FRACTIONAL JET OWNERSHIP: WHY INTEREST IS RISING IN 2025
September 30, 2025
As modern demands and travel become increasingly dependent on the surging private aviation industry, fractional jet ownership is soaring in popularity among discerning individuals and businesses. But why? This innovative model has been around for decades, yet it continues to stand the test of time by providing the seamless luxury of private jet access without the full cost or complexities of ownership—appealing to those who value efficiency and exclusivity above all.
Discover how Flexjet has enhanced this popular model by pioneering features, perks and privileges that are not available at just any provider. See what securing a share in the Flexjet fleet gets you and how it will forever make flying privately with us an unmatched experience.
WHAT IS FRACTIONAL JET OWNERSHIP?
The concept of fractional jet ownership enables multiple parties to share the use of a single private aircraft. This method of access has been in existence for more than three decades, with Flexjet playing an important role in its rise to prominence. Fractional jet ownership allows individuals to split the significant expenses of owning a private jet into manageable shares. This means that the cost of acquiring and maintaining a private jet is no longer a hindrance to those who are interested in investing in a convenient private aviation solution.
WHAT ARE THE COST COMPONENTS OF FRACTIONAL JET OWNERSHIP?
Much of the cost of fractional ownership can be broken down into four basic parts:
- Capital Cost (Ownership) – This refers to the purchase of an asset that allows for a minimum of 50 flight hours per year, priced at predictable rates over a specified term for the type of aircraft owned. It involves a one-time payment for the asset, covering a minimum of 50 hours or more per year, typically under a 5-year agreement. Share sizes are available in increments of 25 hours above the standard 50 hour minimum. Like owning any asset, you retain the value throughout the agreement until the end of your contract term.
- Monthly Management Fee – This fee covers indirect expenses associated with operating your aircraft, including pilot staffing and training, insurance, cabin support, trip management, crew provisions and other administrative costs. It is a fixed monthly fee throughout the duration of your agreement, subject to annual adjustments. Similar to owning your own aircraft, these costs include full maintenance programs, pilot staffing, insurance, hangaring, trip planning, domestic landing fees and expenses related to weather disruptions (such as de-icing).
- Occupied Hourly Rate – This rate is charged for each hour you are in flight, plus an additional 2/10 of an hour for taxi time. The rate includes direct expenses associated with maintenance, standard catering, and engine operation. It is a fixed hourly cost component throughout the term of your agreement, subject to annual adjustments. You are billed for only your occupied flight time (from wheels up to wheels down), plus a fixed 6 minutes of taxi time on each end. You will not be charged for any repositioning time.
- Fuel Component Adjustment – Fuel costs are variable and adjusted monthly based on the national average price per gallon. These costs are further reduced by our negotiated supplier discounts and adjusted according to the fuel consumption of your owned aircraft. The hourly fuel rate is applied based on your occupied flight time for each trip.
ONLY AT FLEXJET: EXCLUSIVE FRACTIONAL JET OWNERSHIP BENEFITS
When comparing shared private jet ownership providers, you are comparing many factors beyond costs, including the age and performance of the aircraft; quality of onboard service and amenities (such as catering and Wi-Fi); levels of personalization and flexibility; and operational details such as the primary service areas, peak days and fuel price adjustments. Fractional jet ownership provides all the control of whole jet ownership without many of the drawbacks.
Discover some of the only-at-Flexjet benefits experienced by our aircraft Owners. Some can make travel itself more convenient, efficient and seamless—while other aspects promote added layers of luxury in addition to exclusive social opportunities and invites.
