The Five Best Types of Private Jet Memberships

Choosing the right private jet membership depends on your travel frequency, budget, and the level of flexibility you desire. From on-demand charters to jet cards and fractional ownership, each membership offers unique benefits tailored to different needs and flying preferences. 

Understanding the benefits (and drawbacks) of these options can help you make informed choices that match your lifestyle and travel goals. Here’s a quick overview, with more details about each option in the section below:

What to Consider

Some of the key factors to consider when choosing a private jet membership include: 

• Flight frequency and travel needs. It’s important to think about how often (and how far) you need to fly. Depending on the frequency and distance of your travels, one membership may be more practical and cost-effective than another.

• Aircraft availability and access. Some memberships provide access to dozens of aircraft types, while others are limited to specific models and sizes. If you want more choices, look for a program with extensive fleet options and minimal restrictions.

• Flexibility and booking convenience. Different companies offer varying levels of flexibility for booking timelines, from a 24-hour notice requirement to a full week in advance. Some memberships — like the one we offer here at AvSky — may be able to accommodate last-minute trips with as little as a couple hours of notice. The membership you choose should complement your personal scheduling needs. 

• Service levels and amenities. Some private jet memberships include amenities like chauffeured transportation, catering, and concierge support. If you’re after a high-end experience, you can select a program with these luxury perks — although it will typically add significant cost.

• Cost structure and budget. Each membership has a unique pricing model, from upfront costs to pay-as-you-go agreements. Be sure to assess your budget and consider the long-term costs you’ll be responsible for (i.e. annual membership fees).

On-Demand Charter Memberships

On-demand private jet memberships let you fly where you want, when you want, on whatever aircraft you want. With an on-demand charter membership, you pay an upfront fee — typically on an annual basis — for the right to book private flights at a significant discount compared to market rates.

On-demand membership programs are great for frequent fliers, because the savings compound with each trip. They also give you the highest possible level of flexibility, because, in most cases, there are few or no restrictions on aircraft size. 

Benefits of on-demand charter membership:

• Can be an economical way to fly private, since you only pay for the trips you take.
• Offers access to a variety of aircraft so you can find the most suitable option for every trip.
• Can often accommodate last-minute bookings for spontaneous or urgent travel needs.

Drawbacks of on-demand charter membership:

• There may be limited availability around holidays or other high-demand periods.
• Aircraft and service quality depends on the operator you work with.
• Rates fluctuate with fuel prices, aircraft type and flight duration.

On-demand memberships come with an annual or monthly membership fee, which can range from $20,000 to six figures. You then pay a discounted rate for each trip you book.

On-demand programs might also charge a per-trip booking fee (around $200 to $500) to cover administrative costs. Other expenses you can expect from time to time include fuel surcharges, ground transportation, and repositioning fees.

AvSky’s membership program offers one of the best on-demand options in the industry. Our low annual membership fee gives you access to a fleet of more than 12,000 aircraft from over 4,000 operators, and you’ll always pay the wholesale cost of the flight with a low 10% management fee. 

Jet Cards

Jet card memberships are a way to prepay for future flights and lock in hourly rates for a specific plane or aircraft class. Members can purchase a set number of flight hours in advance to take advantage of predictable pricing and secured access to private jets. 

In general, jet cards are popular with frequent travelers who want cost stability and the convenience of private charters without the commitment of aircraft ownership.

Benefits of jet cards: 

• Transparent pricing, including fixed management fees and hourly rates.
• Guaranteed availability with a certain notice period (24 hours, for example).
• Ability to select aircraft size or category based on each trip’s needs.
• Consistent service standards to ensure well-maintained airliners.
• Practical option for those who regularly travel the same routes.

Drawbacks of jet cards: 

• Fixed costs for jet cards can be 5-10% higher than on-demand charter rates.
• Card hours sometimes expire after 12 to 24 months, leading to lost funds.
• Jet card deposits are non-refundable, even if plans or preferences change.

The initial payment for most jet card memberships start around $50,000 to $200,000, with some high-end programs costing over $500,000 to join. Members then pay a fixed hourly rate — typically from $4,000 to $12,000, depending on the aircraft type. This hourly flight rate is the same for the card’s duration, but many programs require purchases in 25-hour increments.

Almost all jet cards apply surcharges of 20-40% for flights booked during peak times, like holidays and weekends. There can also be additional charges — up to a few thousand dollars per flight — for ground transportation, overnight crew changes, etc.

