On-demand Private Jet Charter 101: A Complete Overview

A seamless flight begins with the booking experience. From the moment you first reach out to your private flight advisor to the second the aircraft wheels touch down at your destination, your flight planning should be exciting, not stressful. This is where on-demand private jet charters come in.

With an on-demand private jet charter, you can fly where you want, when you want, in the comfort of the aircraft of your preference.

Simple, straight-forward flying

On-demand charters are perfect for those that fly less than 25 hours a year. Whether you’re flying for business or personal reasons, on-demand charters provide the most flexibility with no upfront costs, obligations or commitments.

With on-demand charters, there are no blackout dates to worry about, like you would with private jet cards or memberships. You simply call your provider, let them know which dates you want to fly, and show up on departure day. It’s that simple.

Flying on short notice with an on-demand private jet charter

One of the biggest benefits of an on-demand private jet charter is the ability to fly on short notice. Since you’re not locked into a certain fleet or aircraft category, the entire network of Stratos-approved aircraft is available to you, making these last-minute plans easy to accommodate.

Sourcing the safest aircraft available

At Stratos, we pride ourselves on providing our clients with some of the safest aircraft charter options available on the market. As a charter broker, we don’t own or operate any of our own aircraft. This allows us the freedom to hand-pick providers and planes that meet—or exceed—our high safety standards and can help us deliver an exceptional flying experience.

As an ARGUS-certified broker, we understand the importance of the proper safety checks and inspections. We also adhere to our own in-house safety audit. If an aircraft carrier doesn’t comply with our Stratos Approved Vendor Program, we don’t work with them.

In everything we do, we put safety and transparency above all else.

So how much does it cost to charter a private jet?

The cost to charter an on-demand private jet begins around $2,000 an hour and can reach as high as $30,000 per hour. The cost depends entirely on the type of aircraft you choose to charter.

For example, the Beechcraft King Air 250—a small, well-appointed turboprop aircraft—costs roughly $2,200 an hour. If you were to take a two-hour flight on this aircraft, you can expect to pay $4,400 plus fees and taxes.

If your trip covers a lot of ground or you simply prefer to charter a larger aircraft, the hourly rate typically begins around $6,000 per hour or more. For example, if you were to charter a super midsize jet, like the Citation Latitude, with an hourly rate of $7,400 an hour, and your destination is six hours away by air, you’d likely pay $44,400 plus fees and taxes for that trip.

 

On-demand Private Jet Charter FAQs

We field many questions in relation to on-demand charters. Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions and our answers.

Is there an Uber for private jets?

Yes, kind of. If you’re envisioning standing on the tarmac hailing an aircraft the same way you would a taxi, then no. However, if you’re wondering if there’s an app where you can book a seat on a private jet on a certain day, then yes.

Some aircraft providers sell seats on private aircraft as opposed to renting the entire plane. This is a good option for those that find cost to be a barrier for traveling privately; however, this model can’t really be considered a private jet flight anymore. When you buy a seat with strangers, you’re essentially flying commercially, just on a smaller scale.

If you’re looking for a true private jet experience, chartering an entire aircraft is the best way to achieve it.

Is there demand for private jets?

Yes. In recent years, the demand for private jets has reached unprecedented heights. In the first half of 2022, private jet operations increased by 38 percent compared to 2021. The biggest contributing factor to this increased demand is the pandemic. As commercial airlines struggled to meet schedule demands, passengers began seeking safer, less crowded and more reliable ways to travel. Chartering a private jet meets these needs and more.

What is the cheapest way to charter a jet?

The cheapest way to charter a jet is to book an empty leg flight. These types of flights can be tricky to find as the details are already set, so a passenger would have to be extremely flexible with their travel plans. Since an empty leg charter is an already scheduled flight, the passenger wouldn’t be able to choose the departure and arrival airports, the aircraft, or the flight schedule. But in some cases, those slight inconveniences are worth the reduced charter cost.

Can I buy a seat on a private jet?

Yes, but not with Stratos. At Stratos, we believe that the safest way to travel privately is to charter the entire jet, not just a seat. It’s also the most comfortable. There are other private aircraft providers that use the pay-by-the-seat model, but it’s not one we stand behind or offer our clients.

Is it cheaper to fly first class or private jet?

In some rare cases, it can be cheaper to fly by private jet. However, a first-class ticket with a commercial airline will be more affordable for longer trips, like coast-to-coast or transatlantic flights. If you’re planning on taking a quick trip on short notice with a group of people, splitting the cost of a private jet can be cheaper than paying for last-minute seats on a commercial aircraft.

 

 

If you’re looking for a high-quality broker with access to the safest aircraft in the market, consider Stratos Jet Charters. After more than 15 years in the industry, we’ve developed and maintained strong relationships with some of the best aircraft providers so we can secure the safest aircraft at the most reasonable prices for our clients. Begin a free quote today online or by calling (888) 593-9066.