When Is It Enough Money to Actually Consider Flying Private?
Flying private is just about every traveler's dream. No TSA lines, no middle seats, no “boarding group 9,” and zero chance of someone reclining into your knees. But unless you’ve got a seriously big budget, private jets just aren’t a realistic option.
Is it always that far-fetched? At what point does it actually make sense, financially, logistically, or even emotionally, to consider stepping beyond the first class cabin and into a Citation or Gulfstream?
Let’s break down when enough money is actually enough to consider flying private, whether it's an occasional charter, a jet card, or full ownership. For anyone wondering, I had to do my research on this. It is unfortunately not knowledge from experience.
In this post:
Not All Private Flying Is for Billionaires
There’s a common perception that private jet travel is only for the ultra-wealthy, billionaires, celebrities, and royalty. While those individuals do account for a share of private aviation, the reality is a lot more nuanced.
There’s a major difference between owning a long-range private jet (like a $75 million Gulfstream G700) and occasionally chartering a smaller aircraft for a short flight.
Jet ownership typically requires substantial wealth. A general rule of thumb I read is that you shouldn’t consider owning a private jet unless the total cost, including purchase, maintenance, crew salaries, hanger fees, and insurance, represents 10% or less of your net worth. Ownership only begins to make financial sense if you're flying 240 hours or more per year (about 20 hours per month). At that level, the cost per hour can become more economical than consistently chartering flights or participating in a fractional ownership program.
Chartering on the other hand, is far more accessible. Short-haul private flights can become cost-effective, especially when split among a group, and are often used by individuals with a net worth between $5 million and $25 million, or by high-income professionals who prioritize time savings and flexibility over luxury. Depending on the size of the jet, chartering can range from $3,5000 per hour to $20,000 an hour.
Keep in mind: these are general benchmarks. Ac›tual costs vary depending on the aircraft type, flight duration, and service model. If you’re considering private aviation, it’s a smart move to consult a financial advisor to determine what makes sense for your specific situation.
Most people who are flying private are very wealthy, but the difference between flying commercial and flying on a chartered jet is actually much less than the difference between chartering and owning a jet.
The Magic Number: Is There One?
If you have a net worth under $10 million, flying private regularly is not a wise financial decision. You’re likely trading away long-term security for short-term convenience.
Now, if you’re comfortably in the $25M+ net worth range, and I mean liquid, not tied up in the house you live in, the math starts to shift.
It is not always that simple though, because certain routes and services are more accessible than others.
When It Might Make Sense (Even If You’re Not a Billionaire)
Group Travel Math: Chartering a private jet can be cost-effective when traveling with a group. For example, according to the U.S. Air Charter Service, a light jet will cost you between $1,300 and $3,000 per hour. Splitting the cost among six passengers could make it comparable to or even less expensive than purchasing six first-class tickets on a commercial flight.
Time = Money: If your time is worth thousands per hour (think CEOs, high-level execs, or someone with a truly wild schedule), the efficiency of private travel is about productivity, both on the ground and in the air.
Limited Commercial Options: Some remote destinations are just hard to reach without insane layovers and missed connections. In cases like these, individuals see flying private as the difference between arriving refreshed or wrecked.
What Private Flying Actually Costs
The costs are all over the map which I hope you can see by now. A few quick examples:
Charter (pay-per-flight): $1,300–$3,000 per flight hour for a light jet.
Jet Cards (prepaid hours): Starts around $150,000 to $180,000 for 25 hours on a light jet.
Fractional Ownership (e.g., NetJets): Think of it like a timeshare for jets. Requires upfront capital plus ongoing fees. Programs start at $215,000 for a jet card with 275 days of annual access.
Full Ownership: Ranges from $5 million to over $100 million, depending on the aircraft model and specifications. Plus, maintenance costs at least $1M+ a year covering expenses such as crew salaries, maintenance, hangar fees, insurance, and fuel.
What’s our take? (Is Private Flying Even Worth it)
We’re all about aspirational travel, but also value. So let’s be clear: flying private rarely offers better value than premium cabins on commercial airlines, especially if you’re like me — and love redeeming points.
Booking a round-trip first-class ticket on All Nippon Airways (ANA) through Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club can cost as low as 110,000 points, which is great value compared to cash prices. Chartering a private jet is substantially more expensive. A one-way flight from Teterboro to Miami, holding six passengers, can cost approximately $14,100 to $18,000
But if your finances are truly in order, and the convenience, time saved, or special occasion justifies private flying? Go for it, it's generally more cost-effective for individuals with substantial financial resources. Unless specific needs justify the expense, commercial flights will always provide better economic value.
So, When Is Enough Actually Enough?
The short answer is when you can afford to not care about the cost.
Can you spend $20k on a flight without blinking?
Will it meaningfully improve your life, save you time, or reduce your stress?
Are you still maxing out retirement, investments, and not sweating market downturns?
If yes: go ahead. If not: maybe business class with a nice lounge is still your move, and there’s zero shame in that.
Bottom Line
Private jets are undeniably alluring: luxury, privacy, and convenience rolled into one. But for the vast majority of travelers, even those with growing incomes, the jump to flying private remains more fantasy than feasible. Premium commercial flights, with their lie-flat seats and lounge access, often strike a better balance of comfort and value for the most of us.
Understanding when (or if) flying private makes sense is less about indulgence and more about thresholds — of time, money, and purpose. For now, flying smart and aspirational might mean a mint seat or a business-class upgrade. And honestly? That’s still flying pretty well.
