The Cheapest Way to Fly Private, According to Experts
You don't necessarily have to break the bank to fly on a private jet.
Flying on a private jet and seeing what the fuss is all about is probably every traveler's dream—and if it was a sustainable option and didn't massively contribute to CO2 air pollution, it would be an even better dream, too. But sustainability issues aside, private jets will always have a luxurious appeal to travelers, and you shouldn't feel guilty for wanting to try it at least once in your lifetime.
The price point, though, is what sets the whole dream back for most of us. However, hopping on a private jet doesn't necessarily have to break the bank.
Let's be honest here, though: Flying private is definitely going to be more expensive than flying commercial, no matter what. However, travel experts will have you know that there are a few things to consider when it comes to private flying—and if you do your research right, you will be able to save a good amount of money.
Use the right booking platforms
First of all, you should get on dedicated private jet booking platforms that allow you to see multiple options at the same time. Think of it as using a platform similar to Skyscanner, but for private jets.
"Some resources that make private flight shopping easier for compare-and-contrast [purposes] are Linear Air and KinectAir," says Katy Nastro, travel expert at Going. "They allow you to see what is available for your specific itinerary dates at a nearby airport."
A quick visit to either platform will show you what private jets are flying which routes, as well as when and for how many people. KinectAir also details the price per person, letting you know how much money each member of the party would have to shell out for the trip.
Empty legs on private charters are the solution
You should also learn about empty legs, and why they're your best friends when it comes to flying private for (relatively) cheap.
"When the charter only has a one-way booking, they will sometimes look to sell the other leg often with a discount," says Nastro. "There are a few sites and apps out there, or even memberships like JetMembership.com, that allow you to take advantage of the live market."
According to JetMembership.com's founder and managing partner Daniel Hirschhorn, JetMembership.com was built specifically to allow customers to fly private in the cheapest way possible. In addition to offering empty-leg discounts, JetMembership.com offers access to wholesale pricing on private jets for a monthly membership fee of $299. "It allows members to book flights at significantly lower rates than the market average by cutting out the middleman and passing on the savings directly to members," Hirschhorn told Thrillist.
However, Nastro points out that if you're planning to fly internationally, you might want to avoid flying private altogether. "A lot of folks who can afford private flying will go commercial," Nastro says in regards to international trips. "They often do this because of the exceptional service international long-haul flights offer and the fact that, convenience-wise, your day is still likely to be quite long so heading to a large airport isn't going to make or break your itinerary plans."
Semi-private flying is an option, too
You don't have to fly private to get the private jet experience—you can fly semi-private, instead. Instead of flying four-passenger aircrafts or slightly bigger (usually up to around 20 seats), semi-private jets can accommodate 15 to 30 people, and they typically fly domestic routes as well as a few international ones.
Semi-private airlines sell individual seats on these planes, and you can book them online for cheaper than an actual private jet. Yet, you'd still get the luxurious flight amenities—except you'd be flying with a few strangers too. Companies that offer semi-private flights include JSX, Aero, Blade, TradeWind Aviation, and Surf Air, among others, and you can check their websites to book your seat.
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