PRIVATE AVIATION
How to charter a private jet in Europe: a client’s guide
Charter, jet cards or ownership; what drives the price; and the questions to ask before you fly.
Published October 2026 · Reviewed October 2026 · ATLAS MAISON
Private aviation offers something no airline can: flying on your schedule, from the airport closest to where you are going, with the people you choose. For most travellers, the first decision is not which aircraft, but which way of flying suits how often you travel.
Three ways to fly privately
On-demand charter means hiring a whole aircraft for a specific journey. It suits occasional flights and gives the widest choice of aircraft. Jet cards and memberships offer pre-agreed hourly rates and guaranteed availability in return for a deposit or annual commitment, and suit those who fly regularly. Ownership or fractional ownership makes sense for very frequent flyers who want a specific aircraft and are prepared for the costs of crew, maintenance, hangarage and management.
Choosing the right aircraft
Aircraft are broadly grouped by size: light jets for short European hops with a few passengers, midsize and super-midsize for longer routes and more cabin space, and large-cabin or ultra-long-range jets for intercontinental journeys. The right choice depends on distance, number of passengers, luggage (skis and golf bags take space), and the runway length at the destination: some popular airports, such as those serving mountain resorts, accept only certain aircraft types.
What affects the price
Charter prices reflect the aircraft, the flight time, repositioning (bringing the aircraft to your departure airport), overnight crew costs, airport and handling fees, and demand. Peak weeks, such as Monaco Grand Prix weekend or the Christmas ski season, are the most expensive and should be booked early. One-way “empty leg” flights, when an aircraft repositions without passengers, can be considerably cheaper, but their timing is set by the operator and can change.
Safety and regulation
Commercial charter flights must be operated by an airline holding an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from its national aviation authority. Before you fly, it is reasonable to ask who the operating carrier is, whether the flight is operated under its AOC, and what insurance it carries. Many experienced clients also look for operators that have passed independent safety audits.
Arriving well
Most business aviation airports have private terminals (FBOs) where formalities are handled quickly and your car can often meet the aircraft. Paris Le Bourget, Farnborough, Geneva, Nice and Dubai World Central are among Europe’s and the Gulf’s busiest business aviation hubs.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to charter or buy a jet card?
For a few flights a year, on-demand charter usually offers the most flexibility. Jet cards suit people who fly regularly and value fixed rates and guaranteed availability.
What is an empty leg?
A flight on which an aircraft repositions without passengers. It can be booked at a lower price, but the timing is set by the operator and may change.
How do I know a charter flight is legitimate?
Ask who the operating carrier is and confirm that the flight is operated under its Air Operator Certificate (AOC), with appropriate insurance.