What does your trip cost?
One aircraft, one trip, nothing owed afterwards. Put the route in — every jet that can fly it, priced, before you tell us anything.
What a private jet charter costs
A charter is priced as hours in the air multiplied by that aircraft's hourly rate, where the billed hours are whichever is greater: the flight time, or the operator's minimum. US domestic flights add 7.5% Federal Excise Tax. A return trip adds either a two-hour daily minimum plus about $1,200 a night for crew while the aircraft waits, or the cost of a second one-way if it is released.
| Aircraft | Cabin | Typical range | Hourly rate | Operator minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light jet | up to 7 guests | about 2,000 nm | from $4,500 per hour | 1.5 h minimum |
| Midsize jet | up to 9 guests | about 2,600 nm | from $6,000 per hour | 1.5 h minimum |
| Super-midsize jet | up to 10 guests | about 3,400 nm | from $7,500 per hour | 2 h minimum |
| Heavy jet | up to 14 guests | about 4,750 nm | from $10,000 per hour | 2 h minimum |
| Ultra-long-range | up to 19 guests | about 7,500 nm | from $14,500 per hour | 2 h minimum |
Not included: de-icing, catering beyond standard, ground transport, peak-day surcharges, and airport fees at some fields. These are indicative from prices worked out from published hourly rates, not quotations. MagnateJet arranges private jet charter; flights are operated by FAA / EASA-certified operators.
How a charter price is built
Every quote in the market is assembled the same way, in this order. Knowing the four parts is what lets you tell a fair price from a padded one.
-
1
Flight time
Not distance divided by cruise speed. It carries taxi and climb-out, the track air traffic control actually gives you, and the wind. Westbound across the Atlantic runs about an hour longer than eastbound on the same route.
-
2
× the hourly rate
Set by the operator, by class. It covers the aircraft, both pilots, fuel, maintenance and insurance. A light jet is roughly a third of an ultra-long-range aircraft per hour.
-
3
Billed on whichever is greater
Your flight hours, or the operator's minimum. Operators bill about two hours for every day the aircraft is away from base. On a day trip it never bites; on a four-night stay with two short legs it is most of the bill.
-
4
+ crew and tax
Around $1,200 a night for crew if the aircraft waits for you. US domestic flights add 7.5% Federal Excise Tax. Past two or three nights it is usually cheaper to release the aircraft and buy two one-ways — the estimator prices both.
Charter, card, share or empty leg
Four ways to fly private, suiting genuinely different people. The honest test is how many hours a year you fly and how much certainty you need on the day.
| On-demand charter | Jet card | Fractional share | Empty leg | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What you buy | One aircraft, one trip | Hours prepaid at a set rate | A share in one aircraft | Someone else's repositioning flight |
| Commitment | None | From 25 hours | Three to five years | None |
| Price certainty | Quoted per trip, moves with the date | Locked for the term | Monthly fee + occupied hourly | Cheap, but take it or leave it |
| Availability on the day | What is free; more notice is cheaper | Committed call-out times | Strongest — partly your aircraft | Whatever happens to exist |
| Risk it is pulled | Rare once contracted | Rare | None | Real — goes if the charter moves |
| Cost per trip | Market rate | Market rate, prepaid | Highest all-in | 25–75% less |
| Suits | Up to ~25 hours a year, trips that vary | Regular, repeating flying | Heavy, predictable flying | Flexible dates |
The market is moving: in North America through May 2026, fractional flying grew 12.5% year on year while on-demand charter grew 3.6% and owner-flown aircraft fell 3.6% (ARGUS). More people are buying committed hours rather than aircraft — but committed hours only pay off above a real annual volume. If you fly a handful of trips a year, charter is still the cheaper instrument.
Which size for which trip
Pick the smallest cabin that does the trip nonstop with your party in it. Paying for an ultra-long-range jet to fly two hours is the most common way people overspend.
Light jet
- Cabin
- up to 7
- Range
- ~2,000 nm
Regional hops: New York–Chicago, London–Geneva.
Midsize
- Cabin
- up to 9
- Range
- ~2,600 nm
Most of Europe nonstop. US coast to coast eastbound; westbound takes a fuel stop.
Super-midsize
- Cabin
- up to 10
- Range
- ~3,400 nm
US transcontinental nonstop, stand-up cabin.
Heavy
- Cabin
- up to 14
- Range
- ~4,750 nm
Transatlantic nonstop, separate cabin zones, full galley.
Ultra-long-range
- Cabin
- up to 19
- Range
- ~7,500 nm
New York–Dubai, New York–Tokyo, London–Los Angeles, nonstop.
What a broker owes you
Ask any broker for all five in writing. A good one sends them without being pushed.
Several operators quoted
We put the trip to the market and push the operator's price down, then show you every fee rather than one rolled-up number.
Ratings with the quote
We screen operators by ARGUS and Wyvern rating, and include that flight's rating with the quote.
The operator named
You know which certificated operator is flying you before you sign — FAA Part 135 or the foreign equivalent — and it appears in the charter agreement.
One price, settled your way
One all-in figure, in USD or digital assets. Nothing to pay until you agree.
Changes handled
Times, passengers and destinations move. Re-arranging them at midnight is the job, not a favour.
The things people actually ask
How much does it cost to charter a private jet?
From about $4,500 an hour for a light jet and from about $14,500 an hour for an ultra-long-range aircraft, before tax and the items listed above. What matters is not the hourly rate but the billed hours: minimums, crew overnights and repositioning decide the final figure far more than the headline rate does. Put your route into the estimator above for a from price on every aircraft that can fly it.
How far ahead should I book?
Two to three weeks gives the best choice and the best price. Inside 48 hours you are buying from whatever is in position. Around Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, the Super Bowl, major Grand Prix weekends and Art Basel, book weeks out — those dates sell out and carry surcharges.
Is a private jet charter cheaper than first class?
Per person, almost never, unless you are filling the cabin. Four people flying New York to Miami will usually pay more than four first-class tickets. What you buy is the schedule, the airport, the privacy and the time, not a cheaper seat. Where it does compete is a full party of eight to twelve on a route with poor scheduled service.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, on most aircraft, in the cabin, and no crate unless you want one. Operators differ on large breeds and on how many animals they will take, so it is agreed before you book rather than discovered at the aircraft. How flying with pets works →
Who actually operates the flight?
A certificated operator — FAA Part 135 in the United States, or the foreign equivalent. MagnateJet arranges the charter; we do not operate aircraft. The operator's name, and that flight's ARGUS or Wyvern rating, come with your quote and appear in the charter agreement.
What does the price not include?
De-icing, catering beyond the standard offering, ground transport, peak-day surcharges, and handling or landing fees at some airports. On a one-way, crew overnight costs may also apply.
Can I pay in crypto?
Yes — Bitcoin, Ethereum and major stablecoins, or a traditional wire. The price is the same either way. How settlement works →
Request a quote.
Send your route, dates and party size. An exact price in about 30 minutes — no obligation.
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