How to Choose the Right Private Jet for Your Travel Needs

Anyone who’s ever encountered challenges flying commercial – so, everyone who’s ever flown commercial – has wished, however briefly, for an alternative. Crowded parking garages, 6 am departures, endless security lines, mysterious delays, cramped seating, lost luggage – plus, occasionally, wild misbehavior and mistakes. Surely, there must be something better.

PRivate jet during orange sunset. Photo Credit: Bim, iStock / Getty Images Plus

For some, that something better is private jet charter. Leave at a convenient time, skip the X-ray machines, avoid the lines – in other words, travel in a way tailored to your needs. However, flying private comes with some extra responsibilities. As the passenger, you will need to put some thought into exactly which plane will fly you from point A to point B (etc.). While that idea may be daunting for beginners, it’s very manageable with the right approach. If you want more guidance, read on.

Safety First

One big advantage commercial jet travel has over private jet travel – and just about every other form of transportation devised by mankind – is safety. A traveler in the U.S. is more than 200 times more likely to die traveling a similar distance on a general aviation flight such as a private plane than he or she is on a commercial airline. Before you flee from private jet travel, take into account that you are more than 400 times more likely to die from driving or riding in a car or SUV than from flying commercial – private jets are much safer.

Aircraft engineer coordinating with her crew of mechanics. Photo Credit: EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER, iStock / Getty Images Plus

Even looking past that, though, the average safety data for private jet travel includes a wide range of situations, including new recreational pilots not trained on instruments. As a potential passenger, you should look for indicators of a strong safety mindset by a charter operator or broker as the first step in choosing the right private jet. One key component in this approach is a safety management system – an organization-wide approach to managing risk.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) mandates the use of a safety management system among its signatory states. While the U.S. is a member of ICAO, until recently, U.S. companies with a Part 135 certificate to operate – i.e., charter companies – were not required by federal law to use a formal safety management system. In April 2024, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) finalized a rule that requires a system among Part 135 certificate holders, though they have about three years to get in compliance.

Marcela White, cofounder of charter operator Tavaero Jet Charter in Houston, Texas, advises would-be private jet travelers to ask upfront about the presence – or lack – of a safety management system, including the amount of time a charter company has used one. “It speaks to that commitment to safety,” she says. “It takes a lot of the subjectivity out of the process.”

Tavaero uses a Flight Risk Assessment Tool that provides a list of questions about the proposed flight. What’s the weather? How rough is the terrain? How much rest did the pilot(s) get last night? “The pilot will check those off, and it comes back with ‘go’ or ‘no-go.’ If it comes back with ‘no-go,’ is there anything we can do to mitigate that risk?” White says.

A Little Insurance

For those looking for even more safety assurance, third parties are useful. In Europe, many private jet customers feel comfortable relying on official aviation regulatory bodies at the country level. In the U.S., however, the size and complexity of the air market tends to leave the FAA stretched somewhat thin.

In true American fashion, private entities have stepped in to fill the gap -- the Aviation Research Group United States (aka ARGUS) and WYVERN. The latter rates charter operators, the former pilots and aircraft, but both provide certifications that can only be achieved from extensive safety assessments.

“With these auditing companies, it’s not really a pass or a fail,” White clarifies. “You can’t hold a two-airplane operator to the same standards as a 50-airplane operator. You want to see that everything looks legal and above board.”

Over time, the two audit companies have become standards in private aviation. “They’re legitimately looking to improve your operations so that it benefits the whole industry,” White says. “We have seen a huge benefit from being part of that group and seeing their processes.”

However, outside certifications don’t preclude you from asking your own questions. A potential charter partner should be able to disclose if it has been found to commit any violations by the FAA, such as inadequate fuel reserves or controlled airspace violations (the answer should be “no”). The charter company should also be able to discuss any accidents or incidents in which a plane has been involved, with the caveat that it’s not uncommon for those to result from factors outside of human control. “Just because someone has had an accident or incident doesn’t mean you can’t use them, but you need to have the specifics,” White notes.

Light, Heavy or In Between

Once you’ve reassured yourself that your plane options are safe ones, you can move on to the step of selecting which type of plane will work best for your trip. Options range from piston planes that seat two to six people and can fly about 300 miles before refueling, to ultra-long-range heavy jets that hold 12-19 passengers and can fly 5,000 to 7,500 miles without stopping.

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Choices in between include turboprops (similar to ones used by commercial airlines for short-haul flights), very light and light jets, midsize and super-midsize jets, and heavy jets. Light jets can hold four to six passengers and travel about 2,500 miles. Mid-sized jets accommodate six to 10 passengers and fly up to 3,000 miles, while super-midsize jets seat eight to 12 passengers and can travel up to 4,000 miles. (Non-ultra-long-range heavy jets have roughly the same passenger capacity as ultra-long-range jets but can “only” go a bit less than 5,000 miles in a single flight.)

To some degree, your selection will depend on how many people are in your travel party, and where, exactly, you’re looking to go. For international trips from the U.S. to Europe, South America or Asia (or vice versa), a heavy jet is often a must. For a shorter trip, a light jet may work, but a mid-sized jet can provide a larger cabin and more amenities. If your group will fit into a plane that doesn’t have the range for a domestic trip, you can inquire as to whether a refueling stop can be included.

White advises travelers to ask charter operators and brokers what the different options are, and the pros and cons of each. She suggests asking if a second pilot is an option, even if one isn’t mandatory for the type of plane in question. “Put a second set of eyes in there, the person who will help when it gets busy, and your flight will be safer,” she says.

Don’t forget – if you need to bring luggage, space may be limited depending on which type of aircraft you select. While this isn’t likely to be an issue with heavy jets, the lighter the aircraft, the lighter the total baggage load it can hold.

Attention, Attendant

As per federal law, only airplanes with more than 19 passengers on board are required to have flight attendants trained in emergency response. It’s not uncommon for charter brokers and operators to provide flight attendants if they’re requested, and they’re typical on heavy jets. However, those flight attendants may not be trained on what to do if something goes wrong.

“In the event of an emergency, the pilots are busy with the airplane and the cabin attendants are the ones who will help you,” White says. “Make sure you are getting someone who at a minimum has safety training every year.”

Money, Honey

And, of course, the cost will be a consideration. Charter flights typically charge hourly rates based on flying time. As an example, charter operator Clay Lacy estimates hourly rates ranging from $3,000 for light jets to $12,000 for ultra-long-range heavy jets, covering aircraft, crew and fuel. A sample one-way flight from L.A. to NYC is quoted as ranging from $56,000 via light jet to $102,000 on a large jet.

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That having been said, no two charter flights are the same – if you want to know exactly how much your intended trip will cost, you’ll need to get an individual quote. And the hourly fees are only the beginning – as per Clay Lacy, other costs can include “overnight parking charges, highly customized catering, international handling fees for permits and landing rights.” Have a budget range in mind before you start dreaming of jaunting off in a Gulfstream G600 or a Dassault Falcon 10X.

Comfort Level

However, don’t let price be your only criteria in selecting the right private jet – make sure you feel comfortable with the charter company providing that jet, even beyond primary safety concerns. “Is the company you’re calling an operator or a broker? Does the operator actually manage those airplanes? What is the criteria the broker will be using to find an airplane?” White says. “We don’t want the sole determining factor to be the price point.”

Ultimately, make sure the private jet you choose is one operated by a company that you trust. Flying private should be much more pleasant and individualized than flying commercial, whatever the jet. “How quick and responsive are the people getting back to you?” White asks. “It really is about making sure we meet the expectations of each customer.”