ends. 

Certified mechanics must perform those inspections, and they require in-depth documentation and records. Since they are so complex and detailed, they’re not performed for free. 

Typical inspections cost between $10,000 and $100,000, depending on your location and the size of the plane. 

2. Engine Maintenance 

All engines need maintenance, whether they’re located in a car, an airplane, or a lawnmower. However, jet engines are more critical than most other types of engines. After all, when the engine breaks during a flight, you can’t pull over to the side of the road to fix it. 

Most routine maintenance takes just a few hours, but if something goes wrong, prepare for longer wait times. Experts say a shortage of parts and labor is lengthening typical engine repair time frames. Don’t leave this important inspection until a day or two before takeoff. 

If your mechanic spots a significant problem that requires an overhaul, expect to pay anywhere from $200,000 to several million dollars, depending on the hours and the hours flown. 

3. Airframe & Avionics Upkeep 

Your aircraft’s structural integrity and electronics systems are the focus of this type of inspection and repair. 

Airframe upkeep involves checking the exterior of your jet for problems like corrosion, cracking, and improper wear. Repairs can range from minor (like lubricating the landing gear) to major (like replacing a panel). 

During an avionics check, technicians test and verify your electrical systems and ensure they’re calibrated properly and working as designed. Small software problems can be fixed on the spot, but bigger issues might involve replacing system components. 

Standard checks take little more than hours, but repairs and upgrades can take longer (and cost more). For example, upgrading aging avionics systems can take weeks and cost $50,000 or more. 

4. Unscheduled Repairs 

Routine maintenance and inspections can help you to catch small problems before they grow into major catastrophes. However, unexpected issues can and do appear. 

Unscheduled maintenance is sometimes called line maintenance, and it’s typically performed either at your usual airport or the one you’re visiting. Repairs could be small (such as replacing a tire on the landing gear) or large (such as replacing a propeller). 

The time you’ll spend and the cost of the repair can vary greatly, depending on the issue. 

5. Component Replacements

The more you use your jet, the more stress and wear you put on every component it contains. In time, those parts and pieces may be too damaged to use safely. 

Most jet parts are expensive. Even tiny things you’ve never touched or heard about before can cost hundreds or thousands to purchase. Then, you’ll need a trained and experienced professional to install the item correctly and test it. 

Common parts that need repair include the following:

• Tires
• Hydraulics 
• Landing gear 
• Seals

Replacements typically take hours to complete, and they can cost hundreds to thousands, depending on the part.

6. Interior Refurbishments 

Many jet owners considered COVID lockdowns an ideal time to overhaul their jets. As a result, this business segment experienced a boom during and after the pandemic. Now that business has slowed a bit, it’s a great time to examine your aircraft. 

Refurbishment projects range from adjusting upholstery and fixtures to changing seating configurations and entertainment options. The larger the project, the higher the fee and cost. 

Refurbishments can cost anywhere from $100,000 to over $1 million, depending on the scope of the work.

7. Exterior Refurbishments

The outside of your aircraft is subject to weather, birds, temperature extremes, and more. In time, your paint could look dull and chipped. Chrome fixtures could also look cracked. 

Exterior painting and detailing can make your older plane look brand-new again. Projects cost between $50,000 and $200,000.

8. Staff Salaries & Benefits 

Nationally, members of a private jet crew make about $21 per hour. The larger your jet, the more people you’ll need on your team to fly safely and comfortably. 

Typically, frequent fliers hire crew and keep them available at all times for impulse trips. If you’ve engaged a crew for full-time work, you may need to create a compensation package that includes insurance and other benefits too. 

You can save money by using an employment agency to engage staff only when you need them. However, that could mean less flexibility in scheduling trips. Weigh the frequency of your trips and the value of convenience when considering the best situation for your staffing needs.

9. Fuel Costs 

Jet fuel powers your engines and keeps the jet in the air. Experts say jet fuel prices should remain about $2.0714 per gallon in 2025. However, problems with refineries or hiccups in trade could cause that number to go up. 

The jet’s owner is typically responsible for purchasing fuel for scheduled flights. In most cases, operators purchase fuel through their fixed base operator at their home airport. If you create a bulk purchase agreement, your price could go down. 

10. Storage & Ground Handling Fees

Your jet must be kept safe and secure when it’s not flying through the air. Crews must also move the aircraft from the landing strip to the storage spot. 

Storage and ground handling fees can vary dramatically based on your location. If you’re keeping your jet in a busy tourist area, for example, you may need to pay more due to the competition from other jet owners. 

In general, fees range from $1,500 to $10,000 per month. Ensure you read your contract carefully to know more about what is (and is not) included with your fees. 

11. Insurance Costs 

Private jet insurance can protect you from accidents or incidents. Instead of going bankrupt with a ruined jet, you can use your protection to stay whole and get your aircraft repaired. 

Aircraft insurance costs can vary, but most premiums average about 14% of a jet’s hull value. The newer and more expensive your jet, the higher your potential insurance premium will be. 

It’s smart to search for the right insurance provider and compare your options. In time, you’ll find the right balance of cost and coverage. 

Fly Private Without Worrying About Maintenance Costs 

All of the costs we’ve outlined above can add up quickly. Thankfully, these costs aren’t mandatory. You can fly on a private jet without signing up for years of high bills. 

Private jet charters come with per-flight prices, so you can pay for what you need and eliminate ongoing financial obligations. If you fly intermittently, this can be an amazing option that saves you money. 

If you fly regularly and want more scheduling control, fractional jet ownership can be a good choice. Share the upfront and operational costs with other people and tap into regular travel at a reasonable price. 

Remember that you can switch your choices when it suits you. Start with a charter, dig deeper with fractional ownership, and then take the plunge and buy your own plane. The possibilities are endless, and the right choice for you can change as your needs evolve.