9 Best Private Jet Companies for Your Personal Charter
Are you ready to elevate your travel experience to a whole new level of luxury and convenience? When it comes to private jet charters, the options are limitless, but not all companies are created equal.
In this guide, we’ll take you on a journey through the top private jet charter companies helping you find the best fit for your sky-high adventures.
Why Choose a Private Jet?
With each passing year, private jet travel remains one of the strongest choices out there when organizing your vacation, business trip, or luxury transportation plans.
Saving you valuable time and all the hassle of organizing a commercial flight, private jet travel is a great way for you to make the most of your journey there and back from your destination, with faster travel times that follow a custom schedule you can have full control over.
Private jets also give you bigger and better opportunities for inflight comfort, privacy and communication options, with the ability to make any adjustment or changes you want to your travel plans depending on your preferences and priorities.
Vista Jet
Perhaps the most luxurious private jet company that exists, VistaJet has set new standards for the industry. Its charismatic founder, entrepreneur Thomas Flohr, created VistaJet in response to the terrible experiences he had chartering private jets. He looked at all the pain points that private jet travelers feel, such as the dreaded owner return and last minute aircraft changes to unappealing catering served in styrofoam coolers.
Then he reinvisioned private jet travel with a consistent fleet that is always crewed with at least one flight attendant, and two cockpit pilots. Top-notch wine programs, and delicious catering from top chefs and restaurants, including Nobu, round out the experience.
Today, VistaJet operates a fleet of more than 360 silver and red Bombardier jets, including the Global and Challenger families. Flohr’s goal was to create a consistent travel experience anywhere in the world and he certainly delivered.
VistaJet has two membership programs: the VistaJet Program for frequent fliers, which offers a flight hour subscription plan with guaranteed access, and the VistaJet Direct, for less frequent fliers, allowing for charters and access to empty legs.
NetJets
Image from: Official LinkedIn page
NetJets, a renowned name in the world of private jet charter, has earned its status as one of the most well known private charter companies globally.
With a strong presence boasting offices across the United States and Europe, NetJet has been a worldwide leader for over 55 years, catering to a diverse range of clients.
NetJets specializes in fractional ownership and offers private jet cards and leases. Fractional ownership requires an up-front investment and 36 month commitment, but it offers guaranteed availability with as little as 4-6 hours notice. It comes with the benefits of owning a jet, but without any of the hassles and maintenance.
The NetJet lease program is geared to those who fly upward of 50 hours but don’t want the capital investment of fractional ownership.
NetJets boasts an impressive fleet of over 700 aircraft, making it the company with the largest aircraft collection in the industry.
The global reach of NetJet is equally impressive. They facilitate flights to over 5,000 airports across more than 200 countries. This extensive network ensures that you can reach your desired destination, no matter how remote or exclusive it may be.
Flexjet
Flexjet is another private aviation powerhouse offering fractional ownership, jet cards and leases. However, it takes fractional ownership to a new level through its Red Label by Flexjet program.
Flexjet assigns pilots and crews to a single aircraft tail number, which guarantees familiar faces on every flight as well as a supremely knowledgeable crew. Red Label members have one point of contact for all their travel needs.
Additionally, Flexjet Coastal Connect provides special promotional rates for jet cards when traveling within the U.S. aboard a Challenger 300 aircraft. It is available to customers who fly to and from certain areas on the East Coast and West Coast.
One of the standard features of Flexjet is their commitment to luxury. Their exclusive jets boast custom LXi cabin interiors that exude opulence.
Flexjet also embraces technology to enhance your experience. With the convenience of their mobile app you can easily request a flight on the go, simplifying the booking process and ensuring that you can secure your travel arrangements instantly.
XO
Image from: Official LinkedIn Page
XO is one of the most flexible private jet companies in the U.S. You can pay as you fly or purchase a membership to book private charters or individual seats on scheduled private jet flights. Its fleet has more than 180 owned aircraft, plus an extensive network of more than 2,200 aircraft around the world, offering global coverage.
