10 Questions to Ask When Considering Private Jet Flights
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Though the cost is significant, the benefits of private jet or charter flights are substantial. It provides tremendous convenience and reduces travel stress as you skip the security line. Sometimes this includes driving right onto the tarmac to board for your private jet flights. For business travelers, the flexibility to book personal aircraft flights at a moment’s notice in an enormous benefit. So is the productivity of hosting collaborative meetings mid-flight, and the positive image a corporate jet conveys.
It also can save a lot of time since by flying directly to your destination instead of changing planes. Changing planes is becoming more common in commercial air traffic. As for comfort, you’ll sit beside your companion. If you’d like you can also have your pet by your side, in an incredible leather recliner with plenty of leg room. Compare this to being crammed into a row of six. Plus, private aircraft flights help maintain individual privacy, as well as help isolate you from other possibly ill travelers.
What are the most popular options for private jet flights?
- Charter flights
- Purchased hours on card for private jet flights
- Fractional ownership
- Purchasing or leasing a personal jet
How Do I Know If I Need Private Flights?
There are several critical questions when determining if flying private will best suit your needs:
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How many trips do you take per year?
The most critical question is, “How many hours do you fly annually?”. This will help you determine if it’s most beneficial to charter flights or purchase a private jet. Your net worth and annual spending certainly come into play when making this significant decision. But considering how much you plan to fly is more important. Someone who takes two short trips per year on a turboprop may only spend about $10,000 on charter flights. A corporate executive who travels 2-3 days per week on an ultra-long-range jet should be prepared to spend millions in travel costs, tens of millions if they purchase the private jet.
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Where do you typically fly?
Another critical variable in how to fly private is “Where do I usually travel?”. This will help you determine what equipment you will need for the mission. Once you identify your destination, you can calculate how many nautical miles it will take. Then, use the speed and range of an aircraft to determine what type of plane can get the job done. (See our Equipment Guide in Appendix A at the end of this paper).
Keep in mind that mountains and water surround many exotic destinations. Therefore, runway length may be a consideration as well. A turboprop is not as fast and comfortable as a larger jet. But it can access most of these hard-to-get-to locations.
St. Barths in the Caribbean is a perfect example of this. The runway is only 2170 feet long. Therefore you need a Short Take Off & Landing (STOL) plane like a Pilatus PC-12. You also need a pilot with training to accomplish a feat akin to landing on an aircraft carrier. Most high-end travelers will utilize larger private jet flights to Puerto Rico or St. Martin. Then they will switch over to a turboprop to shuttle them across to this secluded island.
A family with homes in two locations is the easiest to solve for. While someone who has 3+ homes and flies regularly for business is significantly more complex. Take a couple who lives just outside of Washington D.C. and has a vacation home in Kiawah Island, South Carolina. They travel back and forth about once a month (4-hour round trip X 12 times = 50 hours approximately). They purchase a 50-hour jet card with Wheels Up that lets them fly from Washington to Charleston on a King Air 350i turboprop.
Another family has homes in Massachusetts, Florida, Colorado, and California. A light cabin jet with a range of 1900 nautical miles can transport them comfortably from Boston, MA to Naples, FL. They they also need a midsize or super-midsize to get them from the East Coast to their home in San Francisco. A family that requires different types of equipment should consider charter flights, participating in a jet card or fractional platform that allows flexibility. Another option is putting a purchased jet into a charter flights pool where they can utilize other owners’ private jets.
See our Equipment Guide in Appendix A
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Who will be joining you on private airplane flights?
Now that you know where you are going and how often, it’s time to determine the headcount. If the kids are grown, maybe it’s just two of you heading to Florida or Colorado for a long weekend. In contrast, some families like to travel with kids and grandchildren, which might require a larger aircraft.
After you have completed the headcount estimate, think about how much luggage you typically need. Are you someone who travels light because you already have everything from clothes to toiletries at your vacation homes. Or do you (or your significant other) tend to pack everything but the kitchen sink for a weekend away? Private jets do not have the cargo space that commercial planes offer. So make sure to factor this into your decision regarding equipment needs.
Finally, would you enjoy bringing your pets with you? They will require additional space onboard, and some charter services/platforms may not allow them. Candidly, the desire to travel with beloved family pets is one of the top reasons that many people take private jet flights. They bounce from one home to another for weeks at a time and do not want to leave their pets behind. They also do not want to subject them to flying beneath a commercial plane like luggage.
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When do you need charter flights?
Have you ever booked a flight for the week between Christmas and the New Year? It’s obvious that when you want to travel is almost as important as where you want to go. Private jet flight rates go up dramatically. In some cases, charter flights can nearly double for high-demand days and holiday periods.
