Explainer · Private Aviation
What does a private jet broker do?
Buying, selling, chartering and dealing: different roles
Ask what role the firm is taking on this transaction. A business may offer more than one service, and its name alone does not tell you whom it represents or how it is paid.
| Role | What it handles | Payment and conflict questions |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer-side transaction broker | Aircraft search, comparison, checks and purchase negotiation | Who pays the fee? Does the broker receive any other compensation? |
| Seller-side transaction broker | Sale preparation, buyer qualification, offers and closing coordination | What fee, expenses, exclusivity and termination terms apply? |
| Charter broker | Arranging flights with an aircraft operator | Who operates the flight and what does the quoted fare include? |
| Aircraft dealer | Buying and selling aircraft as principal | Is the firm the owner/counterparty rather than your representative? |
Source: Passion Asset Advisory editorial comparison of roles. It is not a register of licensed firms or a legal classification. A dealer can have a suitable aircraft, but a seller is not automatically your adviser. For flights rather than ownership, see the separate private jet charter cost guide.
What a buyer's broker does
- Defines routes, passenger load, luggage, airport needs, annual use and budget.
- Finds candidates and distinguishes asking prices from evidenced completed transactions.
- Reviews maintenance records, programme enrolment, ownership documents and proposed delivery conditions with the relevant specialists.
- Coordinates an independent pre-purchase inspection and obtains written findings and cost estimates.
- Negotiates price, inspection remedies, deposits and delivery terms with the client's approval.
- Coordinates the agreed contract, escrow, registration and delivery work; lawyers, inspectors and other specialists remain responsible for their own advice.
A broker does not replace an aviation lawyer, licensed maintenance professional, tax adviser or flight operator. A confidential process still requires identity and counterparty checks. Read how to buy a private jet and the aircraft purchase checklist.
What a seller's broker does
- Organises logbooks, maintenance status, equipment lists, programme records and title documents.
- Sets a supported asking strategy and explains the difference between a sale estimate and a firm offer.
- Agrees whether marketing will be private, listed or a combination; confidentiality is not a promise of an invisible transaction.
- Qualifies enquiries, coordinates viewings and manages offers and inspection requests.
- Coordinates agreed closing conditions, payment and delivery with the appointed specialists.
The private jet sale guide outlines what to settle before appointing a broker. Price, buyer availability and completion date are not guaranteed.
How private jet brokers are paid
Fees vary by firm and engagement. The published office reference terms are 1.5% of the purchase price on the buyer side or 2% of the sale price on the seller side, payable at completion. They apply only if an enquiry and scope are accepted in writing. These figures are neither a universal industry rate nor confirmation of current service availability.
On a $20 million completed transaction, the example buyer fee is $300,000, or the example seller fee is $400,000, depending on the represented side. They are not two fees charged together. Inspection, legal, escrow, tax, registration and other third-party costs are separate and must be agreed in writing.
Questions to ask before hiring a broker
- Which party will you represent, and do you own or control any candidate aircraft?
- Who pays you, including referral or counterparty compensation?
- What is included, what costs extra, and when does the fee become due?
- Who performs the inspection, records, title, legal and tax work?
- What decisions require my approval, and how can the mandate end?
Check claims of memberships, experience and completed transactions directly. A published ranking or a low fee is not evidence of a suitable engagement. Compare scope using the buyer-broker selection guide or the seller-broker selection guide.
How Passion Asset Advisory explains broker roles
Reviewed September 28, 2026. Fee examples use published reference terms, subject to confirmed acceptance and scope. No engagement, inventory or completed transaction is established by this explainer. For a US transaction, the FAA's aircraft-record guidance is a starting point for registration checks, not a substitute for transaction-specific legal or technical advice. Jurisdiction and aircraft history affect the required work.
FAQ
Private jet broker questions
Does a charter broker buy or sell the aircraft for me?
Passion Asset Advisory distinguishes flight arrangements from ownership transfers: charter brokerage arranges flights, while acquisition and sales brokerage concern aircraft transactions. A firm may offer both, so confirm the exact engagement, operator or counterparty, represented side and fee.
Do I need help if I already chose the model?
The model is only the starting point. The actual aircraft's records, condition, equipment, title and inspection findings still require review. Agree any limited advisory scope in writing; a broker does not replace the specialist doing the inspection or legal work.
How should I read the published fee examples?
The reference examples use a 1.5% buyer fee or a 2% seller fee, payable at completion. They are conditional on acceptance and written scope, not an active service offer or mandatory industry rate. Confirm the represented side and separate third-party costs before any work.
Does a broker certify an aircraft as airworthy?
No. A broker coordinates the transaction and the agreed checks. Qualified maintenance professionals, regulators and other appointed specialists have their own responsibilities. The contract should identify the inspection scope and acceptance conditions.
Can a private sale stay entirely anonymous?
No complete anonymity is promised. A private marketing plan can limit public exposure, but the transaction still needs appropriate identity, counterparty, ownership and compliance checks.
Reference reading
Appoint a role, not just a company name.
Agree who represents you, who performs each check and what requires your approval. Read related research in the Journal before comparing written proposals.