The air charter industry is evolving. Cheap private jet charter has become a reality. With a few simple tips and tricks you can enjoy affordable charter flights across the US and beyond.

Cheap Private Jet Charter – Myth vs Reality

There’s a common perception that private aircraft and private flying is a restrictive, exclusive realm. Preconceptions suggest gold-gilded aircraft and celebrities popping bottles of 1959 Dom Perignon at 30,000 feet. Or of a world unobtainable if you don’t at least own the equivalent of a new 718 Boxster. For many years, private aircraft have almost become a symbol of fantasy. The reality is far different.

Strip away photos from the gossip magazines and private jet charter is rather mundane. It’s just a plane, a pilot, support staff and an airport FBO. There’s nothing particularly glamorous about it. The luxury of flying private is the time that is saved, not the swanky photos that go on Instagram. For many flyers, cheap private jet charter is more of a necessity than a magnificence. It all comes down to traveling more efficiently, getting more day out of your day.

Understand the Basics of What Jet Charters Cost

Let’s make it simple. Of all the variables and all the airports, when it comes to private air charter there are two key cost considerations.

• The cost of the aircraft per hour.
• The number of flight hours required.

Every aircraft has a price. Larger and faster aircraft understandably cost more than smaller aircraft. Certain aircraft are known to offer superb like for like value, such as King Air charters, while others offer more amenities and services. See this article for a more detailed understanding of different aircraft costs.

Every journey takes a set amount of time, but note that this isn’t always just the time that you spend in the air. If an aircraft needs to be repositioned before take off, the flight hours will increase. The same applies if an aircraft is empty on the return leg.

Multiply the aircraft’s hourly rate by the number of flight hours and that’s the minimum price you will pay. So how does that equate to cheap private jet charters?

Tip 1) Never super size or over size. Book aircraft that meet your minimum size and flight requirements – anything larger is wasted money.

Tip 2) Reduce and remove repositioning flight hours by utilizing aircraft that are based at the airport you are flying from.

Avoiding the Nasty Extras

With every flight there are additional costs. These really vary between operators but there are handful of standard fixtures to watch out for, particularly when looking for cheap private jet flights.

• Peak date surcharges – some days are more popular (e.g. the days around Thanksgiving) and these attract an additional fee. Private jet cards can have anywhere from ten to over 100 “hot dates.”
• Commission – private jet brokers charge a commission that is an unnecessary expense.
• Airport FBO surcharges – every airport charges a fee to the aircraft; smaller regional airports tend to be much cheaper and more convenient.
• Additional fees – these can be sneaky, including de-icing charges, state taxes, foreign fuel taxes, special events surcharges, overnight fees, hangar fees, taxi time fees, etc

How do you avoid all of this and get cheap private jet charter. Easy:

Tip 3) Book private air charters that have transparent pricing. The price you see should be the price you pay, with nothing added on afterwards.

Maximizing the Possibility

These three tips can seem a little idealistic. You want a King Air 200 that already positioned at Teterboro, for a flight to Denver and a return journey 48 hours later. Oh, and this is four days before Christmas and you’re booking at the last minute.

There are over 4000 aircraft for charter in the US alone. There will be an aircraft that can fulfill this flight. To gain access to this aircraft you must maximize the possibility.

Private Jet Cards vs Cheap Private Jet Charter

Private jet cards tie you into a specific aircraft from a specific operator. This is the least flexible option available. Unless you need the same aircraft on a similar route, time and time again, repositioning fees and inflexible aircraft choice will add on great expense.

Private Jet Brokers vs Cheap Private Jet Charter

Private jet brokers usually work with a small handful of operators. That’s useful if they operate within your geographical area. Travel more widely and this flexibility falls away. Sure, your jet broker can contact another jet broker and can find you a plane. But that means doubling the commission for diluted expertise.

Unrestricted Choice Means Cheaper Air Charter

Tip 4) The more aircraft you can choose from, the greater chance of finding a deal.

An unfiltered choice of aircraft and where to fly: that’s the concept behind Airvel, the world’s leading search engine for cheap private jet charters. You can search over 4000 aircraft for every single flight, then compare them based on aircraft size, price per hour, amenities and flight duration. Through the search results you can minimize positioning fees and book the plane most suitable for that individual flight.

On the Go: Booking Jet Air Charter As and When You Need It

Upfront fees are restrictive. They are the primary reason air charters have remained unaffordable and unobtainable to most. Private jet cards have promoted the idea of annual membership schemes and pre-purchasing a specific number of flight hours. It means you can’t book a cheap private jet flight; instead you must purchase a whole year of travel. When jet cards start at USD 50,000 they are never cheap.

What if you only need an air charter for a single journey?

What if you want to try the benefits of an air charter? You start with just one flight right?

What if your needs for every flight are different?

Tip 5) Book flights on an individual basis. This minimizes upfront costs and allows you to get cheap private jet flights every time.

With Airvel you can fly anywhere, anytime, on the aircraft best suited to your needs. As the world’s leading search engine for private jet charters, Airvel offers the maximum choice of aircraft and airports.

At Airvel believe anyone can fly on a private jet charter. We strip away the fees so you can realize all the benefits of flying private.