When Owning a Private Jet Doesn’t Mean Flying Your Own Jet Every Time
What we’re hearing from frequent private flyers at Vegas Express Jet
There is an interesting trend developing among some of the most frequent private aviation travelers we work with at Vegas Express Jet.
They have decided to take the next step in their private aviation journey.
They’ve bought an aircraft.
For some, that aircraft is a Cirrus Vision Jet. For others, it is a HondaJet or another Very Light Jet (VLJ).
For these flyers, ownership isn’t necessarily about replacing charter.
It’s about having the right aircraft for the trips they make most often.
And that distinction is important.
The Very Light Jet has changed the ownership conversation
For a frequent flyer, a Very Light Jet can be an attractive entry point into aircraft ownership.
The investment is significant—typically in the $5–$7 million range, depending on the aircraft, age, configuration and market.
But compared with larger business jets, these aircraft can offer a relatively accessible path into ownership.
They are designed around a very specific mission:
Get a small number of people where they need to go quickly, efficiently and privately.
For many of our flyers, that’s exactly what they need for a large percentage of their travel.
Business meetings.
Regional trips.
Quick day trips.
Shorter point-to-point travel.
The ability to leave when they want rather than work around an airline schedule.
And for those missions, the VLJ can be an extremely compelling aircraft.
Why the Cirrus Vision Jet gets so much attention
One aircraft that generates particular interest among our flyers is the Cirrus Vision Jet.
Part of its appeal is obvious.
It is a remarkably compact private jet with the technology and design philosophy that have made the Cirrus brand so well known.
But one of the features that frequently comes up in conversations with prospective owners is its Cirrus Safe Return emergency autoland system.
The concept is fascinating: in an appropriate emergency situation, the system can allow the aircraft to autonomously land at a suitable airport with the push of a button.
For owners who are also pilots—or who are considering becoming pilots themselves—that additional layer of technology can be an important part of the conversation.
It is another example of how modern VLJs are changing what people expect from a personal aircraft.
The real cost isn’t just the purchase price
Of course, buying the aircraft is only the beginning.
Our flyers who have moved into ownership quickly discover that the real question is:
“What does it cost me to operate this aircraft?”
Fuel.
Maintenance.
Hangar.
Insurance.
Training.
Pilot expenses.
Scheduled inspections.
Unscheduled maintenance.
And all the other costs associated with keeping an aircraft safe, current and ready to fly.
As a general operating-cost discussion, some owners report looking at roughly $800–$1,200 per flight hour for fuel, maintenance and hangaring, although actual costs can vary substantially based on the aircraft, utilization, location and operating circumstances.
And then there is another investment that some owners choose to make.
Training.
Some owners don’t just buy the airplane—they learn to fly it
This is one of the most interesting things we’ve heard from this group of flyers.
Some owners aren’t satisfied with simply being passengers.
They want to understand their aircraft.
They want to fly it themselves.
For those who pursue the appropriate pilot certification and training, that can mean a substantial commitment of time.
We hear owners discussing training programs that can take roughly 4–8 weeks, depending on their prior aviation experience, the training schedule, aircraft type, and the certification path involved.
For someone who has spent years simply stepping onto a private jet, the experience of eventually sitting in the cockpit of their own aircraft is understandably a major milestone.
It’s not just an investment in an aircraft.
It’s an investment in aviation.
And then something interesting happens…
This is perhaps the most important observation we’ve made.
After investing millions of dollars in their own Very Light Jet, these same flyers will call us and say:
“I need something bigger.”
They may own their own jet.
They may love their own jet.
They may fly it regularly.
But then comes the trip from Las Vegas to New York.
Or California to Florida.
Or another long-distance trip with several passengers and luggage.
Suddenly, the aircraft that is perfect for their everyday flying isn’t necessarily the best aircraft for the mission.
And that’s where charter comes back into the picture.
The owner who charters
For longer Coast-to-Coast flights, we frequently see these owners choose a larger aircraft, such as a Challenger-class Super Midsize Jet.
Why?
Because the mission has changed.
A Super Midsize Jet can provide a different combination of:
- Range
- Cabin space
- Passenger capacity
- Baggage capacity
- Comfort
- Speed
- Long-distance capability
The owner isn’t abandoning his or her aircraft.
They’re simply recognizing that one aircraft doesn’t have to do every job.
That’s a sophisticated approach to private aviation.
Own the aircraft that fits your life. Charter the aircraft that fits the mission.
This may be one of the most important lessons we’re hearing from experienced private flyers.
They don’t necessarily see ownership and charter as competing products.
They see them as complementary tools.
Their Very Light Jet may be ideal for the majority of their flying.
But when the mission calls for something larger, they charter.
It’s similar to the way someone might own a sports car but rent an SUV for a family vacation.
The goal isn’t to make one vehicle do everything.
The goal is to have the right tool for the job.
The new definition of aircraft ownership
Perhaps the traditional question has been:
“Can I afford to own a private jet?”
Our flyers are encouraging us to think about the question differently.
“What aircraft makes sense for the flying I actually do?”
And then:
“What should I charter when my mission changes?”
That’s a much more sophisticated way to approach private aviation.
For some travelers, the answer may be full ownership.
For others, fractional ownership or a jet membership may make more sense.
For many, charter remains the simplest solution.
And for an increasing number of frequent flyers we’re talking with, the answer appears to be:
Own a Very Light Jet for the flying you do most often—and charter a larger aircraft when the trip demands it.
That isn’t a compromise.
It’s a strategy.
What we’re learning from our flyers
At Vegas Express Jet, we’re fortunate to work with people who have extensive experience with private aviation.
Some have chartered for years.
Some have purchased their first aircraft.
Some have gone through flight training.
Some have owned multiple aircraft.
And many have experienced several different ways of flying privately.
Their feedback reinforces something we believe strongly:
There is no single right answer in private aviation.
The best solution is the one that matches your mission, frequency, passengers, destinations and lifestyle.
“Own the aircraft that fits your flying. Charter the aircraft that fits your mission.”
That’s what we’re hearing from today’s most experienced private flyers.
Get a quote here, compare your options and aircraft.
(No risks, no obligations; save 30%. No need for Memberships or pricey jet cards.)