Flying Private Isn’t as Expensive as You Think
Gone are the days when flying private is considered a fancy and out-of-reach indulgence. Fortunately, you no longer need to be ultra-rich to be able to afford and enjoy a private jet charter.
Nowadays, many companies have disrupted the private jet industry by making it more accessible. For instance, many companies now offer membership clubs that allow travelers to share the cost of a jet with others.
There is also a range of apps designed to give you access to seats on empty legs if you want to take a Cessna instead of that business class flight. If anything, a private jet charter is now more accessible and affordable than you think.
Leasing a Jet
Unlike before, renting a private jet is no longer just for Hollywood stars. Thanks to several innovative startups, you now have the option to charter a whole plane for yourself without spending a fortune.
For instance, some startups allow you to book a seat on scheduled flights. Others give you the option to book empty seats on small planes if you want to take short-haul flights. You also have the option to hire a private charter jet for as low as 1,000 USD.
Some of these companies can bring costs down by tapping into regional airport networks in the United States. Another option available for you is an air taxi. Most regular air taxis allow you to rent an entire plane.
With air taxis, you can sell some of the spare seats to recoup your expenses. For air taxis, the largest plane you will have access to will have four seats. An air taxi rental can take you back as little as 400 USD per passenger.
Booking a Seat on a Private Jet
If you are curious about the cost of flying a jet to Europe, some companies offer flights that will only cost as much as a business class ticket but allow you to travel on a business jet.
When booking a seat on a private jet, you just need to pay for the ticket, and you won't have to pay membership fees. Some of the companies offering seats on a private jet were launched because of the decreasing business class options around Europe.
These companies give their clients access to Cessnas, Hawker jets, and Learjets. Private jet costs can take you back as little as 390 EUR. These companies cover several European cities, including Nice, Milan, and Geneva.
In the United States, some jet companies also offer the same experience. They make luxury flights accessible by allowing you to purchase a seat on a private jet rather than chartering an entire plane.
Some companies run seven-day services between Nevada and California. Surprisingly, each way can only cost as low as 29 USD. Even some hotels offer complementary luxurious private charters to their resort. We recently experienced this perk at the Sensei Lānaʻi, A Four Seasons Resort in Hawaii.
The semi-private plane can spare you from going through a large terminal before your flight. Instead, you can relax in the lounge while enjoying free snacks, drinks, and even WiFi. You can also walk through the doors to the tarmac where your plane will be waiting for you.
Hiring a Private Jet
If you want to fly with friends in tow, you have the option to hire a private jet. By filling each seat of your chosen seven-seater plane, you and your friends have the option to fly on a private jet for less than what each would pay for an economy ticket.
Some companies also award points each time you fly. You can use the points for your next flight. Undoubtedly, similar deals make jet leasing very easy. If you are into making new friends, there's another option that you can look into.
Nowadays, you can also charter a jet through crowdsourcing. An app will enable you to find other flyers that are looking to fly to your intended destination. You can share the cost of the flight with those people.
The app works by advertising your flight and connecting you with other people looking to fly to the same destination. One significant upside of this option is you can relax in bespoke lounges before your flight and be looked after by the crew.
Joining a Private Jet Member's Club
If you think a country club membership is the hottest membership around, think again. Nowadays, the hottest membership is a private jet club membership, where you get access to the best party 30,000 feet above the ground.
Private jet memberships are highly coveted as they can give members the privilege to fly at a moment's notice. Not only that, you will also have access to attractive flights for less. You can also get to the airport 15 minutes before take-off instead of the usual two hours.
Some clubs are great options for frequent flyers. Members have the option to fly as often as they want. They just have to pay a monthly membership fee. Members can liaise with their membership managers if there are any changes they want to make related to their flights.
Private jet memberships can cost around 4,000 USD. If you prefer not to join the club, a seat will cost you 500 USD—the average business class ticket price. If you are considering owning your own private jet, this is also an option available at your disposal.
Warren Buffet owns NetJets, which gives members the chance to keep the cost of private jets down by allowing them to own a part of the jet rather than the entire plane. The amount you will pay for the membership will be translated to flight time.
So if you have a 1/16 ownership of the jet (cost is around 600,000 USD), you will get 50 hours of flight time. Considering the substantial membership cost, it is likely that you are wondering if you are saving money.
Let's do the math. On average, you need to shell out 1.15 million USD to purchase a Cessna CJ1 525. The average running cost is around 584,000 USD yearly. Undoubtedly, the figures make a NetJets membership sound like a practical idea.
Some companies offer jet cards for 25-hours for 170,000 USD. The jet card will give you access to a Hawker jet and 5,500 airports. You just need to factor in fuel charges, taxes, and monthly maintenance for each hour you fly.
If part-owning a jet does not appeal to you, you have the option to join membership clubs with a customized feel. Companies offering these memberships allow you to create a bespoke membership based on certain factors like the types of jet you prefer or how frequently you travel.
On average, 25 hours of flying will cost you around 8,000 USD. If you want access to inflight WiFi and premium catering, you will have to pay extra. Some companies also offer discounted rates for empty legs.
A private jet app will connect pilots to passengers so the return flight is not empty and passengers can get lower-priced seats.
Final Thoughts
Undeniably, flying private is no longer as costly as it used to be and with the number of ideas to generate passive income available nowadays, you can afford to spoil yourself.
You also now have plenty of options available at your disposal. With a bit of research, you can easily find an option that works best for you!