Fractional Private Jet Ownership vs. Whole Aircraft Ownership

If you fly frequently and you are tired of the stress and hassle of commercial airlines, private flying can be a great way forward.

Owning your own plane gives you a lot of freedom. If private jet ownership is something you are interested in, there are multiple paths you can take.

While some people choose to purchase a plane outright, many others choose fractional private jet ownership. This is where you purchase a “share” of a jet with other individual buyers.

In this blog, we will explore some of the pros and cons of each type of ownership to help you choose the best option for your lifestyle.

What Is Whole Aircraft Ownership

Whole aircraft ownership means you personally own a private jet. Owning your own jet comes with a lot of prestige, but also a lot of challenges. You have complete control over your jet including when and where you fly, any amenities you want, and your in-flight experience.

While you may have full control of your jet, you also take on the full responsibility of ownership, including all costs and risks. A single private jet can cost at least $1 million. From there, you will also be responsible for any maintenance and logistical costs.

Pros and Cons of Whole Aircraft Ownership

Imagine the freedom of being able to fly whenever you want. Whole aircraft ownership gives you versatility and distinction.

If you are considering whole aircraft ownership, here are some of the benefits you can expect:

• Complete control over your aircraft
• The costs per flight decrease the more you use your jet
• High level of customization and service

In addition to these benefits, there are some downsides to owning your own jet:

• Millions of dollars in initial costs
• Steep depreciation after initial purchase
• Increased costs with low use
• Plane is unusable during maintenance times
• Limited to the capabilities of your aircraft – no way to increase passenger limits or flight capabilities

What Is Fractional Private Jet Ownership

Fractional jet ownership can be compared to a timeshare. You buy a portion of an aircraft, and you share it with other individuals. This can make private jet ownership more affordable. However, the initial cost of fractional jet ownership will still be at least $100,000. From there, you must navigate “sharing” your aircraft with others including heavy-flying times, usage times, and dates.

To join a fractional ownership program, you must sign a contract. While the contract lengths will vary, a typical contract lasts for 3-7 years.

Pros and Cons of Private Jet Fractional Ownership

The fractional jet ownership cost can be more manageable than complete ownership for some people. However, the lower costs also come with less freedom.

Here are some of the benefits of a fractional ownership program:

• Sharing costs of ownership, maintenance, depreciation, and other responsibilities
• Low per-flight costs with low utilization

There are some significant drawbacks to fractional ownership that make it less appealing:

• Long-term contract commitments
• Higher flight costs with more frequent use
• High upfront costs for a portion of ownership
• Lack of flexibility for scheduling your flights

Enjoy the Freedom of On-Demand Flying with Jettly

If jet ownership of any kind seems like too much of a commitment, you can try on-demand private jet chartering with Jettly. We give you access to over 20,000 private aircraft around the world through easy online booking and accessible pricing.

To enjoy even more benefits of private flying, we also offer a membership program. Depending on the level you choose, it gives you access to food credits, a personal flight coordinator, and special pricing.

Ready to hit the skies? Contact us or start your first online quote request today.

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