How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- The right model depends on how often you fly: on-demand charter for occasional trips, jet cards for regular flyers, and fractional ownership for heavy users.
- NetJets and Flexjet lead for frequent flyers who want guaranteed availability and a consistent fleet, but both require a serious financial commitment.
- XO and Wheels Up are the most flexible options for occasional flyers, with app-based booking and no long-term contract required for charter.
- VistaJet is the strongest choice for international and long-range travel, with a uniform global fleet and memberships starting at 25 hours a year.
- Charter pricing is almost always quoted per trip, so compare the full quote including positioning, fuel, taxes, and overnight fees, not just the hourly rate.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 NetJets | Frequent flyers wanting guaranteed access | See website | No |
 Wheels Up | Flexible membership and charter | See website | No |
 VistaJet | International long-range travel | From $11,000/hour | No |
 Flexjet | Fractional ownership and leasing | See website | No |
 XO | App-based on-demand charter | See website | No |
 flyExclusive | Owned-fleet charter in the US | See website | No |
 Sentient Jet | Jet cards with fixed hourly rates | See website | No |
 Air Charter Service | Global brokerage and group charters | See website | No |
 Magellan Jets | Customizable jet cards | See website | No |
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The best charter jet services
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
NetJets is the world's leading private jet company and the default answer for travelers who fly privately often enough to justify a program rather than one-off charters. It offers fractional ownership, leasing, and jet card programs, all backed by a large fleet and a long safety record. Owners get guaranteed availability, consistent aircraft, and a service operation built over decades, which is why NetJets remains the benchmark other providers are measured against.
The trade-off is cost and commitment. Fractional shares and jet cards require substantial upfront spending, and every price is quoted individually, so there is no published rate card to compare. For travelers flying a handful of times a year, on-demand charter from XO or Wheels Up will cost far less overall. For executives and families flying 50 or more hours a year who need a jet to be available on short notice, NetJets is the safest choice on this list.
What we like- Largest private fleet and longest track record
- Fractional shares, leases, and jet cards
- Guaranteed availability for owners
Watch out for- Highest commitment and cost on this list
- Pricing is entirely quote-based
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Wheels Up has rebuilt itself as an integrated aviation solution that combines its own premium fleet of Phenom 300 and Challenger 300/350 aircraft with one of the world's most expansive vetted charter networks and premium commercial travel through Delta Air Lines. Travelers can choose a Signature Membership for frequent flying, straight charter with no upfront commitment, or business solutions for companies. That range makes Wheels Up unusually flexible: the same account can cover a private hop and a commercial long-haul trip.
The honest caveat is that Wheels Up's programs and pricing have shifted over the years, so the membership that suited a friend two years ago may look different today. Get the current terms in writing before joining, and compare the charter route against the membership route for your actual trip pattern. For travelers who want private and commercial travel in one place, and who value flexibility over a single fleet, Wheels Up is a strong pick.
What we like- Own premium fleet plus a vetted global charter network of 7,000-plus aircraft
- Delta partnership adds commercial travel
- Charter without membership
Watch out for- Membership tiers and benefits have changed over time
- Pricing varies by program
Starting priceFrom $11,000/hour
Free planNo
VistaJet is the global choice. Its fleet of super-midsize, long-range, and super-long-range aircraft is uniform and branded, so the experience is consistent whether you board in New York, London, or Dubai, and every flight carries at least one cabin host plus two flight crew. Memberships include VJ25, for high-quality, low-frequency travel from 25 flight hours per year, a full Program subscription with guaranteed fleet access, and corporate solutions. The company states that charter prices are subject to market rates and start from $11,000 per hour.
That pricing puts VistaJet firmly at the premium end, and it is not the right tool for short domestic hops where a light jet would do. Where it earns its price is international travel: consistent aircraft, global coverage, and service standards that do not depend on which local operator happens to be available. For businesses and families flying long-range regularly, VistaJet is hard to match.
What we like- Uniform silver and red global fleet
- Memberships from 25 hours a year with no joining fee on VJ25
- Cabin hosts on every flight
Watch out for- Premium pricing
- Focused on super-midsize and larger aircraft, not light-jet hops
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Flexjet sells fractional ownership and leasing for travelers who fly 50 or more hours a year and want the consistency of a share in a specific aircraft type. Its fleet includes modern aircraft such as the Praetor 600, and its service standards are among the highest in the industry, with cabins and crews held to a consistent standard. Flexjet is also the official private aviation supplier to Formula 1, which reflects its position at the premium end of the market.
The limitation is audience. Flexjet is built for experienced private aviation users with heavy, predictable travel, not for someone booking their first charter. Pricing is entirely consultative, and the commitment is substantial. If you already know you need 50-plus hours a year and want ownership economics without buying a whole aircraft, Flexjet belongs at the top of your shortlist alongside NetJets.
