NetJets and Wheels Up are two of the most recognizable names in private aviation — but they serve very different types of flyers.
NetJets is the industry’s legacy fractional ownership provider, built for high-frequency travelers who want guaranteed global access. Wheels Up is a membership-based alternative designed for people who fly privately 25 hours a year or less and want lower upfront costs.
Choosing between them comes down to how often you fly, how much you’re willing to commit upfront, and whether you want to own an asset or simply pay for access.
NetJets vs Wheels Up at a Glance
Model
NetJets: Fractional ownership — you buy a share of an aircraft. Wheels Up: Membership/subscription — you buy access to a fleet.
Entry Cost
NetJets: ~$850,000 for a 1/16th light jet share. Wheels Up: $8,500 annual fee + $100,000 prefunded deposit.
Monthly Fees
NetJets: $12,000–$28,000 depending on aircraft class. Wheels Up: None — annual membership fee only.
Hourly Rate
NetJets: ~$8,500/hr (light jet) to ~$18,500/hr (heavy jet). Wheels Up: ~$5,995/hr (King Air) to ~$7,795/hr (light jet, capped).
Estimated Year 1 Cost (50 hrs)
NetJets: ~$1,000,000+. Wheels Up: ~$250,000–$300,000.
Estimated Annual Cost (Years 2+)
NetJets: ~$400,000. Wheels Up: ~$150,000–$250,000.
Fleet Size
NetJets: 800+ owned aircraft. Wheels Up: ~110–135 owned + 1,200 partner aircraft.
Aircraft Types
NetJets: Light through ultra-long-range (Phenom 300 to Global 7500). Wheels Up: King Air 350i, Phenom 300, Challenger 300/350.
Booking Notice
NetJets: As little as 4 hours. Wheels Up: 8–48 hours depending on tier.
Commitment
NetJets: 5-year contract. Wheels Up: Annual.
Ownership / Equity
NetJets: Yes — you own a depreciating share of an aircraft. Wheels Up: No — membership access only.
NetJets: The Industry Standard
NetJets is the largest and most established fractional jet ownership program in the world. Founded in 1964 and owned by Berkshire Hathaway, the company operates more than 800 aircraft spanning light jets, midsize, super-midsize, and large-cabin categories. Its core value proposition is reliability — with a fleet that size, NetJets can reach virtually any airport in the country with as little as four hours’ notice, including on peak travel days when smaller providers struggle.
That reliability comes at a premium.
What NetJets Costs
Initial Share Purchase (1/16th). ~$850,000+ for entry-level light jet (~50 hrs/year).
Monthly Management Fees. $12,000–$28,000/month (light jet ~$12K–$15K; large cabin ~$28K).
Occupied Hourly Rate. Light jets from ~$8,500/hr; heavy jets ~$18,500/hr+.
Federal Excise Tax. ~7.5% on applicable flight charges.
Estimated Year-One Total. $1,000,000+ for most buyers.
NetJets Pros
✓ Largest private fleet in the world (800+ aircraft).
✓ Guaranteed availability with as little as 4 hours’ notice.
✓ Best peak-day reliability in the industry.
✓ Global reach including transatlantic capability.
✓ You own an asset (even if it depreciates).
NetJets Cons
✗ First-year cost often exceeds $1 million.
✗ Monthly management fees owed regardless of usage.
✗ 5-year commitment with limited flexibility.
✗ Your share will depreciate — expect to recover only a portion at resale.
✗ International and peak-period surcharges add up.
Wheels Up: Lower Entry, No Ownership
Wheels Up takes a fundamentally different approach. Rather than selling fractional ownership of a specific aircraft, it operates as a membership program — more comparable to a subscription than an investment. You don’t own any part of a plane. Instead, you pay a membership fee, prefund a deposit, and pay capped hourly rates when you fly. This makes Wheels Up significantly more accessible for travelers who don’t need 50+ hours of flight time per year.
Wheels Up Membership Tiers
Individual
$8,500 annual fee. $100,000 minimum deposit. Hourly rates: ~$5,995/hr (King Air 350i); ~$7,795/hr (Phenom 300).
Small/Medium Enterprise
$8,500 annual fee. $250,000 minimum deposit. Better hourly rates unlocked at higher deposit levels.
Custom Enterprise
No annual fee. $500,000 minimum deposit. Best available pricing.
Wheels Up Pros
✓ Much lower entry cost ($8,500 + deposit vs. $850,000+).
✓ No monthly management fees.
✓ Capped hourly pricing provides cost certainty.
✓ Annual commitment — no 5-year lock-in.
✓ Delta Diamond Medallion status + 20% fare discounts.
