If you’re looking to charter a flight, it’s important to compare estimates from at least a few private jet providers. While some offer all-inclusive quotes meant to cover each expense under one price, others itemize theirs so you can see what you’re paying for. 

Neither approach necessarily accounts for every charge, making it even more important to know what to look for. Keep reading to learn about 11 expenses that are sometimes not included in estimates for private jet charters.

Why Charter a Private Jet?

One of the biggest benefits of chartering a private flight is flexibility. While commercial carriers operate on strict schedules and routes, private charters fly virtually whenever and wherever the traveler chooses.

There also is, of course, the element of privacy. High-profile celebrities and politicians may prefer a private charter over the complications of using public transit. Sports teams, film crews, or corporate officers may need to travel together to a specific destination. Some charter companies, such as Trilogy Aviation Group, specialize in corporate charters. 

Even if there’s no need to avoid the public eye, flying privately is comfortable and convenient for many individuals and groups.

What Factors into the Cost of a Charter Flight?

Chartering an airplane goes beyond just renting the aircraft. The price of a charter typically encompasses all of the operational costs required to make the flight happen. These basic expenses include crew salaries, fuel, and airport fees, among others.

Additional charges may be in the form of optional upgrades, extra services, or trip-specific costs. Many charter companies, for instance NetJets, offer membership packages that help make pricing more predictable.

What Is the Standard Price for a Private Jet Rental?

Aircraft charters are usually priced by the flight hour. The longer the flight, the more expensive it will be. Cost also varies with the type of airplane being chartered. Some jets burn more fuel or require more expensive maintenance than others. 

Without factoring in any variables, a private jet charter can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $15,000 per hour.

Additional Costs That Are Often Overlooked

After the base rate for the aircraft, other fees come from the unique circumstances of the flight. Flying at unusual hours, during holidays, or internationally will likely make the flight more expensive. Some charter companies also offer à la carte onboard and ground services. 

The point is, many variables can drive up the price of charter jet services above providers’ estimates. Here are 11 of the most common charter fees and costs you may not have considered:

Fuel Surcharges

While a base rate for fuel is likely factored into the hourly cost, fuel prices fluctuate. Initial quotes for a private charter flight only include a fuel estimate, not the actual price. A light or midsize jet may burn 80 to 300 gallons of fuel per hour, depending on the type of airplane.

Landing and Ramp Fees

Many airports charge a fee to land or park an airplane. A parking fee is also known as a ramp fee. Some airports waive one or both of them if a certain amount of fuel is purchased. Each airport sets its own rules and prices, so costs vary by destination.

Overnight Fees

If an aircraft needs to park overnight, expect additional charges from both the airport and flight crew. Pilots and other required staff are compensated for time away from home, not just the flight time.

Repositioning

Repositioning happens when an airplane is scheduled to fly out of a different airport than its original location. 

Let’s say an aircraft is based in Dallas but is booked for a flight out of Nashville, Tennessee. The client may need to pay for the empty airplane’s travel to Nashville. These fees also apply when a client wants to depart from a different airport than the arrival destination.

Trilogy Aviation Group uses these repositioning flights as a chance to offer much lower fares. With Trilogy, clients can book an “empty leg” charter flight and save up to 75 percent compared to normal charter rates. If your desired itinerary happens to line up with a repositioning flight, it’s a great opportunity to cut some major costs.

Deicing

In colder climates aircraft deicing services may be necessary, particularly in the winter. This entails applying de-icing fluid to an aircraft, which removes and prevents ice formation.

Planes can’t fly safely with ice on their wings, so associated fees are non-negotiable. 

Catering

Plan for a catering fee to cover the costs of special food, drink, and service requests. You may be asked to submit meal orders in advance, which will give you a better idea of what to expect on your invoice. 

Some private airplane charters take special meal requests, facilitated by a flight attendant who buys ingredients beforehand, then prepares and serves the food in-flight.

Ground Transportation

A rental car or transportation service can be arranged in advance to meet an airplane on the ground when it lands. Many private charter companies will coordinate this on clients’ behalf for an additional fee.

International Travel Fees

International flying comes with extra costs and paperwork. The pilots will typically handle the necessary forms for the trip, but the expense is passed on to the charter client. Expect international fees to apply whenever a flight crosses a national border.

