When Is the Best Time to Book a Private Charter Jet? Here’s What the Data Shows
Today, more individuals and families are turning to private air travel than ever before— along with the traditional private charter clients such as frequent-flying business owners, CEOs, and other high-net worth individuals. Thanks to growing charter options, improved cost-efficiency, access to private charter has increased tremendously in recent years.
Still, there are many questions within the industry. For example, many private charter clients are curious to know when the best time to book a private jet is, particularly if you’re hoping to save money – without sacrificing flexibility or comfort. According to expert analytics and data from brokers and operators across the industry, the ideal time to book—especially for those interested in the best rates possible—is 2 to 3 weeks before your departure.
Understanding Point-to-Point, Floating-Fleet, and “Empty Leg” flight for Private Charter
In the world of private jet chartering, there are repositioning flights that occur when a private jet needs to return to its base or travel to another location to pick up a new customer. Since these flights would otherwise fly empty, operators frequently offer them at steep discounts. In some cases, such as floating-fleets, the aircraft has no home base and can essentially always provide 1-way-pricing. While many brokers do not advertise these flights for what they are, the truth is these types of flights are constantly available – if you time things right.
How much can you actually save? Discounts on empty leg flights typically range from 20% to 30% off the regular charter price. In some cases, the savings may reach up to 50%, particularly when booking one-way, short-notice routes between major hubs like New York and Miami, or Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
It’s important to keep in mind that for an aircraft to maintain best-in-class safety ratings, maintenance, and quality to offer the traditional private charter experience, the minimum cost of these flights will be around $10,000 – even with the best rates in the industry.
However, these deals are time sensitive. Availability often appears 2–3 weeks ahead of scheduled flight and may disappear quickly. That’s why understanding the timing is critical!
How Private Charter Price Changes Based on Timing
To help you visualize how private jet prices fluctuate depending on your booking window, the chart below compares average pricing as a percentage of the baseline. In this case, we assume the 2–3 week window to be the optimal pricing period (baseline = 100%).
As shown above, booking less than one week in advance typically results in higher prices due to reduced availability. Booking too far in advance (more than a month) often leads to missed opportunities for last-minute deals or empty leg discounts.
Booking Window Comparison
| Time Before Departure | Pros | Cons |
| 2–3 weeks | Best pricing and empty leg availability | Requires decisive booking action |
| 1 week or fewer | Lowest operator cancellation risk | Fewest available aircraft; high demand |
| > 1 month | Plenty of time to plan | Missed discounts and risk of flight cancellation |
Real-World Pricing Example for Private Charter
Imagine you want to book a private light jet for a 2.5-hour trip. A standard hourly charter rate for a jet like the Cessna Citation CJ3 or Hawker 400XP may run about $5000 per hour. That means a traditional charter would cost you around $25,000 without point-to-point price applied to the route. This is because many charter brokers will charge for a return trip as the aircraft can’t stay at the destination unless the client pays for it to not be in service.
However, a point-to-point flight offered at a 30% discount would drop that price to about $14,000. At a 50% discount—which isn’t uncommon for empty leg flight or floating fleet flights found on short notice—you’re looking at the extremely competitive rates such as the industry-low $10,000! That’s $10,000 in savings, without compromising luxury or privacy.
Jets Commonly Available for 1-Way Pricing
Certain aircraft are more commonly repositioned than others. Light and midsize jets are among the most flexible aircraft in the sky, often flying 1–3 hour routes between major cities.
Here are some of the aircraft most frequently available for Floating-Fleet and 1-Way Pricing:
Hawker 400XP: Ideal for 4–6 passengers, perfect for short-range business trips.
Cessna Citation CJ3: Efficient and comfortable with a cabin height of 4’10” and range of 2,040 nautical miles.
Cessna Citation XLS/XLS+: One of the most requested midsize jets with comfortable seating for 7–8 passengers.
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Why Work With WiseJets for 1-Way pricing?
Empty leg flights are not always published publicly. In fact, many of the best deals never make it to the booking platforms used by consumers. Instead, they are shared privately through aviation brokers, who maintain direct relationships with operators.
**Real-time alerts**
Be first to know when an operator releases a 1-way flight.
**Fleet access**
Access multiple operators, gain access to thousands of aircraft.
**Negotiation leverage**
WiseJets negotiates repositioning fees or added amenities like catering or ground transportation on your behalf.
**Contingency planning**
If a flight gets canceled, we will help you find a replacement right away.
Quick Guide: Booking Private Charter
Best time to book: 2–3 weeks before your desired travel date.
Best aircraft for value: Hawker 400XP, Citation CJ3, Citation XLS+
How to book: Contact Us and gain access to the best rates.
What to ask for: Price, aircraft model, terms for cancellation, alternative options.
Good routes for empty legs: New York–Miami, Los Angeles–Las Vegas, Dallas–Scottsdale
Final Thoughts
Booking your private charter jet at the right time—especially 2 to 3 weeks ahead—can dramatically improve your travel experience while saving thousands of dollars. 1-Way Pricing, floating fleet, and empty leg lights present a unique opportunity for luxury at a discount, and partnering with a trusted broker will give you the best access to these offers.
Whether you’re flying for business or a weekend getaway, being strategic about your timing and informed about the tools available can make all the difference. Remember: the sky isn’t the limit—it’s the opportunity. If you’re ready to start flying private – get your quote today.