Key Points:

  • Costs: Private jets range from $250,000 to $110 million; chartering costs $4,000–$18,500 per hour.
  • Planning: Define departure, destination, and trip type (one-way or round trip).
  • Documents: Government-issued ID is required; REAL ID rules take effect May 7, 2025.
  • Ownership Options: Full ownership, fractional ownership, or chartering available.
  • Charter Assistance: Stratos Jets offers expert guidance for private travel.

When you fly private, you’ll enjoy everything from a much more convenient travel experience to far more control over the particulars of your trip. A jet that only includes you and your chosen passengers is comfortable, private, and relaxing, too.

So, what do you need to fly private in 2025? In this quick and practical guide, we break down what’s needed for these journeys and what sets different modes of private jet travel apart.

Already know you want to book a private jet charter? Stratos Jets can help! Get started on a safe, comfortable, and efficient journey with our charter jet price estimator.

Your Checklist for Flying Private: Planes, Plans, Funds & More

The Funds (and the Plane Itself)

There’s no way around it. Just like taking a commercial flight, it costs money to travel on a private jet. So, how much is it to fly private? That depends on several factors.

Owning a private jet outright offers the most flexibility and control in terms of your journeys. However, it also comes with the highest cost of flying private.

Private jet owners need to pay for not only the jet itself, but crew, fuel, maintenance, repairs, hangar fees, and other costs. Investopedia shares the low-end cost for a small, pre-owned jet at $250,000 and notes the most expensive new models can cost more than $110 million overall.

Of course, that’s just the purchase price. Keeping a private jet safe and operational can lead to six-figure costs on a yearly basis.

Fractional ownership, where you split the costs and use of a specific jet with other owners, can cost between $100,000 and more than $1 million upfront. Annual costs can range from high five figures to low-to-mid six figures.

Chartering a private jet is often a more affordable option than the others, excepting those who travel frequently. For example, our hourly rates for different jet categories range from $4,000-$18,500, depending on the jet itself and the details of the journey.

The Plans

You need to have an origin and destination in mind to fly private. It’s a simple fact, but it’s certainly worth mentioning.

The specifics of your plans – when you depart, where you’re headed, and if you’re making a one-way or round trip – all influence costs, too. That’s true whether you own or charter a private jet.

The Documents

Just like commercial airlines, private jets require travelers to show an approved, government-issued ID before boarding the plane. The upcoming REAL ID compliance deadline, set for May 7, 2025, requires travelers to show an ID that aligns with REAL ID rules or an accepted alternative.

If you want to fly your own private jet, you’ll need a private flying license and have to meet all the requirements for flying the specific jet you own, too.

Expert Support for Flying Private on Charter Jets

Stratos Jets is here to make your private jet experience as safe, comfortable, and easy as possible. Our experienced team can help you find the perfect charter jet and travel plan for your unique needs.

Ready to plan your next journey? Book a private jet flight now!