The long drive to the airport. Endless hours of waiting. Security. Queues. Customs. It’s no wonder high net-worth travelers opt for a fast-track approach: the private jet.
Indeed, gliding onto the runway in your own private jet is the ultimate symbol of wealth. You’ll emerge well-rested, greeting the new land with a presidential wave a la Obama (no? Just us?). Far beyond the luxuries of business and first-class, private jets offer that 1%-er feel typically reserved for—well, the 1%.
Personalized service, lavish interiors, and crowd-free aisles aside, private jet companies’ principal appeal is simple: convenience. Depart when it suits you, from an airport of your choosing, and skip the tedium of check-in queues that, let’s face it, err on the side of dehumanizing.
Indeed, private jet airlines often operate from non-commercial airports, giving you a huge choice of take-off and touch-down locations. Streamlining the journey, your Colorado ski chalet starts to feel less of a world away.
Whether you’re a frequent long-haul flyer or your typical day involves brunch in Paris and dinner in Milan, we’ve handpicked the best private jet companies to take the faff out of flying.
Psssst: looking for something luxurious but more affordable? Check our round-up of the best business-class airlines in the world.
The best private jet companies
NetJets
Proud owners of one of the largest private jet fleets in the world—over 900 aircrafts—NetJets proves that the sky’s the limit when it comes to luxury travel. Combining the global reach of a commercial airline with ultimate freedom of scheduling (not to mention, cloud-nine comfort), this private jet membership places the world at your fingertips.
Last-minute bookings? Not an issue. Signature gourmet menus? You bet. What’s more, the cabins’ pressurization simulates that of just 6000ft above sea level—which means zero jetlag. Not to mention, your privacy is protected like fine crystal glass; NetJets crew will shield you from unwanted attention to and from your jet, so you can fly under the radar in total anonymity.
| Founded in: | 1964 |
| Headquarters: | Columbus, Ohio, USA |
| Fleet: | Over 900 jets, including Bombardier and Gulfstream |
| Pricing structure: | Fractional ownership, charter, jet card, lease, membership |
| Available flight locations: | Worldwide |
VistaJet
Cancellations and delays are simply not in the vocabulary of VistaJet. An exemplar of reliability, this 70-aircraft-strong private jet service values your tight schedule as much as you do.
Long-haul flyers take note: the Global 7500 private jet offers 17 hours of non-stop flight, with four living spaces onboard emulating a spacious city apartment. Indeed, your looming London to Tokyo flight might just become something you look forward to. Cabins are consistently luxurious across all jets, and cabin crew are British Butler Institute-trained—amongst others. Not too shabby, at all.
| Founded in: | 2004 |
| Headquarters: | Valletta, Malta |
| Fleet: | Over 80 jets, including Bombardier, Gulfstream, and Embraer |
| Pricing structure: | Charter, program membership |
| Available flight locations: | Worldwide |
Flexjet
Providing privacy from the get-go, your journey with Flexjet begins as you step into one of their exclusive private terminals. After a refreshing beer in serene surroundings, you’ll be poised for the journey ahead.
Among the many ownership options, FlexJet’s Red Label shines. Soar the skies lounging in one of the near-50 artisanal-designed interiors, where plush couches and one-of-a-kind ottomans take center-stage.
And the service? Well, Flexjet’s highly-trained crew have mastered their fine dining as adeptly as their first aid, keeping you safe whilst ensuring your G&T is crafted just as you like it—and naturally, they’ll note your preferences for next time.
| Founded in: | 1995 |
| Headquarters: | Cleveland, Ohio, USA |
| Fleet: | Bombardier, Embraer, and Gulfstream jets |
| Pricing structure: | Fractional ownership, jet card |
| Available flight locations: | Worldwide |
Wheels Up
Founded in 2013, Wheels Up has taken modern luxury and ran—well, flown—with it. A partner of Delta Airlines, the airline bestows members with endless perks both on and off-ground. From 24/7 customer service (where sitting on hold is not a thing) to celebrity meet-and-greets, with Wheel’s Up, no fancy is too extravagant.