Wheels Up Cons
✗ No equity — your money is spent, not invested.
✗ Smaller owned fleet (~110–135 aircraft); relies on partners.
✗ Limited large-cabin and ultra-long-range options.
✗ Primarily domestic — not built for international travel.
✗ Availability can be tighter on peak travel days.
NetJets vs Wheels Up: Which Costs More?
The honest answer depends entirely on how much you fly.
Which Is Right for You
Under 25 hrs/year, domestic
Better fit: Wheels Up. Typical annual cost: $150,000–$300,000.
25–50 hrs/year, mixed domestic
Better fit: Wheels Up or a jet card. Typical annual cost: $250,000–$450,000.
50+ hrs/year, global travel
Better fit: NetJets. Typical annual cost: $400,000–$600,000+ in years 2+.
Hourly Rate Comparison by Aircraft Class
Wheels Up caps its hourly rates and publishes them clearly. NetJets’ occupied hourly rates vary more significantly by aircraft class — and that’s before peak-period surcharges.
Wheels Up rates are capped published rates. NetJets rates shown are base occupied hourly rates before FET and surcharges.
NetJets vs Wheels Up vs Craft Pod
Craft Pod approaches private aviation from a different angle entirely. Instead of buying a depreciating fraction of one aircraft or paying a pure membership fee, your capital goes into a diversified investment pod — owning shares of a fund that owns multiple aircraft and assets, rather than a slice of one plane.
What Happens to Your $850K After 5 Years
Illustrative capital outcome comparison
Illustrative projection — $850K starting capital. NetJets depreciation estimated ~50% over 5-year term. Craft Pod appreciation is not guaranteed; returns depend on portfolio and charter performance. Wheels Up is a pure operating expense with no residual value.
Full Comparison
Model
NetJets: Fractional ownership. Wheels Up: Membership/subscription. Craft Pod: Investment pod.
Asset Ownership
NetJets: Yes — single depreciating aircraft. Wheels Up: No. Craft Pod: Yes — diversified fleet fund.
Depreciation Risk
NetJets: High — single asset exposure. Wheels Up: None. Craft Pod: Mitigated — portfolio structure.
Capital at Exit
NetJets: Share value minus depreciation. Wheels Up: Nothing — pure expense. Craft Pod: Capital returned at exit.
Charter Revenue
NetJets: No. Wheels Up: No. Craft Pod: Yes — pod aircraft earn charter revenue.
Tax Advantages
NetJets: Depreciation deductions. Wheels Up: Operating expense deduction. Craft Pod: Capital gains offset potential.
Contract / Exit
NetJets: 5-year lock-in. Wheels Up: Annual, no asset to exit. Craft Pod: Flexible — designed for easier exit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does NetJets cost?
NetJets’ entry-level 1/16th share starts at approximately $850,000, with monthly management fees of $12,000–$28,000 and occupied hourly rates of $8,500–$18,500 depending on aircraft size. Most buyers spend over $1 million in their first year. In subsequent years, expect approximately $400,000 annually.
Is Wheels Up cheaper than NetJets?
Yes, substantially. Wheels Up’s Individual Membership starts at $8,500/year plus a $100,000 deposit, compared to NetJets’ $850,000+ share purchase. For someone flying 20 hours per year, Wheels Up typically costs $250,000–$300,000 in the first year versus $1 million+ for NetJets. However, Wheels Up offers no asset ownership or equity.
What is the NetJets card program cost?
NetJets offers jet card programs starting at 25-hour blocks. The Card275 starts at approximately $215,000 for 25 hours on a Phenom 300 (~$8,600/hr including the 7.5% federal excise tax). The less restrictive Card320 starts at approximately $280,000 for 25 hours.
Does NetJets or Wheels Up have better availability?
NetJets has a significant edge due to its 800+ aircraft fleet. Fractional owners can book with as little as 4 hours’ notice, even on peak travel days. Wheels Up guarantees availability for Core members and above with 8–48 hours’ notice, but its smaller owned fleet means tighter capacity during high-demand periods.
Can you make money with fractional jet ownership?
Traditional fractional ownership involves a depreciating asset — you’ll typically recover only a portion of your initial investment at exit. Craft Pod’s diversified investment structure is designed differently, with potential for appreciation and charter revenue generation, though returns are never guaranteed.
Is there a cheaper alternative to NetJets?
Several alternatives exist. Wheels Up offers membership-based access starting under $110,000 for the first year. FlexJet provides a boutique fractional experience at slightly lower pricing than NetJets. Craft Pod offers an investment-based model that provides comparable access while treating your capital as a diversified investment rather than a depreciating asset purchase.
Pricing based on publicly available data from NetJets, Wheels Up, 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.