Hiring a private plane isn’t as difficult as it may seem – discover four private plane charter options in 2025 for the best-in-flight travel experiences this year.
Picture the scene: you’re cruising at 25,000 ft with a glass of champagne in hand. You’re looking down on the vast Arizona desert as you make your way to the fabulous Las Vegas for a memorable weekend away, and you’re with your best friends in a private jet.
While it might sound like something out of a movie, arranging a private plane charter in the USA is not as expensive or complex as you might think.
Several Locals, Insider writers have traveled on a private jet. So, I picked their brains and asked them for the lowdown on how the process works, how much it costs, and which companies can be trusted to handle a booking.
Here’s what I found, starting with the average cost of private plane charters in the USA.
First: How Much Does a Private Plane Charter Cost in the United States?
Private plane charters are often more affordable than some people think. In the United States, hiring a private jet starts at around $2,000 per hour, but international flights can cost around $10,000 per hour.
Many factors influence the flight cost, including who you hire the jet from, where you’re flying from and to, and how many passengers you’re flying with. Below are some things to consider before introducing you to the best private plane charter options in the US.
What to Know Before Chartering a Plane
Chartering a plane isn’t like booking a flight on a commercial jet. There’s no one-size-fits-all fee for a flight, and you must negotiate with a company or broker directly.
Therefore, before you do this, we need to explain some costs and additional expenses to consider, which you’re not necessarily familiar with if you’ve never flown privately before:
- Plane type: There are many different private plane charter options. Very Light Jets (VLJs) are the most economical option, while Gulfstream jets cost significantly more.
- Flight distance: If you’re traveling a relatively short distance (1-2 hours), you can opt for a turboprop or VLJ, keeping costs down. But if you travel abroad or fly for 5+ hours, you must spend more on a bigger airplane with more fuel capacity.
- Number of passengers: The more passengers that fly, the more expensive it will be. This is due to added weight and service costs and may require a bigger airplane. Of course, you may also split the costs between you.
- Landing fees: Airports charge different landing fees that significantly affect the cost of travel. Generally, it’s more expensive to land in a city than in a rural location.
- Jet fuel surcharges: This is a huge variable that will likely affect the price you’re quoted significantly. Ask your broker to explain this before agreeing to any terms and conditions.
- Extras: You must also negotiate extras like food and drink onboard and ground transportation when you arrive at your destination.
Note that it’s common practice for private plane charter companies to quote you on a per-hour basis. This is essentially the all-inclusive cost of hiring the jet from arriving at the airport until your disembarkation.
You can ask for a complete breakdown of all the costs to ascertain the value of your quote, which you can then compare against those issued by other companies.
4 Private Plane Charter Options for Exclusive Travel
With an idea of what to expect, below are some of the top private plane charter options in the United States that you can contact for a quote:
1: Trilogy Aviation – Best private jet broker
Based in Fort Worth, TX, Trilogy Aviation is one of the safest and most trustworthy private plane charter companies in the United States.
The company has access to over 7,000 private jets, serving as a broker between client and owner. The huge number of planes available via Trilogy means that you can find the best flight to suit your needs.
The Trilogy Aviation website has a handy live chat function, and you can request a quote by filling out the online form with some simple information.
We also like that Trilogy offers empty leg charters, meaning you can access a great price if you can make the most of a return leg that someone has already paid for.
2: Villiers Jets – Best for finding empty legs
Villiers flies over 10,000 jets to 40,000 destinations worldwide. In short, it’s the perfect option if you’re looking for international private plane charters anywhere in the world.
The company publishes all its reduced-price empty legs on its website, so you see the date, aircraft, route, and the amount you must pay to purchase the flight.
This is an excellent way to find good-value chartered flights at the last minute and to get a decent idea of the cost of flights without submitting an inquiry.
If you want to experience the thrill of a private flight without minding the destination, you can book via the Villiers mystery flight tab. Enter your departure airport and budget, and they will find a suitable flight that gives you the perfect excuse to fly privately for the first time.
3: Paramount Business Jets – Best for executive business travel
Targeted primarily at business travelers, Paramount has arranged private flights for 20 years. Still, you can charter a flight for your business or for individual travel.
Paramount operates a system called the Jet Card Program, a unique way to book private airfare. You can access wholesale pricing and find discounted flight options on popular legs for a fixed management fee.
From Emerald to Black, four levels make it extremely easy and convenient to charter a private jet. You must make at least a $100,000 deposit to join the Jet Card scheme, but it’s an excellent option for frequent business flyers looking for savings on private jet charters.
4: VistaJet – Best private jet subscription booking system
Like Paramount, VisaJet operates a membership system that simplifies flight booking. When you sign up for a subscription, you gain access to the entire fleet and can book flights on a transparent hourly basis.
While the Corporate travel program offers unlimited flying hours per year, you can join the VJ25 program for 25 hours per year.
The Bottom Line: Private Jet Charter Options
The VistaJet line-up includes Bombardier, Gulfstream, Cessna, Embraer, and Dassault aircraft, with options to suit most budgets and preferences.
Chartering a private jet is worth considering if you prioritize convenience over everything else while traveling. It’s not as expensive as you might think and more cost-effective than owning a private jet outright.
Moreover, thanks to companies like Trilogy, Villiers, Paramount, and VistaJet, flights on various aircraft are easily found both domestically and internationally.
If you’re keen to explore your options, reach out to one of these companies today to express an interest in chartering a flight. You will receive a personalized quote based on your preferences, which you can then compare with other quoted prices.
