How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Private Jet?
Private jet hire costs between £3,000 and £13,800 per flight hour, depending on the size of the aircraft. A light jet from London to Nice costs from £10,000 one way and a midsize jet from £12,600 – and that is the price of the whole aircraft, not a single seat.
We always quote a fixed price that already includes the crew, fuel, airport fees and UK Air Passenger Duty. You will usually receive your no-obligation quote within the hour.
Private Jet Hire Cost per Hour by Jet Class
TurbopropPilatus PC-12, King Air 3506–8up to 1,550 miles£3,000–4,300
Very Light Jet
Light Jet
Midsize Jet
Super Midsize
Heavy Jet
Long Range JetHourly rates are a guide to typical charter pricing. Longer flights sit at the lower end of each range and short hops of around an hour at the upper end, because take-off, landing and handling weigh more heavily on a short trip. For journeys of up to two hours, a turboprop is often the most economical aircraft. Super light jets such as the Phenom 300 sit at the top of the light jet range, while ultra long range jets fly non-stop from London to New York or Dubai. If no suitable aircraft is based at your departure airport, positioning – the flight of the jet to you – is added.
Example Prices from London
The prices below are for a one-way trip with the whole aircraft, including airport fees and Air Passenger Duty. They show clearly how much the flight time drives the total cost.
* includes 20% VAT, which applies only to UK domestic flights.
Prices are calculated from Farnborough; Luton and Biggin Hill fall within the same range. On short European trips, a same-day round trip is often better value because the aircraft does not fly back empty. Your route is not listed? We will gladly prepare a no-obligation quote for any route in Europe and worldwide. Request a quote.
How Private Jet Charter Pricing Works
Charter pricing in private aviation follows a simple logic. The operator sets a base rate per flight hour for each aircraft type, multiplies it by the billable flight time and adds the costs that come with every trip:
- Billable flight hours, including any positioning (ferry) flight between the aircraft’s home base and your airports
- Landing, handling and parking fees, which vary significantly between major hubs and regional airports
- Fuel surcharges when fuel prices change
- Crew expenses such as hotels and meals on longer trips
- Air Passenger Duty and any other applicable taxes
Some operators also apply a daily minimum of one billable hour, so very short flights cost more per hour. A transparent quote shows every charge and the total cost before you book, which is how we work with every operator we select.
What the Price Includes
You pay a price agreed in advance, and every cost is shown in your quote before you book.
Included in the price
- Aircraft and crew, with a flight attendant on larger jets
- Fuel
- Landing, take-off and airport fees
- Handling at the private terminal (FBO)
- Standard catering on board
- Air Passenger Duty and all other levies
Possible additional costs, always listed separately
- Positioning, if the jet is not based at your departure airport
- Crew accommodation on multi-day trips
- De-icing in winter
- Special catering requests
Important: all taxes are included in the quoted price. VAT (20%) applies only to UK domestic flights; international flights carry none.
What Affects the Cost of a Private Jet
How much you pay for a private jet charter depends on several factors:
- Flight time and distance
- The biggest cost driver: every additional hour is charged at the hourly rate of the aircraft type.
- Aircraft size
- A heavy jet costs roughly twice as much per hour as a light jet. For four passengers on trips under three hours, a light jet is usually all you need.
- Repositioning
- If no suitable jet is based at your departure airport, the repositioning flight from its home base is included. The more aircraft available nearby, the lower the price.
- Date and aircraft availability
- Around Christmas and Easter, Cheltenham, Royal Ascot, the Monaco Grand Prix and the school summer holidays, demand rises and so do prices. Being flexible saves money.
- Airports
- Major airports charge higher landing and handling fees. For London, Farnborough, Biggin Hill or Oxford are often quicker to reach and better value than Heathrow.
- Waiting time and overnight stays
- If the crew stays overnight, hotel and standby costs are added. For longer stays it is often cheaper to send the jet back to base in between.
How to Save on a Private Jet
A little flexibility can reduce the cost noticeably.
- Empty leg flights. Jets returning to base without passengers are offered at up to 75% off, provided you are flexible on date and time. View empty legs
- Flexible dates. Flying a day earlier or later can make a real difference.
- Alternative airports. We always compare smaller airports nearby.
- Same-day round trip. The aircraft waits for you instead of flying back empty.
- The right aircraft. We suggest the jet that suits your passenger count and route, not the biggest one.
- For frequent flyers: fixed hourly rates with a private jet subscription.
Cost per Person Compared with Business Class
A private jet is always chartered as a whole aircraft. Divided between all passengers, the price is well worth comparing with business class tickets.
In return you skip terminal queues, connections and airline delays – and you choose your own departure time.
Private Jet Costs: Charter or Ownership?
When people ask how much a private jet costs, they sometimes mean the purchase price. A new light jet costs roughly £4–10 million and a long range jet £40–65 million. On top of that come the annual running costs:
- Crew salaries and training
- Hangarage and parking fees
- Scheduled maintenance
- Insurance
These fixed costs apply even when the aircraft sits on the ground. As a general guide, owning a jet only makes financial sense from around 200 to 400 flight hours a year; below that, charter is usually the cheaper option. Find out more about aircraft sales.
Private Jet Hire Cost: FAQs
How much does it cost to hire a private jet per hour?
Between £3,000 for a turboprop and £13,800 for a long range jet, depending on the class. Light jets cost £3,400–5,200 per hour and midsize jets £4,700–6,900.
How is private jet charter pricing calculated?
The operator’s hourly rate for the aircraft is multiplied by the billable flight time. Airport and handling fees, crew expenses and applicable taxes are then added. We show all of this in one itemised quote for your trip.
How much is a private jet from London to Nice?
From £10,000 one way in a light jet, with a flight time of just under two hours. More details: private jet to Nice.
Why is a one-way flight more expensive than expected?
Because the jet has to return to its base after your flight, and that return leg is usually priced in. These return legs are also where empty legs come from, which you can book at a discount.
How much does a private jet cost per person?
The price is always for the whole aircraft. A midsize jet from London to Ibiza costs from £15,000, which works out at around £1,900 per person with eight passengers.
What is included in the price?
The aircraft, crew, fuel, airport fees, handling, standard catering, Air Passenger Duty and all other taxes. Any additional costs are always listed separately in the quote.
Do I pay Air Passenger Duty on a private jet?
Yes. APD applies to departures from UK airports and is charged per passenger. It is already included in our quotes.
How quickly will I receive a quote?
Usually within the hour, with no obligation.
How can I fly by private jet for less?
The biggest saving comes from an empty leg flight. Flexible dates, a smaller airport or a same-day round trip also help.
How far in advance should I book?
Depending on aircraft availability, a flight can often be arranged within a few hours. In peak season we recommend enquiring two to three weeks ahead.
When is it worth owning a private jet?
As a general guide, from around 200 to 400 flight hours a year. Below that, charter is usually more economical because of the fixed costs of crew, hangarage and maintenance.
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