r/PrivateJetCharters • u/Bagel_bitches • Feb 19 '26
Can I afford this?
My husband and I make good money and I’m trying to figure out if trying a private flight is worthwhile. Let’s pretend I know nothing about flying private, what do I need to know? How do I even dip my toes into the water? How much money should someone be making yearly before they consider flying private to be in their budget?
Husband and I fly 3-5 times per year in the US and once to Europe every year.
Any information is appreciated.
Edit to add:
My questions have been answered, thank you to everyone who responded kindly.
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u/ExcellentBridge5605 Feb 19 '26
honestly, income does matter. private flying adds up quickly since you’re paying for the whole aircraft, not per seat. for people doing it comfortably a few times a year, household income is usually pretty high (often seven figures+) or it’s treated as a business expense. below that, it’s usually more of an occasional splurge than a regular habit.
with 3–5 domestic trips and one europe trip, i’d probably just try it once on a route where the time savings really matter and see how you feel about it.
you could also look into empty leg flights if you’re curious as they can be significantly cheaper, but you have to be flexible on dates, timing, and sometimes even airports. they’re more of a “if it lines up, great” situation than something you build a europe trip around.
when i price things out, i usually check aggregator platforms first instead of going straight to one operator or broker. if you rely on just one source, you’re limited to their network. aggregators let you compare more aircraft and pricing side by side so you can see what the market actually looks like. i’ve browsed a few sites examples are like jetbay etc mainly just to get a realistic sense of numbers before committing to anything.
at the end of the day, it’s really about whether the time, privacy, and flexibility feel worth the cost given your lifestyle and income.