Quilted leather seats in a private jet cabin

Flying private

How much does a private jet cost?

By the JetChalet editors · Updated · How we check facts

  • $1,200–$17,800an hour for the whole jet, from a turboprop to a heavy jet (Monarch Air Group, Mercury Jets)1,8
  • $18,300–$34,300New York to Miami one way, light to super midsize jet (evoJets, September 2026)10
  • 7.5%federal excise tax on top, plus $5.30 per passenger for each domestic segment7

Photo by Yaroslav Muzychenko on Unsplash

You pay for the whole aircraft by the flight hour, whether one person flies or eight. Published rates run from about $1,200 an hour for a turboprop to about $17,800 for a heavy jet, before tax and fees.1,8 Our pick for a first trip: the smallest jet that seats your group and makes the trip without a stop.

$1,200–$17,800 an hour1,8 · $18,300–$34,300 New York to Miami, one way10 · 7.5% federal excise tax on top7

Details

Here is what sits behind those numbers, what a first trip adds on top, and how to ask for quotes.

  • $1,200–$17,800an hour for the whole jet, from a turboprop to a heavy jet (Monarch Air Group, Mercury Jets)1,8
  • $18,300–$34,300New York to Miami one way, light to super midsize jet (evoJets, September 2026)10
  • 7.5%federal excise tax on top, plus $5.30 per passenger for each domestic segment7

The short answer

  • Monarch Air Group's 2026 table puts a turboprop at $1,200 to $2,275 an hour, a light jet at $2,100 to $3,300, a midsize jet at $3,200 to $4,400 and a heavy jet at $5,400 to $11,000.1 Mercury Jets' estimates run higher, up to $6,400 for a midsize jet and $17,800 for a heavy jet.8 These are published ranges, not quotes.
  • A trip of two to three hours costs five figures one way: New York to Miami runs about $18,300 on a light jet to $34,300 on a super midsize jet (evoJets, September 2026).10
  • On top come the 7.5% federal excise tax, $5.30 per passenger for each domestic segment (none to or from a rural airport), and often the cost of flying the jet to you, crew overnights and airport fees.4,7

What would it cost?

Pick a route and your group. You see the one-way ranges a broker publishes for the whole jet, and what that is per person. Routes without a published range say so.

Passengers
4
How to get quotes Open the full calculator

Hourly prices by jet size

Three brokers publish hourly ranges by size. Monarch Air Group dates its table 2026; evoJets and Mercury Jets give no date.

Hourly prices by jet size
Jet sizeSeatsMonarch Air Group, 2026evoJets, undatedMercury Jets, undatedExample aircraft
Turboprop 6 to 8$1,200 to $2,275 an hour$1,200 to $1,800 an hour$1,800 to $2,600 an hourPilatus PC-12, King Air 200
Very light jet 4 to 5Not listed$1,500 to $2,250 an hourNot listedPhenom 100
Light jet 6 to 8$2,100 to $3,300 an hour$2,200 to $3,000 an hour$2,400 to $3,900 an hourPhenom 300, Citation CJ3
Midsize jet 7 to 9$3,200 to $4,400 an hour$2,800 to $3,800 an hour$4,200 to $6,400 an hourLearjet 60, Hawker 800XP
Super midsize jet 8 to 10$3,600 to $6,000 an hour$3,800 to $5,000 an hour$4,900 to $8,100 an hourChallenger 300, Citation Sovereign
Heavy jet 10 to 16$5,400 to $11,000 an hour$5,000 to $8,000 an hour$7,200 to $17,800 an hourGulfstream G-IV, Challenger 604
  • TurbopropSeats 6 to 8$1,200 to $2,600 per hour
    Monarch Air Group, 2026
    $1,200 to $2,275 an hour
    evoJets, undated
    $1,200 to $1,800 an hour
    Mercury Jets, undated
    $1,800 to $2,600 an hour
    Example aircraft
    Pilatus PC-12, King Air 200
  • Very light jetSeats 4 to 5$1,500 to $2,250 per hour
    Monarch Air Group, 2026
    Not listed
    evoJets, undated
    $1,500 to $2,250 an hour
    Mercury Jets, undated
    Not listed
    Example aircraft
    Phenom 100
  • Light jetSeats 6 to 8$2,100 to $3,900 per hour
    Monarch Air Group, 2026
    $2,100 to $3,300 an hour
    evoJets, undated
    $2,200 to $3,000 an hour
    Mercury Jets, undated
    $2,400 to $3,900 an hour
    Example aircraft
    Phenom 300, Citation CJ3
  • Midsize jetSeats 7 to 9$2,800 to $6,400 per hour
    Monarch Air Group, 2026
    $3,200 to $4,400 an hour
    evoJets, undated
    $2,800 to $3,800 an hour
    Mercury Jets, undated
    $4,200 to $6,400 an hour
    Example aircraft
    Learjet 60, Hawker 800XP
  • Super midsize jetSeats 8 to 10$3,600 to $8,100 per hour
    Monarch Air Group, 2026
    $3,600 to $6,000 an hour
    evoJets, undated
    $3,800 to $5,000 an hour
    Mercury Jets, undated
    $4,900 to $8,100 an hour
    Example aircraft
    Challenger 300, Citation Sovereign
  • Heavy jetSeats 10 to 16$5,000 to $17,800 per hour
    Monarch Air Group, 2026
    $5,400 to $11,000 an hour
    evoJets, undated
    $5,000 to $8,000 an hour
    Mercury Jets, undated
    $7,200 to $17,800 an hour
    Example aircraft
    Gulfstream G-IV, Challenger 604