- Versatility Plus™
This is an innovative Flexjet-exclusive that allows you to customize your annual flight hours to align with the actual number of flight hours you require each year. This option can provide significant savings by making up to 25% of your hours available to other Owners within the Versatility Plus pool. If you’re flying less than expected, reduce your costs by selling hours to other Flexjet owners. You may also purchase more hours through this exclusive program feature. - Short-Leg Waivers
Typically, for any flights lasting under one hour, you will incur a standard minimum charge of one flight hour. With Flexjet, you receive two short-leg waivers annually for every 50-hour share you own. This means you can fly short routes (under one hour) and only be charged for the actual flight time involved with your trip. - Exclusive Red Label® by Flexjet Experiences
The Flexjet fractional ownership program presents many extras, including Red Label® by Flexjet. Red Label® lets you enjoy the best of whole ownership for a fraction of the cost thanks to crews dedicated to your tail number, interior designs from our LXi Cabin Collection™, and much more. - Program Aircraft Guarantee
While it is not our typical standard, there may be occasions during peak travel periods or high-demand situations that necessitate flying on a non-Flexjet aircraft. Should the hours you spend on a non-Flexjet aircraft exceed five percent of your total utilized hours, those hours will be credited towards your annual allocated hours in the upcoming year.
NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN
BONUS DEPRECIATION
As you consider the significant program merits of a Flexjet fractional share, it should also be noted that a significant shift in legislation has now established a permanent bonus depreciation tax rate of 100% for private jets, up from the previous 40%. This transformative change presents an extraordinary opportunity for aircraft owners to further maximize their tax benefits and elevate the overall value of their investments.
As the aviation landscape evolves, now is the time to capitalize on this advantageous framework. For those looking to navigate these new regulations and fully leverage the potential benefits, expertise is just a conversation away with dedicated sales representatives ready to assist with tailored strategies that align with your aviation goals.
Fractional jet ownership simplifies the documentation of jet usage, making it particularly advantageous for securing bonus depreciation. By allowing multiple owners to share the costs and responsibilities of aircraft operation, fractional ownership through a provider of scale offers a structured system for tracking flight hours, expenses and usage classification.
This not only fosters meticulous record-keeping but also enhances transparency, ensuring that aircraft Owners can substantiate their claims for depreciation with ease. As experts highlight the complexities involved in jet acquisitions, fractional ownership presents a streamlined avenue for maximizing tax benefits while mitigating potential pitfalls associated with individual jet ownership.
Want to learn more about Flexjet’s unmatched programs, pricing or even a personal assessment from our aviation experts? Contact our team via our website to discover more about our solutions and services.
FRACTIONAL JET OWNERSHIP FAQs
- How much is fractional jet ownership?
The cost of fractional ownership typically includes a capital cost based on the type of aircraft, a monthly management fee for operational expenses, an occupied hourly rate for flight time and a fuel component adjustment for fluctuating fuel prices. Fractional shares typically start at 50 flight hours per year and can go up to 800 hours.
For specific pricing details, contact Flexjet directly. - What aircraft can I access?
The Flexjet fleet includes the Embraer Phenom 300, Praetor 500 and 600, Bombardier Challenger 350/3500 and is the exclusive fractional home of the Gulfstream G450, G650 and the G700. Flexjet’s European fleet includes the Embraer Praetor 600 and the Gulfstream G650. Flexjet’s helicopter division offers leases, helicopter cards and convenient interchange access for its aircraft Owners. - Is fractional ownership the same as charter?
No. Charter aviation allows users to rent an aircraft for a specific flight on an as-needed basis. You pay only for the flight hours you use, with no long-term commitment. Fractional ownership, on the other hand, involves purchasing a share of an aircraft, which entitles you to a set number of flight hours each year, along with ongoing fees for management and maintenance.
In summary, charter offers flexibility for occasional users, while fractional ownership is ideal for frequent fliers seeking guaranteed access. If you are interested in premium, on-demand charter service, please visit www.FXAIR.com. - Do Flexjet aircraft have reliable Wi-Fi?
Yes. Starlink has been successfully installed throughout our entire large cabin Gulfstream fleet. Installation in our super-midsize Challenger 350/3500 and Praetor 600 fleet will progress throughout the balance of 2025, finishing in early 2026. As the first private jet provider to adopt Starlink, Flexjet is leading the way in cabin connectivity and bringing truly high-speed internet to the world’s most advanced fractional fleet. - Can I use helicopters with my share?
Yes. All fixed-wing Flexjet share Owners in the U.S. and Europe can seamlessly interchange hours allocated to their jet aircraft for use on our owned and operated fleet of Sikorsky S-76 super-midsize helicopters.
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