When it comes to private jets, comfort is the name of the game.
For starters, a private jet means that you don’t have to endure all the hassles of air travel.
You know exactly what these are—going through security, suffering through check-in procedures, waiting for your stuff at the conveyor belt, and all the rest.
Then, there’s the jet itself. Travelers can choose the size of the aircraft, along with the type of service that will be provided. Plus, a private jet can take you to destinations that most commercial flights don’t go to.
If all of this sounds sweeter than a bag of Southwest Airline peanuts, hold your horses for a second. There’s one important question that will keep your expectations grounded: How much would it cost to rent a private jet?
These prices are soaring high
AFAR.com lists the prices pegged by Air Charter Service, a private jet charter company. The cheapest price range you’ll find here is $1,300 to $3,000 to rent a turboprop, which accommodates four to six passengers.
Not outrageous enough for you? That’s $1,300 to $3,000 per flying hour!
If it’s a midsize jet that you’re looking for—that is, an aircraft that seats up to nine passengers—you and your companions better pool together $4,000 to $8,000 for each hour you’ll be spending in the air. As for larger jets (in which 14 to 19 passengers can sit comfortably), the hourly rate is anywhere between $8,600 and $13,000.
Want to rent a jet for an entire week? According to private charter service Airshare, that’ll be at least $100,000. (On second thought, perhaps waiting for two to three hours in the airport doesn’t seem like such a bad idea now.)
Here’s why these prices are in the stratosphere
Believe it or not, there’s a rational explanation behind these mind-boggling prices. According to Wijet.com, you have to take the following factors into consideration when it comes to private jet prices:
- Fuel costs (You think you can forget about this just because you’re up in the air instead of driving through the city? Think again!)
- Aircraft and runway (because private jets are VIPs that need the red carpet treatment)
- Airport fees (Seriously, nothing comes for free nowadays.)
- Ramp fees (translation: overnight parking)
- Flight crew and more (unless you prefer self-service)
A private jet flight at a lower cost? Sign us up!
If only there were some way to rent a private jet while paying a significantly lower amount…
Actually, there is a way. You can opt to get on an empty leg flight, which AFAR.com describes as “a private jet that has dropped passengers off on a one-way leg and would otherwise return to its home base empty.”
According to Justin Crabbe, CEO of the private jet company Jettly, booking an empty leg flight can help guests save “up to 75% on the cost of a conventional private jet charter.”
There’s such a thing as a private jet card membership. (Seriously!)
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Speaking of interesting deals, did you know that even private jets have memberships? As in, memberships that get you a fancy card?
Companies like Jettly, Jets.com, Jet Linx, and VistaJet offer their own perks and guarantees with their memberships. Here’s something they have in common: more or less, these memberships allow you to fly on a private jet whenever you want.
That is, of course, if you’re willing to pay a hefty sum (say, $1,000) on a monthly basis.
Well, what did you expect? Nothing comes for free, especially in the private jet industry. Not even those honey-roasted peanuts.