Many jet cards and programs have restrictions. These potentially limit or prevent their members from using their travel hours around the top 40 to 50 travel days. Many of these programs require advanced notice by fractional aircraft owners. Thanksgiving is the perfect example. Blackout dates do not allow you to travel in some cases from the Tuesday before Thanksgiving until the Monday after. Prior to signing up for any program, make sure you have done a detailed analysis of your typical travel dates and read the fine print regarding peak date restrictions. If you plan on charter flights for a holiday trip, book early as these flights are often very popular, and prices only increase as the date approaches.
See our List of High-Demand Days and Holiday Periods in Appendix B.
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How flexible are you when it comes to booking trips, making travel changes and cancellations?
Flexibility when it comes to booking, canceling, and making changes to a trip is another significant consideration when deciding on a private aircraft flights strategy. Families who do not work 9-to-5 and no longer have kids in school have a lot more freedom. Compare this to a company CEO who needs to board charter flights first thing in the morning to discuss an important merger or acquisition face-to-face. Every family is different on this front.
Some preplan every trip a year in advance, while others decide on a whim or unexpected weather change to pick up and fly south for more warmth or go west to catch a recent dump of fresh powder. Having your own private jet gives you ultimate flexibility. However, that comes with a significant price. While charter flights are readily available to most destinations and times, reserving them last minute will also cost you a pretty penny. If you plan to buy private jet cards or a fractional share, fully understand the rules associated with last-minute bookings and changes.
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Do you prefer a new private jet, or is used acceptable?
Just like buying a car, there can be a significant difference in features, comfort, and price. The latest model to hit the market is very different compared to a used aircraft that has been around for a few years. So weigh the pros and cons of flying new equipment versus realizing cost savings with used. To determine the “true age” of an aircraft, calculate its remaining service life. To calculate, use the years since it was built, its total flight hours, and the number of takeoffs and landings.
The average private jet is between 1 and 40 years old with most inside of 25 years. Planes that are older than 20 years are considered “old”. Then you have those 10-20 years old considered “standard,” and those younger than 10 years old are “new.” Most private jet operators put between 300 and 1,000 hours on a plane per year. This means that many standard jets will have about 10,000 hours on them. Older equipment can exceed 20,000 hours if well maintained.
Maintenance history is also key. This is probably the biggest difference between charter flights vs. embracing jet cards or a fractional ownership plan. You may pay a premium to charter flights on a newer piece of equipment. But there are a lot of older jets in the charter market as well.
Private aviation membership and fractional platforms like NetJets and Flexjet typically have newer aircraft. Those considering the outright purchase of a private plane should keep in mind that it will only be the “new, new thing” for several years. Then, more advanced models come out. Though some choose to upgrade their jet every few years to stay current, this can be very expensive over time. The most significant depreciation of the asset occurs in the first year. With business-use jets, many companies maximize the tax depreciation of the equipment and then upgrade when it is complete.
Many of the newer private jets are faster, have longer ranges, and more comfortable cabins for passengers. That said, many private jet owners have gutted and completely refurbished the interior of their planes. This gives older equipment a more modern look and feel. In addition to the aesthetics, this can include updating the jet’s electronics and instruments. This is especially for those who want to keep up with changing technology and industry standards. For many people in the charter flights market, this is the ultimate “value trade”. It looks new, but the rate is lower to reflect the plane’s age.
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Will your private air travel be for personal, business, or both?
It’s important to determine if private aiplane is for personal trips, business travel, or a mix of both. This is from a complexity standpoint. If you use the equipment for any business travel, it is incredibly important to keep a detailed log of everything. This includes from where you traveled to what company you visited to see. It also includes who was on the flight, their role in the organization and why they needed to join the meeting. These records will help you maximize your aircraft cash flow while minimizing tax liabilities.
These records prepare your company’s aircraft-related federal/state tax returns. It also prepares your company’s financial reporting for regulatory bodies like the SEC and in aircraft-related audit defenses with the IRS/state. It’s important, whether you have an accounting team with private jet taxation experience or choose to partner with a specialty firm like Aviation CPAs. It’s crucial to work with someone who has experience in navigating the often-conflicting FAA and IRS rules, layered regulations, and compliance issues that you will face in business aircraft ownership.
Some try to keep records in a standard Excel spreadsheet. But wwe highly recommend that you either outsource it entirely or utilize software. Software like Flight Tax Systems records all your trips. These help keep track of the Standard Industry Fare Level (SIFL). This is the taxable fringe benefit charged to employees for non-business use of the company aircraft. The regulation requires companies to disallow aircraft costs, expenses, and depreciation from non-business flights, which involves a specific calculation. Flight tracking software also allows users to track Qualified Business Use (QBU) for § 280F Depreciation Recapture for Business Aircraft. You will need to track days, miles, and landings within applicable states. This can result in substantial taxpayer savings on state sales tax filings.
If your company is public, your CFO must report the incremental cost of your personal use of a business aircraft for proxy disclosure purposes. That said, even if you only use your private jet for personal travel, it is still important to keep detailed records. This is so that you or your team can perform an annual analysis to optimize your use of this expensive asset.
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Do you require specific private jet safety certifications?
