How Much Does a Small Private Plane Cost?

The answer to the question, “How much does a small private plane cost?” really depends on who you ask. With some companies, it’s a one-time fee for use. Other companies require a monthly payment.

Of course, if you do business with just one plane, it makes no difference what company you choose. Your personal situation and what you need from your private plane services will determine which company you use. When deciding, it’s important to consider the level of service you expect from the company. Is their work dedicated to giving you what you need or do they want to make as much money as possible? Do they encourage you to be a happy customer? Are they concerned about meeting deadlines and other concerns you have?

You may not know it now, but the cost of a private plane service is more expensive than it was in the past. In the past, there were only two major players in the business of private plane travel: charter companies and airports. The cost of a private plane typically hovered around the same amount that you would spend to fly from New York to Los Angeles to Las Vegas. While those routes remain popular, there are more destinations available now, and business travelers are traveling to more places for business than ever before.

Not all planes are suitable for private passenger use. Some of the larger, more widely used commercial airlines don’t allow passengers to fly with anything other than the size of the aircraft. For those companies, the cost of the service reflects this cost. The costs for smaller companies, though, are much lower because they don’t have a mass of customers flying the same kind of jets.

Businesses that operate from a small airport can benefit from the economies of scale for air travel. Rather than paying an independent contractor large sums of money for their plane tickets, they can simply pay the fees associated with a larger company and their plane will be waiting there for them. While this might seem like a bad idea for personal use, it’s actually much more economical for business travel. Private jet companies know exactly how many people need to be flown to and from their specific locations, and the planes they own are capable of handling the extra business.

A secondary consideration when trying to answer the question of how much does a small private plane cost is the condition of the plane itself. When looking for charter flights, make sure you fly into the best airports in your area. It can literally make or break your vacation experience. Ask about the plane’s safety record and any reports of serious damage or occurrences of fire. You want to avoid planes with any major mechanical issues that could cause a crash during your stay.

While asking around to local small private plane charter companies is certainly one option, don’t forget about the bigger companies as well. They have the resources and often have better maintenance procedures. Also consider the reputation of the company you’re considering renting from. Do they have plenty of testimonials to back up their performance? Are their prices competitive?

It’s important not to feel pressured into renting a plane by an ad. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, or even consider other smaller options if they seem more financially viable. You should also be aware that flying is a privilege, not a right. If you’re not comfortable with the answers you get, it’s probably best to move on to another company. Asking how much does a small private plane cost can be overwhelming, but following these guidelines can ease your mind.