How much does it Cost to Rent a Private Jet in Chicago, IL?
Chartering a private jet in Chicago, IL, offers unparalleled convenience and luxury for travelers looking to avoid the hassles of commercial flights. Whether you’re flying for business or pleasure, private jet charters provide flexibility in scheduling, privacy, and comfort that traditional airlines cannot match.
The cost of chartering a private jet in Chicago can vary widely depending on several factors, including the type of aircraft, the length of the flight, scheduling, fuel prices, operational fees, and variety of additional factors ranging from taxes and de-icing to catering and Wi-Fi charges.
The hourly rates to charter a private jet in Chicago can change by the hour, but on average you can expect an hourly charter rate of $1,500 to $3,000 per hour to charter a turboprop; $3,000 to $6,000 per hour to charter a light jet; $5,000 to $8,000 per hour to charter a midsize and super midsize jet; and $8,000 to $15,000 an hour or more to charter a heavy or long range jet.
Whether you’re chartering a private flight for a weekend in Chicago, flying from Chicago to international business conferences, or relocating from the Midwest, the most cost-effective plane for every flight will be different, and rarely are two flights the same cost, even when using the same type of aircraft.
Despite the higher cost compared to commercial travel, many find the benefits of private jet charters worth the investment, with private jet travelers able to depart on your schedule, avoid long security lines, and enjoy a personalized travel experience.
How do Hourly Charter Rates factor into Renting a Private Jet?
To determine the cost to charter a private flight, you begin by multiplying the hourly rate of the aircraft by the total flight hours, and then add the total costs for fuel, taxes, operational fees, and other charges to complete charter quote.
For example, if you chartered a light jet from Chicago to Las Vegas with a flight time of 2 hours and an hourly rate of $5,000, the costs would start at $10,000 – and that’s only to reserve the aircraft on the schedule and rent the plane.
The total charter cost will includes the cost of fuel, taxes, crew and pilots, landing fees, ground handling and FBO; as well as any additional services such as catering or internet. This brings the total charter cost to around $15,000 – $18,000 for a one-way flight.
Charter Costs in Chicago, IL, USA
Private planes are available for charter in a range of sizes, with the type of aircraft required for your trip based on your destination, passenger amounts, and the range of the aircraft. The types of planes available for charter range from light aircraft such as pistons and executive turboprops, to light jets, mid and super midsize jets, heavy jets, long range jets, and luxury VIP airliners.
| Hourly Charter Rates in Chicago, IL* | |
|---|---|
| Turboprops $1,800 – $3,000/hour |
Very Light Jets $2,200 – $3,000/hour |
| Light Jets $2,200 – $4,000/hour |
Super Light Jets $2,500 – $4,500/hour |
| Midsize Jets $2,750 – $5,000/hour |
Super Midsize Jets $4,000 – $6,000/hour |
| Heavy Jets $5,000 – $8,500/hour |
Long Range Jets $8,000 – $12,000/hour |
| VIP Airliners $9,000 – $15,000/hr |
Helicopters $1,000 – $6,000/hour |
* The hourly rates shown above and below only depict the aircraft rental cost, and do not include fuel, taxes, and operational fees. Request a free quote for to-the-dollar charter costs.
Cost to Rent a Piston or Turboprop
Single and twin-engine piston aircraft are well-suited for short flights in Chicago and the Midwest, offering the most economical rates despite slower speeds and lack of amenities compared to private jets.
Although these planes typically accommodate 4-6 passengers, they can operate from shorter runways like those found at Chicago Executive Airport (PWK). Chartering a single or twin-engine piston aircraft starts at approximately $1,000 – $1,500 per hour.
Executive turboprops, available in single or twin-engine configurations, feature jet engines that enhance performance, reliability, and efficiency.
These aircraft are faster than piston planes, provide more cabin space, and offer a range of 1,000 to 2,500 miles. However, they come with slightly higher rental rates, typically ranging from $2,000 to $3,000 per hour to charter.
Cost to Rent a Light Jet
Light jets are ideal for small groups and individuals seeking private flights from Chicago to destinations like Las Vegas, Dallas, and New York City.
This category of jets is divided into three segments: entry-level, light, and super light.
Entry-level jets, also known as Very Light Jets (VLJ), are the smallest private jets available, accommodating up to 4 passengers, with hourly rates averaging around $3,000 per hour – many jets in this category such as the like the Cirrus Vision Jet and Honda Jet Elite are newer, and might carry a premium on charter costs.
