How Much Is It to Rent a Private Jet? Costs Explained
by Ellie Smith / May 5, 2025
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
If you dread the thought of reaching another busy airport after leaving the comfort of your Blacklane limousine and dragging your designer luggage through the crowds, you need to look at hiring a private jet.
You don’t have to be ultra-wealthy to experience private aviation, either. A new wave of companies is disrupting the industry, making it more accessible through membership clubs that help you split the cost of a jet.
There are also several apps that let you snap up empty leg seats, so maybe it’s time to cancel that business class ticket and book the Cessna instead. Chartering a private jet may be more affordable than you think.
At Blacklane, we move guests from driveway to jetway every day, so we’ve seen both sides of modern air travel, the champagne finish of a private ramp, and the cattle call chaos of commercial security lines. While renting a jet might sound extravagant, the reality is more nuanced. Thanks to a growing number of seat-sharing platforms, on-demand charter services, and membership models, private jet cost now comes in many forms.
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What actually drives private‑jet cost?
Private jet pricing isn’t one-size-fits-all. It typically depends on four main factors: the time the aircraft is in use (known as occupied flight hours), the size and category of the aircraft, whether the jet needs to reposition before pickup, and the timing of the flight. In short, rates typically range from $5,000 to over $15,000 per hour.
Jet Category | Seats (Approx.) | Estimated Hourly Rate |
Turboprop | 4 to 6 passengers | $5,000–$7,000 |
Light jet | 6 to 8 passengers | $6,000–$8,000 |
Midsize jet | 7 to 9 passengers | $7,500–$9,000 |
Super midsize jet | 8 to 12 passengers | $7,000–$11,000 |
Large cabin jet | 10 to 19 passengers | $12,000–$15,000 |
These figures give a high-level sense of how private jet cost scales with aircraft type. Keep in mind, rates can shift based on travel dates, airport fees, and availability.
Beyond the basics, a few additional factors can also affect the final quote:
Airport selection: Fees can vary dramatically between airports. Flying into or out of major hubs with limited slots or peak-hour surcharges may cost more than using nearby alternatives.
Crew logistics and overnight stays: If your trip requires the crew to wait overnight or travel between bases, those costs are typically passed on to the customer.
Special services or handling requests: Onboard catering, ground transportation coordination, or international handling can add to the total cost depending on what’s included in the provider’s base rate.
Ways to fly private
1. Lease a jet
Private jet rental isn’t just for pop stars anymore. Thanks to a wave of innovative startups, it’s now possible to charter an entire plane more affordably than before, especially if you’re flying short-haul.
California-based company Surf Air offers flexible options for private travel. You can choose from scheduled flights on small aircraft, book an entire charter, or subscribe to membership plans that lower costs over time. Surf Air taps into the U.S. regional airport network to cut down landing fees and wait times. It primarily serves California and nearby states, making it perfect if you’re in Palo Alto on business and fancy hot-footing it to Mammoth or Coachella.
Another option is an air taxi service like Linear Air, which helps connect travelers with small aircraft charters across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, the Caribbean and Europe. While Linear Air doesn’t own its own planes, you can search flights through its platform by entering your location and selecting aircraft based on size. You’ll usually be renting the entire plane, often seating just three or four passengers, but on some platforms, you may be able to offset costs by offering extra seats to other travelers.
2. Book a seat on a private jet
If you’ve ever Googled the cost of flying private to Europe and then quickly moved on, GlobeAir might change your mind. It offers short-haul private jet charters that, when split between passengers, can rival business class fares, while delivering the elevated comfort and flexibility of a private jet. There’s no membership required, you simply pay for the seat. Prices for a single seat can start from around €990, depending on the route and availability. They operate flights to key European cities, including Milan, Geneva, and Nice.
Empty leg flights, also known as repositioning flights, occur when a private jet needs to return to its base or move to a new location for its next booking, without passengers. Rather than fly empty, operators list these flights at significantly reduced rates to offset costs.
Since the route and timing are already fixed, empty legs don’t offer the same flexibility as full charters. But for travelers with flexible plans or one-way needs, they’re a smart way to enjoy private jet travel at a fraction of the regular price. These deals are often posted on short notice and may only be available for a short window.
3. Hire a private jet with your friends
If you want to fly with your friends you need to take a look at Victor, a UK company that has expanded to the U.S. Its app connects travelers to 7000 aircraft worldwide and allows you to compare prices and answer that burning question, “how much does it cost to rent a private jet?”. By splitting the cost of a private charter with friends, you can bring the price per person closer to a business class ticket. You’ll also earn points every time you fly, which you can use toward your next flight. It makes jet leasing easy.
If you're open to flying with stylish strangers, Blade is another option. This U.S.-based platform lets travelers book seats on scheduled short-hop flights or arrange private charters. While the app has moved away from true crowd-sourced jet sharing, it still connects like-minded travelers looking for convenience, speed, and a touch of luxury. And if jet-sharing brings to mind a student outing, Blade’s bespoke lounges and staff uniforms, often designed by Tamara Mellon, co-founder of Jimmy Choo, will quickly change that impression.
