So you want to rent a private jet to New York City?
You want to minimize COVID-19 contact, so you are looking into the cost of a private jet rental as an alternative to the airlines. And you want to find out how much it will cost if you charter a private jet on a one-off basis?
Calling brokers and getting quotes is not the only option if you are looking into private flights to Aspen.
Jet card programs, which begin with deposits of just $25,000, or in some cases paying a membership fee, and then paying until you fly, can also be a cost-effective option.
Most folks who do one-off charters, end up flying privately again. You can’t be the experience, particularly the convenience and time savings. They then find they probably should have considered multiple private flight solutions from the start.
Below you can compare some of the benefits of using jet cards and memberships compared to booking private jet flights on a one-by-one basis.
| What you get | Jet Cards* | On-Demand Charters |
| Fixed Pricing | Yes | No, Varies by trip |
| Booking Window | 4 to 96 hours before departure | At time of booking for lowest price |
| Cancelations | 4 to 72 hours before departure | Not allowed** |
| Guaranteed Service Recovery | Yes | Customer pays extra charges |
| Catering | Yes | Extra charge |
| Deicing | Yes | Extra charge |
| WiFi | Yes | Extra charge |
The biggest advantages of using jet cards include fixed one-way pricing, the booking and cancelation terms, and guaranteed service recovery.
Fixed one-way pricing means you only pay for your actual flight time, and don’t have to worry about repositioning fees.
With on-demand charter, typically you have to pay when you book, and in many cases, you can’t cancel and it’s non-refundable. By contrast, jet cards allow you to book at your guaranteed pricing with as little as 6 to 96 hours.
And if your plans change, cancelation windows, which look all jet card policies, vary by provider and program, range from 4 to 72 hours.
Other benefits included with some jet cards include catering, deicing, which can run in the thousands of dollars and WiFi.
One reason many longtime on-demand charter customers switch to memberships is Guaranteed Service Recovery. With ad hoc charters, if the operator cancels your flight because of a mechanical, the pilot is sick, or the owner of the airplane changes his or her mind, you have to pay any extra expense for the replacement flight. Of course, you have the option not to travel.
With virtually all fixed-rate jet cards, if there is a problem with your designated aircraft or crew, your provider will get you and equal or better private jet at their expense. They may even offer compensation for the delay.
Below is lead pricing from the more than 50 providers in the Private Jet Card Comparisons. Compare your on-demand charter quotes to jet card pricing, and see if you should consider a jet card membership. Flight pricing is directly from our exclusive QUICK COMPARE FLIGHT PRICING tool available to paid subscribers for $500.
| Aircraft Type | Flight Cost | Booking Deadline (in hours) | Cancelation Deadline (in hours) |
| Light | $10,644 | 12 | 72 |
| Midsize | $12,717 | 72 | 48 |
| Super Midsize | $13,886 | 4 | 48 |
| Large Cabin | $20,008 | 24 | 48 |
| Aircraft Type | Flight Cost | Booking Deadline (in hours) | Cancelation Deadline (in hours) |
| Light | $13,803 | 72 | 48 |
| Midsize | $16,467 | 72 | 48 |
| Super Midsize | $18,656 | 4 | 48 |
| Large Cabin | $27,573 | 5 | 72 |
| Aircraft Type | Flight Cost | Booking Deadline (in hours) | Cancelation Deadline (in hours) |
| Super Midsize | $27,678 | 24 | 48 |
| Large Cabin | $47,500 | 48 | 48 |
| Aircraft Type | Flight Cost | Booking Deadline (in hours) | Cancelation Deadline (in hours) |
| Light Jets | $11,383 | 72 | 48 |
| Midsize | $13,550 | 72 | 48 |
| Super Midsize | $14,946 | 4 | 48 |
| Large Cabin | $22,090 | 5 | 72 |
| Aircraft Type | Flight Cost | Booking Deadline (in hours) | Cancelation Deadline (in hours) |
| Midsize Cabin | $20,383 | 72 | 48 |
| Super Midsize | $23,638 | 4 | 48 |
| Large Cabin | $24,937 | 5 | 72 |
If you have already spoken to jet card companies or received quotes from charter brokers, we can help you identify the best fit for your private travel needs. We don’t sell private jet charters or jet cards. We are an independent private aviation research site that enables you to make the best choice as an educated consumer. Find out more information here.
The best way to fly by private jet is to do a bit of research first. Get quotes from brokers or operators for your single trip. Make sure you read the fine print! Know the cancelation terms.
Make sure to ask if the quote is based on a confirmed flight, or if it is an empty leg.
Empty leg flights are repositioning flights before or after a full revenue charter. If you are getting quotes that are 30% below what you see above, ask if you are being offered a ferry flight.
When the person on the other end of that flight changes his or her plans, the empty leg is likely to get changed or canceled. That could be your flight! If that happens, it’s up to you to find your way wherever you are going, either through buying a full-price charter flight or booking an airline seat. If you have non-refundable hotel reservations or need to be somewhere at a specific time without much buffer, avoid empty legs.
Beware of illegal charter. If the price is too good to be true. There may be a reason. As a paid subscriber to Private Jet Card Comparisons, we will provide you personal assistance to help you make the right choice, based on your needs and budget.
Flying to the New York City area also means choosing an airport that is most convenient to where you are headed.
Teterboro Airport in New Jersey just across the Hudson River from Manhattan and is a good choice if you are going to Manhattan, particularly the Upper West Side, Midtown West, Gramercy, Hudson Yards, the Lowest Westside, and Wall Street. The airport is dedicated to private jets. Private airliners such as the Boeing Business Jet are not permitted. It is the busiest private jet airport in the U.S.
Atlantic Aviation, Jet Aviation, Meridien, and Signature Flight Support operate six FBOs at Teterboro. Signature operates three separate locations, Signature South, Signature West, and Signature East. Make sure you verify which location you are arriving or departing to. NetJets operates from its own private terminal Jet Linx operates from its own private terminal and Meridien.
Newark Liberty International Airport attracts airliner-size private jets due to restrictions at Teterboro. It is less favored because of the high levels of commercial airline traffic which can cause delays both departing and arriving. Signature Flight Support is the only FBO at EWR.
La Guardia Airport is the best airport if you are headed to the Upper East Side, Midtown East, the Lower Eastside or Queens, Brooklyn, parts of the Bronx, Long Island’s Gold Coast, and Nassau County. The airport is popular for airliner-size private jets. Because of the high volume of airline flights, La Guardia Airport can be subject to ground delays as well as ATC holds on arrival. Sheltair is the only FBO at LGA.
John F. Kennedy International Airport is mainly used by airliner sized private jets, such as Head-of-State and Royal Flight private jets. When the weather closes or delays flights into Teterboro, Newark or La Guardia, JFK can be a good alternative so you don’t get delayed. Sheltair operates the only FBO at JFK.
Westchester County Airport in White Plains is about 30 miles north of Manhattan and is the third busiest private jet airport in the U.S. If you are arriving or leaving for Westchester County, parts of the Bronx, southern Putnam County and Fairfield County in Connecticut, HPN is likely the best choice. Million Air, Ross Aviation, and Signature operate a total of five FBOs, the latter two separate locations each. NetJets and Flexjet each have their own private terminals at HPN.
Republic Airport in Farmingdale is located 35 miles east of Manhattan and maybe the best choice if you are traveling to or from locations in Nassau and Suffolk County. There are four FBOs operated by Atlantic, Sheltair, and Signature Flight Support at Republic Jet Center. Signature operates from two locations so verify which one your flight is using.
