Thinking about chartering a private jet for the first time? Weighing whether to buy one? Either way, you’ll face a lot of choices, and most of the available information is written to sell you something.
At Flightpath, we see our role as private aviation advisors. Since 2006, we’ve supported travellers and aircraft owners across North America through charter, aircraft management, acquisition and sales, and maintenance. Our goal is to give you the information to decide what’s best for you, whatever you end up choosing.
That’s why we created The Jet Guide, a complimentary resource covering 22 of the most popular private aircraft on the market. Here are the parts we think readers will find most useful.
Start With How You’ll Fly, Not Which Jet Looks Best
Our president, Robert Brunnenmeir, puts the philosophy behind the guide this way: “Choosing an aircraft shouldn’t start with which jet looks the most impressive. It should start with understanding how you plan to use it.”
The guide is organized around that idea. It walks through turboprops, light jets, midsize and super-midsize aircraft, and ultra-long-range jets, so you can match an aircraft to your real trips. Our Choosing the Right Aircraft page is a good companion.
22 Aircraft, Compared Side by Side
Each aircraft profile covers passenger capacity, range, cruise speed, baggage capacity, cabin dimensions, and estimated capital cost. It also shows the estimated direct operating cost per hour next to the typical charter rate per hour, so you can see the economics in one place.
A few examples from the guide:
| AIRCRAFT | PASSENGERS | RANGE | DIRECT OPERATING COST/HR | CHARTER RATE/HR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilatus PC-12 | 8 | 1,340 nm | $1,100 – $1,400 | $2,000 – $2,300 |
| Phenom 300E | 8 | 1,811 nm | $2,100 – $2,500 | $4,200 – $4,700 |
| Challenger 650 | 12 | 3,756 nm | $4,000 – $4,600 | $5,900 – $6,600 |
| Falcon 7X | 16 | 5,466 nm | $5,700 – $6,500 | $8,200 – $9,000 |
All figures in USD, from the guide’s February 2026 edition.
Flightpath operates several of these models. You can see them on our fleet page, including the Phenom 300E, the Challenger 650, and the Falcon 7X. Our partner charter fleet extends your options further.
Straight Answers on Charter Pricing
“How much does it cost to charter a private jet?” is the question we hear most. The guide’s gives a realistic range. Shorter trips on light jets may start around $5,000–$10,000 one-way, while long-haul flights on larger aircraft can exceed $50,000. Price depends on aircraft type, distance, duration, and availability.
For a number tied to your own trip, try our Charter Flight Estimator. If you’re flexible on timing, empty leg flights are worth a look. You can also browse our destinations for ideas.
Charter, Fractional or Whole Ownership?
This is where the guide may save you the most time and money. The rule of thumb: flying roughly 200+ hours per year can justify ownership, while less than that often points toward fractional ownership or charter.
The guide then goes deeper with a seven-point comparison of whole and fractional ownership. It covers:
- Ownership Structure
- Cost
- Flexibility
- Maintenance & Operations
- Aircraft Availability
- Depreciation & Asset Control
- Customization
For example, fractional owners typically work with set hours and advance scheduling, and they may not always fly the same aircraft. Whole owners keep full control over the schedule, interior, and resale, along with the responsibility that comes with it.
What Ownership Really Costs
The guide breaks the true cost of ownership into three categories, so there are fewer surprises later:
- Capital cost: roughly $3M – $75M+ depending on the aircraft
- Fixed costs: roughly $500K – $1.5M+ per year, covering pilots, training, insurance, hangar, and management fees, whether you fly once a month or five times a week
- Operating costs: roughly $2K – $8K+ per flight hour, covering fuel, engine program, parts, and labor
Offsetting Costs by Chartering Your Aircraft
If you’re considering ownership, the guide explains how chartering your aircraft through a management company can help offset expenses. Example: at a $4,675/hour charter rate against $3,000/hour in operating cost, 25 charter hours generates $41,875. It also notes that owners typically receive 85–88% of net charter revenue after expenses. Our aircraft management team can walk you through how this works in practice.
Plain-Language Help Along the Way
New to the terminology? The guide includes a glossary covering terms like range, cruise speed, direct operating cost, cabin volume, and charter rate. You can read the aircraft profiles with confidence even if you’ve never chartered before.
Who Should Download It?
The guide is written for first-time charter clients, frequent flyers comparing options, prospective aircraft buyers, and current owners rethinking their setup. It’s an educational resource, so use it alongside advice from people who know your situation.
Get the Guide. Start the Conversation.
Download your complimentary copy of The Jet Guide and see which aircraft and approach fit your needs.
Have questions after reading? Schedule a confidential 15-minute consultation with a Flightpath Aviation Advisor. Whether you’re considering chartering, ownership, aircraft management, or acquisition, we’re here to help you ask better questions. Ready for pricing on a specific trip? Request a quote.
Learn more about Flightpath and our commitment to safety, or find more insights on the Flightpath blog.
