Finding the Right Jet Share Program for You

Jet share programs allow travelers to access private aviation through various means. There are multiple types of jet share programs that offer different benefits that customers can choose from, depending on the level of autonomy, ownership, exclusivity, flexibility, or capital investment that they want. Aircraft model and fleet size also affect the decision. If you plan to travel privately, whether it’s one-time-only, on an ongoing high-volume basis, or around the world, it is helpful to understand the different types of sharing programs that are available. 

It’s also instructive to understand the programs that are out there if you plan on a career as a professional pilot, as many of these operations offer opportunities for professional pilots as they grow.

VistaJet is a global business aviation company that offers flights between any two points, under a "pay for hours flown" fare structure. It operates a fleet of more than 80 privately-owned, mid-to-large-cabin, ultra-long-range Bombardier Global and Challenger business jets. Its jet share program/jet card option allows people who want to travel privately a relatively affordable option. 

With VistaJet’s card program, buyers can pre-purchase a set number of bulk flights instead of individual legs. This option includes guaranteed availability at a fixed hourly rate. While VistaJet’s jet card might be more expensive than a fractional ownership structure, they don’t require an upfront jet share program expense like a fractional provider does. This jet share program will serve anyone who wants to travel privately on a regular basis without the capital expenses of fractional ownership, which typically requires an upfront acquisition cost.

Best for: Minimum upfront investment with access to the entire fleet

Fleet size: VistaJet offers its jet share program members access to a branded fleet of more than 80 super-midsize, long-range, and super-long-range turbine aircraft.

Operates globally? Yes, in 187 countries

Guaranteed availability? Yes

One-way rates? Yes, from $12,000 to 20,000

Reservation lead time: The lead times required by different private jet share membership program providers can vary from six to 12 hours for those offering guaranteed availability within a 24-hour time frame. During peak periods, reservation lead times can stretch from 24 hours to seven days before traveling.

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NetJets sells fractional ownership shares in private business jets and is the largest fractional aircraft provider. The NetJets fractional jet ownership model (or jet share program) provides the immediacy and luxury of whole aircraft ownership without operational complexities and hidden overhead costs. Owners purchase a portion, or share, of a specific aircraft. That share equates to a specific number of hours that they have to fly on that aircraft type—with the ability to upgrade or downgrade to any other aircraft in the fleet. Designed for travelers who fly 50 or more hours per year, this jet share program provides access to multiple cabin sizes equipped for a variety of needs and mission types. Owners typically purchase shares in 25-hour increments, with a minimum of 50 hours. 

Best for: Travelers who fly 50 or more hours per year.

Fleet Size: More than 760 aircraft, worldwide, of all classes and sizes

Operates globally? Yes, to 170 countries and 2,200 airports

Guaranteed availability?  Yes

One-way rates?  Yes

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Minimum two-year term

Minimum three-year term

Wheels Up provide a jet share program that features on-demand private aircraft travel and allows users of its platform to book private aircraft from the company fleet and third-party operators using a mobile application. Members can choose from three options that are designed to meet their needs, according to the frequency of travel, aircraft size, and access to remote locations. The Wheels Up Group is the second-largest private aircraft operator in the U.S. behind NetJets.

Best for: Low entry cost membership.

Fleet size: More than 1,500 private airplanes, owned, leased, managed, and partner aircraft, including light, midsize, super-midsize, and large-cabin jets

Operates globally? Yes. They offer point-to-point trips within North America and Europe, as well as all trips that start or end in the United States.

Guaranteed availability? Yes

One-way rates? Yes, with Connect membership ($2,995)

Reservation lead time: From 24 to 72 hours based on the type of aircraft, deposit amount, and departure location.

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The Jet Linx jet share program provides private air travel, leveraging a local market approach. To achieve this, it has bases around the United States that allow members to charter aircraft at a more affordable cost than many other traditional charter companies. Jet Linx’s charter flights support private travelers with irregular needs, and who need flexible options in pricing and location with little to no upfront commitment or fees aside from the trip expenses.

Best for: Flexibility with no long-term commitment.

Fleet size: Jet Linx operates a fleet of more than 100 managed light, midsize, super-midsize, and large-cabin jets.

Operates globally?  Yes, but with 21 private U.S. locations.

Guaranteed availability? Yes

One-way Rates? Yes

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The XO, formerly XOJET, jet share program provides on-demand private charters and the ability to purchase individual seats on shared flights. With access to over 3,000 aircraft, XO offers flight solutions —from fixed-price charter to customized private jet membership programs.

Best for: Fixed-price charter with a customized jet membership program.

Fleet size: A total of 200 group-owned, light to ultra-long-range aircraft, and access to more than 31,000 aircraft globally

Operates globally?  Yes

Guaranteed availability? Yes, on off-peak days (as little as 24 hours' notice)  

One-way rates? Yes

Reservation lead time: 72 hours

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Membership options: XO has five membership options:

Private jet share programs offer travelers looking to leverage the benefits of private aircraft various options to do so according to their needs. Whether through fractional shares or jet cards and membership programs, jet share programs aim to maximize convenience, pricing, availability, and/or other benefits.

