Whether you’re heading to a business summit in Switzerland, escaping to the Amalfi Coast for a long-awaited vacation, or touring multiple European cities in a single week, a charter flight from the U.S. to Europe offers a level of convenience, comfort and control that commercial airlines simply can’t match.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through what to expect when chartering a flight to Europe, including how the process works, which aircraft are best suited for the journey, typical flight durations, how customs is handled, and what kind of cost range you should anticipate.
How Chartering a Flight to Europe Works
Booking a private flight to Europe begins with your travel dates, number of passengers, and desired destination. Once these are set, we match you with the best aircraft for your route, balancing comfort, range and efficiency. Our charter advisors manage everything: filing flight plans, securing overflight and landing permits, organizing customs and immigration, and confirming all operational logistics on both sides of the Atlantic.
What sets private travel apart is the ability to depart from and arrive at less congested airports. For example, we can often recommend a smaller U.S. airport closer to your home and land at a European airport closer to your final destination. This not only minimizes travel time but also helps you avoid the headaches of crowded terminals.
Arrival and Customs In Europe
Upon arrival in Europe, your experience will be completely different from what you might expect with commercial travel. Private jet passengers typically land at a designated Airport of Entry, where customs and immigration officers are prepared to meet the aircraft directly or greet passengers in a private terminal. The process is swift, discreet, and usually complete within minutes.
Once cleared, you can continue your journey to your final destination, whether that’s a remote village in Provence or a private estate on Lake Como. For multi-leg trips within Europe, we’ll coordinate regional charter segments or ground transport to keep your schedule seamless.
Suitable Aircraft for Transatlantic Charter
Crossing the Atlantic requires aircraft with sufficient range and performance. While light and midsize jets are ideal for domestic and shorter-range trips, transatlantic flights require super-midsize, heavy or ultra-long-range jets.
Super-midsize jets include aircraft like the Praetor 600, Challenger 350 and Gulfstream G280. They typically have a range of 3,000 to 4,000 nautical miles, require one fuel stop on east-west crossings, and are suitable for up to 9 passengers. They’re a strong choice for cost-conscious travelers who don’t mind a brief stop en route.
Heavy jets are the most popular aircraft type for nonstop U.S.–Europe travel. They include planes like the Falcon 900LX, Bombardier Global 5000 and Gulfstream G450, which typically have a range of 4,000 to 5,500 nautical miles. Featuring spacious cabins, full galleys, lie-flat seating and enclosed lavatories, they comfortably carry up to 14 passengers.
Ultra-long-range jets include aircraft like the Gulfstream G650/650ER, Bombardier Global 7500 and Dassault Falcon 8X. With a typical range of 6,000 to 7,500+ nautical miles, these aircraft are capable of direct flights from almost anywhere in the U.S. to nearly all of Europe. That makes them ideal for long-haul travelers who require the fastest, most luxurious option. They often include distinct cabin zones, full beds, showers, and advanced cabin pressurization for reduced fatigue.
Our team helps you choose based on your route, group size, preferred amenities, and whether you want to avoid fuel stops. We also consider factors like runway length, airport access, and arrival slot availability.
Typical Flight Durations
Flight time depends on your departure and arrival points, aircraft type, and winds. Here are common flight durations for direct U.S.–Europe charter flights:
- East coast to Western Europe: 6–7 hours.
- Central U.S. to Central Europe: 8–9 hours.
- West coast to Western Europe: 10–11 hours.
Eastbound flights typically enjoy tailwinds, making them quicker. Westbound flights are often slower due to headwinds. Our operators constantly monitor weather and wind forecasts to select the smoothest and most efficient routes.
What to Expect Onboard
Transatlantic private jet cabins are designed for comfort and productivity. Depending on the aircraft, you can expect:
- Fully reclining lie-flat seating or beds.
- Premium catering and custom menus.
- Cabin attendants on heavy and ultra-long-range jets.
- Onboard Wi-Fi and entertainment systems.
- Fresh-air circulation and lower cabin altitude to reduce jet lag.
For overnight flights, we can configure sleep arrangements and plan catering to match your preferred travel rhythm. Many of our clients use transatlantic flights as mobile boardrooms, private lounges, or personal retreats.
Customs and Immigration Procedures
Traveling internationally by private jet involves additional paperwork, but we handle all of it. Key requirements include:
- Valid passport for each traveler.
- Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) submissions.
- Overflight and landing permits.
- Compliance with EASA Third-Country Operator (TCO) standards.
We coordinate with customs and immigration officers at your destination to ensure fast, discreet processing. In most cases, the customs process is completed within minutes of landing.
Some countries require that international arrivals land first at an approved Airport of Entry. If your final destination is a smaller regional airport, we’ll schedule a brief customs stop before continuing. This process is smooth and typically adds minimal time.
Transatlantic Charter Flight Cost Estimates
Charter pricing varies based on aircraft type, routing, flight time, and whether the aircraft returns empty (a one-way flight). While we quote each itinerary individually, here are typical one-way ranges:
- Super-midsize jet (with stop): $40,000 to $60,000.
- Heavy jet (nonstop): $60,000 to $90,000.
- Ultra-long-range jet: $100,000 to $150,000+.
These figures include fuel, flight crew, landing fees, and basic ground handling. Additional costs may include:
- Catering (custom menus).
- De-icing (for winter departures).
- Overnight crew expenses (for round trips).
- Ground transportation.
We also monitor availability of empty-leg flights, which can offer up to 75% savings if your plans align with a jet repositioning schedule.
One-Way vs. Round-Trip
If your return flight is within 3 to 7 days, a round-trip booking can be more cost-effective. We’ll keep the aircraft and crew on standby in Europe, charging a nominal daily rate rather than repositioning the jet.
For longer stays, we may recommend separate one-way charters to avoid holding the aircraft abroad. This gives you flexibility without unnecessary standby costs.
We also coordinate with our network to find other travelers needing the return leg of your flight, offsetting costs where possible.
Seasonal Demand and Booking Windows
Peak transatlantic charter season runs from late spring through early fall, with additional spikes around the winter holidays. Availability is most constrained in June, July, August and December. Booking at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance is recommended during high-demand periods.
Last-minute requests are possible, and we specialize in same-day and next-day transatlantic bookings. However, short-notice travel may come at a premium, especially if repositioning is required or permits must be expedited.
Why Fly Charter to Europe?
Private flights to Europe offer more than just luxury — they offer control, comfort and time savings. With no layovers, no long security lines and no rigid airline schedules, you travel on your terms.
You can:
- Choose your own departure time and airport.
- Land closer to your final destination.
- Enjoy privacy and productivity during the flight.
- Clear customs in minutes instead of hours.
For high-stakes business, luxury travel or once-in-a-lifetime experiences, private jet charter removes the friction from international travel. And with AvSky Charters, the entire process is handled by a team that specializes in seamless transatlantic operations.
Ready to Plan Your Trip?
We’re here to help. Whether you’re planning a direct flight from New York to London, or a multi-leg trip ending in a remote destination, AvSky Charters will find the right aircraft, build your itinerary and handle every detail of your journey.
Request a quote or contact us any time to discuss your options. We’ll provide transparent pricing, real-time availability, and expert guidance to ensure your flight to Europe is nothing less than extraordinary.