Light jets have been a staple of private aviation for decades, with several LearJets and Cessna Citation Jets available in this category. The average cost to charter a light jet falls between $2,500 and $5,000 per hour, based on year of make & model.
Super light jets offer a bit more space and range, and typically range between $3,000 to $5,000 a hour. The Phenom 300 is a popular choice in this category, offering a 2,000 nautical mile range with seating for up to 6 passengers. It can fly non-stop from Chicago to New York City in approximately 2 hours, with a price tag of around $15,000 after taxes, fuel, and other operational charges are factored to complete the charter cost.
Cost to Rent a Midsize Jet
The cost of charter flights increases as you move up to the midsize and super midsize categories, but passengers are able to enjoy larger cabin spaces, more amenities, and longer ranges for cross country and intercontinental travel.
Midsize jets offer a cross-country range and larger cabins for a more comfortable flight. Some models even provide up to 6-feet of standing room within the cabin. Popular midsize jet models include the Beechcraft Hawker 800XP and the Cessna Citation Excel, with charter costs starting around $5,000-$6,000 per hour,
Super Midsize Jets offer slightly increased performance, range, and cabin space compared to midsize jets, with popular models such as the Bombardier Challenger 350 and Gulfstream G280 starting at around $7,500 – $8,000 per hour to charter.
The Citation X is in the Super Midsize category, and is known as one of the world’s fastest private jets ever made, able to travel non-stop from Chicago to Los Angeles in just over 4 hours, arriving at Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) nearly an hour earlier than many other business jets. The cost for a one-way flight from Chicago to LA on a Citation X starts at around $40,000.
On average, the hourly rental rates for midsize and super midsize jets range from $5,000 to $9,500 per hour.
Cost to Rent a Large or Long Range Jet
For those planning to travel to destinations overseas from Chicago or the Midwest, or across the country with a large group of friends, family, or colleagues, a large cabin, long-range jet is the ideal choice.
Heavy jets and long-range jets provide the ultimate in luxury, comfort, and performance. These jets offer transoceanic range and can seat up to 18 passengers, although its important to note that higher passenger totals will reduce the potential range of your flight.
The cabins are significantly wider and taller, offering 6 feet of standing room or more. They boast luxurious interiors with various seating arrangements, including captain’s chairs, divans, and seats that convert into beds for overnight travel. Many also feature conference rooms for executives to conduct business with all necessary tools mid-flight, and some offer bedrooms to stay refreshed on long journeys.
Heavy jets, such as the Challenger 650 and Gulfstream G450 are typically priced between $10,000 and $12,500 per hour; long-range jets such as the Global Express and Gulfstream G6 are priced starting at around $15,000 per hour.
Chartering a private flight on newer, larger jets in this category can quickly become expensive, with some models carrying hourly charter rates at $20,000 or more.
What are the Benefits of Private Jet Airports?
Regional and executive airports, which are smaller in size, serve as important hubs for business and luxury aviation. They often offer more competitive fuel prices, lower landing fees, and greater access to various destinations.
These operational advantages make these airports popular bases for private jets and charter planes in the area. This means that you may not have to incur additional costs for repositioning an aircraft. If a plane needs to move from another airport, the repositioning fees may already be included in the charter cost.
Airports like Chicago Executive (KPWK), DuPage Airport (KDPA), and Aurora Municipal Airport (KARR) offer less traffic and congestion compared to international hubs. Passengers typically only need to arrive at the private terminals 15 minutes before their flight, without having to endure long lines for security checks, baggage checks, or lengthy boarding procedures.
Learn more about Private Jet Airports in Chicago, IL
How does an Empty Leg affect the price?
The cost to rent a private jet can be very expensive, but it doesn’t always have to be. There’s another way for travelers with flexible schedules to pay a fraction of the price: empty leg flights.
One-way flights to Chicago are common. Once they drop off their passengers, they need to return to their home airport or pick up another group of passengers, and they complete these flights without any passengers on board. These are known as an “empty leg flight” or “deadhead”. Since the plane has to fly without passengers, they’re offered withy substantial discounts.
Finding an empty leg to/from Chicago is the best way for savvy travelers to save up to 50% or more on the cost of private jet charters.
Learn more about Empty Legs in Chicago and the Midwest
Contact Us for Instant Pricing & Availability
For more information about hourly rates and charter costs for private flights in Chicago and surrounding areas of the Midwest, please submit a request or give us a call at +1 (888) 987-5387.