How to buy a private jet

Are you interested in buying a luxury private jet? For many private flyers, owning a luxury jet is the ultimate expression of freedom and convenience. But is full ownership the right move, or could private jet charter better suit your lifestyle?

In this guide, we explore how to buy a private jet, what it takes to buy a private jet, what to consider before taking the leap, and how to weigh up all your options (including chartering a private jet).

Deciding when the time is right to buy a private jet

If you’re seriously considering private jet ownership, you’ve probably wondered whether now is the right time to commit. Ultimately, the answer depends on your travel patterns and the market. With the right guidance, it’s still possible to find good value if you know what to look for. Here are some questions to keep in mind:

How much time do you spend traveling each year?

If you haven’t yet made up your mind whether to buy a private jet, you can start to explore the possibility by carrying out a cost-to-benefit analysis. The rule of thumb is that if you or your executives spend 350 to 400 hours in the air each year, then the expense of fully owning a private jet is probably worth it.

What type of aircraft suits your needs?

Part of a good cost-to-benefit analysis is to get a general idea of the type of aircraft that would best suit your needs and your budget. The cost of a private jet can vary dramatically, depending on the type of aircraft that’s best suited to your needs. When deciding on an aircraft, some of the criteria you need to consider includes how many passengers will be traveling with you, how far you’ll be flying, and what specific amenities you’d like the aircraft to have.

How much does it cost to maintain a private jet?

Another factor to consider is operational costs. These running costs could include a number of expenses, such as:

• Fuel
• Repairs and maintenance
• Insurance
• Airport taxes and landing fees
• Catering
• Flight personnel
• Costs associated with layovers and stay-overs.

You’ll need to build a financial buffer into your costings as these expenses can vary significantly from time to time with little or no warning.

If you don’t have a flight department to oversee the management of your jet aircraft, you’ll want to hire an aircraft management company. They will take care of pretty much everything to do with running your jet, from maintenance repairs to the hiring of pilots and onboard catering. Management services can range from several hundred thousand to several million dollars annually, depending on aircraft size and utilization.

How much does a private jet cost?

So, how much does it cost to buy a private jet? You’re probably not looking for the most expensive private jet in the world, which happens to be a 747-200B, owned and modified by the US Government, Air Force One, is a symbol of the American presidency around the world, and carries with it a hefty price tag of $660 million.

On the opposite end of this buying spectrum, very light jets like the Cirrus Vision Jet or older Citation Mustangs can sell for anywhere from $1.5 million to upwards of $3.5 million, depending on the model. Popular mid-range models such as the Citation XLS typically list prices of between $5 million and $15 million, depending on year and condition. If you’d like to read more about costs, take a look at our blog post on how much a private jet costs.

A handy tool to have on your desktop as you begin your journey towards private jet ownership is an online aircraft cost calculator. This will give you a good idea of what the private jet of your dreams will cost you, including running cost details based on actual use, as well as how financing, capital cost considerations, and residual value are likely to affect your operating expenses.

Where to buy a jet aircraft

If you're actively searching for a private jet for sale, our Aircraft Sales Division provides global access to both on- and off-market listings across all categories of private aviation.

So, if you’re set on buying a private jet on your own, you can start your search for private aircraft sales here. In partnership with Jet Advisors, the Air Charter Service (ACS) Aircraft Sales Division offers 100 years of industry experience in hundreds of private jet transactions. Throughout your purchasing process, we’ll manage the entire transaction. With your best interests in mind, we make sure that you are being catered to every step of the way.

To ensure that you have every option available to you, no matter where you’re based, we research on a global rather than regional basis. Along with any export processes worldwide, we also coordinate the delivery of your aircraft, and our wide network of partnerships ensures that we can assist with operations, legal representation, exporting, financing, crew staffing, tax planning, and interior completion or aircraft management.

Whether you’re looking to invest in your first aircraft or upgrade, we have the expertise to help when it comes to purchasing a private jet.

