Private Jet Charter Cost Estimator

Airport Landing Fees 

Each airport authority charges their own landing fees. These vary from airport to airport, but the fee is usually between $100 and $1,000 per flight at executive and regional airports and depends on the aircraft size and weight. High-density airports like Boston Logan, Miami International, and JFK in New York have been known to charge more than $1,000 per flight. 

Ramp and Handling Fees

Fixed-base operators charge a fee to handle and park the aircraft you charter. This fee can range from $100 to $500 per flight. In some cases, these fees can be waived if minimum fuel requirements are met. 

Segment Fees

Segment fees are applied to each passenger per leg (segment). In the United States, the fee is $4.50 per passenger. 

Federal Excise Tax

A 7.5% Federal Excise Tax is charged on all domestic flights within the US.

Firm quotes provided by Stratos private flight advisors are based on a specific aircraft’s availability and are considered “all-in” prices, which include all taxes and any other anticipated fees. We bill all expected flight-related costs upfront so that there are no surprises. However, sometimes things don’t go as planned and an unexpected fee may arise. The cost of these fees are then billed post-flight.

Common unexpected fees include, but are not limited to: 

• Cleaning services
• In-flight catering 
• Ground transportation
• Refueling
• Unscheduled itinerary changes
• In-flight phone usage
• Wi-Fi
• De-icing
• Hangar rentals
• Security services
• International charges
• Additional taxes

Whenever possible, Stratos will advise clients if there is a cost associated with Wi-Fi usage during the charter flight. 

Here’s an overview of the taxes and fees included in the private jet price. 

Overnight accommodations for crew

If crew members are required to be away from home overnight, a per diem between $200 and $600 per crew member will be added to the private jet charter cost. The per diem covers overnight expenses, including lodging and meals.

Short Leg fees

The greatest fuel burn of an  aircraft occurs during take-off. Short leg fees help to offset the fuel burn. Additionally, every time an airplane takes-off and lands, its maintenance schedule is advanced, bringing the aircraft closer to costly maintenance checks. Aircraft owners will often charge a short leg fee to help offset those additional costs. 

Aircraft Positioning Fees

At Stratos, we aim to locate aircraft that require minimal positioning to help reduce these fees. However, that’s not always possible, and aircraft positioning costs may be incurred if the aircraft needs to be repositioned for the charter flight.

Hangar Fees

Hangar fees are typically incurred during the winter season when aircraft need to be protected from ice, snow, or frost accumulation on aircraft surfaces and to avoid deicing costs. These fees can range from $500 to $1,500 each day.

Wi-Fi Charges

In many cases, your private flight advisor can arrange a charter on an aircraft that comes with free Wi-Fi access, but some aircraft operators may charge anywhere from $2 to $9 per megabyte. International charter flights may cost more. 

Cleaning Fees

Sometimes aircraft need a little extra cleaning after a charter flight. These fees can cost anywhere from $250 and up, depending on the amount of cleaning required.

Deicing Fees

In colder climates snow, ice, or even frost can accumulate on aircraft surfaces, prompting the need for deicing services. Deicing costs can vary from $1,500 to $10,000 depending on the size of the aircraft.

International Fees

A trip across the border can add anywhere from $500 to $5,000 or more to your charter invoice. These fees are required based on your route and arrival country and include landing permits, overflight permits, customs, and immigration fees.

Fuel Surcharge

Because fuel prices are constantly fluctuating, a fuel surcharge is applicable when there is a surge in fuel prices in the market. The surcharge, when applicable, starts around $300 per hour. 

Aircraft Daily Minimums

Aircraft operators require a certain amount of flight hours per day. Though the industry standard is 2 hours a day, smaller aircraft may only have a daily minimum of 90 minutes while a larger aircraft may have a daily minimum of 3 hours or more.  

International Head Tax

International flights departing from or arriving in the United States are subject to a tax of $19.70 per person. 

Alaska/Hawaii Head Tax

Charter flights are subject to a tax of $9.90 per passenger when flying to Hawaii or Alaska.

Custom In-flight Catering

Private jet rental pricing doesn’t include in-flight catering, but this service can be arranged for an additional fee. Depending on the items and quantities ordered, this fee can range from $230 to $2,000 per leg. 

Ground Transportation

Ground transportation is another addition to private jet charter rates that can cost anywhere from $180 to $1000 or more per reservation, based on specific needs and preferences. 

Additional Concierge Services

Extended concierge services include additional in-flight amenities, hotel, spa, and resort booking. A quote for additional concierge services will be provided for approval prior to booking.

Client Services Fee

The Client Services fee allows Stratos to provide a higher quality of trip support, including the coordination and organization of the trip, through a dedicated team of professionals. 

The cost of chartering a jet for a week can range from tens of thousands of dollars to several hundred thousand dollars, depending on how often you fly and which aircraft you choose to charter. If you don’t plan on spending the entire week on the aircraft, it’s recommended you charter a plane for the days you do intend to fly as you’ll be required to pay daily minimums to hold an aircraft that could otherwise be earning revenue. 

The demand to fly on a private jet charter is increasing as passengers look for an alternative to commercial flying. 

