If you are a travel manager for a large company with multiple offices spread across the world, chances are that the CEO or other high-level managers will need to fly over for many important meetings, or may want to host their guests in style.
Flying business class will certainly ensure plenty of room in the cabin and luxury services onboard, but, as these meetings will likely be part of a full day, time is of the essence. There can be no room for delays at the airport or even with the flight itself.
It may sound extravagant, but in some cases, a private jet could be an option, not just for executives, but for larger groups travelling to work events.
To find out when it can be worthwhile, we break down the pros and cons, the costs involved, and everything a travel manager will need to know when considering private jet hire.
How much does a private jet cost?
The number of private jet charter flights in the UK is increasing, with 25,000 jets flown between 2019 and 2023, or a plane taking off every six minutes.
But how much do they actually cost?
To fly with a private jet, such as Mercury Jets or Luxaviation, you will be paying to rent the whole aircraft, not just the seat like on a commercial flight, and the cost of this rent varies depending on some factors, such as:
Aircraft type and size
The distance you are travelling
The season you are travelling
Any extra services chosen
Type and size of plane
Smaller jets, which seat up to eight people, are cheaper per hour because they use less fuel and require fewer crew members, while larger jets cost more to operate, but are also more luxurious.
Seasonal flying
Prices will differ depending on the season. For example, if you happen to have a lot of business meetings in December, flights will be in higher demand due to the festivities, and as such will cost more.
Flight distance and time
As you rent a private jet by the hour, the longer the flight, the higher the total cost.
Average private jet prices
Route | Estimated cost |
London to Paris (light jet) | Prestige Jets prices start at £3,000 Fly Elite Jets estimates between £4,000 – £5,500 |
London to New York (mid to large-sized jet) | Prestige Jets prices start at £45,000 Fly Elite Jets estimates between £90,000 – £120,000 |
London to Sydney (large jet) | Prestige Jets prices start at £150,000 Mercury Jets costs roughly £280,000 |
What does the price include?
When opting for a private jet, it’s important to remember that you are not just paying to rent the plane; you are responsible for other costs as well.
Fuel surcharges
These can vary based on current fuel prices and the jet’s fuel efficiency.
Typical prices for Jet-A fuel, used in aircraft, average £3.40 per gallon. The amount being used per hour will vary by engine size and type.
Landing and airport fees
You’ll need to pay a fee for landing and parking at an airport, and these vary depending on where you land and on the aircraft's size and weight.
A busy airport like Heathrow can charge up to £6,000 to land.
Crew expenses
Another significant expense can be paying for the salaries and any accommodation of flight attendants and pilots.
Catering and additional services
Added to the total cost will be any in-flight meals, drinks, and any special requests by the travellers.
For a standard meal consisting of options like salads, sandwiches, pasta, and grilled proteins, this can cost between £40 and £110.
Private jets vs business class flights
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One of the key responsibilities of a travel manager, besides booking work travellers on flights and with hotels, is to ensure they are sticking to the budget and getting the best price agreed by their work travel policy.
If you are booking multiple people on business class flights, it might work out cheaper to rent a private jet.
For example, if you are booking a larger group of 10 employees going from London to New York, on a mid-sized plane that typically seats up to 10 people, this works out at roughly £35,000.
Comparatively, a private jet could cost £45,000, and you’d then be able to get the luxury of only your employees on board, a dictated departure time, and time saved waiting at airports.
Below are example costs for flying three business managers from London to Europe, the US, and Australia.
London to Europe
Details | Estimated cost (three travellers) | |
Private jet | London to Paris, for example, would cost roughly £4,000 and seat up to eight people (or five if on a very light jet) | Between £3,000 and £5,500 |
Business class | One traveller going from London to Paris is roughly £2804 with British Airways | £840 |
*Source: British Airways 2026
London to America
Details | Estimated cost (three travellers) | |
Private jet | London to New York, for example, would cost roughly £85,000 and seat up to 10 people | Between £45,000 and £120,000 |
Business class | One traveller going from London to New York is roughly £3,400* with British Airways | £10,200 (If you had 10 travellers, this would cost about £35,000, and not that different from a private jet) |
*Source: Kayak 2026
London to Australia
Details | Estimated cost (three travellers) | |
Private jet | London to Sydney, for example, would cost roughly £200,000 and seat up to 19 people | Between £150,000 and £280,000 |
Business class | One traveller going from London to Sydney is roughly £5,000* with British Airways | £15,000 |
*Source: British Airways 2026
Travel managers and those traveling for work need to weigh up the pros and cons of flying with a private business jet - while it could be financially viable, how could it affect trip scheduling and flexible planning?
What are the pros and cons of flying with a private jet?
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Pros
Efficiency
Those travelling for work can save some all-important time spent waiting in queues at airports if they fly private.
Because of this, they won’t need to turn up at the airport two hours before the flight, allowing for more time to get ready, or even sleep a bit longer.
Creates an employee benefit
If employees know that at least one business trip will be via private jet, this might provide an incentive and boost team morale.
Flexible schedule
If you hire a private jet, you can dictate the departure time, and as such, be able to change this time with much more flexibility than a commercial airline.
Private flying
It’s no secret that on a flight you can be met with loud neighbours, so the advantage of a private jet is that it is just you and your colleagues (who would hopefully be on their best behaviour!)
Cons
Expensive price
Flying via a private jet certainly doesn’t come cheap, even when compared to several business-class flights. And you have to remember to consider the extra costs that you incur, such as fuel surcharges and airport fees.
Requires more planning
When you book a seat with a commercial airline, the flight time, menu, and seat prices are all dictated to you. But if you fly private, travel managers will have to liaise with the flight schedule, route, refueling stops (if necessary), in-flight menu/catering, and any other extra requirements the travellers may have.
This type of extra work would be referred to as unnecessary “shadow work”, which is costing UK businesses nearly £95 billion every year, so this is definitely something travel managers should consider when choosing how to book flights.
More prone to weather delays
As private jets are much smaller than commercial airplanes, especially those travelling long-haul, they are more likely to be affected by bad weather and often cancel.
And if the flight still goes ahead, the planes are much more prone to turbulence.
Strict cancellation policy
Whilst private jets can be flexible with departure times, if you decide to cancel a flight, most operate a use-it-or-lose-it policy, meaning that you would not be entitled to a refund, and often have to pay a penalty.
Choose the best service for your business
Whether renting a private jet or flying business class, it has to be the service that is the best fit for both work travellers and travel managers organising the trip.
For companies with a high volume of work travellers heading to the US, for example, travel managers could benefit from the luxury and time-saving of a private jet, for not much more cost.
But for smaller journeys, perhaps to Europe, a business class flight would be the more affordable option, and more flexible with cancellation policies.
To help you decide and book the best service for your travellers, Perk’s platform gives you access to a global inventory of flights all in one place, including executive & VIP business travel services. By bringing your booking, managing, and reporting together, you also remove administrative time burdens, allowing your team to focus on real work, with real impact.
With Perk, all aspects of travel can be booked and managed in one simple dashboard, also giving the ability to manage travellers' preferences, expenses, and company policies – streamlining the whole travel management process.
Whether it’s a private charter or business class, Perk gives you the visibility to see every dollar spent. Ready to focus on real work? Sign up today for a free demo.
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