What to look out for when buying a private jet

Now is the time to get to grips with the specific jet you’re interested in. You’ve done your homework, at least in theory – but to avoid ending up with a lemon, you’ll need to employ the services of an inspector who has an impeccable reputation for thoroughness. Here’s what to look out for.

Know your plane

This goes way beyond specs, performance, cabin width, and seat finishes. In some ways, it’s similar to buying a motor vehicle. You want to avoid something that belonged to a car rental company and stood out in the sun in hotel parking lots (similar to a plane that’s covered a lot of distance and stood out in the hot, salty air).

You want to look for the equivalent of a car whose previous owner has driven it carefully, had it cleaned each week, and stored it in a garage when not in use (the equivalent is a jet that has been the pride and joy of a corporate executive). You’ll find all this out by going through the jet’s logs.

Know your plane’s cycles

It’s important to find out which maintenance cycle an aircraft is in. Maintenance expenses, particularly the large ones, are usually incurred based on calendar and usage. This is typically the reason why two of the same model aircraft vary (at times substantially) in price. You don’t want to spend $4 million on your jet only to find that two months after purchase, it’s due for maintenance amounting to $500,000 or more.

Insist on a pre-buy inspection

Make sure a pre-buy inspection is carried out at a certified 145 repair station. The only way to know for sure if a plane is in good flying condition and worth the asking price is to have it inspected from top to bottom and tail to tip. This includes a close study of all the flight logs and paperwork, as well as the engine programs and/or logs.

Take a test drive

Yes, it’s worth getting a feel for a plane before buying. Of course, this will cost you more than a tank of gas, but it’s worth it. If you’re thinking about buying your own private jet, you’ve probably spent a fair number of hours inside airplanes, so you’ll know what you like about a cabin and what you don’t. If you’re buying new, most manufacturers will provide demos around the airport area to qualified buyers.

Buying versus chartering a private jet

If the hours you spend in the air justify the use of a private jet, but the numbers just don’t add up, you could consider chartering a private jet instead. Buying a private jet is a major commitment, so it’s worth comparing the long-term benefits of ownership with the flexibility of chartering.

If you or your team regularly fly upwards of 350 to 400 hours a year, buying may make financial sense. You’ll have full control over when and how you travel, along with the ability to customize the aircraft to your preferences. But ownership also comes with significant ongoing costs, including maintenance, crew, insurance, storage, and administrative oversight.

Chartering, on the other hand, gives you on-demand access to a wide variety of aircraft without the fixed costs of ownership. Whether you need a light jet for a quick regional hop or a long-range aircraft for international travel, a broker like ACS can match you with the right aircraft for each trip.

Chartering also offers more flexibility, so you’re not tied to one aircraft type or location. This makes it ideal for business travelers with varying schedules or private individuals who fly less frequently but still want the convenience and privacy of private aviation.

ACS offers bespoke private jet charter solutions tailored to your travel needs, whether it’s for a single journey or a series of flights over time.

Making use of private jet sales brokers

Using the services of an aviation broker or consultant is highly recommended. They charge a fee, of course, but if you’ve chosen a reputable broker, they’ll expertly manage the purchase of your jet and be able to give advice about the ongoing operation of the airplane. Fees charged by aviation brokers are usually between 2% and 5% of the purchase price. A growing trend is paying a broker a set fee for an Acquisition Agreement, which can range from $25,000 to $150,000. Most experts say that it’s best to agree to a set fee before proceeding with a plane acquisition.

Used versus new private jets

When you order a brand-new jet from a manufacturer, you’re likely to have to wait a year or two before taking possession of your plane. New jets are also more expensive to buy than used, but on the flip side, they generally have a five-year, tip-to-tail warranty. You also know exactly where your jet’s been and what it’s been up to.

On the other hand, there’s a whole range of used jets on the market today, which means more choice of size and model, and more negotiating power when it comes to price.

