Private Jets - Block Hours Jet Card Programs
| Single business jet charter is the best option for those who need less than 10 hours annually in a private jet. A "Block Hours" program can be cost effective if you need to fly 10 to 35 hours - and you won't have any responsibilities of ownership. This "jet card" type membership is available from a number of aircraft operators in the US and Europe. |
Block hours means literally that - you purchase a block (normally 25 hours but can be from 20 up to 35 hours) of flying time on a specific aircraft for a fixed amount. On top of that you will also have to pay airport taxes depending on where you travel and there may be additional fuel surcharges and insurance fees. One of the plus points of block hours programs is that you can often upgrade (at additional charge) onto different aircraft types if your needs change.
Netjets has a well known block hours program known as the Marquis Card in the US. This costs from $132,900 (prepaid) for their smallest jet aircraft, the 7 passenger Cessna Citation V Ultra. Aircraft are available world-wide from a minimum of 10 hours notice and you don't pay any empty leg fees. This is effectively a base rate of $5,316 per hour with additional fees and surcharges around $1,300/hr, so total rate will be around $6,600 per hour.
If you needed a larger aircraft such as the Citation X, the total hourly rate including fees would be around $12,200 per hour. Note actual costs may vary as oil price / fuel surcharges can be volatile.
Other jet card programs available in the US: Bombardier's SkyJet Card; Jet Solutions' FlexJet 25; CitationShares Vector Jet Card; Flight Options' Jet Pass Membership; Sentient's Silver / Gold Jet membership.
In Europe, Air Partner's Jet Card offers 25 hours for a light jet (6 passengers) for €128,000 up to a global jet (14 passengers) for €385,000. No additional surcharges are charged, flight time is wheels-up to wheels-down plus 6 minutes taxi time and a 15 % discount is applied on day returns. The hourly costs work out at €5,040 for the light jet and €15,400 for the long-range jet.
BookaJet's Jet Black Card (25 hours) costs €125,000 for a light jet (6 pax), €178,000 for a midsize jet (7 pax) and €277,000 for a super-midsize (10 pax).
Other jet card programs in Europe: Netjets Europe Corporate Card; VistaJet's Skyjet International Jet Member; European Skytime "Flight Commitment" program; Blink's "Foresight".
Many of the companies offer carbon offsets.
Before investing in a private jet card program, always do your own due-dilligence and undertake a full financial analysis with a qualified professional. Note, prices can change.
Air Travel Articles > Private Jets > Jet Card Programs
Other Articles
Getting the Very Best Deals on Private Jets - Empty Legs
Private Jet Fractional Ownership