Free Tool · Private Jets
Private jet cost calculator: own or charter?
Own or charter: enter your assumptions
All amounts are US dollars. Presets are illustrative scenarios, not current aircraft quotes or verified class averages. Replace them with a management budget and comparable charter quotes. Results are rounded to the nearest $1,000.
Modelled annual ownership operating cost$3,500,000 / year
At the default 300 hours, ownership operating cost is $100,000 lower than charter. Capital costs and other exclusions can change the decision.
How the formula works
Annual ownership operating cost = fixed cost + variable hourly cost × flight hours.
Annual comparable charter cost = charter hourly cost × the same flight hours.
Break-even hours = fixed cost ÷ (charter hourly cost − variable hourly cost). A positive denominator is required for a normal positive-hours crossover. If charter costs no more per hour than ownership's variable cost, ownership cannot become cheaper through flying more with a positive fixed cost. With zero fixed cost, compare hourly rates directly.
The default example gives $2,000,000 ÷ ($12,000 − $5,000) = 285.714 hours, displayed as about 286 hours. The tool compares unrounded totals, so rounding does not decide which option costs less. A crossover above 1,200 hours is shown as outside the tool's flight-hours range.
Preset assumptions, not market data
| Scenario | Fixed / year | Variable / flight hour | Charter / hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom default | $2,000,000 | $5,000 | $12,000 |
| Turboprop illustration | $300,000 | $1,500 | $1,900 |
| Light illustration | $500,000 | $2,500 | $3,200 |
| Midsize illustration | $800,000 | $3,500 | $4,800 |
| Super-midsize illustration | $900,000 | $4,500 | $6,500 |
| Heavy illustration | $1,400,000 | $6,000 | $9,500 |
| Ultra-long-range illustration | $2,000,000 | $5,000 | $12,000 |
Source: Passion Asset Advisory worked assumptions, reviewed 27 September 2026. These inputs demonstrate the model. They do not assert that aircraft in a class have those costs. Editing a cost switches the selector to custom; changing annual hours keeps your costs. The purchase and ownership cost guide separately identifies dated published references.
What to include, and what is excluded
Build fixed cost from crew, training, hangar, insurance and management. Include fuel, maintenance reserves and flight-related charges in variable cost without double counting. For charter, use a comparable all-in rate that allocates positioning, minimums and trip fees over the same travel hours.
This simplified tool does not automatically add the aircraft purchase, finance charges, depreciation, opportunity cost of capital, taxes, exceptional maintenance, resale costs or substitute transport during downtime. Add relevant annualised amounts to the fixed-cost input for a broader scenario, avoiding double counting. Crew limits, aircraft availability and mission suitability still need separate review.
How Passion Asset Advisory models the comparison
The assumptions were reviewed on 27 September 2026. This is an arithmetic model with visible assumptions, not a market-price feed or a quote. The worked example uses a $12,000 assumed charter rate. For sourced price context, see the jet ownership guide and charter cost guide. See our editorial policy.
FAQ
Private jet calculator questions
What does the calculator include?
The Passion Asset Advisory calculator adds your annual fixed ownership cost to your variable cost per flight hour multiplied by annual hours. It compares that result with your charter hourly cost multiplied by the same hours. Other costs are included only if you add them to the inputs.
Are the preset figures current market averages?
No. The presets are labelled illustrative scenarios. Replace them with a budget for the specific aircraft and comparable written charter quotes. They do not include the purchase price or automatically account for financing, depreciation or taxes.
Why can there be no break-even point?
If charter's hourly cost is equal to or below ownership's variable hourly cost, flying more cannot recover a positive fixed ownership cost. With zero fixed cost, the hourly rates decide; equal rates mean the modelled costs are equal at every hour level.
Is 286 hours a recommendation to buy?
No. It is the rounded result of the default assumptions: $2 million fixed cost divided by $12,000 charter minus $5,000 variable cost. Different inputs, capital costs and operational constraints change the comparison.
Read how much a private jet costs to buy and own, compare charter costs, or review the aircraft purchase checklist.
Reference reading
Check the assumptions before choosing an aircraft.
An aircraft-specific budget, mission review and independent technical checks come before a purchase decision. These reference calculations do not establish a brokerage engagement.