The private jet habits of the rich and famous

Knight Frank’s The Wealth Report 2018 predicted that the number of ultra-wealthy individuals (those with a net value of more than $50 million) would grow 43% between 2017 and 2022, while the number of demi-billionaires (those with a net value of more than $500 million) would increase by 39% in that same period. As the number of ultra-wealthy and demi-billionaires increases, the market for private jets and jet charter has grown, too.

Those who change their personal fortunes enough to own a private jet will join the ranks of rich and famous high-flyers that include: John Travolta, who flies three private jets – a Gulfstream jet, a Lear jet, and Boeing 707-138; Oprah Winfrey (Bombardier Global Express XRS), Donald Trump (Boeing 727-23); Tom Cruise (Gulfstream IV); Jackie Chan (Embraer Legacy 650); Jay-Z (Bombardier Challenger 850 Learjet), and Bill Gates (Bombardier BD-700 Global Express).

Accessing financing for a private jet

Financing options for private jets remain diverse in 2025, with specialist lenders and brokers offering structured aviation loans.

Typically, a standard loan agreement is between three and five years, with loan amortizations of 15 to 25 years on newer aircraft and around 12 years for models that are around 30 years old. This is only an indication – the terms of a loan and interest rates offered will vary according to the model and condition of the plane, date of manufacture, and its intended use. Keep in mind that you might be charged prepayment penalties of up to 3% for the first three years, as well as standard legal fees.

Here, too, you can choose to go it alone or get the advice of a finance broker. Since financing a private jet is a complicated business, it makes sense to get the best advice you can, especially if your purchase is expected to amount to at least $1 million. A finance broker will take the time to understand your requirements and the financing terms that meet your objectives. They’ll also already know who to approach for the best terms on a particular airplane.

Before going through with a private jet purchase, you’ll also need to consult a tax attorney, especially in light of the recent changes to the tax code that incentivize the purchase of an aircraft. You’ll need the expertise of a professional to take advantage of the financial rewards that you’re entitled to when buying a private jet. An aviation tax attorney will help you take care of all the tax planning, insurance, and FAA compliance issues that come with your purchase before you can fly.

Buying a private jet – but not to fly

This might not be the first reason to buy a private jet for most, but using planes as a building is one of the most inventive and creative architectural trends out there. Complete aircraft, or their parts, are being used as homes, office spaces, and even libraries.

If you’re interested in living in a jet or using its parts to build something special, California is the place to go. Aircraft “boneyards” are where retired planes go to wait out the remainder of their days in desert conditions (to minimize corrosion). Here, you’ll be able to buy a jet whole or for spare parts. Aluminium fuselages are sold cheaply, so they make an excellent building material. If aircraft boneyards sound like something you’d like to know more about, there are many famous – and eerily beautiful – ones around the world.

Joanne Ussery of Mississippi bought a Boeing 727 instead of a house. She had limited funds and a need for space. Her plane-home cost a mere $2,000 for the plane's hull, $4,000 to move it to her lot by the water, and $25,000 for refurbishments. She now has hot running water and electricity, three bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, laundry, and a master bathroom with a Jacuzzi.

One of the best examples of buying a jet to live in (or under) can be found in the remote hills of Malibu. The innovative and environmentally friendly 747 Wing House, created by American architect David Hertz from a Boeing 747-100 airplane, is a unique home that has not only won numerous awards but has also become the poster child for aircraft repurposing. There are many other innovative architectural designs that incorporate airplane parts if you’re interested in learning more about the subject.

If you’d like to find out more about private jet ownership, read our piece on the most affordable private jets available today for a look at advancements in the aviation industry that have helped to make the convenience, flexibility, and cost of a private jet much more realistic.

Charter a private jet with ACS

If you decide that you’re not ready to buy a private jet just yet, there are easy ways to charter a private jet for specific trips. Or there's fractional jet ownership and private jet card clubs, which offer you a range of benefits when you pay for private jet charter. Contact us to find out more.