Independent Analysis for Private Aviation Users

Find the Best Private Jet Charter Provider?

Discerning business and private travelers appreciate the privacy, convenience and time saving, that private aviation and private jet cards enable.

But, there's an array of products and providers to choose from. The SherpaReport Guide to Private Aviation will help you identify the right products for your travel needs.

  1. Use the Selection Tool to get some initial ideas about suitable products.

  2. Then download the comprehensive Guide to Private Aviation, which includes details on multiple providers.

By reading the Guide you'll learn about:

  • The different types of aircraft
  • How to choose the right type of plane for your needs/wants
  • The characteristics of each of the options to access private aviation
  • Important points to consider
  • Comparisons of the leading providers
  • Comparisons of costs, which start at about $3,000/hour

The main products to consider are:

Image

Fractional Ownership

You buy a share of a plane, typically sold in 1/16 increments. This equates to 50 hours of flying time per year. You choose the aircraft that best fits your travel needs. There is an initial purchase, plus monthly management fees and then fees for each hour flown.

Image

Fractional Cards

These are offered by operators that run their own fractional fleets. So there is a very consistent level of service and aircraft.

Image

Charter Cards

May be offered by both charter brokers and charter operators. The aircraft may be a little more variable, although many companies have very exacting standards. Prices tend to be lower than for Fractional Cards.

Image

On Demand Charter

You book an individual aircraft as you need it. So there's a lot of flexibility and potentially a lot of variability. Rates start at about $2,000 per hour for a light jet.

There are many reasons to use private jets and jet cards. The reasons that we hear most often are:

Image

Time Saving, You can arrive at the airport just minutes before your scheduled departure time, fly directly to your destination, make productive use of your time onboard, avoid overnight stays, avoid waiting in lines at the airport,

Image

Privacy, it’s your plane to have open meetings and discussions, and stay out of the limelight

Image

Flexibility, planes can be ready in a few hours, and can change schedules to suit you

Image

Reduces Stress, no rushing to meet a fixed departure time, no hanging around in crowded airports

Image

Image, a private plane projects a well run, efficient, successful individual or organization

Questions to ask

There are many good reasons to charter private jets, but you need to do your due diligence before signing on. Here are some questions to ask potential providers, with a much fuller set provided in the Guide to Private Aviation.

  • What is the independent safety rating on the fleet being offered?

  • What aircraft types are included in the program?

  • Are there any repositioning fees?

  • How experienced are the pilots?

  • How often do the pilots receive training?

  • What is the geographic area included in this program?

  • Are there any blackout periods?

The Guide to Private Aviation

SherpaReport analysts have interviewed private aviation customers and management working at various providers and have spent hundreds of hours researching the various options. The result is an in-depth, independent Guide to Private Aviation, that includes details on each of the different options and the major providers.

Answer the questions below to get an initial idea of which private aviation option may be best suited to you, then download the complimentary Guide to learn more about it. The table of contents for the 25-page Guide is available at this link.

If you have any questions after reading the Guide, or you just want to discuss options, please feel free to contact our President & Senior Analyst, Nick Copley. His email is included in the Guide.

Image

Use our selection tool to access the free Guide to Private Aviation

Tell us a little about yourself, we'll suggest some options to access private aviation.

Tell us a little about yourself, we'll suggest some programs.

How many people do you usually travel with ?
Please tell us how many people you typically travel with. This helps to identify some of the most appropriate programs. Thanks SherpaReport P.S. Reach out if you have any questions on private aviation or any feedback on programs and providers.
How far do you typically fly ?
Please tell us how far you typically fly. This helps to identify some of the most appropriate programs. Thanks SherpaReport P.S. Reach out if you have any questions on private aviation or any feedback on programs and providers.
In which locations do you fly ?
Please tell us which regions you typically fly in. This helps to identify some of the most appropriate programs. Thanks SherpaReport P.S. Reach out if you have any questions on private aviation or any feedback on programs and providers.
How much do you fly each year ?
Please tell us how many hours you typically fly. This helps to identify some of the most appropriate programs. Thanks SherpaReport P.S. Reach out if you have any questions on private aviation or any feedback on programs and providers.
How many private aviation flights have you taken ?
Please tell us how many private flights you have taken. Thanks SherpaReport P.S. Reach out if you have any questions on private aviation or any feedback on programs and providers.

Suggested Solutions

Based on your preferences, look at these providers

STEP 2 of 3

Focus on Fractional Ownership

   
Airshare
Day-based fractional aviation.
NetJets
The largest fractional and card provider.
PlaneSense
Fractional ownership in light jets and turboprops.


Consider Jet Cards & Charter for Supplemental Lift

Sentient Jet
The largest card provider.
Wheels Up
Membership-based private aviation.

Focus on Fractions or Whole Ownership

   
PlaneSense
Fractional ownership in light jets and turboprops.
NetJets
The largest fractional and card provider.
   
Airshare
Day-based fractions & management.


Consider Jet Cards & Charter for Supplemental Lift

Sentient Jet
The largest card provider.
Magellan Jets
Charter broker with customized cards.
Wheels Up
Membership based private aviation.


Focus on Jet Cards & Charter 

Magellan Jets
Charter broker with customized cards.
Sentient Jet
The largest card provider.
Wheels Up
Memberships & charter.

Consider Fractional Ownership

   
Airshare
Day-based fractional aviation.
PlaneSense
Fractional ownership in light jets and turboprops.
NetJets
The largest fractional and card provider.

Get The Guide to Private Aviation

And receive information from your selected providers.

STEP 3 of 3

Please add your first name. Thank you
Please type in your last name. Many Thanks.
Please provide your street address. Thank you.
Please provide your town or city. Please use just letters and numbers. Thank you. SherpaReport.
Please input your state or city. Thanks you.
Please type in your zip code or postal code. Just use numbers and letters. Thank you. SherpaReport.
Please type in your country, using just letters. Thanks
Please type in your email address. Many Thanks SherpaReport PS Reach out with any feedback or questions after reading the Guide
Please type in your phone number - just the numbers. Many Thanks SherpaReport PS Reach out with any feedback or questions after reading the Guide
Newsletter
Invalid Input
Image

I think the Report is great. The best and most comprehensive I have seen.

/ Jim, Reno, NY

Image
Guide book

Whats in the guide?

  • The various options available to access private aviation

  • How to choose the right type of aircraft for your needs

  • The approximate cost of each option

  • What to consider when reviewing the options

  • Comparisons of the leading providers

  • Key questions to ask the providers prior to making a final decision

nick_copley-768Downloading the free guide also comes with access to SherpaReport President & Senior Analyst, Nick Copley. His email is included in the guide.

SherpaReport has been featured in

  • WSJ
  • Just Luxe
  • NYT
  • Aviation Week
  • USA today
Image

I’ve got several pilot friends that I talked to, but your report really summed it all up well, it was very helpful.

/ John, Naples, FL

Image