People searching for the private jet cost often mix up three different things: the list price, the price as typically equipped, and the cost of keeping the aircraft flying every year. The first is the figure quoted most often; the third is the one that weighs most over time.
This guide sorts the three out, with indicative figures from cited sources and no promise of quotes: Elite Luxury Real Estate does not sell aircraft and is not a broker. To see how chartering works instead, read our private jet charter guide.
Private jet cost when buying new
The cost of a new private jet rises with the category, and manufacturers do not publish a price list: each aircraft is priced by quote. What you find are figures reported by trade media and portals, best read as orders of magnitude.
For a light jet such as the Embraer Phenom 300E, the sources we checked report about $11 million at list price (Safe Fly Aviation, The Jet Collection) and about $13.4 million as typically equipped, according to FlyCraft’s price guide, checked on 5 October 2026.
For a long-range jet such as the Gulfstream G700, Aviation Week reported a list price of $78 million with a completed cabin, while GlobalAir shows $79 million in the second quarter of 2025. As typically equipped, FlyCraft puts it at about $84.9 million. New midsize jets sit, again per FlyCraft, between roughly $18 million and $22 million.
Two cautions. The same aircraft changes price depending on whether you read list or equipped, and near-term deliveries can be offered by brokers above list. FlyCraft is also a commercial operator: use these figures to orient yourself, not to sign.
Used private jet cost
A used jet costs less, but the market does not move in one direction: the sources we read describe rising prices in some surveys and growing inventory with falling prices in others, so there is no single number that fits everyone. Before buying, commission an independent inspection of the aircraft and check the maintenance records.
Private jet running costs after you buy
This is where the cost of a private jet stops being only the price of the aircraft. Flight crew is usually the largest fixed line. According to FlyCraft, a midsize jet averages about $1.5 million a year at 200 flight hours, with fixed costs (crew, hangar, insurance, management) making up 40 to 50% of the total.
Ask in writing for four items: crew and training, hangar, insurance, aircraft management. On top come fuel, scheduled maintenance and airport fees, which grow with flight hours.
When chartering costs less than owning
Chartering moves the cost from ownership to the single flight: you pay for what you use, with no permanent crew or hangar. As a general rule, the fewer the flight hours, the more the fixed cost of an owned jet weighs on each hour. There is no single threshold for everyone: it depends on the aircraft, the routes and the market.
For a first comparison you need three numbers: expected flight hours per year, the aircraft category needed for your usual routes, and a written quote from a certified operator. Jet cards and fractional shares sit in between and are explained in our private jet charter guide.
What to ask before deciding
- Is the price list or equipped, and what does it include?
- What yearly fixed costs does the operator or manager estimate?
- Who is the certified operator and which air operator certificate (AOC) do they hold?
- For charter: what is excluded from the price (Wi-Fi, catering, VIP terminal)?
Private jet cost: frequently asked questions
How much does the cheapest private jet cost?
It depends on category and equipment: the sources we checked point to very light and light jets as the entry level, with figures to confirm on a quote from the manufacturer or an intermediary.
How much does it cost to keep a private jet for a year?
For a midsize jet, FlyCraft indicates a median of about $1.5 million at 200 flight hours. It is an estimate from a commercial operator: ask for a written quote.
Is it better to buy or charter a private jet?
It depends on flight hours and routes. With few hours a year, the fixed costs of an owned jet weigh more; with many hours the comparison changes. The calculation has to be done on your own case.
If you are considering a high-end residence as a base between cities, airports and destinations, you can contact us for a private consultation.
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