How Expensive Are Private Jets?

It is only natural that on our personal finance journeys toward great wealth and breathtaking financial freedom, we should wonder about some of the privileges our money will eventually get us... better vacations, better apartments, a better credit card (American Express Black Card, anyone?) and -- of course -- better transportation.

It is no secret that commercial flying has become a filthy hassle over the past twenty years... Airport security, babies screaming, ever smaller packets of peanuts and miniature "refreshments" one half the size of a normal can of Coke.

Not really surprised that the wealthy prefer to fly private, even though it's not a very frugal decision. In fact, it can be quite expensive. But expensive doesn't mean you should avoid it.

The semi-wealthy, rather than throwing down $20 million or more to purchase/lease and operate a private jet of their own, buy into a jet share program such as Marquis Jet's NetJets private jet company, which is owned by Warren Buffett's rather excellent Berkshire Hathaway Corp. 

With the NetJets private jet membership card, you pre-purchase 25 hours of air travel at a time. When you need to fly somewhere, you call them up and figure out the next available flight out of your local airport. You board a swanky private jet, such as a Gulfstream G200, and reach your destination with a) professional service (no nasty in-flight crew!) and b) no screaming babies. That's worth almost any cost, now isn't it?

Comments

[Joe]

Slight correction. Your post states "When you need to fly somewhere, you call them up and figure out the next available flight out of your local airport.

In actuality, you call them up and tell them the time and place you want to leave from and that's that. There is no concept of "next available flight" since every flight is whenever you want it, from wherever you want.