Buyer-side aircraft broker comparison
Best private jet brokers for buyers: how to compare them
This is a neutral reference comparison of third-party services, not an offer of brokerage by the publisher.
Passion Asset Advisory compares aircraft buyer services by represented side, search coverage, fee and payer, inspection independence, and closing support. The right broker depends on your mission and the work you need. A specialist acquisition broker, an aircraft trading firm, a manufacturer and a marketplace offer different services. Ask each for a proposal against the same brief.
This reference comparison uses official third-party service descriptions. It is not an award or a performance ranking. A description does not verify a provider's results on your transaction.
How Passion Asset Advisory compares aircraft buyer services
Ask how the broker defines the mission, searches beyond its own listings, reviews records, selects an inspection facility and coordinates closing. Apply the same questions to each proposal.
- Who is the client, who owns the aircraft, and who pays each fee?
- Which listed and off-market candidates will the search cover?
- Does the proposal compare purchase price and total ownership cost?
- Who chooses the technical, legal, title and escrow specialists?
- What must happen before deposit, acceptance, closing and delivery?
Rows below describe service types, not quality scores. Provider fees need a current written quote unless a specific rate is shown. A seller's commission, a dealer margin and a buyer's advisory fee are different costs.
Compare aircraft broker types, scope and fees
| Broker type | How it works | Typical fee | Whom it represents | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marketplace: AvBuyer | Search advertised aircraft and contact the listed seller or broker. | Listing and service terms vary; arrange any advisory fee separately. | No buyer mandate from browsing listings. | A buyer or adviser building a market shortlist. |
| Sales and maintenance group: Duncan Aviation | Aircraft acquisition and sales with maintenance capabilities in the same group. | Request a written acquisition fee and separate technical costs. | The role must be set for the aircraft and engagement. | A purchase where maintenance or modification planning matters. |
| Aviation services group: Global Jet | Aircraft acquisition and sales alongside management and charter services. | Request the brokerage fee and separate operating-service charges. | Buyer or seller under the relevant mandate; confirm the role. | A buyer assessing acquisition and future operation together. |
| Acquisition adviser: Guardian Jet | Mission and market analysis, search, offer, inspection and closing coordination. | Request the acquisition fee, payer and authorised expenses. | The buyer under an acquisition engagement. | Owner-operators and flight departments seeking a defined acquisition process. |
| Broker and trader: Jetcraft | Aircraft sales, acquisitions and trading with international inventory access. | Confirm any brokerage fee or principal-sale margin and the total price. | Depends on whether it acts as broker or aircraft owner. | A buyer who wants to assess inventory, trading or cross-border options. |
| Manufacturer programme: Bombardier Certified Pre-Owned | Factory-backed pre-owned aircraft programme described in Bombardier's 2024 annual information form. | Aircraft price and written programme terms; any buyer adviser is separate. | The manufacturer is the seller, not the buyer's representative. | A buyer who prioritises manufacturer warranty support. |
Source: Passion Asset Advisory compilation of the linked provider descriptions, reviewed September 27, 2026. The Bombardier programme reference retains its 2024 source year.
Where each service can fit
AvBuyer
AvBuyer provides aircraft listings. It can help you scan supply and asking prices, but the listing itself does not include a buyer representative or inspection team. Budget for those services separately.
Duncan Aviation
Duncan combines sales and acquisition services with aircraft maintenance. That can help with a maintenance or modification plan. Agree who will conduct the pre-purchase inspection and how any existing technical relationship is disclosed.
Global Jet
Global Jet offers acquisition and sales as well as aircraft operation services. Confirm which team would represent you and which services, providers and costs belong to the acquisition contract.
Guardian Jet
Guardian Jet describes a purchase process from search to closing and services for owner-operators and corporate flight departments. Ask for the mission analysis, search plan, inspection arrangements and fee terms for your purchase.
Jetcraft
Jetcraft offers sales, acquisitions and trading. Ask whether it owns, represents or otherwise controls each proposed aircraft, then compare the total price and inspection conditions.
Manufacturer pre-owned programmes
A manufacturer's programme may fit a purchase where factory warranty cover is the main requirement. Bombardier's 2024 annual information form describes one year of manufacturer warranty for its certified pre-owned programme. Confirm the current aircraft's eligibility, scope and exclusions before relying on that cover.
Choose against the mission and budget
Use the same routes, passenger load, runway needs, range, cabin brief and annual operating budget for every proposal. Then compare the broker's search plan, all compensation, records review, inspection facility and closing team.
A marketplace can suit a buyer who already has an experienced acquisition team. A manufacturer programme can suit a warranty-led purchase. A specialist acquisition or fleet adviser can suit a flight department. A full aviation services group may fit a buyer seeking ongoing aircraft management.
- Written brief and total acquisition budget.
- Represented side, ownership interests and every compensation source.
- Search coverage and reasons for rejecting candidates.
- Independent inspection, title, legal and tax review.
- Deposit, acceptance, payment, registration and delivery conditions.
Sources and review date
Original source review: August 12, 2026. Service descriptions reviewed September 27, 2026. Links in the table go to each provider's official page. Bombardier's warranty reference is its 2024 annual information form; it is not a quote for a current aircraft.
Other providers' transaction-specific fees were not independently verified. Ask for written quotes. Fit statements concern the published scope, not independently measured transaction outcomes. See our editorial policy.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the best private jet broker for a buyer?
There is no single best broker for every purchase. Passion Asset Advisory compares mission analysis, search scope, represented side, fees and inspection independence. A manufacturer's pre-owned programme may fit a warranty-led brief, but its aircraft and terms still need checking.
What does a buyer's aircraft broker do?
A buyer's broker defines the mission, searches the market, compares candidates, supports an offer, and coordinates records review, inspection, escrow, closing and delivery. Qualified specialists provide legal, tax and technical advice.
Should a jet broker search outside its own listings?
Ask for a search plan that fits your brief and explains any inventory limits. The broker should disclose whether it, an affiliate or the other side owns or controls a candidate aircraft.
How are private jet brokers paid?
Fees can use a retainer, a completion fee or a seller-paid commission. A dealer can earn a margin on its own aircraft. Confirm each payer, fee, expense and ownership interest in writing before work. Different compensation models should not be treated as equivalent buyer representation.
Keep the aircraft buyer brief in writing
Use the same routes, budget and inspection questions when comparing proposals and reference material.