Seats vary by model and layout: a seat in every layout, a seat only some layouts have.

Before the 7.5% excise tax, segment fees and the extras below. Monarch's own midsize class page gives $5,000 to $8,000 an hour, so expect some quotes above the table.1,3,8,9

The smallest jet that does the trip non-stop

Each size up costs more per hour in all three columns above, and you pay for the whole aircraft. So start with the smallest jet that seats your group with its bags and flies your route without a fuel stop.

Our pick for most first trips

Light jet

$2,100–$3,300per hour, 2026 · range about 1,950 nm

Best for: up to six people on trips of one to three hours, such as Los Angeles to Aspen.

6 to 8 seats

  • Los Angeles to Aspen: $10,000 to $13,200 one way
  • Range of about 1,950 nautical miles1,10,12
More
  • May need a fuel stop from New York to Miami in a headwind
  • The lowest hourly rate of the jets: $2,100 to $3,300 in Monarch's 2026 table.
  • evoJets marks light jets as the best value from Los Angeles to Aspen, at $10,000 to $13,200 one way.
  • Range is about 1,950 nautical miles (Monarch); evoJets says a light jet may need a fuel stop from New York to Miami in a headwind.

For short hops

Turboprop

$1,200–$2,600per hour, three brokers

Best for: flights of about an hour, such as Los Angeles to San Francisco or Miami to Nassau.

6 to 8 seats

  • Los Angeles to San Francisco: $5,200 to $7,000 one way
  • Slower than a jet, so longer trips lose the price advantage1,3,8,12,14
More
  • One-way prices to Aspen are rare
  • The cheapest per hour: $1,200 to $2,600 across the three brokers above.
  • evoJets recommends a turboprop as the best value from Los Angeles to San Francisco, at $5,200 to $7,000 one way.
  • Slower than a jet, so longer trips lose the price advantage.
  • evoJets says one-way prices on turboprops are rare from Los Angeles to Aspen; they suit round trips better.

For long or headwind routes

Super midsize jet

$3,600–$6,000per hour, 2026

Best for: four hours or more, or a route where a smaller jet would have to stop for fuel.

8 to 10 seats

  • New York to Miami: $26,900 to $34,300 one way
  • Non-stop from New York to Miami in any headwind1,10
More
  • A cabin you can stand up in, for eight to ten
  • evoJets recommends it from New York to Miami because it flies non-stop in any headwind.
  • A cabin you can stand up in, with room for eight to ten.
  • New York to Miami costs $26,900 to $34,300 one way, against $18,300 to $23,400 on a light jet.
  • $3,600 to $6,000 an hour in Monarch's 2026 text.
A private jet in golden evening light
Photo by Chris Leipelt on Unsplash

Taxes and fees on top

The hourly rate is only the start. These are the taxes every US charter pays, then the extras a quote often adds, with the amounts the sources publish.