The one important question to ask when booking private charter flights is, “Have they been safety audited by one of the four major ratings organizations (IS-BAO, ARGUS, BARS & Wyvern)? It’s also important for purchasing jet cards, or fractional ownership from a platform too. And to add, what level achievement was reached?”
The International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) was created by the International Business Aviation Council. This is due to the need to provide standards that look beyond those of the FAA for operators that provide international flights. IS-BAO audits use benchmarks. These were created by the International Civil Aviation Organization, which is recognized around the globe. IS-BAO-registered operators are those that follow international best practices, perform internal audits, and pass third-party IS-BAO audits. They also receive a Certificate of Registration from the IBAC Standards Board. IS-BAO has three stages (I, II, & III) of safety auditing, with stage III being the most prestigious and most difficult to achieve.
The Aviation Research Group US (ARGUS) audits an operator’s maintenance records, flight history, insurance coverage, the frequency of aircraft inspections and a program’s ability to meet or exceed FAA standards. Other considerations include flight hours, pilot training, and their medical records. ARGUS has four rating tiers for operators: Does Not Qualify, Gold, Gold Plus and Platinum. All ARGUS-rated operators must provide the auditing firm with its latest records to ensure that they’re cleared before each flight. Before flights, you can request a “TripCheq” with further information about a specific crew and plane.
The Basic Aviation Risk Standard Program (BARS) was developed by the Flight Safety Foundation (FSF) in conjunction with the onshore resource sector to provide a system of oversight for the contracted aviation sector. Operators undergo an annual audit to the BAR Standard to become registered BARS Aircraft Operators (AO). Color code designations are applied to the operator’s BARS registration that include amber, green, silver and gold which is their highest rating.
Wyvern Consulting offers different levels of audits that comply with private aviation industry standards. Registered Operator is its entry-level program in which operators have their records on file in the due diligence-related Registered Standard PASS Program that Wyvern’s corporate, operator and broker clients can access before a flight. (Wayvern’s PASS is similar to ARGUS’ TripCheq system.) The highest-level tier for Wyvern is the Wingman Program, which is much more challenging to obtain.
To determine if a company for charter flights, or private aviation membership platform is certified, and at what safety rating, you should inquire with the private jet operator directly or check the charter flights company’s website. One reason charter flights can be less expensive than the major membership / fractional platforms is that they typically only acquire one to two safety audit certifications, and their resulting ratings are often lower.
Safety Certifications*
International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) Good Stage I Demonstrated the establishment of an appropriate Safety Management System (SMS) and that safety management activities are appropriately targeted. Better Stage II Ensures that safety management activities are appropriately targeted and that safety risks are being effectively managed. Best Stage III Verifies that safety management activities are fully integrated into the operator’s business and that a positive safety culture is being sustained. Aviation Research Group US (ARGUS) Good Gold Meets or exceeds ARGUS standards and the company does not have outstanding safety issues or history. Better Gold Plus Meets all of the Gold standards, along with an ARGUS on-site safety audit or registration with the IS-BAO. Best Platinum Meets all of the Gold Plus standards, as well as have an emergency response plan and a functioning safety management system. Basic Aviation Risk Standard Program (BARS) In Process Amber Indicates the audit has been conducted and non-conformities are still open within the allocated time (normal for the renewal cycle). Good Green Indicates that the operator has undertaken an audit and closed all priority 1 and P2 non-conformities. Better Silver AO has conducted two audits with the renewal audit before the current registration expired and closed P1 and P2 non-conformities within the allotted timeframe. Best Gold AOs have completed two or more renewal audits before registration expiration and closed the P1 and P2 non-conformities within the allocated timeframes. Wyvern Consulting Good Registered Operators Provides Wyvern with their records, makes them available to their clients to review and meets certain standards. Not been audited by Wyvern. Best Wingman Program Must follow specific methods that reflect the latest and best safety practices. Audited and passed Wyvern’s audit standard. *Source: International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations, Aviation Research Group US, Basic Aviation Risk Standard Program, & Wyvern Consulting
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Do private airplane flights matter to me?
Many athletes and celebrities enjoy the privacy of flying privately so they do not have to endure enthusiastic fans pressing for photos and autographs. But it is not as private as you might think. It’s easy to track private jet ownership via the equipment’s tail number or the ADS-B technology that every U.S. airspace plane must carry. So anyone with the right antennae can pick up.</p>
This information is now more valuable. This is because hedge funds, competing companies, and the media use it to predict mergers and acquisition targets. A business deal of that magnitude frequently requires multiple trips to the other company’s headquarters. So it is pretty easy—and perfectly legal—to figure out since the information is readily available to the public. Some companies will try to block access to this data by registering their corporate jet to another legal entity. But it’s still possible for motivated parties to uncover the owner’s identity. The preferred way to mitigate these types of risks and to maintain your privacy is to charter a jet. Or take advantage of an anonymous pool of planes via a jet card or fractional ownership program.</p>
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How has flying private jets changed post-COVID, and how does this affect me?