What we like- Fractional shares and leasing with a modern fleet
- Strong service reputation
- Official private aviation supplier to Formula 1
Watch out for- Aimed at experienced, high-hour flyers
- No published pricing
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
XO calls itself the world's largest private jet marketplace, and the numbers support the claim: access to more than 2,000 hand-selected aircraft across all cabin classes, on 60,000 routes worldwide, bookable from a mobile device in seconds. It also offers membership and by-the-seat shuttle flights through its SLATE Aviation offering. For occasional flyers, XO removes the traditional friction of private charter: you search, compare, and book without a broker chain or a membership contract.
The marketplace trade-off is consistency. Because aircraft come from a network of operators, the specific jet and crew vary by trip, though XO vets its operators and its experts are available around the clock. Peak-period pricing can also surprise first-time buyers. For travelers who fly privately a few times a year and want app-simple booking, XO is the easiest entry point on this list.
What we like- Largest private jet marketplace with 2,000-plus aircraft
- Search and book in seconds from your phone
- 24/7 aviation experts
Watch out for- Marketplace model means aircraft and operators vary by trip
- Peak pricing applies
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
flyExclusive takes a different approach from the marketplaces: it owns, operates, and maintains its own fleet, so the same standard and the same accountable team apply to every trip. Charter pricing is built from a daily rate for each day the aircraft is assigned plus an hourly rate for time in the air, with no monthly management fee and no cost when the aircraft is not in use for you. The company holds both ARG/US Platinum and Wyvern Wingman ratings, a combination held by only about 5 percent of operators, and it was named North America's Leading Private Jet Charter Company for 2026 by the World Travel Awards.
The fleet spans light jets seating 6 through super-mid jets seating 8, and the company can often confirm a flight within 24 hours. Coverage is US-focused rather than global, and it does not offer the ultra-long-range aircraft that VistaJet specializes in. For domestic US charter where you want one accountable operator rather than a brokered aircraft, flyExclusive is a compelling choice.
What we like- Owns and operates its fleet, no brokering
- Daily plus hourly pricing with no monthly management fee
- ARG/US Platinum and Wyvern Wingman rated
Watch out for- Fleet focused on light to super-midsize aircraft
- US-centric coverage
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Sentient Jet invented the modern jet card concept and has spent 25 years refining it. Its SJ25 card offers 25 hours of flexible access to light jets, while the SJ25+ card covers mid, super-mid, and large cabin aircraft, both with fixed hourly rates that protect you from peak pricing swings. Booking happens in real time through its app, and a client management team is available around the clock. Every flight is offset to be carbon and emissions neutral.
The jet card model suits travelers who fly regularly but do not want fractional ownership. You prepay for hours, which locks in rates and availability but ties up capital, and the best value comes from actually using the hours you buy. For occasional flyers, on-demand charter will be cheaper overall. For regular flyers who want price certainty without owning a share, Sentient is one of the most established names in the business.
What we like- Original jet card innovator with 25 years in business
- Fixed hourly rates and guaranteed availability
- Every flight carbon and emissions offset
Watch out for- Card purchase required for the best rates
- Not an on-demand marketplace for one-off trips
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Air Charter Service is the largest private charter brokerage in the world, arranging more than 35,000 flights a year through over 40 offices on six continents, with access to 50,000 aircraft. That scale matters for unusual requests: group charters for teams and events, cargo charters, helicopter transfers, and private jets to remote destinations are all within its scope, and dedicated account managers are available around the clock.
As a broker, ACS does not operate its own fleet, so the aircraft and crew vary by trip, and quality control rests on its operator vetting and its account managers rather than on a uniform house standard. For straightforward domestic jet charters, an operator like flyExclusive or a marketplace like XO may be simpler. For complex, international, or group travel where you need one team to coordinate everything, ACS's global reach is difficult to beat.
What we like- Largest private charter brokerage in the world
- Access to 50,000 aircraft
- Group and cargo charters as well as private jets
Watch out for- Brokerage model means you do not fly a house fleet
- Service quality depends on the selected operator
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Magellan Jets has built its reputation on customization. Its jet cards are available in fully customizable 25-hour increments across aircraft categories or specific models, with guaranteed access 365 days a year, no blackout dates, and fixed, all-inclusive pricing. Client funds are never commingled with operating funds, and cards are refundable at any time, which addresses two of the most common worries about prepaid jet cards. The company also offers on-demand charter, fractional ownership, and business solutions.
