Private Jets Can Sometimes Be A More Affordable Option Than Commercial Flights. Here's Why

Flying private is a pipe dream for many avid travelers who wish to experience the luxury of a private jet. Something about the allure of its exclusivity that caters to clientele of the ultra-rich and famous makes it the stuff of jet setting mood boards. And while you might think a private jet experience is out of reach, they can be surprisingly affordable travel options — sometimes even cheaper than a commercial flight. It may sound too good to be true, but there are a few reasons a private jet trip could be a more within reach than you imagine.

First, you have to analyze a few variables that affect the overall cost of travel. If you are flying with a large party, especially in first class, the collective cost of travel may actually be equivalent to a private charter. Private jets regularly cost $2,000 to $14,000 per billable hour, according to Paramount Business Jets. The actual figure is dependent on aircraft selection, distance of travel, crew, and fuel, but by and large, a modest executive jet going a shorter distance will be a lower figure. 

Compared to commercial flights with prices that are affected by time of travel, availability, and booking time, the cost of a private charter is fairly static. Despite all of the flight booking myths out there that outline when it's best to book what, plane tickets are reliably unpredictable in the commercial space. Thus if you're booking at a time when commercial aviation is expensive, it may be worth looking towards private charters that may cost the same or even less. There are, however, some clever and sneaky methods to get a private jet flight for relatively cheap.

If you're not up for playing the "private vs. commercial" pricing game, consider trying to snag a last-minute, empty-leg sector of a private jet's flight plans. Oftentimes, private aircraft fly empty to position the aircraft to where the owner needs or wants it, and instead of letting that fuel and crew go to waste, owners can take advantage of selling these legs at reduced prices. On the flip side, potential passengers can score an amazing deal by looking out for empty leg flights. Lux Aviator, for example, is a company that advertises their empty leg flights on their site, communicating prices and aircraft. For example, a Nice to Dubai flight on a Challenger 605 (12 seats) is estimated at $19,000 one way at the time of this writing, which works out to be less than $1,600 per person for a luxurious seven-hour flight.

Companies like Vaunt offer a membership service that provides you with empty-leg flight options. With this model, you pay a flat rate per year and can effectively "claim" routes as they become available, and hop on them for no additional fee. This suits travelers who are extremely flexible, since you are dependent on the empty leg routes dictated by owners' needs. At the time of writing, the flat annual fee is just $1,995.

Another strategy for private jet travel is to purchase a subscription service with a provider like Net Jets. Starting at a cool $215,000 for a 275-day period, passengers gain access to various aircraft on-demand without owning a jet. You'd already have to be a very frequent business- or first-class traveler to make this worth it, but it gives you more flexibility than hoping for a good empty leg route to pop up.

When you fly on a private jet, it's likely that you'll be flying from an executive terminal or a general aviation airport. This means that you're not subject to any TSA or security dos and don'ts since these spaces don't have as stringent of security measures. Furthermore, you likely will have a much more relaxed baggage policy since the only passengers are ones that you invited on this trip. Of course, the pilots still need to account for a safe weight and balance, but for the most part, you'll be able to freely pack all the things you want to have on hand during your next vacation.

Private charters are also incredibly flexible in comparison to commercial flights. While regular airports are subject to strict time slots and gate allocations, passengers on private jets have much more leeway to customize departure time and itineraries. That same ease and comfort translates to all parts of the private jet experience. No check-in lines, no packed airports — instead you'll get streamlined service, private lounges, and spend less time waiting around. No need to navigate a busy airport over the holidays, it's all about comfort. Even flight times can be faster compared to commercial flights, since private jets have impressive cruising speeds and rarely have to circle the runaway waiting for a place to land. If you dream of flying private, this is your sign to explore the possibilities.