Fractional Jet Ownership

Fractional jet ownership is when individuals or companies purchase a share of a private jet, meaning they each own a fractional percentage of the aircraft rather than the entire plane. 

Most operators offer 1/16, 1/8, 1/4 or 1/2 shares. These shares are expressed as flying hours, respectively: 50, 100, 200, and 400 hours per year (for example). The standard ownership term is five years, and after that, participants have the option to sell back their ownership at market value.

This style of jet membership attracts frequent flyers who want the advantages of private charters without all the costs and responsibilities of sole ownership. 

Benefits of fractional jet ownership: 

• Perks of full ownership without the burden of owning a plane outright.
• Stable pricing structure via fixed monthly fees and predictable hourly rates.
• Provider takes care of flight logistics like aircraft maintenance and staffing.
• Guaranteed access to aircraft, with the ability to choose the exact size/type. 
• High standards in crew training, customer service and aircraft quality. 

Drawbacks of fractional jet ownership: 

• Huge upfront cost to purchase a share.
• Rigid multi-year contracts with restrictions on selling or exiting early.
• Potential for scheduling conflicts with fellow co-owners.

Fractional jet owners pay a one-time acquisition fee based on their percentage share. The actual costs of fractional ownership are only known by the prospective owner and the operator — however, an upfront payment of $350,000 per person is a reliable estimate.

Operating fees are approximated at $2,000 per hour. Because the industry norm for base ownership in flight hours is 50 hours per year, annual operational costs come out to ~$100,000. Of course, these baseline totals all depend on aircraft type and hours logged.

Shared Flight Clubs

Flight clubs allow you to share the cost and seats on a private jet. These clubs usually operate on a subscription basis, where members pay an annual or monthly fee for access to scheduled flights between popular destinations. 

Flight clubs are a viable option for travelers who don’t need a fully private aircraft, but who still want a more exclusive (and efficient) flying experience than commercial airlines provide.

Benefits of shared flight clubs:

• Affordable way to fly semi-privately without needing to charter a whole jet.
• Choose from planned flights or initiate new flights with other members.
• Leave from private terminals to reduce wait times and avoid long security lines.
• Covers well-known routes to major cities and vacation destinations.
• Quieter and more comfortable cabin compared to commercial flights.

Drawbacks of shared flight clubs: 

• Fixed flight schedules and departure times offer less flexibility.
• Restricted options for travelers who want to go off the beaten path.
• Shared flights quickly fill up during busy travel days/weeks.

Most shared flight clubs have a recurring membership fee. The average cost is from $1,000 to $5,000 annually, though some clubs charge monthly from $100 to $300. Members also pay a per-seat rate for each flight, ranging from $500 to $3,000 based on the route and aircraft type. 

That said, other clubs have subscription options that provide unlimited flights (along specific routes) for a flat monthly fee of between $1,500 and $3,000.

Premium services like catering, ground transport, and baggage handling can add a few hundred dollars to the overall trip cost, depending on the service level.

Empty Leg Memberships

Empty leg flights occur when a private jet has been chartered for a one-way trip and needs to return to its base, or reposition for its next booked flight, without any passengers. 

Empty legs are already discounted, and you can use a search tool like this one to see what’s available. Some companies offer empty leg memberships, which are essentially paid discount programs that offer even better deals.

This type of program is great for travelers with flexible schedules who can take advantage of spontaneous flights on short notice, but isn’t a viable option for those who need control over their schedule.

Benefits of empty leg memberships:

• Capitalize on last-minute deals to a host of sought-after destinations.
• Available at discounts up to 75% off standard jet charter prices.
• Private (or semi-private) experience at an excellent value.
• Regular alerts and notifications for opportunities to book. 
• Filling empty flights reduces the environmental impact of private aviation. 

Drawbacks of empty leg memberships: 

• Routes, destinations, and departure times are unpredictable.
• Flights can be canceled or rescheduled if the original client’s plans change.
• Typically one-way travel, meaning return flights require separate booking.

Empty leg programs collect a yearly membership fee ranging from $2,000 to $10,000, dependent upon the service level and amenities included.

AvSky Charters Membership: The Best Deal In Private Aviation

With our membership program, you pay the wholesale price (plus a 10% management fee) for every flight you book, while still enjoying our personalized customer service. And there are no limits on flight hours, destinations or jet categories.

Click here to learn more and fill out our membership inquiry form.