NetJets is the largest and most recognized fractional jet ownership provider in the world. Owned by Berkshire Hathaway, the company operates a fleet of more than 800 aircraft, flies over 700,000 passengers annually, and has been the standard bearer in private aviation since Richard Santulli pioneered the fractional ownership model in the 1980s.

But “most recognized” doesn’t automatically mean “best fit.” This guide covers everything you need to know about NetJets — how fractional ownership works, what it actually costs, the fleet you get access to, where NetJets excels, and where the model falls short.

We’ll also explain how Craft Pod approaches private aviation differently, using a diversified investment structure that eliminates the depreciation problem built into traditional fractional programs.

AIRCRAFT 800+ CALL-OUT NOTICE 4 hrs PASSENGERS/YR 700K+ CABIN CLASSES 5

What Is Fractional Jet Ownership?

Fractional jet ownership is the private aviation equivalent of a timeshare — except instead of a vacation property, you’re buying a share of an aircraft.

1. You purchase a fraction of a specific aircraft. The minimum share is 1/16th — approximately 50 flight hours per year. A 1/8th share gives ~100 hours; 1/4 gives ~200 hours.

2. You pay three layers of cost. An initial share purchase, a fixed monthly management fee (whether or not you fly), and a variable occupied hourly rate each time you’re in the air.

3. You share fleet access. NetJets dispatches whichever aircraft of your class is nearest and available — minimizing wait times.

4. Your commitment is typically five years. At the end, you can renew, upgrade, or sell your share back — minus depreciation. NetJets guarantees a buyback.

Fractional ownership is designed for travelers who fly 50+ hours per year and need more flexibility and guaranteed access than charter can provide, but don’t want the full operational burden of owning an aircraft outright.

The NetJets Fleet

NetJets operates the largest privately owned fleet in the world — more than 800 aircraft spanning five categories, with orders placed for nearly 2,000 new jets.

Light Jets

Phenom 300. 6 passengers, ~3,200 km range. Best for short domestic hops.

Midsize

Citation XLS. 7 passengers, ~3,400 km range. Strong option for smaller airports.

Citation Latitude. 7 passengers, ~4,900 km range. Stand-up cabin.

Citation Sovereign. 8 passengers, ~5,200 km range. Long-range midsize.

Super-Midsize

Citation Longitude. 8 passengers, ~5,600 km range. Quietest in class.

Challenger 350. 9 passengers, ~6,000 km range. Transcontinental.

Large Cabin

Falcon 2000. 10 passengers, ~5,400 km range. Flexible seating.

Challenger 650. 11 passengers, ~6,800 km range. Intercontinental.

Global 5500. 13 passengers, ~10,400 km range. Transatlantic.

Global 6000. 13 passengers, ~11,600 km range. Transpacific.

Ultra Long Range

Global 7500. 14 passengers, ~12,000 km range. Flagship, 4-zone cabin.

Upcoming additions: Embraer Praetor 500 and Cessna Citation Ascend.

What Does NetJets Cost?

NetJets pricing is built on three interlocking components. All three add up significantly — and most first-time buyers underestimate the total.

1. Initial Share Purchase

A 1/16th share gives you approximately 50 flight hours per year. The asset depreciates 30–50% over 5 years — NetJets guarantees a buyback, but at a significant loss.

Light Jet. ~$500K–$850K for a 1/16 share, ~50 hours/year.

Midsize. ~$800K–$1.2M for a 1/16 share, ~50 hours/year.

Super-Midsize. ~$900K–$1.5M for a 1/16 share, ~50 hours/year.

Large Cabin. $1.5M–$3M+ for a 1/16 share, ~50 hours/year.

1/16 SHARE PRICE BY AIRCRAFT CLASS (USD) Light Jet $500K–$850K Midsize $800K–$1.2M Super-Midsize $900K–$1.5M Large Cabin $1.5M–$3M+

2. Monthly Management Fees

Paid every month whether or not you fly. A light jet owner paying $12,000/month spends $720,000 in management fees over 5 years — before a single flight.

Light Jet. $12K–$15K/month, totaling ~$720K–$900K over 5 years.

Midsize. $15K–$20K/month, totaling ~$900K–$1.2M over 5 years.

Super-Midsize. $18K–$24K/month, totaling ~$1.1M–$1.4M over 5 years.

Large Cabin. $24K–$28K+/month, totaling ~$1.4M–$1.7M+ over 5 years.

3. Occupied Hourly Rates

Paid wheels-up to wheels-down. No daily minimums on light and midsize jets — you pay actual flight time, not a padded hour.

Light Jet. ~$8,500 per hour.

Midsize. ~$10,000–$12,000 per hour.

Super-Midsize. ~$12,000–$14,000 per hour.

Large Cabin. ~$16,000–$18,500 per hour.

Additional Costs

▸ Federal excise tax: 7.5% on U.S. flight charges.

▸ Fuel surcharges: variable, market-dependent.

▸ International travel: handling, airport, operational fees.

▸ Peak-period surcharges: winter ops and high-demand days.

▸ De-icing: charged separately during winter.

Total Cost Estimates

Light Jet (1/16 share). Year 1: ~$1M+. Years 2–5: ~$350K–$400K/year.

Midsize (1/16 share). Year 1: ~$1.3M–$1.5M. Years 2–5: ~$450K–$550K/year.

Large Cabin (1/16 share). Year 1: ~$2M+. Years 2–5: ~$650K–$800K/year.

First-year costs include the share purchase. Years 2–5 drop substantially but still run $350K+ for the smallest share.