Jet share programs have different models that users can choose from. Some include outright ownership, in which the user owns the aircraft but places it under management by a management company. There are also options for fractional ownership where a traveler can purchase a share of a specific aircraft for a certain amount of hours/usage while having access to the wider fleet. There are also jet card programs that allow users to purchase an allotment of hours without the upfront cost of purchasing a fractional share. There are membership programs that have a sign-off fee, and other benefits. Finally, there are charter operators that offer on-demand travel.

Choosing the right program depends on a series of factors: the amount of travel expected, budget, travel partners, location, flexibility, and other amenities you might need. Before you choose a program, it is important to outline your needs so that you neither under nor overextend yourself.

Pricing models will vary. Whole ownership that leverages a management company will benefit from owner fees when that jet gets chartered by another user and discounted fees when the owner uses it.

Fractional ownership typically requires buying a portion of a plane, starting at a one-sixteenth share (roughly 50 flying hours a year), and then paying appropriate trip fees.

Chartering is like renting a car; it might be more costly upfront but has no ongoing expenses. Users pay only for what they need and use, but availability isn’t guaranteed, and experience might differ. There are other fees that get added on to compensate for the company’s adjusting its operation to meet travelers’ needs. 

Jet cards work like prepaid debit cards that offer you a block of hours, but unlike a fractional, don’t require a sign-on fee. Prices are predictable. Although hourly costs might be high and there are possible surcharges, airplane availability is more dependable than a charter.

Shared flights offer a pay-as-you-go model that only requires a yearly membership fee, after which members can look for open seats on private jets on the company’s platform. These trips are cheaper than most options, but based on availability, and offer limited privacy and flexibility.

Fleet size is the number of aircraft a company has under ownership or management.  Companies with larger fleets are able to offer users more departure and destination options, lower costs, and greater seating capacity. They can also tap into their partnership programs to offer an even wider selection than their owned fleet, which ensures that travelers get the support they need based on the membership program they select.   

Fractional Ownership: Fractional ownership typically requires buying a portion of an airplane, starting at a one-sixteenth share (roughly 50 flying hours a year), and then paying appropriate trip fees.

Blocks of Time in Predetermined Increments: Jet cards allow travelers to purchase a block of time in predetermined increments. They work like prepaid debit cards that offer you a block of hours, but unlike a fractional, they don’t require a sign-up fee. Prices are predictable, though hourly costs might be high and there are possible surcharges. However, airplane availability is more dependable than charter.

Pay as You Fly:  With the pay as you fly model, members travel on shared flights. It usually requires an initiation fee and a yearly membership fee, after which members can look for open seats on private jets on the company’s platform. These trips are cheaper than most options but based on availability, and limited privacy and flexibility. 

Flat Rate: Very few companies offer a flat rate, unlimited flying model, which is no different from a subscription business, but these are few and far between. The variable costs of operating and maintaining aircraft make this option untenable in the long run for businesses. Users who are savvy can maximize the benefits, provided that the company has a reliable fleet. However, they should also expect the flat rate fee to be costly.

Guaranteed availability is a premium benefit that private jet providers offer to members regardless of other demand. Frequent travelers who want to minimize their wait or trip time will want to ensure that the program they enroll in offers guaranteed availability.

Private jet companies use a primary service area to delineate where they are able to provide the guaranteed availability benefit or other membership programs without disruption or extra cost. They exist so that companies can have predictable costs. While companies are able to operate beyond their primary service areas, those trips will cost extra as they include non-standard fees.

One-way rates are a premium benefit that some companies offer where they will discount a trip that flies the user to a destination only but might operate empty on the return flight unless another user books that flight at the destination end. It could also work in the reverse, that is, in order to pick up the traveler. Sometimes there are ferry or repositioning fees to cover that empty leg.

Reservations and Lead Time

The lead time is simply how much advance notice a jet company needs to fulfill your trip. It is dependent on a series of things such as demand, aircraft availability, scheduled maintenance, location, and others. For some companies, lead time can vary from a couple of hours to 72 hours, or weeks during peak periods. Premium members of some programs will have priorities that may shorten their lead times.

Cancellation fees are used to protect the jet share program service provider from last-minute cancellations that may tie up inventory without proper compensation. For some companies, a 100 percent fee will be charged if a flight is canceled between 24 to 48 hours before the trip. Others may be more flexible, requiring cancellation notices to be given less than 10 hours in advance of a scheduled flight. This is because their service model limits the disruption if a member cancels.

In some instances, there may be extra fees outside direct trip costs that will add to the final bill. These include surcharges due to higher fuel prices, taxi fees, annual fees, and even taxes that get added on. While many companies now offer Wi-Fi, there are some that still charge customers for that onboard service. Other onboard services can cost too, such as catering. Finally, there may be operational fees for landing at certain airports.

Private flying obviously has its benefits. With the proliferation of options, travelers have the flexibility to choose a jet share program based on what suits their needs. There are pros and cons to each model that offer both convenience, flexibility, and a range of services. Travelers who understand each model will be able to maximize their experience. Learn more about aviation business, flying techniques, and fly-in destinations with a subscription to FLYING.