How Much Does It Cost to Charter a Private Jet?
Of all the questions we receive at Amenity Jets, this is the most common - and the most reasonable. Private aviation is often assumed to be priced beyond reach or, conversely, cheaper than it really is. The honest answer is that chartering a private jet costs less than many people expect for short hops and more than they expect for long-haul, and almost everything depends on three variables: the aircraft, the route, and the timing.
Charter is priced by the hour, not the seat
Unlike a commercial ticket, a private charter is priced for the whole aircraft, typically by flight hour. You are not buying a seat; you are buying the jet, its crew, and its availability for your itinerary. That means the cost per person drops sharply the more people travel with you - a figure that often surprises first-time charterers comparing it to first-class fares for a group.
Indicative hourly rates by aircraft category
Rates vary by operator, region and season, but as a rough guide. Always treat these as starting points. The right aircraft for your route is the one that matches distance, passenger count and runway requirements - not simply the cheapest hourly rate.
Light jets (e.g. Citation CJ, Phenom 300)
Ideal for short regional flights of up to roughly 3 hours, seating 6–7 passengers. Approx. €3,000–€4,500 per hour.
Midsize jets (e.g. Citation XLS, Learjet 60)
More cabin and range, comfortable for 7–8 passengers on flights up to around 4 hours. Approx. €4,500–€6,500 per hour.
Super-midsize jets (e.g. Challenger 350, Praetor 600)
Stand-up cabin, transcontinental range, typically 8–9 passengers. Approx. €6,500–€8,500 per hour.
Heavy jets (e.g. Falcon 2000, Gulfstream G450)
For longer flights and larger groups of 10–14 passengers, with full galley and lavatory. Approx. €8,500–€12,000 per hour.
Ultra long range (e.g. Gulfstream G650, Global 7500)
Intercontinental comfort with non-stop range over 12 hours. Approx. €12,000–€18,000 per hour.
What's included, and what isn't
A quoted charter price usually covers the aircraft, crew, fuel and standard handling. Beyond that, several costs are commonly added separately: landing, parking and handling fees, which vary widely by airport; repositioning or "ferry" costs if the aircraft must fly empty to reach you; de-icing in winter, overnight crew costs on multi-day trips, and catering; taxes and segment fees depending on the countries involved. A transparent broker presents these clearly up front. If a quote looks unusually low, it is worth asking what has been left out.
How to reduce the cost
There are legitimate ways to charter more efficiently. Empty leg flights - repositioning flights sold at a discount - can be dramatically cheaper if your timing is flexible. Choosing an aircraft sized to your actual group rather than the largest available avoids paying for unused cabin. And booking with notice, rather than at the last minute, generally widens your options and improves pricing.
The Amenity Jets approach
Because we are not tied to a single fleet, we compare options across operators based on your route, schedule and preferences - not on what is convenient to sell. You receive a clear shortlist with transparent pricing and next steps, so the cost is understood before anything is confirmed. If you'd like an accurate figure for a specific route, share your details and we'll come back with suitable aircraft options.