4. Memberships, jet cards, and fractional ownership
Forget about joining the country club. The hottest membership around is a private jet club, where the best party is 30,000 feet above ground. These private jet membership clubs give you the ability to fly at a moment’s notice, you can arrive at the airport 15 minutes before take-off instead of two hours before, and access to glamorous flights for less.
If you fly frequently, Surf Air could be the club for you. It gives members unlimited flights within California or Texas for a monthly fee. You can drive straight to its private terminal and work directly with your membership manager to make any flight changes. Monthly memberships start at $295, depending on the plan.
If owning a jet sounds more appealing, consider NetJets, owned by Warren Buffett. It offers fractional ownership, allowing you to buy a share of an aircraft instead of the whole plane. A 1/16 share, which provides about 50 flight hours per year, typically starts at around $550,000. When you factor in monthly management fees and occupied hourly rates, the total annual cost often ranges between $600,000 and $700,000, depending on aircraft type and usage.
That raises the question: How much does it really cost to own a private jet and are you actually saving money? According to jet management company Liberty Jets, buying a Cessna CJ1 525 costs between $1.4 million and $1.75 million. Annual operating expenses range from about $600,000 to $1 million or more, depending on how often you fly. By comparison, NetJets can offer a more cost-effective and flexible alternative.
You can also buy a 25-hour jet card for a Hawker jet starting at approximately $207,900, depending on the model and provider. This gives you access to a wide network of airports, with additional costs for services like fuel, maintenance, and taxes.
If you don’t want to part-own a jet but still want the perks of private aviation, Magellan Jets offers a customizable membership. You can tailor your plan based on how often you fly and what type of jet you prefer. A 25-hour jet card typically starts from around $150,000, depending on the aircraft. Additional charges apply for premium catering and in-flight Wi-Fi. Magellan also offers discounted empty leg flights, repositioning trips that give travelers access to private jet travel at lower rates while helping operators avoid flying empty.
Best private‑jet apps
As they say, there’s an app for everything, and this includes private jets. From choosing whether you want a Hawker or a Cessna, to checking the availability of planes at your nearest airport, the choice is yours through a range of private jet apps. And in some cases, these apps will even let you know if you can take your pet.
Victor
Victor cuts out the middleman and connects you directly to the operator. You have access to more than 7000 private aircraft, giving you the ability to check availability and get a quote instantly. There are no hidden charges for your private jet charter. You don’t have to ask how much does it cost to fly private? This app makes it clear. It’s just a fixed booking fee and then the price of your flight. The app gives you everything you need for the flight, including the name of the captain and tail number of the plane.
JetASAP
JetASAP's platform allows users to submit trip requests and receive bids from operators, creating a competitive pricing environment akin to a bidding process. You can see live pricing, compare aircraft, and get real-time availability. There’s no commission or hidden fees, just a small annual membership fee to access the platform. You’ll also get full flight details with each quote, including tail number, aircraft type, and operator info.
Wheels Up
This app lets you book flights, view upcoming trips, access special Hot Flights (where you can book empty leg flights at a fraction of the cost). It also features the Wheels Down programme, where you can access member benefits on sports and entertainment events at your destination.
NetJets
NetJets offers a streamlined experience for fractional owners. Members can access a fleet of over 700 aircraft, view upcoming flights, choose their aircraft, order in-flight dining, and track how much flight time they have left. The app makes it easy to manage your private travel and get the most out of your ownership.
Surf Air
Surf Air offers flexible private flight options. Members can choose from various plans, including options that allow for unlimited flights or pay-as-you-fly access. The app enables users to book flights, view upcoming trips, customize their journey, and share itineraries.
Choosing the right app:
Need transparency? Pick Victor
Love bidding wars? Try JetASAP
Chase empty‑legs? Scroll Wheels Up Hot Flights
Own a share? Stick with NetJets
Commute weekly? Go Surf Air Freedom Pass
Pro tips to reduce private jet costs
Be flexible with timing. Shifting your departure by 90 minutes earlier or later can help avoid peak slot fees and cut up to 15% off the price.
Consider alternate airports. Choosing less congested airports like Morristown or Westchester County instead of Teterboro can lower ramp and handling fees.
Plan smart round trips. If you return within 24 hours, you may avoid overnight crew charges.
Sign up for empty leg alerts. Most brokers send out daily email or WhatsApp updates. Enable notifications so you don’t miss out.
Pair private flight with private ride
Private jet travel might promise freedom in the skies, but what happens on the ground matters just as much. Pair your preferred charter option with a Blacklane airport transfer to enjoy a seamless travel experience from start to finish. Our rides are designed to complement your chosen flight style. With professional chauffeurs, spacious premium vehicles, and flexible ride options, you can count on a smoother, quieter journey every time. No scrambling, no queues, just a quieter, more reliable way to move through the world.