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the private aviation industry. For health reasons, many people no longer wanted to fly commercially or couldn’t during the shutdown. Therefore, the demand for private flights skyrocketed.
As we all learned in Economics 101, a substantial shift in demand typically results in a price increase. However, in this case, the impact on the supply side of the equation sent prices even higher. To further exacerbate the problem, we have also witnessed a shortage of qualified labor. This labor is crutial to operate and service the private jet industry.
As a result of all these factors, the cost to fly private has increased significantly. From charter flights to purchasing jet cards to buying the equipment, if you can find it, the price has gone up. The shortage of planes has made it very difficult for potential buyers to locate what they are looking for. In some cases, they have had to engage in bidding wars to be able to secure one. The pandemic-related supply chain issues that limited the availability of planes have also caused frequent private jet flight delays and cancellations. This is due to trouble getting aircraft parts.
To combat the rapid growth of the industry, most major providers of jet cards and fractional ownership have made changes. This is to slow the demand. This includes price increases and altering dates some customers can fly. It also requires advanced notification to book private jet flights or charter flights and does not allow new clients onto their platforms.
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Conclusion
If all of this seems incredibly complex to you, that’s because it is. One of the benefits of having your own single-family office or being part of a multi-family office is that they often help you with private jet flights or charter flights consultation, charter flights booking, and aircraft management. At Verdence/Family, we help our clients do this complex analysis to determine their travel and equipment needs solution is right for their situation. Once we help them determine how they will fly privately, we foster the enjoyment of the experience by comparing quotes, scheduling missions, and keep detailed records of their private flights for tax purposes and expense optimization.
Private aviation is one of the world’s most sought-after luxuries, but it can be a complex nightmare with plenty of opportunities to overpay, so make sure you do your homework or partner with the right team to advise you.
Appendix A: Verdence Equipment Guide*
(Gold= Verdence first choice; Gray=Verdence second choice)
| Aircraft Type | Manufacturer | Model | Platforms | In-Service Year | Max Speed | Max Range | Max Pass | Bag Cap |
| Turboprop | Piaggio Avanti EVO | P180 | Jet Linx, Stratos Jets | 1986 | 460 mph | 1668 nm | 8 | 44 ft3 |
| Turboprop | Hawker Beechcraft | King Air 90 | Magellan, Stratos Jets | 1963 | 283 mph | 1260 mi | 8 | 48 ft3 |
| Turboprop | Hawker Beechcraft | King Air B200 | Magellan, Stratos Jets | 2004 | 333 mph | 920 mi | 6 | 55 ft3 |
| Turboprop | Hawker Beechcraft | King Air 250/300 | Stratos Jets | 1987 | 368 mph | 2255 nm | 9 | 55 ft3 |
| Turboprop | Hawker Beechcraft | King Air 350i | Wheels Up, Magellan, Jet Linx, Stratos Jets | 2009 | 368 mph | 600 mi | 8 | 70 ft3 |
| Turboprop | Pilatus | PC-12 | Plane Sense, Stratos Jets | 1991 | 333 mph | 1803 nm | 10 | 40 ft3 |
| Turboprop | Beechcraft/ Raytheon |
Beechcraft King Air 100 | Stratos Jets | 1964 | 307 mph | 1473 nm | 8 | 44 ft3 |
