Flying private in 2026 doesn’t necessarily mean owning an aircraft. NetJets and Flexjet offer fractional ownership, leasing, and prepaid flight hours, while Wheels Up focuses on funded memberships and on-demand charter. The real differences are in upfront commitments, hourly costs, fleet availability, and booking flexibility.
Here’s what U.S. travelers should know before choosing a provider:
- NetJets: Jet cards start at $215,000 for 25 flight hours. Fractional ownership starts at approximately $360,000 annually for 50 hours, plus an initial aircraft investment.
- Flexjet: Offers 25-hour jet cards, fractional ownership, and leasing. Pricing depends on the aircraft and program, with personalized quotes required.
- Wheels Up: Signature Membership starts with a $200,000 prepaid fund for 12 months, applied toward eligible flying. On-demand charter is also available.
- Fleet sizes (2026): Approximately 868 aircraft at NetJets, more than 340 at Flexjet, and 43 controlled premium jets at Wheels Up as of their respective reporting dates.
The important distinction: A jet card, fractional share, and funded membership are not priced the same way. Comparing upfront payments alone can be misleading. The actual cost depends on billable flight hours, aircraft type, taxes, fuel charges, and contract terms.
Can You Pay by the Hour for a Private Jet?
Yes, but the payment structure matters. NetJets offers prepaid flight hours starting at $215,000 for 25 hours, equivalent to $8,600 per hour. Flexjet also uses hourly pricing, although its current rates require a personalized quote.
Wheels Up offers fixed or dynamic hourly rates through its Signature Membership, which starts with a $200,000 prepaid fund. Travelers who prefer not to make an upfront commitment can instead book individual flights through Wheels Up Charter.
What if you only need a private jet for a two-hour flight? You can book a single trip without buying a membership or prepaid flight package, this is called on-demand private jet charter, and you pay for the individual trip rather than committing to future flights.
But not all three companies offer it directly.
| Company | One-off flight without membership |
|---|---|
| NetJets | No, standard programs involve purchasing a share, leasing, or a package of 25 hours or more. |
| Flexjet | Yes, through affiliate company FXAIR. |
| Wheels Up | Yes, via Wheels Up Charter. |
Where Can You Book a One-Off Flight?
- Wheels Up — you can receive a custom quote without a membership.
- FXAIR — one-off charters are available, though specific FXSelect aircraft are reserved for members of their programs.
Important: An advertised hourly rate is not necessarily the final trip price. Taxes, fuel adjustments, minimum billable flight time, and other charges may apply.
At-A-Glance Comparison
| Category | NetJets | Flexjet | Wheels Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary business model | Fractional ownership | Fractional ownership | Membership and charter |
| Other access options | Leases, jet cards | Leases, jet cards | On-demand charter |
| Fleet size | 868 aircraft | More than 340 aircraft | 43 controlled premium jets |
| Typical commitment | 25-hour cards or longer-term shares | 25-hour cards or 50+ hours/year fractional | No share purchase; funded membership or charter |
| Price transparency | Mostly custom quotes | Mostly custom quotes | Published membership funding minimum |
| Main advantage | Extensive fleet and aircraft variety | Personalized service and dedicated crews | Flexibility without aircraft ownership |
NetJets: Fractional Ownership and Prepaid Flight Hours
NetJets, a Berkshire Hathaway company, offers three main ways to access its fleet: purchasing a fractional share, leasing a share, or buying a prepaid NetJets Card.
Its fleet spans light aircraft such as the Embraer Phenom 300 through long-range Bombardier Global jets, providing options for domestic trips and intercontinental travel.
NetJets published pricing
| Program | Published starting price | Structure |
|---|---|---|
| NetJets Card | $215,000 for 25 hours | Prepaid, up to 275 annual access days at entry level |
| NetJets Lease | Approx. $225,000/year for 25 hours | No share acquisition cost; 36-month minimum |
| NetJets Share | Approx. $360,000/year for 50 hours, plus capital investment | Fractional equity ownership and recurring operating charges |
These are starting figures published by NetJets, not personalized quotations. The card’s $215,000 entry price implies $8,600 per purchased flight hour ($215,000 ÷ 25). The ownership program’s $360,000 annual starting figure excludes the initial share purchase.
- Best for: Frequent private flyers, business travelers, international trips, and customers who need predictable aircraft access during busy travel periods.
- How it works: Customers purchase a fractional aircraft share, lease access, or buy prepaid NetJets Cards in 25-hour increments. Fractional ownership is designed for regular flying, while jet cards offer a shorter commitment.
- Strengths: Extensive global fleet, multiple aircraft categories, Berkshire Hathaway backing, guaranteed access under qualifying programs, and no standard aircraft repositioning fees.
- Considerations: Significant financial commitments. Fractional ownership involves acquisition and ongoing operating costs, while jet cards have booking restrictions and limited peak-day access. Standard programs aren’t designed for booking a single two-hour flight without a prepaid commitment.
Flexjet: Premium fractional ownership
Flexjet offers fractional aircraft ownership, leases, and its Flexjet 25 jet card. Its Red Label service emphasizes aircraft-specific flight crews, customized cabin interiors, and an experience closer to dedicated private aircraft ownership.