Peak Travel Surcharges

If your trip takes place on or near a major holiday, there could likely be peak travel charges. Airports are busier, pilots are receiving holiday pay, and flights are in high demand. These factors could all increase the price of the jet charter.

Trip Cancellation

Just like with many types of services, cancellation fees may be incurred. Typically the closer you are to the scheduled flight time, the higher the cost. Read each provider’s cancellation policy before booking to understand how the fee may be applied.

Membership

Paying a membership fee to a private charter company can be a great option for those planning to fly private multiple times a year.

Memberships also can be a great way to get more predictable pricing on private charters. They often include a set number of flight hours at a flat annual rate.

If a membership isn’t being fully used, however, it could become an additional expense that makes private flying more expensive in the long run.

How to Accurately Compare Private Jet Charter Costs

With so many potential extra fees, the best way to compare costs is to get multiple detailed estimates. 

Most charter companies have web pages where you can submit quote request forms. When completing them, provide as much information about your trip as possible. The more detail provided, the more accurate your quote will be. If the response feels incomplete or unclear, you can always ask for an itemized estimate.

You can also look for online cost comparison tools to get a better idea of what your private jet charter will cost.

Educate Yourself Before Making a Decision

When booking a private jet charter, remember that many factors can play into the total cost of the flight. If your travel plans are clear and you know what amenities you’ll need, obtaining an accurate quote will be easy. 

Keep these cost-driving variables in mind, and ask charter companies for more details if you aren’t sure about anything. They’ll be happy to outline your options and provide clear expectations for your private charter flight.

FAQ

What is the average cost of a private jet charter?

Many factors go into determining the cost of a private jet charter. The average cost is around $10,000 per hour but may vary significantly depending on the circumstances.

Is it cheaper to fly in a private jet?

It is not usually cheaper to fly on a private jet than it is to fly on a commercial carrier.

Is it worth it to charter a private jet?

For an individual or group requiring privacy or a specific travel itinerary, a private jet charter may be worth the cost.

The post What Are the Hidden Costs of Private Jet Charters? appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi manufacturer SkyDrive on Friday signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Augusta, Georgia-based private charter operator Bravo Air for a preorder of up to five Skydrive SD-05 models. SkyDrive and Bravo will develop commercial use cases for the three-seat aircraft out of a hub at Augusta Regional Airport (KAGS), with the intention of adopting the former’s business model for air taxi services in the region.

The partners are receiving further support from the state of Georgia and other state and local stakeholders.

“We are pleased to welcome SkyDrive to the Augusta Regional Airport and the Central Savannah River Area,” said Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson. “We see our vision for a greener future coming to fruition with companies starting to adopt these new electric aircraft and embracing these new eco-friendly technologies.”

Added Herbert Judon, executive director of Augusta Regional Airport: “Staff have worked diligently to prepare the infrastructure necessary to support the needs of this new industry. We are pleased to see this nascent industry start to grow and expand in our market.”

Bravo bills itself as a nonmembership, on-demand service. Its private charter fleet comprises propeller-powered air taxis, turboprops, and light, midsize, and large private jets, including the Cessna Citation Ultra and King Air 200. In addition to passenger flights, the company offers medical and cargo charter and aircraft management services.

The partnership with Bravo adds to SkyDrive’s existing relationships with stakeholders in South Carolina, including a preorder for up to five aircraft from Part 135 charter operator Austin Aviation. It plans to expand beyond South Carolina into Georgia by developing an eVTOL air taxi network connecting Augusta Regional Airport to destinations across the region.

“As we embark on this new partnership with Bravo Air, we are thrilled to witness not only the growth of SkyDrive but also the broader eVTOL industry in the U.S. market,” said Tomohiro Fukuzawa, founder and CEO of SkyDrive. “This collaboration with Bravo Air marks a significant step forward in our shared objective of advancing AAM development, particularly in the Southeast region in the U.S.”

SkyDrive envisions an on-demand service with lightweight eVTOL aircraft—one that integrates into existing transportation systems and could turn “virtually any location” into a takeoff and landing site. Customers would be able to reserve and check-in to flights using their smartphone, akin to the experience provided by Uber or Lyft.