| Turboprop | Cessna | Caravan | Stratos Jets | 1984 | 341 mph | 1088 nm | 9 | 34 ft3 |
| Turboprop | Cessna | Conquest II | Stratos Jets | 1987 | 342 mph | 1807 nm | 8 | 65 ft3 |
| Turboprop | Mitsubishi | MU-2 | Stratos Jets | 1986 | 326 mph | 1605 nm | 7 | 38 ft3 |
| Turboprop | Piper | Cheyenne | Stratos Jets | 1993 | 326 mph | 2577 nm | 9 | 41 ft3 |
| Turboprop | TBM | Socata TBM 850 | Stratos Jets | 1988 | 368 mph | 1191 nm | 5 | 12 ft3 |
| Very Light Jet | Cessna | Citation Mustang | Magellan, Stratos Jets | 2006 | 453 mph | 1050 nm | 4 | 63 ft3 |
| Very Light Jet | Cessna | Citation 500/525 | Magellan, Stratos Jets | 1971 | 465 mph | 730 nm | 5 | 57 ft3 |
| Very Light Jet | Raytheon | Beechjet 400/400A | Jet Linx, Magellan, Stratos Jets | 2003 | 513 mph | 1140 nm | 4 | 25 ft3 |
| Very Light Jet | Embraer | Phenom 100 | Magellan, Stratos Jets | 2008 | 537 mph | 1178 nm | 4 | 55 ft3 |
| Very Light Jet | Eclipse | 500 | Linear, Stratos Jets | 2006 | 426 mph | 1294 nm | 4 | 40 ft3 |
| Very Light Jet | Nextant | 400XTi | Jet Linx, Magellan | 2010 | 514 mph | 2005 nm | 6 | 56 ft3 |
| Very Light Jet | Bombardier | LearJet 24D/25D | Magellan, Stratos Jets | 1966 | 546 mph | 850 nm | 5 | 40 ft3 |
| Very Light Jet | Bombardier | LearJet 35A/36A | Magellan, Stratos Jets | 1973 | 542 mph | 1930 nm | 4 – 6 | 40 ft3 |
| Very Light Jet | Williams International | Cirrus Vision Jet | Stratos Jets | 2016 | 345 mph | 1275 nm | 6 | 31 ft3 |
| Very Light Jet | Honda | Honda Jet | Stratos Jets | 2015 | 483 mph | 1223 nm | 5 | 66 ft3 |
| Light Cab. Jet | Hawker Beechcraft | Hawker 400/A/XP | Jet Linx, Magellan, Stratos Jets | 1978 | 518 mph | 1400 nm | 7 – 8 | 53 ft3 |
| Light Cab. Jet | Hawker Beechcraft | Diamond 1A/Premier | Jet Linx, Magellan, Stratos Jets | 1998 | 523 mph | 1140 nm | 7 | 77 ft3 |
| Light Cab. Jet | Bombardier | Learjet 31 | Stratos Jets | 1991 | 617 mph | 1449 nm | 7 | 66 ft3 |
| Light Cab. Jet | Bombardier | LearJet 40/40XR | Jet Linx, Magellan, Stratos Jets | 2004 | 537 mph | 1617 nm | 6 – 7 | 50 ft3 |
| Light Cab. Jet | Bombardier | LearJet 45/45XR | Jet Linx, Magellan, Stratos Jets | 2003 | 533 mph | 1869 nm | 7 | 65 ft3 |
| Light Cab. Jet | Bombardier | LearJet 55 | Magellan, Stratos Jets | 1987 | 541 mph | 2039 nm | 7 | 60 ft3 |
| Light Cab. Jet | Bombardier | LearJet 70 | Stratos Jets | 2013 | 535 mph | 2347 nm | 6 | 50 ft3 |
| Light Cab. Jet | Bombardier | LearJet 75 | Magellan, Stratos Jets | 2013 | 535 mph | 2080 nm | 8 | 65 ft3 |
| Light Cab. Jet | Cessna | Citation Bravo/II | Magellan, Stratos Jets | 1995 | 464 mph | 1290 nm | 7 | 73 ft3 |
| Light Cab. Jet | Cessna | Citation III | Stratos Jets | 1991 | 479 mph | 2992 nm | 7 | 62 ft3 |
| Light Cab. Jet | Cessna | Citation CJ1/CJ2/+ | Magellan, Stratos Jets | 2012 | 448 mph | 1127 nm | 5 – 7 | 65 ft3 |
| Light Cab. Jet | Cessna | Citation V/Ultra/ Encore/+ |
XO, Fly Exclusive, Jet Linx, Magellan, Stratos Jets |
1991/ 1996 |
493 mph | 1220 nm | 9 | 46 ft3 |
| Light Cab. Jet | Cessna | Citation VI/VII | Magellan, Stratos Jets | 1992 /2000 | 528 mph | 1693 nm | 7 | 51 ft3 |
| Light Cab. Jet | Cessna | Citation CJ2/CJ3/CJ4 | Fly Exclusive, Jet Linx, Stratos Jets | 2008 | 522 mph | 1511 nm | 8 | 77 ft3 |
| Light Cab. Jet | Cessna | Citation S/II | Stratos Jets | 1988 | 444 mph | 1645 nm | 6 | 77 ft3 |
| Light Cab. Jet | Cessna | Citation Excel/XLS/XLS+ | NetJets, Wheels Up, XO, Fly Exclusive, Jet Linx, Stratos Jets | 1996 | 571 mph | 2000 nm | 7 – 8 | 90 ft3 |
| Light Cab. Jet | Dassault | Falcon 10/100 | Magellan, Stratos Jets | 1970 | 492 mph | 1520 nm | 6 | 41 ft3 |