NetJets Jet Card Programs

If you fly fewer than 50 hours per year or don’t want the long-term commitment of fractional ownership, NetJets offers jet card programs — prepaid blocks of 25 flight hours. About 50% of fractional customers start here before upgrading.

Card275 — $215,000

▸ 25 hrs on Phenom 300 ($8,600/hr including federal excise tax).

▸ 275 days access, with 90 blackout days.

▸ 48-hour booking notice; 120-hour on peak days.

▸ No daily minimums on light or midsize jets.

Card320 — $280,000

▸ 25 hrs on Phenom 300 ($11,200/hr).

▸ 320 days (45 blackout + 45 peak).

▸ NetJets can shift departure ±3 hours on peak days.

▸ Access to Phenom 300, XLS, Sovereign, Latitude, and Challenger 350.

25-Hour Lease — Access Only

▸ Short-term fractional-style access (available since March 2022).

▸ No ownership equity — purely access-based.

▸ Lowest commitment entry point to NetJets.

NetJets Pros and Cons

Where NetJets Excels

✓ 800+ aircraft — guaranteed availability even on peak days.

✓ Global reach including a dedicated NetJets Europe fleet.

✓ 4-hour call-out — fastest guaranteed availability in the industry.

✓ No daily minimums on light and midsize jets.

✓ Guaranteed buyback backed by Berkshire Hathaway stability.

Where NetJets Falls Short

✗ Depreciation is guaranteed. An $850K share may return only $500K–$600K after 5 years.

✗ Monthly fees never stop. $12K–$28K/month whether or not you fly.

✗ No unused hour resale. Hours you don’t use are forfeited.

✗ Most expensive fractional provider at every tier.

✗ 5-year lock-in — your capital is depreciating the entire time.

RESIDUAL VALUE OF $850K LIGHT JET SHARE 100% 80% 60% 40% Yr 0 Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 5 $850K ~$500K–$600K 30%–50% DEPRECIATION OVER 5 YEARS “With NetJets, your capital is locked in a depreciating asset. With a jet card, your capital is simply spent. Craft Pod was built to give you a third option — where your capital is preserved, diversified, and working while you fly.”

How Craft Pod Approaches Private Aviation Differently

Craft Pod provides the same core experience as fractional ownership — guaranteed access to private aircraft, booked with minimal notice — but restructures the financial model entirely. Instead of buying a depreciating fraction of a single aircraft, your capital goes into a diversified investment pod.

NetJets vs. Craft Pod

What you own

NetJets: Fraction of one aircraft. Craft Pod: Shares in a diversified pod.

Capital at exit

NetJets: 30–50% depreciated. Craft Pod: Returned, with potential upside.

Depreciation risk

NetJets: Guaranteed, concentrated in a single aircraft. Craft Pod: Distributed across the pod.

Revenue generation

NetJets: None — pure cost. Craft Pod: Charter revenue returned to investors.

Tax advantages

NetJets: Standard depreciation. Craft Pod: Capital gains relief potential.

Liquidity

NetJets: 5-year lock-in. Craft Pod: Simpler fund exit.

Best for

NetJets: 100+ hours/year, global routes. Craft Pod: Capital-conscious domestic flyers.

Who Each Is Right For

Choose NetJets If You…

→ Fly 50+ hours per year.

→ Need guaranteed access on peak days.

→ Require international or transatlantic capability.

→ Value Berkshire Hathaway-backed reliability.

Choose Craft Pod If You…

→ Want capital returned, not lost to depreciation.

→ Fly primarily domestically on large-cabin jets.

→ Want charter revenue to offset flying costs.

→ Value tax efficiency and a cleaner exit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is fractional jet ownership with NetJets?

Fractional jet ownership means purchasing a share of a specific NetJets aircraft — typically starting at 1/16th, which provides approximately 50 flight hours per year. NetJets handles all operations. At the end of your contract (typically 5 years), you can sell your share back through NetJets’ guaranteed buyback program.

How much does NetJets fractional ownership cost?

For a 1/16th share: light jets start at roughly $500K–$850K upfront, with monthly management fees of $12K–$15K and hourly rates around $8,500. Most light jet buyers spend over $1 million in their first year. Annual costs in years 2–5 typically run $350K–$400K.

How do NetJets jet cards differ from fractional ownership?

Jet cards are prepaid blocks of 25 flight hours with no ownership stake. The Card275 starts at $215,000 for 25 hours on a Phenom 300. Jet cards have no monthly management fees but carry blackout dates and no equity. Fractional ownership costs more but provides an owned asset and full 365-day access.

What are the hidden costs of NetJets fractional ownership?

Beyond the three core costs: 7.5% federal excise tax on flight charges, variable fuel surcharges, international handling fees, winter de-icing, and peak-period surcharges. Management fees also continue during months when you don’t fly — over five years, that’s approximately $720K in management fees alone on a light jet.

Can I sell or upgrade my NetJets share?

Yes. NetJets offers a guaranteed buyback at contract end, though the share will have depreciated 30–50% over five years. You can also upgrade during your ownership period. NetJets does not allow you to sell unused hours — unlike FlexJet, which permits resale of up to 25% of unused hours.

Is NetJets worth the cost?

For travelers flying 50+ hours per year who need guaranteed global access, peak-day reliability, and the industry’s largest fleet, NetJets justifies its premium. For buyers who fly primarily domestically, or are concerned about capital depreciation, alternatives like FlexJet (lower pricing), Wheels Up (no ownership), or Craft Pod (investment-based, capital preserved) may offer better value.

Pricing based on publicly available data from NetJets and industry sources as of Q1 2026. Figures are approximate and subject to change. Actual costs vary based on aircraft type, share size, usage, and market conditions.