On-demand charter is priced by the flight hour, and the class of aircraft sets the rate. Here are realistic 2026 hourly bands and what they buy.
Charter is the most flexible way to fly private: no capital, no commitment, pay per trip. Pricing is built from an hourly rate for the aircraft class plus repositioning, fees and taxes. The lighter the jet, the lower the rate — but also the shorter the range and the smaller the cabin.
| Aircraft class | Typical seats | Range (nm) | 2026 charter / hr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop | 6–8 | 1,000–1,500 | $1,600–$3,000 |
| Light jet | 6–8 | 1,500–2,000 | $2,800–$4,500 |
| Midsize jet | 7–9 | 2,000–2,800 | $4,000–$6,000 |
| Super-midsize | 8–10 | 3,000–3,700 | $5,500–$8,500 |
| Heavy / large | 10–16 | 4,000–6,000 | $8,000–$14,000 |
| Ultra-long-range | 12–19 | 6,500–8,000 | $14,000–$20,000+ |
Indicative 2026 figures for planning only; real pricing depends on aircraft, availability, routing, repositioning and fuel. Request a quote for live numbers.
A one-way trip can cost nearly as much as a round-trip if the jet must ferry empty to or from your departure point. Round-trips and popular routes are the most efficient; ask whether an empty-leg matches your timing.
Tell us the mission — route, dates, passengers, ownership vs charter — and we route you to vetted operators and brokers, then handle the technology and security side as your private office. One confidential brief; no spam, no broker storm.
Request a Private QuoteIndependent guidance. Where we introduce partner operators, an arrangement may exist — it never changes your price or our advice.
Once you fly private, the cabin becomes an office: Starlink/Ka-band connectivity, crew devices, scheduling and payments — all targets. Obsidian Helm is the private technology & cybersecurity office that secures the jet, the household and the ventures behind it. Remote, discreet, under NDA.
Yacht, Jet & EstateBy the flight hour for the aircraft class, plus repositioning, overnight/crew fees, taxes and any extras such as de-icing or Wi-Fi. Quotes should be all-in for your specific route and dates.
Turboprops and light jets are cheapest, from roughly $1,600–$4,500/hr. They are ideal for short regional trips of 1–3 hours with a few passengers.
Because the aircraft often has to fly empty (“repositioning”) to reach you or return to base. That ferry time is billed. Empty-leg flights exist precisely to sell those repositioning legs cheaply.
Standard catering is usually included; in-flight Wi-Fi is often an add-on and varies by aircraft. For frequent flyers, securing and standardising that connectivity is exactly what a private technology office handles.
