A private charter is priced for the aircraft and itinerary. Published hourly rates help frame a budget, but billable minimums, positioning and trip charges can change the total. Compare complete written quotes for the same dates, airports and passengers before choosing.
Use hourly guidance to start a budget
The figures below are two providers’ published U.S. guidance, checked October 28, 2026. They are USD per aircraft hour, not per passenger, Chicago inventory or confirmed offers. The categories match, but aircraft mixes and inclusions differ. A lower published range does not identify the cheaper quote for your trip.
| Aircraft category | Paramount Business Jets | Stratos Jets |
|---|---|---|
| Turboprop | $2,300–$3,500/hr | $1,500–$3,500/hr |
| Light jet | $3,750–$4,200/hr | $2,200–$5,000/hr |
| Midsize jet | $4,700–$5,500/hr | $2,900–$6,500/hr |
| Super-midsize jet | $6,200–$7,500/hr | $4,900–$7,900/hr |
Sources: Paramount’s category table (rates updated October 24, 2026) and Stratos’ hourly-rate guide (dated July 30, 2026). Both checked October 28, 2026. These are separate reference points, not a combined market average.
Paramount says its hourly figures cover aircraft, crew, fuel and insurance; taxes, positioning and other trip logistics are additional. Stratos lists positioning, airport charges, fuel surcharges and availability among the factors affecting a quote, without itemizing every inclusion in its table. Ask for the total payable amount and the charges that could arise later.
Compare route estimates on the right basis
A route-specific estimate is more useful than multiplying an advertised hourly rate by time in the air. The following examples come from different providers, so they should not be treated as competing offers or used to rank the destinations by value.
| Chicago itinerary | Published planning reference | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| New York | Light jet: $17,000–$20,000 one way, whole aircraft. | Paramount’s route page, prices verified August 2026. It describes crew and standard fees as included; confirm taxes, positioning, exact airports and all exclusions. |
| Miami | Light jet: $14,000–$18,500 one way, whole aircraft. | PrivateJet.com’s published estimate, checked October 28, 2026. It does not fully itemize inclusions; request the complete quote. |
| Scottsdale | Request a trip-specific charter quote. | Do not substitute a jet-card rate model for an on-demand charter offer. Use the worked arithmetic below to understand cost components. |
Route sources: Paramount: Chicago–New York; PrivateJet.com: Chicago–Miami. Checked October 28, 2026. A return trip needs its own quote; do not assume it is simply twice the outbound price.
Why flight time × hourly rate can understate the cost
Illustrative short-flight scenario: assume 1.6 passenger flight hours, a $5,000 hourly rate, a two-hour billing minimum and a separate $2,000 positioning charge. These are chosen teaching assumptions, not a provider’s offer or the price of a particular route.
| Component | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger flight time alone | 1.6 × $5,000 | $8,000 |
| Apply the assumed billing minimum | 2 × $5,000 | $10,000 |
| Add the assumed positioning charge | $10,000 + $2,000 | $12,000 subtotal |
| Taxes and other charges | Not specified in this example | Still to be added if applicable |
The minimum replaces the shorter time in this example; it is not added to it. A real contract may apply minimums per leg, per day or on another basis. Ask the provider which applies and whether ferry time is already included, so the same cost is not counted twice.
Illustrative longer-flight scenario: 3.25 billable hours × an assumed $5,000/hour equals $16,250 for the flight-time component. That calculation establishes neither aircraft suitability nor the full itinerary cost. Aircraft positioning, airport and handling fees, crew expenses, deicing, catering and ground transport can change the final amount.
Try your own budget assumptions
Use the rate and billing basis from a provider’s proposal, or edit the fictional example below. This worksheet compares one billing scenario. It does not search aircraft, calculate taxes or generate a charter quote.
Send the same itinerary to each provider
Useful quote comparisons begin with the same airports, dates, passenger count and luggage requirements. Include your actual ground destination and airport flexibility. Chicago Executive, DuPage and Midway can produce different aircraft and transfer options.
| Ask for | Why it changes the decision |
|---|---|
| Aircraft and operator | Confirm cabin layout, baggage fit and who will operate the flight. |
| Billable time and positioning | Identify minimums, ferry legs and whether they are already included. |
| Total and exclusions | Separate fixed quoted charges from as-incurred costs and optional services. |
| Changes and cancellations | Understand deadlines, cancellation charges and what happens if the flight changes. |
| Return arrangement | Compare the provider’s actual round-trip plan with separately quoted one-way legs. |
What about empty legs and jet cards?
An empty-leg opportunity can be useful when its timing and route fit, but it may depend on another itinerary. Ask about cancellation and backup arrangements. For repeat travel, compare a jet card’s full commitment and booking rules against quotes for the trips you expect to take.
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