The SD-05, which the company simply refers to as “SkyDrive,” is designed for one pilot and two passengers. It has a limited range of about 9 sm (7.8 nm) and cruises at around 62 mph (54 knots). The company hopes to fly the model autonomously without a pilot and extend its range to about 25 sm (22 nm) by 2031.

The eVTOL runs on two dozen motors and rotors powered by electric batteries. These produce 65 dB of noise—about the volume of normal conversation—for observers on ground, which SkyDrive claims is one-third the volume of a helicopter. The company also maintains the aircraft’s takeoff weight is one-half that of a typical helicopter, allowing it to use locations such as building rooftops for takeoff and landing.

SkyDrive, like many competitors, has sourced several components for the SD-05, including avionics from Avidyne and flight control systems from Thales. However, it has the advantage of calling automaker Suzuki its core manufacturing partner.

Earlier this month, SkyDrive and Suzuki began production of the first air taxi at a facility in Iwata, Japan—owned by Suzuki—where SkyDrive intends to produce more than 100 aircraft per year. The site is expected to open in the spring.

SkyDrive is targeting airworthiness certification from Japan’s Civil Aviation Bureau (MLIT) in 2025 in order to fly at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, later that year. Type certification is expected to follow in 2026.

The manufacturer first announced plans to enter the U.S. market through South Carolina—where it will establish a regional home base—in January 2023, targeting operations in 2026.

Fukuzawa said a factor in the decision was that the state is home to more than 400 aerospace and aviation companies, including Boeing and Lockheed Martin. The company also cited the region’s mild climate, abundant tourism, and conveniently located airports as draws.

Working with state and local government agencies, SkyDrive will design an advanced air mobility (AAM) network based around two hubs, Columbia Metropolitan Airport (KCAE) and Greenville Downtown Airport (KGMU). Before launching service, the company will model an “FAA-compliant AAM ecosystem,” using infrastructure requirements based on use cases for flights originating from those airports.

Vertiport developer Volatus Infrastructure & Energy Solutions (VI&E) is also part of the South Carolina partnership, supporting SkyDrive with infrastructure expertise. The company intends to construct vertiports at Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH) in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Bellefonte Airport (N96) in Pennsylvania, and Greenport International Airport, a planned green airport project underway near Austin, Texas.

With a partnership already in place, those locations have potential to serve as future SkyDrive hubs.

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JetSetGo, an Indian marketplace for private jet and helicopter charters that also operates its own fleet, on Friday announced strategic partnerships with Horizon Aircraft, Overair, and Electra.aero to order as many as 280 aircraft, which would value the deal at a whopping $1.3 billion. 

Each of the electric or hybrid-electric aircraft will bring unique capabilities to JetSetGo’s fleet, which comprises five midsize Hawkers and six other aircraft, ranging from large cabin jets to helicopters.

Horizon’s vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) Cavorite X7 and Electra’s ultra-short takeoff and landing (STOL) nine-seater—both hybrid-electric designs—will be the first to fly JetSetGo routes since they can utilize existing infrastructure, the company said. Overair’s Butterfly electric VTOL (eVTOL) air taxi will follow as Indian cities add the necessary infrastructure, such as charging stations.

The three designs will offer an “optimal mix” for five use cases identified by JetSetGo: airport transfers, regional connectivity, intercity commute, intracity shuttles, and urban air taxis. The company says India—which is plagued by road congestion issues, infrastructure challenges, and aviation emissions—will make an “ideal testbed” for AAM services.

“Our partnership with these three leading innovators will introduce unique technologies like ‘blown lift’ and ‘fan-in-wing’ lift systems, hybrid and electric propulsion, and super-quiet optimal speed tilt rotors to India,” said Kanika Tekriwal, co-founder and CEO of JetSetGo. “We want to lead the transformation of urban and regional connectivity and believe we have the right partners and technologies to make this vision a reality.”

The agreements lock JetSetGo into 150 firm orders—50 from each manufacturer—for a combined $780 million. But all three contracts include the option for it to acquire more aircraft.

Horizon, which announced its agreement earlier this week, will ship an initial batch of 50 Cavorite X7s to JetSetGo for $250 million. The firm has the option to acquire 50 more, which would double that deal’s value. Overair and Electra did not specify the initial order value or  number of options JetSetGo could acquire.

