The True Cost of Chartering a Jet 

Average Private Jet Charter Rates by Size 

The size of your aircraft has a deep impact on the price you’ll pay for your flight. In general, larger planes cost more than smaller versions.

*Cost averages listed on this page are intended to provide averages for various planes, destinations, and more. Your actual rate can vary by multiple factors, including the company you choose. 

For a truly accurate charter cost, contact us today to get a personalized quote for your trip.

Aircraft type	Avg. seating capacity	Avg. Hourly Cost	Best suited for
TurboProp	6 to 8	$1,200 to $1,800	Short-haul flights with limited baggage
Very Light Jets	4 to 5	$1,500 to $2,250	Short-distance flights for small groups
Light Jets	6 to 8	$2,200 to $3,000	Regional and short international flights for travelers who need more cabin space
Super Light Jets	7 to 8	$3,500 to $5,000	Slightly longer trips than light jets for travelers who want more amenities
Midsize Jets	7 to 9	$2,800 to $3,800	Mid-length flights for travelers who need amenities such as ample luggage capacity
Super Midsize Jets	8 to 10	$3,800 to $5,000	Longer-range flights, including international destinations
Heavy Jets	10 to 16	$5,000 to $8,000	Long-haul flights for business executives and large groups
Ultra Long-Range Jets	10 to 16	$8,000 to $10,500	Nonstop international trips
Commercial Airliners	16 to 80	$18,000 to $30,000	Large groups traveling long distances
Helicopters	2 to 6	$3,000 to $6,000	Short-distance travel to remote or congested areas

Private Jet Chartering With Element Aviation

At Element Aviation, we’re on a mission to enhance the private jet experience. Our team is available around the clock to help you plan your next trip. 

Our global network of premier operators means we’re able to provide our clients with the very best flying experience on plane sizes that meet your needs. With no upfront money or commitment required, we give you the ultimate in flexibility. 

Our rates are capped, so you’ll never pay more than you should for travel. And our fees are fully refundable, so you can change your plans as needed. 

We offer membership plans to help you save money. Those plans can deliver a reliable flying experience without the market impacts that could change your cost. 

How Our Process Works 

It’s not always easy to get a straight answer on the true cost of chartering a jet. We started Element Aviation to bring transparency to worried travelers. 

We start by asking about your travel needs. Specifically, we want to know about your: 

• Origin and final destinations
• Passenger count 
• Travel requirements 
• Preferences

With that data, we identify aircraft that meet your needs. We work tirelessly to ensure you get the right aircraft at a competitive rate. We find the solution that makes the most sense for your situation.

We manage every detail, including logistics, flight planning, crew coordination, catering, and ground transportation. The result is a stress-free travel experience from start to finish.

Main Factors That Impact the Cost of Jet Chartering

The cost of your next chartered flight can vary by a variety of factors. Many of them are well within your control. Understanding what they are can help you make a smart decision about your next flight. 

Aircraft Type & Size 

The size of the aircraft is one of the most important factors that impact your overall price. Larger aircraft need more resources, and those fees are passed to you as a client. 

The type of your aircraft matters too. Luxurious surroundings with plenty of amenities will come with higher fees than bare-bones aircraft. 

Flight Distance & Duration

Jet charters are typically billed by the hour, so longer flights cost more than their shorter counterparts. A longer flight also requires more fuel, which can add to the total cost. 

Fuel Costs & Market Rates

All jets need fuel to operate. Fuel markets can fluctuate due to factors far outside the traveler’s control. If your trip coincides with a spike in fuel costs, your final bill might be larger.

Airport Fees & Overnight Expenses 

Common airport fees cover things like landing, handling, and incidentals. Private jet companies could pass those charges to you. If you spend the night, your costs for that overnight stay could be added to the bill as well. Your crew may need fees to cover their food and housing while you’re resting overnight. 

Crew Fees & Size 

Every aircraft needs crew members. However, very large planes with plenty of passengers need more personnel than smaller versions do. The more people serving you during the flight, the more you’ll pay. 

Seasonal Impacts

During peak travel times (like summer breaks and holiday weekends), air travel costs more. If you’re traveling during these very busy times, your plane charter costs will go up accordingly.

Customization & Concierge Services 

Optional concierge services could make your flight much more pleasant, but they could also increase your final bill. Typical concierge services include custom catering, ground transportation, booking assistance (for on-the-ground amenities like spas and hotels), and trip coordination. 

