How much does it cost to rent a private jet?

How much does it cost to rent a private jet?

The cost to rent a private jet all depends on your individual needs 

The occasional charter of a private aircraft for business or leisure purposes, or to reach a destination not served by regular airlines, for a limited number of passengers, constitutes a reasonably priced option requiring no long-term financial commitment. 

Boeing Business Jet ou Airbus Corporate Jet : Pinnacle of comfort and luxury.

Government officials, affluent businesspersons and emirs sometimes elect to fly in super jets: these are commercial aircrafts (for e.g., the 350 seating capacity Boeing 767 or the Airbus A320 usually marketed as a 180-seater) specially reconfigured into a VVIP version: with first-class seats convertible into beds, custom leather upholstery, conference room, lounge, gym, master bedroom with king-size beds, private shower, porcelain, crystal… it is all there in these VVIP private jets; floating palaces with an enhanced flight range and greater luggage capacity.

Boeing and Airbus share this highly lucrative market, with their respective Boeing Business Jets (BBJ) or Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ), which are now configured directly from the production line, into a luxury version. For example: the ACJ Airbus A319 can be produced with 19 VIP seats (compared to, for example, the 156 seats in the all-economy class version for a low-cost airline). Another example would be the Boeing 777-200LR VIP on offer by a North American luxury cruise line, with 88 sleeper seats on board, including a spacious dining area. The same aircraft operated by a regular American airline can accommodate 362 passengers… though not enjoying the same luxury comforts!

So how much does it cost to hire these exceptional aircrafts inclusive of all services? You can expect to pay between 8,000 to 10,000 euros on average per flight hour, and sometimes even up to 20,000 euros per hour flight for the all-business class 777-200.

“À la carte” private aircraft rental for corporate heads

The freedom, the time and the cost: for a flight, individually or in a small group, to a nearby destination or to a Class II airport, you can hire a small private aircraft, ideal for short runways, such as a propeller turboprop or a small private jet (for e.g., Embraer Phenom 100). A large number of private jets are available for hire all over the world (Dassault Falcon, Embraer, Hawker, Gulfstream, Cessna, Learjet, Beech…) each aircraft different in terms of seating capacity, autonomy and level of comfort.

The cost, dependant on supply and demand, will always vary. Sometimes your private jet will be immediately available at your chosen airport, but on other dates, an empty leg flight will be required from another airport, which will increase the overall cost.

Best value? A charter flight from Paris Le Bourget to Nice with an entry-level Cessna Citation Mustang for 4 passengers same-day return will cost around 7,000 euros excluding VAT, i.e., less than 900 euros per trip and per person.

On the other hand, for a long-haul business trip of a delegation of 14 VIPs or diplomats flying from Geneva to Teterboro New York, a Heavy or Ultra Long-Range jet will need to be chartered in order to maximise direct flight safety, and space, both for work and rest, during this long flight. Many on-demand services are available on board: fine dining food and beverages, iPads offering a selection of new movie releases, substantial checked luggage space, separate bedroom, shower and bathroom, Wi-Fi…

There are a large number of jet or turboprop aircraft types (approx. 300).

What is the cost of a Gulfstream G650ER or Bombardier Global express XRS charter? The cost to rent a private jet in this category (heavy jet / ultra long range jet) is between 150,000 to 200,000 euros for a 3-day transcontinental round trip for 14 passengers, with aircraft and crew often remaining on site until your return.

This type of private jet charter may be costly but offers high levels of safety and comfort.

Can I hire a low-cost private jet or share a private jet?

You must be particularly lucky to be able to hire aircrafts that are positioned at your chosen destinations on the exact date that you have scheduled your trip! However, this solution actually is on offer, particularly at the best served business airports: Paris – Le Bourget, Nice, Lyon, Geneva, London, Rome, Milan, New York… However, you will be dependent on the principal client.

For example, this principal client could hire an aircraft from London City to Milan Linate and fly one way on Wednesdays at 11:00 local time.

If the plane returns to its base “empty” (called an “empty leg”), you will need to react quickly and be ready to leave from Milan to London as soon as the first flight is concluded and be in a position to make quick payment. You will then need to adhere to the flight schedule imposed on you by the company and the “principal” client.

On the other hand, you will get excellent value (for e.g., 1500 euros for 6 people one way on a Cessna Citation CJ2, champagne included!)

Private jet share: Sharing the price of a private jet charter to a common destination like Ibiza

In reality, few clients are prepared to share a private aircraft. Not even considering the COVID-19 pandemic, passengers generally attach great importance to their own privacy and will forego sharing their private means of transports. It is therefore quite rare except in cases of force majeure or when clients share a common interest.

Should I buy or hire a private jet?

At the end of the day, which choice is better? If one has the necessary financial means (official body, government or large corporation), the purchase of a dedicated aircraft may be in order. Business travellers and officials on mission often take recurring long-haul trips amassing substantial flight hours.

Business jet aircrafts will then be favoured over regular first-class flights. A restricted circle of VIPs, associates or celebrities will prefer to travel without restriction in a business jet, to multiple destinations, at their chosen times, ensuring them great security and peace of mind.

If your goal is price optimisation, the occasional charter of a private aircraft à la carte will lead to significant savings, without restrictions and variable costs (crew, fuel, aircraft maintenance, then obsolescence) when compared to outright ownership, while allowing you to benefit from a modern private aircraft, accommodating a varying number of passengers, in proximity to main business airports, to meet your current needs.