From the occasional jet charter to purchasing your own Embraer Phenom 300, there are countless ways for private fliers to take to the skies. A private jet lease is one of those options. Could it be right for you?

Sitting somewhere between fractional aircraft ownership and a jet card, a private plane lease may offer balance in some situations.

Cost is one significant factor in determining if a private jet lease is an effective option for your personal needs. Let’s take a closer look.

Private jet leasing: understanding potential costs

How much does it cost to lease a private plane? The cost of leasing a private plane depends on several factors, including:

  • The aircraft type, with larger and more luxurious planes involving a larger investment
  • The length of your lease, with longer leases typically leading to lower monthly costs
  • The location of the aircraft and the availability of planes in the area and your lessor’s fleet

Typically, you can expect to spend more on a private jet lease than a jet card, which costs about $25,000. However, private jet leasing generally costs less than the initial investment in fractional ownership. That option often starts at around $300,000.

There are consumer-facing private jet lease programs on the market. Examples include NetJets’ lease program, which gives lessees more than 25 hours of annual flying time on a three-year commitment. There is also Flexjet, which offers 30-to-60-month terms with a minimum of 50 hours per year.

However, leases in the private jet industry are more common between a private jet owner and an operator.

In this private aviation business model, operators lease a private owner’s jet to use for charter flights. This helps the lessor offset the cost of ownership and provides high-quality aircraft to private fliers.

Leasing a private plane vs. chartering a private jet

Depending on your needs and how often you fly, other private jet options may be preferable. Chartering a private jet as needed or purchasing a private jet membership may suit your needs better than leasing an aircraft.

When you charter a private jet with Stratos, you have access to more than 2,500 of the safest and most well-maintained private jets in the world. This network enables you to always charter the right jet for the mission. Chartering means more control over your private jet experience.

When you lease a private jet, you typically lock in one jet or one class for the duration of your lease. That means a lack of flexibility in terms of the jets you can access.

If you need a larger jet capable of bringing the whole family to Maui for the summer, you often won’t have the ability to upgrade. If your flight from Miami to the Bahamas would be better served by a smaller aircraft, you might need to look outside your lease program when planning your trip.

The right charter jet provider can deliver a seamless, thoroughly positive experience as well. Stratos commits to continuing training and education for our private flight advisors. as well as technological innovation.

The result is processes that account for, organize, and coordinate every flight. That takes everything from safety to scheduling into account, delivering the right aircraft at the right time for your specific needs. Our iOS app provides transparency on the individual level, supporting accountability for each and every trip.

Chartering a private jet through a broker can also deliver crucial advantages in terms of transparency and safety. Stratos is one of just a few ARGUS Certified brokers working in this market. That certification means we uphold robust safety standards for air carriers, delivering an experience that puts your well-being first.

Is it cheaper to lease a private jet or rent a private jet?

If you fly the same route or the same distance for more than 50 hours per year, it may be cheaper in the long run to lease a private jet.

How much does a private jet cost to rent? The cost to charter a private jet ranges from about $2,000 to $18,000 per hour, depending on the jet, your route, and aircraft availability.

For most travelers, chartering a private jet is the most affordable way to experience private aviation.

Want to learn more about the different private aviation business models and how they impact private fliers? We’ve created an in-depth look at the private aviation industry as part of our ultimate guide to private jets.