When flying round-trip within the USA, operators typically impose a minimum charge of two hours per day for super midsize jets or smaller. For larger jets, the minimum charge increases to 2½ hours per day or the total daily flight time, whichever is greater.
For instance, if you book a super midsize jet for a New York to Los Angeles round-trip, with a flight duration of 10 hours and returning six days later, you will still be charged for 12 hours due to the two-hour minimum per day.
Because of these minimum charges, it is often more cost-effective to book two separate round trips rather than keeping the aircraft for an extended period. For example, returning the aircraft to base after a flight from New York to Bermuda can result in lower costs.
| Route(s) | Dates | Flight Time Per Leg | Total Flight Time | Additional Charge for Two-Hour Minimum Per Day | Total Hours Charged |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York — Bermuda (Single round trip) | Depart – Jan 1 Return – Jan 5 |
2 | 4 | 6 | 10 |
| New York — Bermuda (Double round trip) |
Journey 1: Depart – Jan 1 Aircraft returns – Jan 1 Journey 2: |
2 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
As illustrated, it is more economical to arrange round trips rather than incurring costs to retain the aircraft. However, for extended journeys, keeping the aircraft nearby might prove to be more cost-effective.
For instance, a flight from New York to Los Angeles spans 10 hours. This allows you to retain the aircraft for up to five days without incurring extra charges, except for overnight crew expenses. Therefore, if you have a three-day trip from New York to Los Angeles, you can extend the aircraft’s stay to five days and only pay for additional crew overnight costs.