PRIVATE JET CHARTER PROS AND CONS
January 30, 2021
Private jet charters offer an affordable, as-needed solution with no upfront costs or hourly minimums. Charter service is available at most major airports and is popular among those with light travel needs.
BENEFITS
- No upfront financial commitment
- No fixed costs – pay-as-you-fly pricing structure
- No contracts or term minimums
- No depreciation risk
- Ideal for those with minimal or infrequent travel requirements
- Booking usually available via website or app
- Available within almost all major airports
- Some operators offer ‘empty leg’ discounted flights when an aircraft is being repositioned for another flight
- Can fill one-off niche needs (I.e. turbo props for short runway, etc.)
CONSIDERATIONS
- Potential black-out dates or times during peak travel periods can impact departure times
- Peak travel may add fees in addition to the hourly rate
- Little control over aircraft access and availability
- Limited scheduling flexibility
- Provider may pull aircraft and cancel a flight at any time
- Provider can charge cancellation fees and repositioning fees
- Service, safety, crew experience, and reliability will vary
- Rates can vary widely from provider to provider
- No guarantees on aircraft type or class
- Catering typically not included
- Not all providers own their aircraft or directly employ their pilots
- Several different providers may be required to complete a trip
Does Flexjet Offer Private Jet Charters?
At Flexjet, we are what is called a “closed fleet”, so it is not available to the open charter market. You must have a fractional, lease or jet card commitment with us to access out fleet.
However, private jet travelers can access second generation Flexjet aircraft – which are no longer sold fractionally by Flexjet – through its sister company FXAIR.
More on Private Jet Charter versus Leasing:
Private Jet Leasing Pros and Cons