| Light Cab. Jet | Embraer | Phenom 300/E | Flexjet, NetJets, GrandView, Magellan, Stratos Jets | 2008 | 533 mph | 1971 nm | 6 | 76 ft3 |
| Light Cab. Jet | Pilatus | PC-24 | Plane Sense, Stratos Jets | 2014 | 506 mph | 2076 nm | 6 | 90 ft3 |
| Midsize Jet | Hawker Beechcraft | Hawker 700 | Stratos Jets | 1984 | 471 mph | 2100 nm | 7 | 50 ft3 |
| Midsize Jet | Hawker Beechcraft | Hawker 750 | Stratos Jets | 2012 | 514 mph | 2429 nm | 8 | 79 ft3 |
| Midsize Jet | Hawker Beechcraft | Hawker 800/SP/XP/ A/850 | Magellan, Stratos Jets | 1983 | 514 mph | 2390/ 3150 nm |
8 | 48 ft3 |
| Midsize Jet | Hawker Beechcraft | Hawker 900 XP | Jet Linx, Magellan, Stratos Jets | 2012 | 516 mph | 2733 nm | 7 | 50 ft3 |
| Midsize Jet | Bombardier | LearJet 60/60XR | Jet Linx, Magellan, Stratos Jets | 2012 | 521 mph | 2310 nm | 7 | 48 ft3 |
| Midsize Jet | Cessna | Citation Sovereign/Plus | NetJets, Fly Exclusive, Jet Linx, Magellan Stratos Jets | 2013 | 515 mph | 3200 nm | 8 | 100 ft3 |
| Midsize Jet | Cessna | Citation Latitude | NetJets, Magellan, Stratos Jets | 2014 | 506 mph | 2700 nm | 9 | 126 ft3 |
| Midsize Jet | Dassault | Falcon 200 | Magellan | 1995 | 529 mph | 2975 nm | 8 | 41 ft3 |
| Midsize Jet | Embraer | Legacy 450/Praetor 500 | FlexJet, Magellan, Stratos Jets | 2013 | 624 mph | 2904 nm | 9 | 155 ft3 |
| Midsize Jet | Gulfstream | G100/G150 | Jet Linx, Magellan, Stratos Jets | 2006 | 541 mph | 2550 nm | 7 | 64 ft3 |
| Midsize Jet | Gulfstream | G200/G280 | Jet Linx, Stratos Jets | 2009 | 559 mph | 3130 nm | 8 | 150 ft3 |
| Midsize Jet | IAI | Astra SPX | Magellan, Stratos Jets | 1986 | 543 mph | 2330 nm | 7 | 42 ft3 |
| Midsize Jet | Rockwell | Sabreliner 60 | Stratos Jets | 1979 | 492 mph | 1841 nm | 6 | 43 ft3 |
| Midsize Jet | Israel Aircraft Industries | Westwind | Stratos Jets | 1987 | 540 mph | 2199 nm | 6 | 63 ft3 |
| Super-Midsize Jet | Bombardier | Challenger 300/350 | FlexJet, NetJets, VistaJet, XO, Magellan, Stratos Jets | 2011 | 629 mph | 3276 nm | 8 | 106 ft3 |
| Super-Midsize Jet | Cessna | Citation X/X+ | Wheels Up, XO, Fly Exclusive, Jet Linx, Magellan, Stratos Jets | 1996 | 700 mph | 2890 nm | 11 | 72 ft3 |
| Super-Midsize Jet | Cessna | Citation Longitude | NetJets | 2019 | 550 mph | 3500 nm | 12 | 112 ft3 |
| Super-Midsize Jet | Dassault | Falcon 20 | Magellan, Stratos Jets | 1963 | 552 mph | 1200 nm | 9 | 60 ft3 |
| Super-Midsize Jet | Dassault | Falcon 50/EX | Jet Linx, Magellan, Stratos Jets | 1976 | 569 mph | 3057 nm | 8 | 115 ft3 |
| Super-Midsize Jet | Dassault | Falcon 2000 | Jet Linx | 1993 | 547 mph | 2975 nm | 8 | 134 ft3 |
| Super-Midsize Jet | Embraer | Legacy 500/Praetor 600 | FlexJet, Magellan, Stratos Jets | 2014 | 624 mph | 3112 nm | 12 | 155 ft3 |
| Super-Midsize Jet | Hawker Beechcraft | Hawker 1000/A | Magellan, Stratos Jets | 1993 | 540 mph | 2970 nm | 8 | 65 ft3 |
| Super-Midsize Jet | Hawker Beechcraft | Hawker 4000 | Jet Linx, Stratos Jets | 2008 | 639 mph | 3390 nm | 8 | 108 ft3 |
| Ultra-Long Range Jet | Embraer | Legacy 600/650 | Jet Linx, Magellan, Stratos Jets | 2002 | 528 mph | 3766 nm | 13 | 286 ft3 |
| Ultra-Long Range Jet | Embraer | Lineage 1000 | Stratos Jets | 2007 | 540 mph | 5178 nm | 14 | 323 ft3 |
| Ultra-Long Range Jet | Dassault | Falcon 900/B/C/EX | Jet Linx, Magellan, Stratos Jets | 1984 | 564 mph | 3590 nm | 12 | 127 ft3 |
| Ultra-Long Range Jet | Dassault | Falcon 2000 DX/EX/LX | Magellan, Stratos Jets | 1993 | 555 mph | 4000 nm | 12 – 13 | 131 ft3 |