For those able to afford it, purchasing a private jet can range from several hundred thousand dollars to millions of dollars, and this doesn’t even include ongoing fees such as fuel, staffing, and maintenance. According to Bankrate, unless you fly roughly 150 hours or more a year, buying your own private jet doesn’t make sense. 

With a private jet charter broker, you can fly on a luxurious private jet without the upfront cost of owning a personal aircraft. 

To provide clients with a quick snapshot of the costs associated with booking a private jet charter, we put together a private jet charter cost estimator that can be accessed above.

The cost of chartering a private jet is based on the size of the aircraft, the preferred travel dates, the location of the aircraft, and the arrival and departure airports. Rates begin around $2,200 an hour and can exceed $15,000 an hour. 

For an approximate rate, use the private jet charter cost estimator above.

The cost of renting a private jet is the same as the cost of chartering a private jet. Depending on the destination and size of aircraft, renting a private jet can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000 or more.

Charter rates for private aircraft begin at $2,200 an hour up to $15,000 an hour. The hourly rate depends on the aircraft size, type and length of flight. For an idea of the cost, try our private jet charter cost estimator above or reach out to a private flight advisor for a more detailed free quote. 

The cost of chartering a private jet per day is determined by the number of hours flown. You can expect to pay between $2,200 and $15,000 per hour, depending on the aircraft size. For example, a turboprop hourly rate begins at $2,600 per hour. If you fly to a destination that’s two hours away, you’ll pay $5,200 plus taxes and fees. 

The average hourly cost to charter a Boeing 747 airliner comes in around $35,000 per hour, but that price can fluctuate based on demand, aircraft location, and more. 

Private jet flights are determined by an aircraft’s hourly rate. Smaller aircraft hourly rates are less than those of larger aircrafts. For example, a flight on a small jet from Van Nuys to Las Vegas would cost around $10,000, but it would cost closer to $15,000 on a medium-sized jet. 

Some aircraft providers sell seats on charter flights instead of the whole aircraft. This model is based on the Uber business model, but it’s not a popular option for private flyers that are used to enjoying the luxury and privacy of flying solo or with close companions.

Yes, private jets land at public airports. However, one of the biggest benefits to flying privately is having access to less busy, smaller regional airports instead of being restricted to landing at crowded public international airports.

Private jets can fly to international destinations as long as the aircraft is capable of doing so. Larger aircraft can make the trip easier while smaller aircraft may need to stop and refuel along the way. 

For example, a heavy jet, like the Gulfstream G-V, is capable of flying from Miami to London, a flight time of roughly 9.5 hours, without stopping to refuel. Smaller aircraft are better suited for international destinations that cross land borders. As an example, a Lear 60 can fly from Denver to Vancouver in Canada in just three hours without stopping to refuel.   

For more information on which aircraft are best suited for international travel, please refer to our recent blog article: Everything You Need to Know About Flying a Private Jet Internationally. 

If you’re chartering a private jet, you’re essentially borrowing it. That means there may be rules in place that prohibit smoking on the aircraft. If you own the jet personally, you’re welcome to smoke as much tobacco as you want! 

Yes, but only items that aren’t prohibited, including illegal drugs and weapons, and as space allows. For a detailed list and to avoid delays, check the TSA website or speak with your private flight advisor ahead of your departure. 

In most cases, private jets are faster than commercial aircraft. Some simply fly faster, but some are slower. The real time savings for passengers, however, is pre- and post-flight. 

When chartering a private jet, there are no lengthy security queues to join or baggage carousels to wait around. You simply arrive at the airport, enjoy a brief check-in and board your waiting aircraft. And when you land? Simply grab your belongings and deboard. 

At its widest part, the Pacific Ocean measures roughly 11,000 miles. Few aircraft are capable of flying that distance without stopping for fuel.

Yes. When you fly privately you still have to go through customs, but you won’t have to join a lengthy customs queue commercial travelers must face. Instead, you’ll be asked to visit the airport’s private customs facility. When the customs stop is the first point of entry, but your route takes you further into the country, you’ll usually be visited by a customs agent at the aircraft. 

Larger aircraft can include bedrooms, and in some cases, ensuite bathrooms as well. If an aircraft equipped with a bedroom is a travel requirement, be sure to ask your private flight advisor to source an aircraft that accommodates this need. 

The Air Force One is currently the most expensive aircraft in the world. The cost of this jet comes in around $660 million. This presidential aircraft boasts a cozy bedroom, private offices, a medical center, a large kitchen, and a conference room. It can even be refueled mid-air!

Yes. Some aircraft models come equipped with a shower. These typically only appear on larger aircraft that are spacious enough to accommodate a large bathroom and shower stall. 

When you fly privately, the cost is typically shouldered by just one or two passengers. The hourly costs to charter a private jet include the cost of fuel, aircraft maintenance, crew wages, and more. When you fly commercially, on the other hand, the cost is shared among every passenger, resulting in a more affordable fare. 

It can be more affordable to fly privately if the cost is shared among all the passengers. When you book a private jet charter, you’re renting the entire aircraft. Bringing other paying passengers with you can reduce the cost. There are other ways to reduce the cost of flying privately too, like joining a private jet membership and working with reputable aircraft providers.

To be able to afford flying privately, your annual household income will likely need to be no less than seven figures. The minimum net worth of private flyers is usually around $25 million.