Horizon founder and CEO Brandon Robinson characterizes the company’s X7 as a “normal” aircraft with eVTOL capabilities, rather than an eVTOL with features of a traditional airplane. It uses a patented “fan-in-wing” configuration, similar to the Lilium Jet: 14 electric ducted fans are embedded in the wing to provide lift. During cruise, movable surfaces cover the fans.

The X7’s mix of features from traditional and electric aircraft make it something of an amalgamation. It can take off vertically or conventionally from the runway, for example, and a gas-powered range extender can charge its batteries during cruise. The air taxi won’t reduce emissions as much as all-electric designs, but Horizon says it will offer greater range, speed, and payload.

“This evolution will serve as a catalyst to accelerate our growth by providing the resources to continue the development and testing of our practical, real-world-use hybrid eVTOL, the Cavorite X7,” said Robinson.

Like the X7, Overair’s Butterfly offers some unique capabilities. The eVTOL deploys two technologies the firm says have never been integrated on an eVTOL design: optimum speed tilt rotor (OSTR) and individual blade control (IBC).

OSTR, which varies propeller revolutions per minute during vertical, forward, and transition flight, acts as a power saver, reducing energy demand in hover by as much as 60 percent. IBC, which is being researched by the U.S. Navy, limits the vibration of each blade to reduce propeller load and enable safer, smoother flights.

The combination of OSTR and IBC produces efficient, quiet propulsion through nearly any weather, temperature, or altitude, Overair says. Butterfly also features four oversized rotors, large cabin, and payload of about 1,100 pounds—enough for five passengers and their luggage. The company says it is ideal for passenger, medical, cargo, and military applications.

“Butterfly will provide a safe, quiet, and efficient mobility solution for urban and regional transport across the broadest range of weather conditions and geographic environments,”  said Valerie Manning, chief commercial officer at Overair. “In addition, the associated advanced air mobility ecosystem will create a multitude of jobs and fuel economic growth.”

As the lone all-electric VTOL manufacturer included in JetSetGo’s agreements, Overair will also support its new customer with infrastructure advisement, pilot training, infrastructure and software integration, operational guidance, and vertiport software integration.

Electra’s nine-seat design is also all-electric, but it won’t require VTOL infrastructure to get flying. The eSTOL design needs just 150 feet of runway for takeoff—that’s enabled through a unique technology called blown-lift, which allows the aircraft to take off at speeds as slow as a car driving through a residential neighborhood.

The eSTOL has a range of 500 nm and can carry up to 2,500 pounds of cargo. Compared to vertical takeoff alternatives, Electra claims the model offers more than twice the payload, 10 times the range, and 70 percent lower operating costs.

“Our aircraft’s unique ability to operate from soccer field-sized spaces, with the capacity to transport nine passengers up to 500 miles enables JetSetGo to identify new routes using eSTOL capability and deliver sustainable, affordable air connections to India’s communities previously underserved by flight,” said Marc Ausman, chief product officer of Electra.

Electra’s design was part of another massive hybrid-electric aircraft order from Dallas-based regional air carrier JSX. In December, the semiprivate operator signed letters of intent to acquire as many as 332 aircraft, including 32 firm orders and 50 options from Electra. JSX will also purchase Aura Aero’s Era and Heart Aerospace’s ES-30.

Several other American operators, including Surf Air Mobility and Bristow Group, have agreed to order or retrofit hybrid-electric designs as they seek to introduce new, sustainable, and potentially more cost-effective aircraft to their routes. In India, meanwhile, travel conglomerate InterGlobe in November agreed to purchase as many as 200 Midnight air taxis from Archer Aviation.

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Flewber Global, a New York-based private jet charter company, doesn’t compare itself to those companies on account of its air-based offerings, but it seeks to compete with ground-based rideshare services. According to an SEC filing, the firm has filed for an initial public offering to be listed on the Nasdaq under the symbol FLYF. The filing calls for a capital raise of up to $8 million, and pricing terms were not disclosed. Maxim Group LLC and Joseph Gunnar and Co. are joint bookrunners for the deal.