| Ultra-Long Range Jet | Dassault | Falcon 6X/7x | Magellan | 2021 | 593 mph | 5950 nm | 12 | 155 ft3 |
| Ultra-Long Range Jet | Dassault | Falcon 10X | Stratos Jets | 2025 | 704 mph | 7500-8055 nm | 7 | 198 ft3 |
| Ultra-Long Range Jet | Bombardier | Challenger 600/601 | Magellan, Stratos Jets | 1990 | 528 mph | 3912 nm | 14 | 115 ft3 |
| Ultra-Long Range Jet | Bombardier | Challenger 604/605 | VistaJet, Jet Linx, Stratos Jets | 2012 | 541 mph | 3824 nm | 10 | 115 ft3 |
| Ultra-Long Range Jet | Bombardier | Challenger 650 | NetJets, Stratos Jets | 2015 | 541 mph | 4000 nm | 9 | 115 ft3 |
| Ultra-Long Range Jet | Bombardier | Challenger 850/870/890 | VistaJet, Magellan, Stratos Jets | 2006 | 528 mph | 3235 nm | 12 – 16 | 202 ft3 |
| Ultra-Long Range Jet | Bombardier | Global Express/XRS | Flexjet, Jet Linx, Magellan, Stratos Jets | 1996 | 590 mph | 6305 nm | 13 | 195 ft3 |
| Ultra-Long Range Jet | Bombardier | Global 5000 | NetJets, VistaJet, Jet Linx, Magellan, Stratos Jets | 2003 | 590 mph | 4800 nm | 13 | 195 ft3 |
| Ultra-Long Range Jet | Bombardier | Global 5500 | Stratos Jets | 2020 | 594 mph | 5900 nm | 16 | 195 ft3 |
| Ultra-Long Range Jet | Bombardier | Global 6000 | NetJets, VistaJet, Magellan, Stratos Jets | 2012 | 548 mph | 6163 nm | 13 | 195 ft3 |
| Ultra-Long Range Jet | Bombardier | Global 7500 | NetJets, VistaJet, Stratos Jets | 2018 | 709 mph | 7700 nm | 17 | 195 ft3 |
| Ultra-Long Range Jet | Gulfstream | G II | Magellan, Stratos Jets | 1966 | 582 mph | 4123 nm | 14 | 157 ft3 |
| Ultra-Long Range Jet | Gulfstream | G III | Magellan, Stratos Jets | 1979 | 577 mph | 5070 nm | 14 | 157 ft3 |
| Ultra-Long Range Jet | Gulfstream | G-IV/G-IV-SP | Fly Exclusive, Jet Linx, Magellan, Stratos Jets | 1985 | 581 mph | 4091/4220 nm | 16 | 169 ft3 |
| Ultra-Long Range Jet | Gulfstream | G300/G350 | Magellan, Stratos Jets | 2005 | 548 mph | 3486 nm | 14 | 169 ft3 |
| Ultra-Long Range Jet | Gulfstream | G450 | FlexJet, NetJets, Jet Linx, Magellan, Stratos Jets | 2005 | 670 mph | 4345 nm | 14 | 169 ft3 |
| Ultra-Long Range Jet | Gulfstream | G500/G550 | FlexJet, Magellan, Stratos Jets | 2004 | 585 mph | 5200 nm | 14 – 16 | 170 ft3 |
| Ultra-Long Range Jet | Gulfstream | G650 | Flexjet, NetJets, Magellan, Stratos Jets | 2008 | 610 mph | 7000 nm | 19 | 195 ft3 |
| Ultra-Long Range Jet | Gulfstream | G700 | Flexjet, Stratos Jets | 2019 | 690 mph | 7500 nm | 19 | 195 ft3 |
| Ultra-Long Range Jet | Gulfstream | GV | Magellan, Stratos Jets | 1997 | 600 mph | 6425 nm | 13 | 226 ft3 |
| Silver = Verdence 2nd Choice | |
| Gold= Verdence 1st Choice |
*Source: Jet Linx, Stratos Jets, Magellan, Wheels Up, Plane Sense, XO, Fly Exclusive, Net Jets, Flexjet, VistaJet, Grandview, Sherpa Report: Guide to Private Aviation 2021 & Verdence
Appendix B: High-Demand Dates and Holiday Periods*
| Description | 2024 | 2025 |
| New Year’s Day | 1/1/24 | 1/1/25 |
| New Year’s Return Travel Day | 1/2/24 | 1/2/25 |
| New Year’s Return Travel Day | 1/3/24 | 1/3/25 |
| New Year’s Return Travel Day | 1/4/24 | 1/4/25 |
| Thursday before MLK Jr. Day | 1/11/24 | 1/16/25 |
| Friday before MLK Jr. Day | 1/12/24 | 1/17/25 |
| Day before MLK Jr. Day | 1/14/24 | 1/19/25 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | 1/15/24 | 1/20/25 |
| Second Friday in February | 2/9/24 | 2/14/25 |
| Second Sunday in February | 2/11/24 | 2/9/25 |
| Wednesday before President’s Day | 2/14/24 | 2/12/25 |
| Thursday before Presidents Day | 2/15/24 | 2/13/25 |
| Friday before Presidents Day | 2/16/24 | 2/14/25 |
| Sunday before Presidents Day | 2/18/24 | 2/16/25 |