Taxes & Fees

Domestic flights are subject to federal excise tax, while international flights may have additional fees levied by the destination country. You may also be subject to other forms of taxes and fees, depending on the specifics of your flight. 

Other Add-Ons

Your ability to customize a chartered flight is almost endless. The items you add to your plans could increase your final costs. These are a few of the elements you might add:

• Catering
• Ground transportation
• Chauffeur services

Real-World Private Jet Charter Cost Examples

Examining a few hypothetical trips can make private jet charter prices a little easier to understand. 

Example 1: Domestic Flight From Los Angeles to Aspen 

In this example, the flight distance is 730 miles, and the traveler will be in the air for about 2.5 hours. 

Midsize jets like the Lear 60 or Citation XLS are the most common planes for this type of flight. As we mentioned, their standard seating capacity is between seven and nine, and their average hourly cost is $3,300. 

fee type	average amounts
Flight Time (2.5 hours)	$8,250
Fuel Surcharge	$375
Crew Fees (per diem)	$300
Landing & Handling Fees	$600
Federal Excise Tax (7.5%)	$618
Total Estimated Cost	Starting at $10,000

Example 2: International Flight From New York to London 

In this example, the flight distance is 3,450 miles and represents about 7 hours of in-air time. 

Heavy jets like the Gulfstream G540 or Challenger 605 are the most common charters used for a trip like this. Their standard seating capacity is 12 to 16, and their hourly rate is an average of $6,500.

fee type	average amounts
Flight Time (7 hours)	$45,500
Fuel Surcharge	$2,100
Crew Fees (per diem)	$1,200
Landing & Handling Fees	$1,750
International Fees & Permits	$3,000
Federal Excise Tax (7.5%)	$3,412
Total Estimated Cost	Starting at $56,962

Private Charter Cost Examples by Route & Aircraft Type 

In the following examples, we’ll provide cost estimates for both long and short domestic and international flights. You’ll see that the costs vary dramatically between these two very different types of air travel. 

Domestic Flight Examples 

Since chartered jet trips are billed per hour, longer flights tend to be more expensive than shorter versions.

This table makes the relationship between flight time and final cost easier to understand:

route	Flight time hours	Light Jet ($2,600/hr)	midsize jet ($3,300/hr)	heavy jet ($6,500/hr)	Ultra long-range jet ($9,250/hr)
Los Angeles to Las Vegas	1	$2,600	$3,300	$6,500	$9,250
Los Angeles to Aspen	2.5	$6,500	$8,250	$16,250	$23,125
Los Angeles to New York	6	$15,600	$19,800	$39,000	$55,500
New York to Miami	2.5	$6,500	$8,250	$16,250	$23,125

International Flight Examples 

International flights are almost always longer than their domestic counterparts. They tend to need larger aircraft too.

The following chart demonstrates how much these flights tend to cost:

route	Flight time hours	heavy jet ($6,500/hr)	Ultra Long-range jet ($9,250/hr)
New York to London	7	$45,500	$64,750
New York to Dubai	13.5	$87,750	$124,875
New York to Tokyo	14	$91,000	$129,500

Miami to New York Charter Examples by Aircraft Model 

The model of airplane you choose can also have a deep impact on your final cost. Some aircraft can extend your flight time, which also increases the price.

This chart compares different types of aircraft all following the same route:

aircraft model	passenger capacity	estimated flight time	estimated one-way cost
Citation CJ3+	Up to 8	2 hours 30 minutes	$6,500
Hawker 400XP	Up to 8	2 hours 40 minutes	$6,933
Learjet 45XR	Up to 8	2 hours 30 minutes	$10,625
Phenom 300e	Up to 8	2 hours 40 minutes	$11,333
Hawker 800XP	Up to 9	2 hours 30 minutes	$8,250
Citation X	Up to 10	2 hours 20 minutes	$10,266
Challenger 300	Up to 10	2 hours 20 minutes	$10,266
Gulfstream GIV-SP	Up to 16	2 hours 20 minutes	$15,166
Gulfstream G450	Up to 16	2 hours 30 minutes	$16,250

Start Your Ultimate Flying Experience Today 

Our team of jet charter experts can help you find the perfect charter for your unique needs. Whether you need to fly tomorrow, next week, next month, or next year, we can help. Our friendly, expert staff is available around the clock to help.

Contact us to get started.