Fractional jet ownership is the ideal option for discerning travelers who want access, exclusivity, and convenience without the headaches and expense of exclusive ownership. The best private aviation providers available require no more than a few hours’ notice to provide convenient and luxurious flying accommodations.
It’s an optimal solution for businesses that require the ease and convenience of on-demand flights, or for families who travel regularly between homes. While all of the major companies overlap in many ways, there are key differences that can significantly shape your experience.
In this article, we take a comparative look at NetJets, FlexJet, and CraftPod — breaking down the real numbers, fleet differences, and ownership structures of each.
Private Aviation Overview
There are a few core commonalities that you’ll find in almost every service. Fractional ownership programs typically look like this:
You buy a fraction of a plane. The starting point is usually 1/16th ownership, which translates to 50 hours of flying per year. The aircraft models available will vary from provider to provider. Most will allow you to choose between size and interior accommodations. The bigger and nicer the plane, the more expensive your share is.
You share fleet access with other owners located all over the world. Despite buying into a specific aircraft, most fractional jet ownership services will not provide the same jet every time. Instead, you’ll be given access to whatever is most conveniently available. Depending on the size and availability of the fleet, you may be able to book a flight with only a few hours’ notice.
Your actual level of access will vary based on fleet size and demand for your desired travel days. Many services require several weeks’ notice for holidays or major events like the Super Bowl. Fractional aircraft ownership agreements are typically set for a period of five years. Upon completion of that term, you will be given the option to sell your share, minus the cost of depreciation, or renew it for another five years.
Below, we look at how three leading providers interpret this model.
The Cost Gap, Visualized
Light Jet 1/16 Share — Relative Pricing
Bars scaled relative to NetJets as 100%. Source: Publicly available pricing from NetJets, FlexJet, and industry data as of Q1 2026.
NetJets Fleet, Cost, and More
NetJets is quite possibly the most widely recognized brand in the world of fractional jet ownership. Founded by Richard Santulli, the company now operates under Berkshire Hathaway and commands the NetJets fleet of more than 800 aircraft.
Their planes range from light, midsize, super-midsize, to large-cabin categories, with operations spanning global access points. NetJets Inc is noted for its strong reputation for providing stability, operational depth, and global reach, including NetJets Europe for international customers. For a long time, this aircraft management company has been the standard bearer for fractional jet ownership.
Here’s a breakdown of their pricing (price can vary quite significantly based on aircraft type, NetJets share size, geographic region, demand, and program terms):
Initial purchase (1/16th share): ~$850,000 for a light-jet entry in this model.
Monthly management fees: ~$12,000–$28,000/month depending on aircraft class.
Occupied hourly rates: ~$8,500/hour for smaller light-jet examples; up to ~$18,500/hour for heavy jets.
There are additional fees in the form of the federal excise tax, which is around 7.5% on applicable flight charges, plus extra costs for winter management, maintenance surcharges, and international travel.
Estimated First-Year Costs
Taking all of that into account, a 1/16th NetJets share’s first-year cost can realistically land somewhere around one million dollars, once you include your buy-in, occupied hours, and management fees.
In the following years, without the big upfront payment, the annual cost typically drops to around $400,000, depending on how much you fly and which plane share you own.
Who Is This For?
NetJets is ideal for buyers who prioritize reliability, comfort, and global access. With an extensive infrastructure and a well-established network led by experienced aviation professionals, it’s the safest choice for those seeking a seamless fractional jet experience. The company has continually expanded its service offerings to meet customer demand.
Naturally, this level of service comes at a premium, making NetJets one of the more expensive options on the market.
Five-Year Total Cost of Ownership
Cumulative spend, Light Jet 1/16 share, 50 hrs/year
FlexJet: Private Jets With Flexible Annual Hour Options
FlexJet positions itself as a boutique alternative to NetJets. Their fleet of around 300 planes is considerably smaller than the more established option, but they make up for it with a personalized approach that appeals to buyers seeking a curated experience.