| Presidents Day | 2/19/24 | 2/17/25 |
| Tuesday after Presidents Day | 2/20/24 | 2/18/25 |
| Early Thursday in March | 3/7/24 | 3/6/25 |
| Early Friday in March | 3/1/24 | 3/7/25 |
| Early Saturday in March | 3/2/24 | 3/8/25 |
| Early Sunday in March | 3/3/24 | 3/9/25 |
| Second Thursday in March | 3/14/24 | 3/13/25 |
| Second Friday in March | 3/8/24 | 3/14/25 |
| Second Saturday in March | 3/9/24 | 3/15/25 |
| Second Sunday in March | 3/10/24 | 3/16/25 |
| Third Thursday in March | 3/21/24 | 3/20/25 |
| Third Friday in March | 3/15/24 | 3/21/25 |
| Third Saturday in March | 3/16/24 | 3/22/25 |
| Third Sunday in March | 3/17/24 | 3/23/25 |
| Fourth Thursday in March | 3/28/24 | 3/27/25 |
| Fourth Friday in March | 3/22/24 | 3/28/25 |
| Fourth Saturday in March | 3/23/24 | 3/29/25 |
| Fourth Sunday in March | 3/24/24 | 3/30/25 |
| Second Friday in April | 4/12/24 | 4/11/25 |
| Second Sunday in April | 4/14/24 | 4/13/25 |
| 2 days before Good Friday | 3/27/24 | 4/16/25 |
| Day before Good Friday | 3/28/24 | 4/17/25 |
| Good Friday | 3/29/24 | 4/18/25 |
| Easter Sunday | 3/31/24 | 4/20/25 |
| Easter Monday | 4/1/24 | 4/21/25 |
| Thursday before Memorial Day | 5/23/24 | 5/22/25 |
| Friday before Memorial Day | 5/24/24 | 5/23/25 |
| Sunday of Memorial Day | 5/26/24 | 5/25/25 |
| Memorial Day | 5/27/24 | 5/26/25 |
| Last Thursday in June | 6/27/24 | 6/26/25 |
| Friday before Independence Day | 6/28/24 | 6/27/25 |
| Independence Day Return Travel Day | 7/7/24 | 7/6/25 |
| Sunday after Independence Day | 7/7/24 | 7/6/25 |
| Friday before Labor Day | 8/30/24 | 9/29/25 |
| Labor Day | 9/2/24 | 9/1/25 |
| Thursday before Columbus Day | 10/10/24 | 10/9/25 |
| Friday before Columbus Day | 10/11/24 | 10/10/25 |
| Sunday before Columbus Day | 10/13/24 | 10/12/25 |
| Columbus Day | 10/14/24 | 10/13/25 |
| Thursday before Thanksgiving | 11/21/24 | 11/20/25 |
| Friday before Thanksgiving | 11/22/24 | 11/21/25 |
| Tuesday before Thanksgiving | 11/26/24 | 11/25/25 |
| Wednesday before Thanksgiving | 11/27/24 | 11/26/25 |
| Thanksgiving | 11/28/24 | 11/27/25 |
| Saturday after Thanksgiving | 11/30/24 | 11/29/25 |
| Sunday after Thanksgiving | 12/1/24 | 11/30/25 |
| Monday after Thanksgiving | 12/2/24 | 12/1/25 |
| Tuesday after Thanksgiving | 12/3/24 | 11/02/25 |
| Friday Weekend before Christmas | 12/20/24 | 12/19/25 |
| Saturday Weekend before Christmas | 12/21/24 | 12/20/25 |
| Wednesday before Christmas | 12/18/24 | 12/24/25 |
| Thursday before Christmas | 12/19/24 | 12/18/25 |
| Friday before Christmas | 12/20/24 | 12/19/25 |
| Christmas Eve | 12/24/24 | 12/24/25 |
| Christmas | 12/25/24 | 12/25/25 |
| Day after Christmas | 12/26/24 | 12/26/25 |
| Monday after Christmas | 12/30/24 | 12/29/25 |
| Weekday after Christmas travel | 12/31/24 | 12/30/25 |
| Weekday after Christmas travel | 12/31/24 | 12/30/25 |
| Weekday after Christmas travel | 1/1/24 | 12/31/25 |
| New Year’s Eve | 12/31/24 | 12/31/25 |
*Source: Net Jets, Flexjet, Wheels Up & Verdence
Disclaimer:
This material was prepared by Verdence Capital Advisors, LLC (“VCA”). VCA believes the information and statistics contained in this document were obtained from sources considered reliable and correct and cannot guarantee either their accuracy or completeness. VCA has not independently verified third-party sourced information and data. Readers should not assume that any discussion or information contained in this document serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized advice. For questions about this document, please contact us.
