How to Get on a Private Jet Without Owning One

Flying private changes how you see air travel: no TSA lines, no gate waits, and you board at your own pace. One writer experienced it firsthand on a FlexJet flight from New Jersey's Teterboro Airport to Paris, stretching out in a leather seat, snacking from an amenity spread, and eating meals made by a personal chef. The six-hour trip barely registered.

That indulgence no longer requires owning your own jet. In response to the pandemic's private jet boom, new booking options have emerged for travelers who want to fly in seclusion, many at prices less shocking than expected. Flexjet CEO Mike Silvestro says time has become the ultimate luxury, with travelers seeking flexibility, efficiency, and personalization.

For newcomers, the choices can overwhelm. Charter marketplaces like FlyHouse, FlyJets, Jettly, Victor, and XO let fliers browse and book from an app, with FlyJets advertising prices up to 50% below average charter costs. Traditional charter companies such as Wheels Up and Air Charter Service book whole planes on demand, often with jet-card options. Fly-sharing services like Aero, Blade, Tradewind Aviation, JSX, and Bark Air sell individual seats, sometimes from $249 each way. Fractional ownership through Flexjet and NetJets buys flight hours in increments, while membership programs from VistaJet, Sentient Jet, and Magellan Jets charge fees for on-demand fleet access.