  • Federal excise tax7.5%

    On the amount paid for taxable air transportation of people within the US.7

  • Segment fee$5.30 per passenger

    For each domestic segment (one takeoff and one landing) in 2026; none to or from a rural airport. A charter with one stop and six passengers pays it twelve times. The amount changes every year.7

  • International flights$23.40 per person

    For each international flight that begins or ends in the US, in 2026. Domestic flights leaving Hawaii or Alaska pay $11.70 a person.7

  • Daily minimumabout 2 hours a day

    Most aircraft bill at least two flight hours for any day they fly, so a one-hour hop can cost two.5

  • Positioningthe hourly rate

    If the jet is not based near you, you pay to fly it in empty, usually at its normal rate. A one-way price already includes the empty flight home.1,4

  • Crew overnight$600 to $1,000 a day per pilot

    Hotel and meals when the crew waits for your return.4

  • Landing fees$100 to $2,500

    Per landing; large airports such as Los Angeles and Miami cost more.4

  • De-icing$100 to $2,000 or more

    Only if needed: about $100 to $600 on a small aircraft, $2,000 or more on a large jet.4

  • Peak and event feesvaries

    Airport handlers can charge extra around big events and some holidays; Monarch names the Super Bowl, the Kentucky Derby and Formula 1.2

The tax amounts are the IRS 2026 figures. The evoJets glossary has no date and still shows older tax amounts, so read its fee ranges as rough guides and ask for the real ones in your quote.

What some common trips cost

Brokers publish one-way ranges for the whole jet on popular routes. These are the same ranges our price calculator uses.

  • New York → Miami

    1,091 mi · 2 h 30 to 2 h 47

    • Light jet$18,300–$23,400
    • Midsize jet$17,500–$28,000
    • Super midsize jetRecommended by evoJets$26,900–$34,300

    One way, whole jet. evoJets, checked 3 Nov 2026, and Mercury Jets, checked 6 Nov 2026. Not a quote.

  • Los Angeles → Aspen

    747 mi · 2 h to 2 h 30

    • TurbopropNo published price yet
    • Light jetBest value, per evoJets$10,000–$13,200
    • Midsize jet$12,300–$15,200

    One way, whole jet. evoJets, checked 3 Nov 2026. Not a quote.

  • Los Angeles → Las Vegas

    about 200 nm · 40 to 50 min by jet

    • Turboprop$5,500–$10,500
    • Light jet$7,500–$9,500
    • Midsize jet$8,600–$17,600
    • Super midsize jet$10,900–$20,200
    • Heavy jet$16,200–$25,400

    One way, whole jet. Monarch Air Group, checked 6 Nov 2026. Not a quote.

  • Los Angeles → San Francisco

    347 mi · about 1 h

    • TurbopropBest value, per evoJets$5,200–$7,000
    • Very light jet$5,500–$7,400
    • Light jet$6,000–$8,100

    One way, whole jet. evoJets, checked 3 Nov 2026. Not a quote.

  • Miami → Nassau

    184 mi

    • Turboprop$4,400–$7,300
    • Light jet$6,300–$10,200
    • Midsize jet$8,400–$12,500

    One way, whole jet. evoJets, checked 3 Nov 2026, and Mercury Jets, checked 6 Nov 2026. Not a quote.

  • Miami → Aspen

    1,800 mi · 4 h 5 to 4 h 30

    • Light jet$22,200–$28,400
    • Midsize jet$26,600–$34,000
    • Super midsize jet$32,600–$48,700

    One way, whole jet. evoJets, checked 3 Nov 2026, and Call a Jet, checked 6 Nov 2026. Not a quote.

The pages do not all say whether tax and fees are in the range, so ask. Divided among passengers, a New York to Miami light jet at $18,300 to $23,400 comes to about $3,050 to $3,900 each for six people (our arithmetic).

One way or round trip?

A one-way charter is rarely half the price of a round trip, because the jet usually has to fly home empty.6 evoJets' three-day New York to Chicago example came to $18,382.50 with the jet waiting and $13,007.50 as two one-ways.5

Details

A one-way charter is rarely half the price of a round trip. The jet usually has to fly home empty, and that return is built into a one-way price.1 With an operator whose aircraft all return to one base, many one-way trips are billed almost like a round trip.6

For a same-day return, keeping the same aircraft is often simplest. For a stay of several days, two one-way trips can cost less than keeping the jet and crew waiting: evoJets works through a three-day New York to Chicago trip on a light jet at $2,500 an hour, which came to $18,382.50 with the jet waiting and $13,007.50 as two one-ways.5

The empty return flights are also where the cheapest private flights come from. Our guide to empty leg flights explains how they work and what the catch is.

A sports car parked beside a private jet
Photo by Jakob Rosen on Unsplash

How to get quotes and keep a first trip in budget

We do not sell or arrange flights. To fly, ask two or three brokers or operators for the same jet size and the full price, with tax and fees included.