The fleet includes Embraer Phenom and Praetor jets, Bombardier Challengers, and long-range Gulfstream aircraft such as the G650 and G700. Flexjet also offers helicopter access in selected markets.
Flexjet Pricing Structure
| Program | Commitment | Cost components |
|---|---|---|
| Fractional ownership | From 50 hours/year | Aircraft share acquisition, monthly management, occupied hourly rate, fuel adjustments |
| Aircraft lease | Typically 50+ hours/year | Deposit, monthly lease payment, management and hourly charges |
| Flexjet 25 Card | 25 prepaid hours | Aircraft hourly rate × 25, plus 7.5% federal excise tax and fuel adjustments |
Flexjet specifies that fractional shares start at 1/16 of an aircraft and have terms of up to 60 months. Its jet card is primarily marketed as an introductory or supplemental product, with restrictions on repeat purchases and advance booking.
- Best for: Frequent flyers seeking premium cabins, personalized service, and a more consistent onboard experience, particularly those flying 50 or more hours annually.
- How it works: Offers fractional ownership, aircraft leasing, and prepaid jet cards. Its Red Label program provides dedicated flight crews and customized interiors for eligible super-midsize and larger aircraft owners.
- Strengths: Modern Gulfstream, Bombardier, and Embraer aircraft, dedicated crews on eligible programs, distinctive cabin designs, and options to exchange flight hours across aircraft categories.
- Considerations: Fractional ownership involves multi-year commitments, upfront investments, and ongoing fees. Published pricing is limited, so customers generally need personalized quotes. For one-time flights without ownership, travelers can use affiliated charter provider FXAIR.
Wheels Up: Membership-based private aviation and charter
Wheels Up uses a different approach. Instead of requiring fractional ownership, it offers access through prepaid memberships or individual charter bookings.
Its 2026 fleet modernization simplified its core offering to two aircraft families: the Embraer Phenom 300 series and Bombardier Challenger 300 series. As of September 30, 2026, the company reported 43 controlled premium jets, while relying on third-party charter operators for additional capacity and destinations.
This is a substantial change from its 2025 fleet, which included King Air turboprops and several older jet models.
Wheels Up membership pricing
Wheels Up Signature Membership offers Fixed and Dynamic Access plans, with membership funds beginning at $200,000 for 12 months. The fund is prepaid spending credit for eligible services, rather than an aircraft ownership investment. A separate monthly membership fee applies.
Reported 2026 Fixed Access hourly rates:
| Membership fund | Phenom 300 | Challenger 300 |
|---|---|---|
| $200,000 | $9,295/hr | $13,495/hr |
| $500,000 | $8,995/hr | $12,995/hr |
| $1,000,000 | $8,695/hr | $12,695/hr |
- Best for: Travelers who prefer private flying without aircraft ownership, customers seeking flexible booking options, and those who occasionally need a single charter flight.
- How it works: Signature Membership offers fixed or dynamically priced hourly access through a prepaid fund starting at $200,000 for 12 months. Alternatively, customers can book individual flights through Wheels Up Charter without purchasing a membership.
- Strengths: On-demand charter availability, no aircraft ownership requirement, access to Phenom 300 and Challenger 300 jets, additional aircraft through charter partners, and travel benefits through its Delta Air Lines partnership.
- Considerations: Membership requires substantial upfront funding and a separate monthly fee. Charter prices vary by trip, and availability depends on aircraft and routes. Guaranteed access applies only within eligible membership terms and service areas.
Wheels Up also offers on-demand charter without a Signature membership, with pricing dependent on the specific trip and available aircraft.
What Is It Really Like to Fly on a Private Jet?
Private aviation isn’t only about avoiding crowded airports. The onboard experience can be quite different from flying first class on a commercial airline.
As the photo show, even a relatively compact business jet can offer spacious leather seats, individual controls, cup holders, and a private cabin without other passengers outside your group.
Food and refreshments: Some private jets provide complimentary packaged snacks, bottled drinks, and other refreshments. More extensive catering may be available upon request, sometimes at an additional cost. What’s included depends on the aircraft and operator.
Cabin comfort: Unlike commercial airlines, passengers booking an entire private aircraft have exclusive use of the passenger cabin. However, cabin size, seating arrangements, luggage capacity, and onboard amenities vary considerably between light jets and larger aircraft.
Which Private Aviation Model Makes The Most Sense?
- NetJets: Particularly relevant for travelers who prioritize extensive fleet choice, international capability, and access through an established fractional operator.
- Flexjet: Worth comparing for frequent travelers interested in dedicated crews, premium interiors, and longer-term aircraft access.
- Wheels Up: Worth considering for travelers who want charter flexibility without purchasing an aircraft share, particularly if their routes fit the Signature fleet.
A useful cost comparison should include more than the advertised hourly rate. Aircraft class, hours actually billed, access restrictions, fuel, taxes, minimum flight charges, and the value or cost of committed capital can materially change the result.
For direct verification, see NetJets official pricing, Flexjet programs, and Wheels Up membership
