In the past, flying private felt like something only the rich and famous could do. But lately, more and more people have been choosing to rent private jets instead of flying commercial.
This is because it’s become easier and more affordable to do so. You don’t have to buy a whole plane anymore.
There are some companies that let you rent them instead, just like you might rent a car. They even have different payment options and memberships, so you can find something that fits your budget and needs.
Choosing the perfect private jet charter can be a puzzle, especially if you’re new to the whole “flying in luxury” thing.
Many companies are out there, but not all are the same. You want one that fits your needs, keeps you safe, and doesn’t break the bank.
That’s why we’ve put together the top 10 private jet charter companies, all jumbled up so you can explore and find the best one for you!
1. XO – Best Private Jet charter
XO Aviation rents private jets all over the world. They have more than 180 of their own jets and can also get you access to over 2,100 other planes.
This means they can fly you almost anywhere, anytime, even during busy travel seasons. They also have a special team that can fix any problems with the jets while they’re in the air, so you don’t have to worry about getting stuck.
Flying with XO is like getting pampered with free treats! They often upgrade your plane to a nicer one, so you can travel in style. Plus, they have a private jet charter membership program with different levels, like a VIP club.
Each level comes with cool perks like discounts, special offers from other companies, and getting on the plane first.
And the best part? Booking is also made easy through the website and mobile application. No more long phone calls or confusing menus!
2. Wheels Up
If you fly a lot with Delta Air Lines, you might have heard about Wheels Up. It’s a well-known company that offers private flights whenever you need them in the United States.
It’s one of the biggest private flight companies globally. With Wheels Up, you can become a member and book private flights for short or medium distances whenever you want, and the cost is all included in an hourly rate.
Wheels Up has more than 1,500 airplanes and a simple way to book flights. One big advantage is that Wheels Up is friends with Delta Air Lines.
This means you can get discounts on regular flights with Delta and even earn Delta SkyMiles when you book a private jet with Wheels Up.
3. NetJets
This company started in 1964 and is one of the biggest companies in the world that lets people rent private jets. They specialize in two main ways of doing this: fractional ownership and private jet cards and leases.
If you choose fractional ownership, it means you own a part of a private jet without dealing with all the problems and maintenance. Plus, you can always use the jet within four to six hours when you want.
For those who don’t want to spend a lot of money upfront, there are two other options: the NetJets Lease program and the flexible jet card program.
With both of these, you can still easily use any of the company’s more than 700 private jets, ranging from small to long-distance ones, and go to over 5,000 airports in more than 200 countries whenever you need to.
4. Blade
BLADE mostly offers small private jets like helicopters, seaplanes, and turboprop planes.
They’re not the best choice if you have lots of people or need to travel far.
But, if you’re going on a short trip, these smaller planes are cheaper per hour compared to bigger private jets.
So, they could be a good option if you’re looking for something affordable.
5. VistaJet
VistaJet is a luxury private jet charter company that lets people rent private jets worldwide. What makes them unique is that they have their own group of jets for this service.
Other companies also let you rent private jets, but VistaJet stands out because all the planes they use are part of their own collection.
VistaJet is doing something cool for its Program members – they don’t charge extra fees for moving the planes around.
They have 70 Global and Challenger jets that fly to 187 countries. VistaJet is part of a larger company called Vista Group, which also owns XO.
Even though VistaJet and XO are owned by the same group, they are separate companies. They used to be competitors, but now they focus on different things.
6. Flexjet
Flexjet is one of the best private jet charter companies that lets people share ownership of private jets, use jet cards, or lease jets.
They have a special program called Red Label by Flexjet, which makes sharing ownership even better.
In Red Label, each jet has its own set of pilots and crew who are always there, so you see familiar faces on every flight.
These crews are very experienced. Also, Red Label members only need to talk to one person for all their travel needs. The jets have really nice interiors and the food is excellent too.
7. Sentient Jet
Sentient Jet is a top choice if you often take short-distance flights on private jets. They were the first to offer private jet cards.
Private jet travel is great for quick trips, like going from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, or New York City to the Hamptons.
Sentient Jet has a rule that you only need to pay for at least 72 minutes of flying time per day for certain jets in their fleet. This is better than many other programs that charge for at least two hours, even if your flight is shorter.
So, with Sentient Jet, you only pay for the actual time you spend in the air during these short flights, saving you money.
8. Tradewind
Tradewind is a good option if you want to take short private flights. Tradewind has Pilatus PC-12 turboprop planes, which are a more affordable way to fly to small airports that bigger jets can’t reach.
Tradewind operates in North America and the Caribbean, and the best part is you don’t need a jet card or any membership to book a charter. You can even book just one seat on a Tradewind jet directly through their website or app.
If you often travel to places like Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard, you can save money by buying a ticket book in advance for a discounted rate.
9. PrivateFly
PrivateFly is a private jet charter company that helps you find and book the perfect private jet for your travel, anywhere in the world.
They have access to over 7,000 aircraft, from small turboprops to large luxury jets, so you’re sure to find the right one for your needs and budget.
The company just started a new program called the jet card. This special card offers customers a customized service with set hourly rates and preferred booking terms.
People with the card can use carefully chosen airplanes and have a personal account manager available at all times to make sure every aspect of their flight is looked after.
10. Villiers Jets
Villiers Jets, based in the UK, is known for being one of the best luxury private jet charters globally.
You can join for free, and once you’re a member, you can easily book private jets by sending a message to a special agent using a dedicated number.
Your flight can be ready to go within two hours of confirming your booking.
The company gives you real-time price quotes directly from the operators, and they have a vast network of over 10,000 flights to around 40,000 locations worldwide.
When you book a flight with Villiers Jets, you earn JetClub points, which you can collect and use later for special offers and discounts.
Conclusion
Choosing the best private jet charter company is a big decision because it can be expensive. However, there are many options available worldwide to meet various needs.
Even big companies, with enough money to buy their own jets, may find it more cost-effective to use jet charter services.
These services offer a high level of customer service to people of different financial backgrounds, not just the super-rich.
As a user, make sure you understand the details of each option and be aware of any hidden fees. It’s important to choose a service that is open and transparent about its fleet and safety record, as your safety depends on it.