The company emphasizes cabin design and white-glove service, creating a more tailored travel environment. Additionally, FlexJet allows owners to sell up to 25% of their unused hours, which can help offset some of the overall cost.
FlexJet Costs (1/16 Share Estimates Based on Public Data)
Initial purchase (1/16 share): ~$500,000–$600,000 for a light jet (Phenom 300) and ~$800,000–$950,000 for a super-midsize (Challenger 3500).
Monthly management fees: ~$7,000–$9,000/month for light jets, ~$11,000–$13,000/month for midsize/super-midsize jets.
Occupied hourly rates: ~$2,500–$3,000/hour (light jets); ~$4,000–$5,000/hour (midsize/super-midsize); up to ~$7,000–$9,000/hour for large cabin jets (based on broader FlexJet pricing trends).
Estimated First-Year Cost
Assuming 50 hours per year plus fixed costs, a light-jet 1/16 share could cost roughly $800,000 in the first year (capital + management + flight usage). In subsequent years, without the upfront capital, the ongoing cost for fifty hours of use is likely to be around $350,000, assuming stable management and hourly rates.
Who Is This For?
FlexJet offers a slightly more boutique experience than NetJets, and at a slightly better price. This combination of factors appeals to a relatively broad category of buyers — slightly more price-sensitive shoppers on the one hand, and those interested in a more personalized experience on the other.
The ability to sell a portion of your unused hours contributes further to the affordability factor, though to an admittedly limited extent. The arrangements are made between owners within the network, so there is no concrete data on the actual resale value. Nevertheless, it is an option not always available, and for that reason, may be considered compelling.
CraftPod: Private Jets Insulated From Depreciation
CraftPod provides a unique take on the fractional jet ownership model. Whereas most companies require you to tie your ownership stake to a specific aircraft, CraftPod places your money in a diversified pod that includes access to a pre-specified amount of flying hours.
You’re still given guaranteed access to the model class of your choosing. In this way, the experience is very much like that of NetJets or FlexJet. However, the format of your investment is quite different. Instead of being rooted in one depreciating asset, it’s spread across a pool of assets.
How This Fractional Aircraft Ownership Structure Works
Your capital is placed into a shared aircraft pod that owns multiple planes and operational assets as a group. You are an owner of the pod itself, and the pod is what owns the aircraft. Because of this:
▸ Your investment is not dependent on the depreciation curve of one jet.
▸ Your ownership corresponds to a guaranteed number of hours backed by the entire pod.
▸ Aircraft availability comes from the full pool rather than one plane’s schedule or downtime.
▸ Depreciation is distributed across the pod’s assets instead of concentrated in a single airframe.
▸ The value of the pod can potentially increase if aircraft are acquired advantageously or if market conditions strengthen.
Traditional fractional programs cannot appreciate, because your stake is locked to one aircraft’s inevitable depreciation curve. CraftPod’s pooled structure eliminates that limitation. Because of the investment structure, there are even tax benefits in the form of relief from capital gains tax applications.
Aircraft Options
▸ Bombardier Challenger 300 midsize business jets
▸ Bombardier Challenger 350 super-midsize business jets
▸ Embraer Phenom 300 light business jets (planned additions)
Who Is This For?
CraftPod is for private jet owners who want an unprecedented level of equity, flexibility, and access without the threat of depreciation-heavy exposure. It’s the best option for:
▸ Investors who prioritize diversification.
▸ Flyers who want access without the frustrations of legacy-style fractional ownership contracts.
▸ Buyers seeking modern, tech-forward private aviation infrastructure.
▸ People who want the money they put into private jet access to work harder for them.
If you want a tax-efficient fractional jet ownership investment that other companies simply can’t replicate, CraftPod offers something neither legacy model can match — comparable flight access with reduced depreciation risk, better liquidity, and potential tax advantages built directly into the investment structure.
Pricing based on publicly available data from NetJets, FlexJet, 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.