For many people, flying on a private jet is the epitome of luxury travel. Instead of dealing with long lines, security checks, and cramped seats, private jet passengers enjoy personalized service, spacious cabins, and the ability to fly on their own schedule.
While owning a private jet can be prohibitively expensive, joining a private jet club is a more affordable way to experience the luxury of private air travel. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at private jet club membership costs and what you can expect for your investment.
What is a Private Jet Club?
A private jet club is a membership-based organization that offers its members access to a fleet of private jets. Members pay an annual fee and then book flights as needed, often at discounted rates compared to chartering a private jet on the open market.
Private jet clubs are popular with business travelers, celebrities, and high-net-worth individuals who value the convenience and luxury of private air travel but don’t want to deal with the expense and hassle of owning their own aircraft.
Types of Private Jet Club Memberships
Private jet clubs offer a variety of membership options to suit different needs and budgets. Here are some of the most common types of private jet club memberships:
Pay-As-You-Go
A pay-as-you-go membership allows members to book flights on a per-hour basis. Members pay an hourly rate for flight time and are typically responsible for additional fees, such as landing and handling fees, as well as any catering or ground transportation costs.
This type of membership is ideal for individuals who don’t fly frequently enough to justify a monthly or annual fee but want the flexibility to book private flights as needed.
Monthly Memberships
Monthly memberships offer members a set number of flight hours per month for a monthly fee. Members can use their allotted hours for any flights they choose and typically receive discounted rates compared to pay-as-you-go members.
This type of membership is ideal for individuals who fly frequently but don’t want to commit to an annual membership.
Annual Memberships
An annual membership offers members a set number of flight hours per year for an annual fee. Members can use their hours for any flights they choose and typically receive the lowest rates compared to other membership types.
This type of membership is ideal for individuals or companies that fly frequently and want to save money on private air travel.
Private Jet Club Membership Costs
The cost of a private jet club membership varies depending on the type of membership and the level of service offered. Pay-as-you-go memberships typically have the lowest upfront costs, while annual memberships require a significant investment upfront but offer the lowest hourly rates.
Here are some examples of private jet club membership costs:
Wheels Up
Wheels Up is one of the most popular private jet clubs, offering a variety of membership options. Here are the current costs for Wheels Up memberships:
- Pay-As-You-Go: $5,950 per hour
- Connect Membership (monthly): $2,995 per month, plus $3,495 per hour
- Core Membership (annual): $17,500 per year, plus $3,295 per hour
- Business Membership (annual): $29,500 per year, plus $3,295 per hour
NetJets
NetJets is another popular private jet club, offering fractional ownership and lease options in addition to membership options. Here are the current costs for NetJets memberships:
- Marquis Card (pay-as-you-go): $250,000 deposit, then $7,900 per hour
- Elite Card (annual): $200,000 per year, plus $6,500 per hour
VistaJet
VistaJet is a global private aviation company that offers membership options as well as charter and ownership options. Here are the current costs for VistaJet memberships:
- Program Membership (annual): $160,000 per year, plus hourly rates starting at $12,000
- Direct Membership (annual): $250,000 per year, plus hourly rates starting at $10,000
Conclusion
Joining a private jet club can be a more affordable way to experience the luxury of private air travel. With a variety of membership options available, there’s a private jet club to suit every budget and travel need.
When considering private jet club membership costs, be sure to factor in additional fees such as landing and handling fees, catering costs, and ground transportation costs. And don’t forget to read the fine print to understand the terms and conditions of your membership.