Its on-demand charter draws from a preferred network of fewer than 100 rigorously vetted operators out of 3,000 licensed in the US, which is a tighter filter than most brokerages apply. The trade-off is brand scale: Magellan does not have the global fleet footprint of VistaJet or the household name of NetJets. For US-based flyers who want a jet card shaped around their actual routes and aircraft preferences, with refundability built in, Magellan is a thoughtful alternative to the big names.
What we like- Customizable jet cards in 25-hour increments
- Guaranteed access 365 days with no blackout dates
- Funds never commingled and cards refundable
Watch out for- Smaller brand profile than NetJets or VistaJet
- On-demand charter draws from a preferred network rather than an owned fleet
How we chose
We compared providers on fleet model, pricing structure, geographic coverage, safety credentials, and booking flexibility, since charter buyers care about very different things depending on how often they fly. We checked each provider's homepage to confirm it is live and belongs to that company, and we drew on industry safety ratings such as ARG/US and Wyvern, plus public reviews, for the service picture. Pricing in private aviation is almost entirely quote-based, so where a provider publishes a rate we quoted it, and everywhere else we wrote "See website" rather than inventing an hourly figure.
Every homepage listed here was opened and confirmed to load and belong to that provider. One provider initially considered, PrivateFly, was replaced because its homepage now states the brand has become FXAIR, and we verified Magellan Jets as the replacement instead.
What to know before you book a charter
Private aviation pricing has more moving parts than an airline ticket, and a little knowledge saves real money.
On-demand charter versus jet cards versus fractional
On-demand charter means you pay per trip with no commitment, which suits occasional flyers. Jet cards mean prepaying for a block of hours, usually 25, at fixed hourly rates, which suits regular flyers who want price certainty. Fractional ownership means buying a share of an aircraft, which suits heavy flyers who want guaranteed access and ownership benefits. Match the model to your annual hours, not to the sales pitch.
Read the full quote, not the hourly rate
A quote includes positioning time to get the aircraft to you, fuel surcharges, landing and handling fees, taxes, crew overnight costs, and catering. Two quotes with similar hourly rates can differ by thousands once those items are added. Ask for an all-in price, and confirm whether the quote covers repositioning and what happens if your trip runs long.
Check safety credentials
Look for ARG/US Platinum or Gold ratings and Wyvern Wingman certification, which audit operators on safety practices, pilot training, and maintenance. Ask who actually operates the aircraft on a brokered trip, since the broker's brand is not the operator's safety record. Reputable providers will name the operator and share its credentials without hesitation.
Book lead time and cancellation terms
Many operators can confirm a flight within 24 hours, but peak periods such as major holidays book out early and cost more. Jet cards and memberships often guarantee availability with shorter notice, while on-demand charter availability depends on the market that day. Read the cancellation terms before paying: some quotes are fully refundable up to a cutoff, while others are not.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to charter a private jet?
It depends on aircraft size, distance, and market conditions. Light jet charters are the cheapest entry point, while VistaJet states its charter prices start from $11,000 per hour for its larger aircraft. Always get an all-in quote that includes positioning, fuel, fees, and taxes, since the hourly rate alone understates the total.
Do I need a membership to charter a jet?
No. XO, Wheels Up Charter, flyExclusive, and Air Charter Service all offer on-demand charter without membership. Memberships and jet cards make sense if you fly regularly, since they offer fixed rates and guaranteed availability, but they are not required for a first trip.
How far in advance should I book?
Most providers can confirm a flight within 24 to 48 hours, but booking a week or more ahead gives you better aircraft choice and pricing, especially around holidays and major events. Jet card holders and fractional owners generally get guaranteed availability with shorter notice.
Are private jets safe?
Private aviation is regulated to the same core safety standards as commercial aviation, and the best operators add third-party audits such as ARG/US and Wyvern. Ask any provider for its safety ratings and for the name of the actual operator of your flight, and favor operators that hold top-tier audit ratings.
Can I bring pets on a charter flight?
Yes, on most providers. flyExclusive welcomes pets free of charge on all its flights, and most other providers allow pets with advance notice so the crew can prepare the cabin. Confirm pet policies when booking, since some operators restrict breeds or require carriers.
What is the difference between a jet card and fractional ownership?
A jet card prepays for a block of flight hours at fixed rates without owning an aircraft, while fractional ownership buys a share of a specific aircraft type with ownership benefits such as tax treatment and guaranteed access. Jet cards suit regular flyers who want flexibility, while fractional suits heavy flyers with predictable, high-volume travel.
Sources we checked (9)
- https://www.netjets.com
- https://www.wheelsup.com
- https://www.vistajet.com
- https://www.flexjet.com
- https://www.flyxo.com
- https://www.flyexclusive.com
- https://www.sentient.com
- https://www.aircharterservice.com
- https://www.magellanjets.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.