Private jet charter can often offer more economical options compared to purchasing a block of hours for a one-way flight, particularly when utilizing floating fleets or empty legs to reduce costs. With block hour purchases typically covering round trips, you end up paying for both legs even if you only fly one-way.
How does the block hour model affect aircraft choice in comparison to on-demand charter?
Booking block hours imposes more restrictions compared to on-demand charter. Switching to a different aircraft requires purchasing a new block of hours or incurring penalties, and choices are limited to a predefined set of aircraft models approved by the owner.
| Aircraft Model | Block Hour Price (Per Hour) | Charter Price (Per Hour) |
|---|---|---|
| King Air 350 GTI | $3,900 | $2,100 |
| Citation XLS | $6,900 | $2,900 |
For any other model, you would need to charter a flight. Plus, block hours often require annual membership.
What types of block hour models are there?
There are two primary block hour models. The first involves purchasing hours from a larger fleet at a fixed rate, such as a 25-hour jet card. The second allows purchasing hours from a specific aircraft or operator on a monthly or yearly basis, with minimum usage requirements and potential expiration of unused hours.
- Small Aircraft: 60 hours
- Large Aircraft: 80-100 hours
What are the advantages and disadvantages of different types of private jet block hours?
Reserving an aircraft for an entire month through block hours provides flexibility to schedule flights at your convenience. This includes knowing upfront costs for crew and landing fees, although exceeding the agreed block may result in additional charges at a fixed rate.
Mechanical issues may require a new agreement if a backup aircraft isn’t available within the same block. Operators with larger fleets offer more flexibility in such scenarios.
Negotiating a large block of hours can secure favorable hourly rates, though any potential savings from empty legs go to the operator rather than the client.
When I call, will the plane be ready immediately?
Regarding readiness, a minimum notice of 12 hours is required for block hour flights, whereas on-demand chartering typically requires only four hours. Jet card members with Insijets enjoy even shorter notice periods, needing just three hours to arrange their flights.