Private Aircraft Charter vs Commercial Airlines

What are the differences between flying private and scheduled commercial airlines?

When comparing the pro’s and con’s of private aircraft charters versus commercial flights, there are two major factors that swing to both extremes of the pendulum: cost and flexibility.

Scheduled airline service is by far the most affordable way to travel. All you need to do is find a commercial flight on the date & time you want to travel, book your ticket, and pack your bags.

However, commercial airline flights are only available at your nearest commercial airport, and unless it’s a major airport, you may be limited by the number of destinations you’re able to fly to, especially non-stop.

What about Charter Airlines?

Charter airliners may present more variety, but these routes are usually offered on a seasonal basis, and may still miss the mark when trying to reach your preferred destination. Also, many charter airlines use smaller, less comfortable aircraft for some of their less popular routes.

Related: What is a Charter Flight?

Either way, both forms of scheduled airline travel comes with some well-known frustrations: Arriving at the airport hours early, waiting in long security lines, getting to 2nd base with a random TSA agent, and is the baggage carousel even going to start?

All this on top of possible delays, cancellations, screaming babies, and airborne wonders associated with commercial flights.

… and, you may have to deal with a group of crabby passengers at the baggage claim.

Chartering a Private Aircraft

Compare flying private vs commercial, and booking a private charter flight is always going to be more expensive.

However, with the higher cost comes higher levels of luxury, privacy, speed, flexibility, comfort, and convenience incomparable to traveling commercial.

Private aircraft fly on the date & time you choose, to the domestic or international destination of your choice. Many charter planes will fly faster and reach higher speeds than commercial airlines, reaching your destination faster and reducing the time of your flight.

Private aircraft can take-off and land at major and general aviation airports, opening access to more than ten times the number of domestic destinations when compared to commercial airlines. This can also allow travelers to arrive/depart closer to their home or office.

They also use private terminals also known as Fixed-Base Operators (FBOs) or seaplane base to avoid lines and congestion, with passengers typically departing within 15 minutes of getting to the airport.

Is it more affordable to hire a private plane for groups of 10 to 15?

When using private aircraft charter services, tickets & per person pricing are not available, making it highly unlikely to be more cost-effective than first-class commercial tickets.

You can split the cost between friends and collect the money after the fact, however, it will still be more expensive. That said, this is a viable option for groups willing to spend a little more.

What am I allowed to do and bring on my flight?

How many bags can I bring on a charter plane? Can I bring my golf clubs, ski equipment, or hunting rifles? Am I allowed to smoke during my private flight?

When you charter a private plane, you take full control over your travel, including what you bring, how much of it you’re bringing, and what you decide to do with it.

This includes the aforementioned items not allowed on commercial flights.

As long as it all conforms to the dimensions of the storage compartments and weight limits of your charter plane, you’re free to travel with large items including skis, golf clubs, music/DJ gear, video/photography/sporting equipment, and more.

However, just like with commercial airliners, private planes each have limits regarding the total weight of passengers and luggage.

These limits will vary from aircraft to aircraft, so make sure to discuss any concerns regarding the baggage or special items you plan to bring on your flight.

Can I travel with my children or pets on a private jet?

After a few unfortunate airline incidents involving dogs in recent months, there has been a large increase in requests for pet-friendly private jet travel.

When it comes to traveling with pets, there are many private planes that allow pets on-board.

Make sure to let your broker or sales representative know you would like to travel with your pet so accommodations can be made.

Exotic animals may not be allowed, especially when flying internationally.

PetTravel.com is a comprehensive resource for both commercial and private jet travel with your pet, including all of the necessary documentation, vaccinations, and other information.

As far as traveling with children, there are no age restrictions for private jet passengers, however, some companies will not transport unaccompanied minors under the age of 18; certain arrangements can be made to accommodate youth travel in these events.

Safety & Support

While aviation has grown to reach record levels of safety around the world, it’s impossible to say whether flying private vs commercial is safer than the other.

Although there are some commercial airliners that offer excellent customer service, there’s always the potential for unruly passengers, security concerns, and forced removals.

Private aviation is offered at a variety of levels and pricing points, and not all private aircraft operators and brokers follow the same safety standards. This usually leads you to the varying pricing points – some companies use poorly maintained planes and inexperienced pilots to offer you the lowest price.

Do you consider the lowest price the most important aspect of renting a private?

We didn’t think so, either.

That’s why it’s important for you to work with a charter company like Horizon Sun Charters.

Our maintenance uses genuine parts and follow strict protocol for maintenance of our aircraft and training of our personnel’s.

Furthermore, your private flight is tracked and followed by our flight following personnel and we have a GPS tracking system to track the aircraft at all times.

After you arrives at destination, we can make arrangements for ground transportation, speed boat transfer to your resort.

Private Jet Charter Pricing and Hourly Rates

What is the cost to rent a private aircraft? The cost of your private flight and its hourly rate will vary between somewhere around $1,000 to $10,000 per hour (and up)*.

The rate is based mostly on aircraft type/size you hire: the lower end of the hourly rates will be for small piston and turboprop planes for individuals and small groups, whereas midsize and heavy jets can go for around $5,000/hour, and long-range luxury planes, especially newer models, can reach 5 figures/hour.

Many companies require trip minimums of 2 flight hours per day.

Make sure you review all of the options with your private aircraft provider and ask for an all-inclusive charter quote before applying your signature to anything.

* This rate is solely to charter an aircraft and does not include re-positioning, cost of fuel, taxes, landing fees, and other charges.