How to Price a Private Jet Flight: A Charter Broker’s Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s face it, pricing a private jet flight isn’t as simple as plugging numbers into a calculator and sending an invoice. Every flight is unique, every client has different expectations, and every operator has their structure. For charter brokers, learning how to piece a flight accurately is both a science and an art.

Whether you are a new broker or someone who just wants to sharpen their quoting skills, understanding the essential cost factors helps you avoid misunderstanding or disappointing your clients. I remember my first charter quote, it took me 4 hours, 6 calls, and way too much second-guessing. But over time, I picked up a few tricks that made pricing much smoother.

Essential Steps for Charter Broker to Price Private Jet Flight

Step 1: Understand the Aircraft Category

The first major cost factor is aircraft type. It’s the foundation of the quote. Here is a quick breakdown:

• Turboprops: Great for short hops and budget-conscious clients, Slower, but economical

• Light jets: Seats 4-6. Good for short-to-mid-range flights, typically under 3 hours.

• Midsize Jets: Seats 6-8. More cabin space, better range, typically fly 4-5 hours non-stop.

• Super-Midsize/ Heavy Jets: For coast-to-coast or international trips. Higher hourly rates but more luxury and range.

As a charter broker, when you are quoting for different aircraft, don’t just look at hourly rates but also factors like speed and range. A faster jet might cost more per hour but save money overall with fewer flight hours. Learn more about the private jet category

Step 2: Add Repositioning Costs

This is one of the most commonly overlooked factors, and it’s a big one. Unless the aircraft is already at the departure airport, the operator has to reposition it from its base. You will be charged for that flight too, even if there are no passengers onboard.

For example, your client wants to fly from Dallas to Miami, but the aircraft is based in Houston. In this case, you will be charged for Houston to Dallas as an empty leg and Dallas to Miami as a live leg. And don’t forget the return repositioning, too, if it is a one-way trip.

How to manage this:

• Ask the operator where the aircraft is based

• Calculate the full flight time, including ferry legs

• Be transparent with the client, it builds trust

Step 3: Include Airport Landing, Ramp, and Handling Fees

Every time an aircraft lands, there are fees charged by the airport or FBO. These aren’t huge, but they add up, especially on multi-leg flights.

Common fees:

• Landing Fee: Charged by the airport

• Ramp/ Handling Fee: Charged by the FBO for aircraft services

• Parking Fee: If the aircraft is staying overnight

Depending on the airport, these can range from $100 to $1,000+ per stop. As a broker, you can use tools like AOPA’s Airport Directory or contact FBOs directly for fee estimates. It's better to ask the operator; they usually include these in their quote.

Step 4: Don’t Forget Crew Overnight Charges

If the crew needs to spend the night due to your client’s itinerary, you will need to account for their hotel, meals, and time. These apply when the trip is multi-day or if the crew cannot legally return the same day due to duty time limits. So, always check the schedule against crew rest requirements. Ask the operator what they expect for crew accommodations so you are not caught off guard.

Step 5: Consider Market Demand and Peak Dates

Charter pricing is not static. Just like hotel rates or airline tickets, it is influenced by supply and demand. During holidays, big events, or seasonal travel peaks, private jets show high demand. During these times, aircraft are harder to source, and prices jump.

How to stay ahead:

• Quote early for holiday travel

• Use charter marketplaces to spot trends and availability

• Add a small buffer to your quote during high-demand periods.

Step 6: Factor in Taxes, Broker Margin & Extras

You have got your base flight cost. Now add the extras, but don’t forget to calculate Federal Excise Tax, segment fees, and broker margin. Additionally, consider catering, wi-fi charges, and ground transportation. As a broker, use a line-item breakdown to make your quote easy to understand. It makes you confident about your service value, and clients appreciate seeing what they are paying for.

Step 7: Use the Right Tools

Quoting manually is fine when you are learning, but if you are doing 10+ quotes a week, it is time to level up. As a charter broker, you can use a charter sourcing and quoting application to streamline your operational tasks and an efficient CRM to manage and track your client interactions. It reduces the error and makes you more confident about your charter pricing.

Final Thoughts: Accurate Charter Pricing Builds Trust

As a charter broker, your goal isn’t just to price a charter flight, it is to price it smartly, fairly, and transparently. When clients understand the value behind the numbers, they are more likely to trust you and book with you again. Over time, this process will become second nature. But even then, always double-check everything before sending a quote. It shows professionalism, and it saves you from backtracking.