Details

We do not sell or arrange flights. To fly, you ask operators or brokers for quotes yourself. This is how to make those quotes comparable.

  1. Know your trip before you call

    Route, dates, how flexible they are, how many people and how many bags. Run the route through our calculator so you have a range in mind.

  2. Ask two or three brokers or operators

    Ask each for the same jet size. A broker arranges the trip; the operator owns or runs the aircraft and flies it. Ask who the operator is.

  3. Ask for the full price

    With the 7.5% excise tax, segment fees, positioning, crew overnights and landing fees included, so the quotes compare like for like.

  4. Ask why a quote sits outside the range

    A quote far above the published range may include positioning or a peak date; one far below may be an empty leg with fixed times.

  5. Fly smaller and share

    The price is per aircraft, so friends on board lower the cost per seat. If you expect to fly more than a few times a year, compare with a jet card or membership.

Questions people ask

How much does a private jet cost per hour?

Monarch Air Group's 2026 table puts charter at about $1,200 to $2,275 an hour for a turboprop, $2,100 to $3,300 for a light jet, $3,200 to $4,400 for a midsize jet and $5,400 to $11,000 for a heavy jet, before tax and fees. Mercury Jets' estimates run higher, up to $17,800 an hour for a heavy jet.

Is the 7.5% tax included in the hourly rate?

Usually not, and the broker pages are not always clear about it. Ask for a quote that includes the excise tax and the per-passenger segment fee.

Is a private jet worth it for a family of four?

That is your call, but do the arithmetic per seat: a published New York to Miami light jet range of $18,300 to $23,400 one way is about $4,580 to $5,850 each for four people, or $3,050 to $3,900 each for six.

Why is a one-way flight not half the price?

Because the jet usually flies home empty and that flight is in your price. For a stay of several days, two one-ways can still beat keeping the jet waiting.

Does JetChalet sell or book flights?

No. We are an independent guide. We do not sell, arrange or operate flights, and no operator or broker pays us. To fly, contact an operator or broker directly.

Where every number comes from

JetChalet is an independent guide: we do not sell or operate flights and we do not book hotels ourselves. Every number on this page comes from the source named next to it, in our own words, with the day we read it. Prices are published ranges, not quotes. The small numbers next to each fact link here.

All 18 sources
  1. Monarch Air Group: private jet charter cost (page modified 12 Oct 2026, rates as of 2026; the super midsize range is in its text, not its table), checked 3 Nov 2026
  2. Monarch Air Group: private jet charter fees, checked 3 Nov 2026
  3. evoJets: charter flight costs, pricing basics (no date on page), checked 3 Nov 2026
  4. evoJets: charter resources glossary (no date on page), checked 3 Nov 2026
  5. evoJets: round trip flights (no date on page), checked 3 Nov 2026
  6. evoJets: one-way flights (no date on page), checked 3 Nov 2026
  7. IRS: Instructions for Form 720 (rev. June 2026), air transportation taxes, checked 6 Nov 2026
  8. Mercury Jets: hourly estimates by jet size, on its Joliet, Illinois page (no date on page), checked 6 Nov 2026
  9. Mercury Jets: charter cost estimator (rates as of 2026: $1,800 to $12,500 an hour, below the top of its Joliet figures), checked 6 Nov 2026
  10. evoJets: New York to Miami route page (route page updated 10 Sep 2026), checked 3 Nov 2026
  11. Mercury Jets: New York to Miami, a second source for midsize jets, so the range shown covers both (no date on page), checked 6 Nov 2026
  12. evoJets: Los Angeles to Aspen route page (route page updated 10 Sep 2026), checked 3 Nov 2026
  13. Monarch Air Group: Los Angeles to Las Vegas route page (route page modified 6 Nov 2026), checked 6 Nov 2026
  14. evoJets: Los Angeles to San Francisco route page (route page updated 10 Sep 2026), checked 3 Nov 2026
  15. evoJets: Miami to Nassau route page (route page updated 10 Sep 2026), checked 3 Nov 2026
  16. Mercury Jets: Miami to Nassau, a second source for turboprops, light jets and midsize jets, so the range shown covers both (no date on page), checked 6 Nov 2026
  17. evoJets: Miami to Aspen route page (route page updated 10 Sep 2026; its table gives single figures inside or near these ranges), checked 3 Nov 2026
  18. Call a Jet: Miami to Aspen, a second source for super midsize jets, so the range shown covers both (October 2026), checked 6 Nov 2026

Keep going