Membership options range from the entry level Rise program, which costs $595 per year and has dynamic pricing, to the $1,000-per-month Elite Access program. Elite Access has fixed hourly rates on both private chartered and shared flights, guaranteed availability on off-peak and peak days, and complimentary aircraft upgrades when available. XO is part of Vista Global Holiday, VistaJet’s parent company, and adheres to the same high levels of service.
XO
Charter Flights and Membership (866) 709 3018
Shared Flights (954) 869 8796
Jet Linx
Jet Linx specializes in jet cards and aircraft management. It operates 20 Jet Linx bases throughout the U.S. each with dedicated staff and amenities. The 105 airplanes in its fleet are each located at one of these 20 bases, so the company prides itself on high-touch services and familiar faces. While it has strong local ties, it also flies to more than 5,000 airports worldwide.
Members pay an upfront fee and receive flight credits that can be used to charter flights within the Jet Linx service area.
Jet Linx members also enjoy fixed hourly rates, guaranteed availability with as little as 4-hours notice, and dedicated accounts management.
Jet Linx’s fleet of private jets includes a variety of aircraft types such as light jets, midsize jets, super midsize jets, and large cabin jets. Their diverse fleet allows them to cater to different travel needs, whether it’s a short, regional flight or a long-haul international flight.
Wheels Up
Wheel Up, the first private jet service to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, uses its high tech marketplace (available on the Wheels Up app) to bring you access to more than 1,500 aircraft. The app makes searching flights easy and displays aircraft pricing clearly. This is an advantage as many companies don’t list pricing publicly, so you have to get in touch with the company to get a quote.
While Wheels Up doesn’t own the aircraft in its fleet, it does have a thorough safety vetting process and verification, that brings peace of mind to its clients.
Wheels Up appeals to fliers who need lots of flexibility and don’t want to be tied to one aircraft. It also allows members to create shared flights, where fliers split the cost of the trip. It’s known for its fun programming, exclusive events such as its annual Super Bowl party, and scheduled private flights to marquee events and destinations. While non-members can book flights on Wheels Up, the dynamic pricing model means flights can be significantly more expensive that way.
Stratos Jet Charters
Founded in 2006, Stratos Jet Charters has consistently provided excellent, on-demand flights for business and leisure trips throughout the U.S. and worldwide. It cooperates with over 5,000 private jets of various sizes offering special services such as Cargo, Empty Legs, Medical, and business.
The company follows a membership model with different tiers, providing members with guaranteed per-hour rates and flight availability within 72 hours. They also offer access to a wide variety of private jets that can reach destinations worldwide.
Stratos Jet Charters
162 Elmora Avenue
Elizabeth, NJ 07020
(917) 868-5540
Plane Sense
Plane Sense is one of the big three fractional ownership companies in the U.S. (along with NetJets and Flexjet). What differentiates it is its all-Pilatus fleet. Plane Sense exclusively flies the Pilatus PC-12 turboprop and the PC-24 jet.
By purchasing a fractional share you receive access to the full fleet. Plane Sense owns all the jets in its fleet. In addition, all of its pilots and flight support operations are in-house.
Private Jet Company Frequently Asked Questions
When should a company consider a private jet?
There are many drawbacks to commercial air travel. Public terminals often have large crowds and long lines. Flight delays and flight cancellations are relatively common. Private jets give you flexibility to fly at your own pace, your own schedule, and to airport locations that are inaccessible to commercial airlines. If your company travels frequently for conferences, sales meetings or any other reason, using private jets instead will allow you to travel more efficiently and stay on schedule. Also, private jets can be outfitted with full size work stations that will help you get more done as you make your way from point A to point B.
How do private jet companies work?
Each private jet company has its own way of doing business. Some own their fleets while others manage aircraft owned by others, and some even use a combination. Another difference is that some companies allow charter flights as needed, while others require more of a commitment with options such as jet card programs, private jet leasing, and fractional ownership or a combination of these options.
How much do private jet companies cost?
The cost of these services depends on which provider and type of jet program you choose. At the low end, a single short flight on a small aircraft like a seaplane or turbo prop plane might only cost about $2,500 (though the hourly rates for most private jets tends to be close to $10,000). At the high end, investing in a fractional ownership could end up costing you seven figures.