Peruse 12 aircraft types within five categories, ensuring you select the best jet for your journey; with the King Air 350i for those blink-and-you’ll-miss-it flights to the Citation X transporting you from coast to coast, Wheels Up cuts time and elevates convenience.
| Founded in: | 2013 |
| Headquarters: | New York, USA |
| Fleet: | King Air, Citation |
| Pricing structure: | Membership, charter |
| Available flight locations: | North America, Europe |
Jet Linx
Got yourself accustomed to a bon vivant lifestyle? Jet Linx goes the extra mile to ensure you needn’t sacrifice your creature comforts when you travel. Streamlining the process from establishing your jet card membership (or joint ownership!) to waving ta-ra from your debut flight, this private airline minimizes hassle so you can maximize the pursuit of pleasure.
With world-class customer service, you’ll be allocated a dedicated team local to you—so, when a query arises, you’ll be met with a face you know. Whether you’re traveling from Boston to Bogota or simply hopping a few states over, Jet Linx has a beautifully designed aircraft that’s totally up to the task.
| Founded in: | 1999 |
| Headquarters: | Omaha, Nebraska, USA |
| Fleet: | Challenger, Global, Legacy, Falcon |
| Pricing structure: | Jet card, charter |
| Available flight locations: | North and South America, Europe |
XO
That private jet you’ve dreamed of needn’t be a fantasy. XO makes private jet-setting more accessible, with crowdfunded flights and individual seat options making it more like a (swanky) ride-share—only for the skies. That said, you can still go the whole hog with your own aircraft—just browse the 2400 jets on offer. Capitalize on the Buy As You Fly option if you need to travel, like, now, or opt for XO membership to enjoy loyalty credits and heaps of signature benefits from their partners.
| Founded in: | 2018 |
| Headquarters: | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA |
| Fleet: | Citation, Challenger, Gulfstream, Global |
| Pricing structure: | Membership, charter, Buy As You Fly |
| Available flight locations: | Worldwide |
Magellan Jets
Megallen Jets are the matchmaker on your quest for the perfect aircraft—with a quick scan of their Magellan Jets Preferred Network, they find the best jet for your trip. By leaving the dull (but crucial) elements like maintenance to their highly trusted partners, Magellan is free to focus on those personalized touches to elevate your experience. So, whether it’s stocking your favorite vintage or poaching your morning eggs to perfection, this private jet company is on the case.
| Founded in: | 2008 |
| Headquarters: | Quincy, Massachusetts, USA |
| Fleet: | Gulfstream, Hawker, Bombardier, Challenger |
| Pricing structure: | Membership, charter, jet card |
| Available flight locations: | Worldwide |
Sentient Jet
The best private jet company for bouncing between states, Sentient Jet is celebrated for getting you where you need to be—and fast. Exceeding its competitors in value, Sentient Jet requires just a 72-minute minimum flight time on many aircraft. With other airlines imposing a two-hour minimum charge (even for a one-hour flight), those savings quickly add up. And though your flight may be short, trust us, it’ll be oh-so-sweet. Sentient Jet’s fleet interiors are designed with no expense spared: comfort is king, and in one of their deep-sinking armchairs, you’ll feel like royalty, too.
| Founded in: | 1999 |
| Headquarters: | Quincy, Massachusetts, USA |
| Fleet: | Citation, Gulfstream, Falcon, Legacy, Global |
| Pricing structure: | Membership, jet card |
| Available flight locations: | North America, Caribbean, Europe |
Verijet
Eco-warriors, get ready to bank another not-so-humble brag. By flying with Verijet, you can drop in that your private jet rental is carbon-neutral. If your issues with flying extend beyond environmental, take to the skies knowing you can literally land the plane yourself in an emergency—just hit the Safe Return auto-land button. Yep, really.
Scoot between small airports that are off-limits for commercial airlines—so, you can get to your grandparent’s backwater estate minus the 3-hour drive from Denver. Oh, and you can skip the dog-sitter; Verijet allows pets on board, no questions asked.
| Founded in: | 2019 |
| Headquarters: | Naples, Florida, USA |
| Fleet: | Phenom, Learjet, Cirrus, Vision Jets |
| Pricing structure: | Charter |
| Available flight locations: | North America |
GlobeAir
If your life is a jet-set between the French Riviera and the Balearics—first of all, what’s your secret? Secondly, let us introduce you to GlobeAir.
