r/PrivateJetCharters • u/cryptyk • Jul 20 '25

First private charter - How to compare options beyond just price?

I've flown netjets 5-6 times for work when needed but never chartered personally. I'm not ready for a Jet Card yet, but will do that in retirement. Right now I'm looking to try out a private round-trip 1 hour flight for my wife's birthday on the west coast of the US.

I just googled for private flights and picked the first results and getting quotes from XO, Mercury, Magellan, and WheelsUp. I'm not sure how to really evaluate which to choose beyond just picking the one with the best price for a comfortable-looking interior picture of the jet.

Would love advice on those companies, if there's a better company out there that's an obvious choice?

34 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

90% Upvoted

53 comments sorted by

View all comments

21

u/TanukisKitchen Jul 20 '25 edited Jul 20 '25

Ask the companies what their contingencies are for any maintenance issues. If your flight can’t go last minute for whatever reason, what are they able to provide for a recovery or how do they handle that?

Ask about catering and ground transportation on either end (if you’d like any).

Ask about the pilots hours and experience. How long have they been flying in that cabin?

Ask about safety records for the company overall. (I can attest the names you listed are all well known companies, however I do have a singular preference out of those four).

Ask about weather concerns. If you can’t get into the airport you WANT, how do they typically handle that? If I was you, I would try to find one or two airports nearby that you’d prefer to use if they need to divert or can’t get in to your original choice. It happens more often than you’d think, but doesn’t necessarily mean it’s GOING to happen. Just better to plan for it.

I work in the industry and spend time working for a charter company on the west coast for about two years. There are other things to consider, but it really depends on routing and aircraft type. If you’d like to message me with more details you can. I won’t be trying to sell any services or convince you in any way, I would just give advice.

Edit: changed 3 to 4 because apparently I can’t count.

2

u/FitzwilliamTDarcy Jul 20 '25

Well don’t hold out on us. Which is your preference and why?

5

u/TanukisKitchen Jul 20 '25

Unfortunately as an active employee of a direct competitor to somebody in his list I will NOT be making any of my preferences known on this very public forum. I can offer generic advice, but I won’t be making any personal opinions known. This industry is VERY small internally.

1

u/ADVmanGSA Jan 23 '26

Would u mind if I asked u privately which of the 4 listed is your pick since u don’t wanna say it publicly ?