Private jet charter questions, answered

Most of the price comes from the hourly rate of the aircraft class. As typical US estimates before tax and fees, a turboprop runs about $1,800–3,200 per flight hour, a light jet $3,500–5,500, a midsize $4,500–7,000, a super-midsize $6,500–9,500 and a large cabin jet $8,500–13,000. Multiply by the flight time, add any empty positioning time, fees and the 7.5% federal excise tax, and you have the shape of a quote.

Flight time, any positioning legs, crew, fuel, landing and handling fees, the 7.5% federal excise tax on domestic trips and the per-passenger segment fee. Items that depend on the day, such as winter de-icing, catering or Wi-Fi, are listed separately so you can see them.

If the aircraft has to fly home empty after dropping you off, those hours are usually billed. A one-way gets cheaper when an aircraft is already based near your destination or when an empty leg matches your route and time.

None of the three. Asking for a price costs nothing and needs no account; money changes hands only once you pick an option and sign the charter agreement.

The jet, the pilots and every go or no-go decision belong to the operating carrier, which holds its own Part 135 certificate in the US or the local equivalent abroad. How Much to Charter a Jet arranges the charter as a broker, and the carrier is named on your options before anything is booked.

Often, yes: empty legs are one-way repositioning flights and are commonly offered at 25–75% off. The trade-off is a fixed route and time, and the flight can be cancelled if the original trip changes.

Usually, yes. Dogs and cats fly on plenty of charters once the operator has said yes to the animal in advance, so mention breed and size in the notes and we only price aircraft whose operators accept them.

As early as you can for holidays, major events and peak ski or summer weekends, when the best-placed aircraft are booked first. Shorter notice is often possible too; it depends on which operators have suitable aircraft near your departure.

Flight time runs from takeoff to landing. Block time runs from when the aircraft first moves under its own power to when it parks, so it includes taxiing. Operators bill on one or the other, and your quote says which.

It depends on the aircraft. Light jets have limited hold space, so tell us the number of bags and anything bulky, such as skis, golf clubs or strollers, and we quote aircraft that fit them.

Changes and cancellations follow the charter agreement you sign, and terms vary by operator and by how close to departure you are. We point out the cancellation terms before you sign.

It depends on how much you fly. Jet cards are prepaid hours with peak-day surcharges and daily minimums. Fractional ownership is a share of an aircraft, with a 1/16 share giving about 50 hours a year, plus monthly and hourly fees. On-demand charter has no commitment: you pay per trip.

Yes. Domestic quotes include the 7.5% federal excise tax and the per-passenger segment fee. International trips carry different taxes and fees, and those are included in the quote too.