Based in beautiful Vienna, this private aviation airline gifts you access to 984 airports across Europe; suddenly, those dream destinations feel closer than ever. With GlobeAir, speed is paramount (because, duh, you’re a busy person), with both booking and boarding taking mere minutes. We highly recommend utilizing the luxury limousine transfers, too, whipping you from runway to dinner reservation in A-lister style.
| Founded in: | 2007 |
| Headquarters: | Vienna, Austria |
| Fleet: | Citation Mustang jets |
| Pricing structure: | Charter |
| Available flight locations: | Europe |
Tradewind
If you’re forever flying between the U.S. and the Caribbean for palm-fringed pina coladas—or, ahem, to visit your accountant, Tradewind is The One. Voted the third-best airline in the U.S., Tradewind has its own deluxe fleet for shorter-haul weekender trips, plus a network of more spacious jets for extended-family getaways.
With the Godspeed Card Program, you can fly over 365 days, skip repositioning fees, and even cancel your trip for free up to 24 hours beforehand if the prospect of a week with your in-laws seems suddenly unbearable.
| Founded in: | 2001 |
| Headquarters: | Oxford, Connecticut, USA |
| Fleet: | Pilatus PC-12, King Air 350 |
| Pricing structure: | Membership, charter |
| Available flight locations: | North America, Caribbean, Europe |
flyExclusive
flyExclusive doesn’t advertise—they simply don’t need to. Boasting a solid word-of-mouth reputation, it’s an if-you-know-you-know situation where success is proven by popularity. Why? Well, whether you’re a first-time flyer or you’ve got Branson on speed dial, flyExclusive’s pioneering team adds fervor to every flight.
Secure a Jet Club membership and enjoy fixed hourly rates, flight-by-flight aircraft choice, and access to all corners of the globe with their international airport network. No matter how or where you fly, you’ll be treated to personalized attention and stratospheric service.
| Founded in: | 2015 |
| Headquarters: | Kinston, North Carolina, USA |
| Fleet: | Gulfstream, Citation, X, Excel/XLS |
| Pricing structure: | Charter, jet card, membership, fractional |
| Available flight locations: | Worldwide |
Airshare
An airline growing as fast as they get you places, Airshare is the up-and-coming big player in the aviation game. Airshare has a tailored program to suit you, whether you’re air-bound 10 days of the year or 100. They own their own fleet, with each aircraft cared for like it’s a cherished family member. No exaggeration—these private jets are 11/10. Cruise between Alaska and Cabo in the Challenger 3500 or state-hop in the Phenom 300—and, with no ride-sharing, private truly means private.
| Founded in: | 2000 |
| Headquarters: | Lenexa, Kansas, USA |
| Fleet: | Phenom, Citation, Challenger, Global, Falcon, Legacy, Learjet |
| Pricing structure: | Fractional ownership, jet card |
| Available flight locations: | North America |
Frequently asked questions about private jets
NetJet shines bright as one of the world’s leading private airlines, with its 900+ fleet and vast glass cabinet of awards. It specializes in fractional ownership, with jet cards and leasing available, too. Check our list of the world’s best private jet companies for more.
Prince Alwaleed bin Talal of Saudi Arabia’s famed Airbus A380 is widely considered the nicest private jet in the world. Check our list of the most expensive private jets for all the nicest luxury mansions in the sky.
Celebrities and royalty adore their private jets—that’s nothing new. From the Sultan of Brunei’s $230 million Boeing 747 to Donald Trump’s humble $100 million Boeing 757, the clamber for the best private jets is real. Check our list of the most expensive private jets for more.
Boasting the largest size and longest range, the Bombardier Global 8000 takes the trophy for the number-one jet in the world. Able to fly 14,631 kilometers in one hit, nowhere is out of reach with this one.
