Why the quoted flying time is not the whole price
Customers sometimes expect aircraft charter to work like a taxi meter: flight time multiplied by an hourly rate.
In practice, a charter operator has to consider the whole aircraft movement.
If an aircraft flies to collect you, waits at the destination or has to return to its operating base, those movements and associated costs may form part of the quotation.
That is why apparently similar journeys can produce different charter prices.
Private jet cost versus turboprop charter
A private jet may provide greater speed and cabin capability on some routes.
A turboprop may be more appropriate for a shorter regional journey, particular airports or a requirement where the additional speed of a jet produces little practical advantage.
AeroBroker compares aircraft against the mission rather than assuming the highest-performance aircraft is automatically the best value.
The whole-aircraft cost
With most charter arrangements, the customer is chartering an aircraft for the journey rather than purchasing an individual seat.
That means the commercial comparison can change depending on how many people are travelling.
For a business moving several personnel, the relevant comparison may include airline fares, accommodation, ground transport, employee travel time and whether the proposed airline timetable allows the work to be completed efficiently.
How to get an accurate aircraft charter price
For a meaningful quotation, provide:
departure and destination, preferred date, required timing, number of passengers, baggage, return requirements and any flexibility in the itinerary.
For group, FIFO or cargo requirements, additional passenger, schedule or freight information may be required.
AeroBroker can then shape the requirement and approach suitable aircraft operators for route-specific options.
Aircraft Type
Larger, faster and longer-range aircraft generally have different operating costs from smaller regional aircraft.
But selecting the cheapest hourly aircraft does not automatically produce the cheapest overall charter.
Aircraft Positioning
The aircraft may not already be located at your departure airport.
Flying the aircraft into position — and returning it to its operating base or next task — can form an important part of the charter cost.
Route & Flight Time
Distance affects flying time, fuel and crew requirements.
The airports involved can also influence the aircraft available for the journey.
The major factors affecting aircraft charter cost
Airports & Charges
Landing fees, passenger charges, parking, handling and other airport costs vary between locations.
Passengers, Baggage & Payload
Passenger numbers do not tell the whole story.
Baggage, freight and total payload can influence which aircraft can practically complete the journey.
Aircraft Availability
Availability and the location of suitable aircraft at the required time can materially affect the options presented.
f.a.q.
You have questions. wE have answers.
Aircraft Charter Cost Questions
There is no universal price. Aircraft type, distance, aircraft positioning, airports, crew requirements, timing, passenger or payload requirements and availability all affect the quotation.
Private jet charter is also itinerary-specific. A light jet on a short domestic sector will have very different requirements from a large-cabin aircraft operating a longer journey.
Not necessarily. Aircraft positioning and the operator’s schedule influence pricing, so every itinerary needs to be assessed individually.
It may be on some missions, but hourly operating cost is only one factor. Route, speed, positioning, airport access and aircraft suitability all influence total charter cost.
Aircraft charter is generally based on the aircraft and itinerary rather than simply selling individual seats, although the commercial structure can vary depending on the service offered.
Get a charter price for the actual journey.
Send us the route, timing, passengers and requirements. AeroBroker will help define the mission and source suitable charter options.