Luxury travel

Guide to the best private jets: from buying to renting to timeshare

Learn all about the world of private jets, from purchase options to charter and timeshare, for tailor-made luxury travel

15 April 2025

4' min read

FOR LONG TRAILS.

If you are looking for a jet that can carry up to 17 passengers and fly up to 14 hours/7,500 miles, the Bombardier Global 6000 (around €19 million used, €58 million new) offers great comfort and eight beds. The new Global 8000 (19 passengers, can include a private suite with a full-size bed, EUR 78 million), can fly at just below the speed of sound, while the Gulfstream G800 (19 passengers, 10 beds, EUR 70 million) offers similar space and speed. The G650 (19 passengers, up to 10 berths; EUR 34 to 76 million) is slightly smaller, but no less luxurious and suitable for 7,000 miles.

Bombardier Global 8000.

FOR A SHORT ESCAPE

Very Light' (VLJ) and 'Light' jets are suitable for routes of 1,000 and 1,500 miles respectively. Few VLJs have toilets, and overhead and luggage space is limited. The two VLJs Embraer Phenom 100 (EUR 4.3 million) and Cessna Citation Mustang (EUR 1.21 to 2.9 million) accommodate four people, and even the toilet is equipped with a seat belt (if installed). Or you can opt for single pilot and occupy the co-pilot's seat. Midsize jets such as the Cessna Citation XLS ($6.2 million 2009 model) have 12 seats, a toilet and more luggage space. The Phenom 300 (9.5 to 11.1 million euro) seats six people comfortably, 10 a bit cramped, with an area for refreshments and a bathroom. Renting it costs around EUR 30,000.

FOR BUSINESS

The Cessna Citation CJ3 (4.7 to 6.3 million euro) is suitable for medium routes, with a radius of 1,665 miles and four passengers in a 'club' lounge (there is also a bathroom). From London to Munich and back, staying away two nights, the rental is around 27 thousand euros. For example, to go to New York or Dubai from London, a Gulfstream G650 (from 34 to 76 million euro) or a Dassault Falcon 7X (new from around 52 million euro) have cabins in which one can comfortably stand, 13 to 16 seats, a sofa, several areas for working and relaxing, WiFi, flight attendant and hot meals - the rental starts at around 140 thousand euro.

To go skiing or dancing .

Those who want to go on a weekend trip to Ibiza or the Swiss Alps know that if you use commercial flights you endure three-hour waits at the airport before take-off. Relying on a private plane means having access to a fast track and taking off as soon as you are ready, from the dedicated jet terminals. What's more, the commercial airports of major ski resorts are hours away from the resort, whereas private flights leave ten minutes from the slopes. Hiring a Phenom 100 for four friends who want to go to a party for a night costs around 12 to 18 thousand euros. A Phenom 300 for four to six people for a weekend in Ibiza starts at around 35 thousand euros.

Embraer Phenom 300

FOR THE ANIMALS

Many pet owners do not tolerate their pets having to travel in the cargo hold. Short-snouted dogs such as bulldogs also find it difficult to breathe in the cabin, where the simulated altitude is about 2,000 metres, twice as high as on a private jet. The alternative is therefore to book one of 10 seats with K9 Jets for a passenger with up to two animals, for example on a Gulfstream G-IVSP or G-V. Schedules are available to and from European and US cities, Dubai and Melbourne. One-way travel per passenger and animal, from EUR 8,600.

GETTING TO LITTLE BEATEN ZONES

The Pilatus PC-24 (approx. EUR 8.2 million) is the only small jet designed to take off and land on authorised gravel or grass runways. With a solid engineering component behind the luxury, it offers thousands more destinations than jets that can only land on runways. With a range of 2,000 miles and capacity for up to six people, it is necessary to stop for refuelling to reach the most remote places, but lost time is made up for with the advantage of being able to land very close to the final destination.

FOR FREQUENT FLYERS

NetJets has more than a thousand jets to suit all types of travel requirements, with timeshare plans ideal for those wishing to fly for at least 50 hours a year. Flexjet offers a share of the 800 flight hours available in a year on a Gulfstream G650 or Praetor 600 aircraft: for a G650, 100 flight hours costs around EUR 5.8 million; on a Praetor 600, 50 flight hours costs around EUR 1.5 million.

Gulfstream G650.

FOR A WORLD TOUR .

Taylor Swift hit the headlines for the great distances flown aboard her Dassault Falcon 7X during the Eras tour. Dassault's three-engine jets can use shorter runways, thanks to their extra power, and are considered safer should one engine fail. The cabin can accommodate up to 16 people and they fly safely for 11 hours/6,800 miles at 15,000 metres, with excellent fuel efficiency. Andy Christie of Air Charter Service explains that chartering a Falcon 7X like Taylor Swift's for a two-week trip with family or friends involving several stopovers costs at least EUR 1.2 million.

Dassault Falcon 7X

Prices for hire may vary depending on the number of passengers and the cost of fuel; purchase prices may not include designer or customised interiors.

MADE TO MEASURE

Instead of buying a private jet, one can opt for other solutions such as timeshares, on-demand charters and pay-per-seat services. Discounted seats can be found on empty leg flights, i.e. when the plane is supposed to fly empty to reposition.

MULTIPROPERTY

Flexjet. Jetfly. Luxwing. NetJets.

COMPANIES CHARTER

ACS. GlobeAir. LunaJets. Paramount Business Jets. PrivateFly. VistaJet.

PAY FOR SEAT

Charter Jet. K9 Jets (for passengers with animals).