The cost of fractional jet ownership can vary dramatically, from around $400,000 a year to a few million. The difference in price will depend on a few factors, including the size of your fractional share, the aircraft type that you’re buying into, and the specific fee structure of the management company that you choose.

While there is no such thing as a cheap fractional jet ownership program, there are key factors that can heavily influence the price and value of the experience.

In this article, we take a look at which fractional ownership programs are the cheapest.

What is Fractional Jet Aircraft Ownership?

Understanding fractional jet ownership starts with recognizing how it differs from full aircraft ownership and other private aviation industry options like jet cards. Fractional jet ownership is a system that allows you to purchase a fraction of a private jet rather than the entire aircraft.

Generally speaking, fractional jet ownership work like this. You decide how many flight hours you wish to fly, and you buy a fractional share of an aircraft that correlates with your intended usage. For example, if you want fifty hours of private flying per year, you would buy a 1/16th share of the jet. If you wanted one hundred hours, you would buy an eighth share.

Once you buy in through an ownership agreement, the experience looks something like this:

You contact the service when you are ready to fly. Most fractional jet ownership programs offer guaranteed availability with only a few hours’ notice, though the time frame could extend to several weeks during high-demand periods.
You are given access to a nearby aircraft of the make and model that you bought into. Even though you are buying a share of a real plane, the actual private jet you use each time will usually vary depending on what is closest at hand.
You maintain your ownership for a period of five years. During that time, fractional owners may have the option to sell a certain percentage of unused miles, which may offset fractional ownership costs. Not every service allows you to do so.

If you are satisfied with your experience, you can renew your jet ownership for another five years, or fractional jet owners can sell their fractional share of the plane minus the cost of depreciation. While private jet ownership and private jets through other models exist, fractional programs offer a middle ground for those seeking access without the full commitment.

Determining the Cheapest Fractional Jet Ownership Providers

There are two things to keep in mind when determining the comparative value of a fractional ownership program. The first is the upfront acquisition cost. That’s the purchase price you pay to buy into fractional ownership.

This is the biggest lump payment you’ll make during the process, but it’s also the least relevant in terms of the actual cost. Why? Because the fractional share of the aircraft that you own is ultimately an asset.

Granted, it will depreciate in value. For example, if you pay $750,000 for a private jet and then sell that share five years later, you might see a return of $400,000 thanks to depreciation. Regardless, at least some of the money comes back to you as residual value.

The amount you pay will be shaped more by:

Monthly management fee. The monthly management fee starts at $8,000, but can go up to around $40,000 per month, depending on the jet size and the fee structure of the management company that you choose. This cost covers everything from aircraft maintenance and hangar storage to training and providing for the crew.
Occupied hourly fee. This is the cost of actually using the aircraft. It includes fuel, the crew members on board, and possibly catering (although that is sometimes an optional upcharge). Occupied hourly fees are largely shaped by the aircraft type and can vary from $2,000 to $9,000 an hour.
Additional fees. Additionally, there is the federal excise tax, applied at a rate of 7.5% at the time of writing. There is also often surge pricing during winter utilization or peak travel seasons. Finally, international flights typically increase the price of the experience by about 50%.

While there’s no such thing as a cheap fractional jet ownership program, the value that you receive from your investment will absolutely vary depending on the provider. The next few headings will look at the cost range for several of the leading fractional jet ownership providers in the private aviation industry.

NetJets Fractional Jet Ownership Cost Breakdown

NetJets is one of the most easily recognizable fractional jet ownership providers. They have a large fleet of nearly 800 private jets. The service is well regarded for its flexibility, global scheduling, and overall reliability. Here’s a breakdown of what NetJets costs:

Initial purchase (1/16th share). Starts at around $500,000 for the smallest planes, up to $1,000,000 for larger jets.
Monthly management fee. Depending on the size of the plane, monthly fees for a 1/16th share range from $12,000 to $28,000 per month.
Occupied hourly rates. Smaller planes cost approximately $8,500 per hour, while larger jets can go up to $9,000 per hour.

Like all providers featured on this list, NetJets jet ownership is subject to a 7.5% excise tax. While it’s by no means the cheapest program available, it is a sort of industry standard bearer. With options starting at less than $175,000, it can be cost effective.

Wheels Up: Aircraft Availability With Limited Additional Fees

The affordability factor of Wheels Up is a little bit complicated. Technically speaking, it is the cheapest option on this list. It’s not actually a fractional ownership program, but a membership system that gives you access to private jets. It’s good for frequent flyers who will be flying less than twenty-five hours a year.

Those considering this option likely don’t need a private aviation solution quite so extensive as fractional ownership, but they fly too often to make regularly chartering planes the most feasible option.

Here’s a breakdown:

Annual fee: $30,000 a year
Occupied hour rate: around $2,500 per hour
Extra charges: catering, international flights, and so on

While it’s a convenient option for people who don’t want to fully commit to fractional jet ownership, it’s worth keeping in mind that this is the only option on our list that doesn’t provide any equity. In that way, it’s cheaper than the other options we’ve described, but also less valuable.

Craft: Aircraft Flexibility for Fractional Owners Who Want Equity

CraftPod provides a refreshing alternative to the models offered by the other services on this list. Craft investors contribute to a working investment that actually appreciates in value. Through their fund-based model, Craft ensures the same level of aircraft availability demonstrated by the other services but without the depreciation.

The way it works is a little different. The other models we’ve described above involve purchasing a literal static share of a plane. With Craft, members instead invest cash or appreciated stock into a diversified exchange fund.

The fund collectively owns and operates multiple aircraft. It can also generate its own revenue when planes are chartered, which mitigates the operating costs for members.

Structurally speaking, the framework falls under the 721 exchange fund approach. This means that in addition to providing access to a plane, it can also offset capital gains tax obligations. It’s a good way to diversify your portfolio with a genuinely enjoyable asset.

Here’s what the process looks like:

Cost Structure:

Initial contribution: starts around $50,000, which secures your fractional ownership stake.
Annual management fee: approximately 1.5% of your contribution, based on the current fund value — this covers aircraft management, hangar space, and crew operations.
Occupied hourly rate: typically $2,000 – $4,500 per hour, depending on aircraft size (light jet, midsize, or super midsize).
Federal excise tax: 7.5% added to domestic flight costs, consistent with FAA regulations.
International flights: roughly 50% higher than domestic due to landing fees and crew accommodations.
Winter operations: de-icing fees from $500 to $3,000.
Peak-day surcharges: around $2,500+, though scheduling flexibility minimizes their impact.

The initial investment is smaller than almost any of the other options on our list, and while the fee structure winds up being similar, it’s offset by a heightened level of value.

Cheap is Relative

When it comes to private jets, cheap is a relative consideration. None of the services on this list would be price-competitive with flying first class on a public airline. Many of them are more expensive even than chartering your own plane.

People choose fractional jet ownership because they want convenience, luxury, and access. All of the options on our list provide an enticing combination of these factors, but only Craft allows you to enjoy these features while building equity.

If you are interested in learning more, contact us today to find out about our fleet.