The complete guide to charter pricing—hourly rates, hidden fees, government taxes, and strategies to fly for less.
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Charter pricing is based on flight hours, not distance. Rates vary by aircraft category, with larger jets commanding premium prices for their speed, range, and cabin space.
These rates are for the aircraft rental and crew. Expect to add 15-25% for fuel surcharges, landing fees, and federal taxes (detailed below).
Beyond the hourly rate, the federal government collects several fees on every charter flight. Most operators include these in your quote, but knowing the breakdown helps you verify what you're paying.
Example: A $15,000 charter with 4 passengers on a domestic route adds $1,125 in FET plus $20.80 in segment fees = $16,145.80 total before other fees.
Curious what your specific route costs?
Estimate My Route →The $8,000/hour price tag reflects the true cost of operating a private aircraft. Here's where your money goes:
You're not just paying for fuel. You're paying for two highly trained pilots, $50+ million in liability coverage, 24/7 maintenance teams, hangar fees, and the flexibility of departing on your schedule from private terminals. The aircraft itself costs $3 million to $75 million.
When you divide the annual operating costs by actual flight hours, $6,000–$15,000 per hour is what it takes to keep a private jet safely in the air.
When an aircraft drops off passengers and must fly back empty, operators offer those "empty legs" at steep discounts. The catch: fixed dates and routes with limited flexibility. Our route guides explain the empty leg patterns for each corridor.
Tuesday and Wednesday see the lowest demand. Most leisure charterers fly Thursday–Sunday, creating premium pricing on weekends. A Tuesday departure can save 15–25% on identical routes.
Don't pay for a heavy jet on a 300-mile trip. A turboprop or light jet covers short routes just as effectively at half the cost. Save the Gulfstream for transcontinental or international flights where range and speed matter.
Last-minute bookings (under 48 hours) often carry 15–25% premiums. Operators have more flexibility—and competitive pricing—when you book with lead time.
Super Bowl Sunday, Art Basel week, Masters weekend, and ski season holidays see the tightest markets and highest prices. If your schedule is flexible, fly the week before or after major events.
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Try the CalculatorSee what actual routes cost with our detailed guides. Each includes FBO recommendations, seasonal pricing patterns, and empty leg strategies:
Private jet charter costs range from $2,000 to $18,000+ per flight hour in 2025, depending on aircraft size. Light jets average $4,250–$6,500/hour, midsize jets $6,500–$9,000/hour, and heavy jets $10,000–$18,000/hour. A typical 2-hour flight on a light jet costs $13,000–$18,000 including all fees.
Charter quotes typically include the aircraft rental, fuel, crew salaries, landing fees, and basic insurance. Additional costs may include catering ($35–$75 per person), ground transportation, de-icing ($1,500–$5,000 in winter), overnight crew fees, and international handling fees.
Yes. Beyond the hourly rate, expect Federal Excise Tax (7.5%), Domestic Segment Fee ($5.00 per passenger per leg), and potential repositioning fees if the aircraft must fly empty to reach you. International flights add a $22.20 per passenger head tax. Always ask for an "all-in" quote.
Empty leg flights offer 30–50% discounts when aircraft reposition without passengers. Turboprops cost $2,000–$3,200/hour for shorter routes. Flying mid-week (Tuesday–Wednesday) and booking 2+ weeks ahead typically yields better rates than last-minute weekend flights.
You're paying for two highly trained pilots ($150k–$300k+ annual salaries each), jet fuel (25–35% of the hourly rate), aircraft insurance ($15,000–$85,000+ annually), 24/7 maintenance crews, and the flexibility of on-demand departure times. The aircraft itself costs $3M–$75M.
A light jet charter from New York to Miami costs approximately $18,000–$22,000 one-way. Midsize jets run $24,000–$30,000, and super midsize jets $26,000–$32,000. The 1,092-mile flight takes about 2.5 hours. Empty legs can reduce this to $10,000–$14,000. See our New York to Miami guide for details.