Flewber is an on-demand private charter service that operates a premium brokerage division and a free app, but the company is also looking to add a Part 135 air taxi business in the coming months. Users can book local, regional, or international flights in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean, which are operated by third-party private aircraft operators.

The company would not disclose its list of third-party partners, but they collectively operate more than 9,000 aircraft flying tens of thousands of routes. Since inception, Flewber has contracted with 131 third-party operators, but it used just 13 in the first quarter of 2023 and 68 in 2022.

Flewber Luxe, the firm’s brokerage division, is its core revenue driver. Through 2022, it had a user base of 600 and accepted 104 bookings, with annual revenue increasing more than 150 percent over the previous year.

Luxe is Flewber’s premium service for users that prefer not to book directly. Customers on average pay $41,000 for brokerage bookings, and through a concierge service, they can arrange in-flight catering, ground transportation, restaurant reservations, and more. The company is looking to increase partnerships with commercial airlines, hotels, restaurants, and other businesses to offer additional customer service.

The Flewber App, on the other hand, is free to download and use, but the segment did not generate any revenue in Q1 2023. Per the SEC filing, flights booked on the app “have been minimal” despite it having 13,000 downloads as of Tuesday. On average, customers pay $13,600 per booking, and they do not have to pay a brokerage fee.

The app’s core feature is its Book, Bid, or Share service that lets users secure flights in a variety of ways. They can book by simply entering departure or destination information to see available flights, or they can find friends, family members, or colleagues with whom they can split the cost of a private charter.

Users can also bid on flights but not in the way one might think. Rather than bidding increasing amounts, users bid down the price offered to them by Flewber. The firm says it enables this through a marketplace that connects users with third-party aircraft flying either empty or repositioning legs, which it claims drives down the payment operators are willing to accept.

Flewber says the app offers flights from around 430 major airports and nearly 5,100 local and regional airports, all through Part 135-compliant aircraft and operators. Departure time and location and arrival location are negotiated directly by the customer or their representative.

The app does have a few key limitations that rideshare services do not, most notably that bookings must be made during normal hours of operation, which can vary by operator. Flights are also limited to one hour in duration or less.

However, Flewber believes its true challenge to rideshare will be Flewber Hops, an air taxi service it plans to launch before the end of Q3 2023. 

The company hopes to fly four-passenger flights lasting 15 minutes to an hour for $199 to $699 per seat. These local and regional trips between 30 and 300 sm (26 and 260 nm) will initially launch in the U.S. Northeast, encompassing cities such as New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C..

Importantly, Hops will not rely on third-party operators—rather, Flewber will run the service entirely with its own aircraft operated by Ponderosa Air, a subsidiary acquired in 2018 that has FAA authorization for air taxi operations. The company is expanding its FAA certification and air taxi management team to enable Hops’ entry into service.

Hops is not an air taxi service in the modern sense. Unlike firms such as Joby and Archer Aviation, Flewber will not operate electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Instead, it plans to purchase two Cirrus SF50 Vision Jets before the end of the year, one of which will cost $3.1 million. The expected fee for the other jet was not disclosed.

However, Hops is certainly a play for the urban air mobility market that eVTOL aircraft are expected to occupy. According to Flewber, flying small jets will help the company beat eVTOL operators to market and eat up demand for short, regional flights.

Flewber’s $498,422 in revenue in Q1 2023 came entirely from Luxe, which averaged around $31,000 in revenue over 16 flight legs. It posted a net loss of around $485,000. Revenue for the quarter shrunk nearly two-thirds compared to Q1 2022, largely due to a decline in repeat users, which accounted for 60 percent of bookings from the start of 2022 through May 2023.

Luxe was also Flewber’s catalyst in 2022, accounting for $4.23 million of its $4.27 million in annual revenue.

In addition to heavy reliance on Luxe, Flewber in its SEC filing acknowledged that its reliance on third-party operators may hamper its control of delays and cancellations, which could impact revenue down the line. It also noted that it does not have exclusive agreements with its partners, which could limit the pool of private operators it can use should competitors sign such deals.

However, the firm has about $170,000 in cash on hand as of Q1 2023, and it expects the proceeds from its IPO filing will fund operations for the following 12 months.

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