Company executives, business owners, and top managers spend dozens of hours a month on flights. Scheduled flights consume time not only in the air but also on the ground: check-in, security lines, waiting for boarding, and transfers in transit areas. Business aviation is organized differently—the entire process is built around the passenger's schedule, not the airline's.
For many, business aviation begins with one-off flights, when a scheduled flight doesn't solve the problem: there's no direct route, the schedule clashes, or you need to visit several cities in a day. Over time, these flights develop into a system, and the question arises: should they continue chartering a plane for each trip or purchase their own?.
How does business aviation differ from scheduled flights?
The difference is felt at every stage – from planning to arrival.
The schedule adapts to you. A scheduled flight is tied to a fixed time. If a meeting runs late, your ticket is lost; the next flight isn't until tomorrow. A private flight departs whenever it's convenient for you. You can adjust your departure time even on the day of your flight.
Access to routes unavailable to scheduled carriers. Business aviation allows you to create complex itineraries with multiple stops in different cities in a single day. Private jets utilize thousands of smaller airports and airstrips around the world that are inaccessible to scheduled flights. You land as close to your final destination as possible.
VIP Terminal Services. Business aviation passengers travel through dedicated terminals – FBO (Fixed Base Operator). Arrival at the gate 15-20 minutes before departure, with no check-in or security lines. Upon arrival, you'll be met at the gate, and your baggage is delivered separately, ensuring no risk of loss.
Direct flights without transfers. A private jet flies directly. There's no need to connect at major hubs, wasting hours in transit zones. On intercontinental routes, this saves 4 to 10 hours compared to connecting flights.
Privacy and a work environment on board. On a regular flight, you're surrounded by hundreds of strangers. On a private jet, it's just your team or family. The cabin is customized to suit your needs: work meetings, preparing for a meeting, or relaxing. Meals are tailored to your preferences.
What aircraft are used in business aviation?
The JetHunter catalog offers 10 aircraft categories. The choice depends on the route distance, number of passengers, and flight objectives.
Turboprop aircraft – from $1,500 to $3,000/hour. Pilatus PC-12 NGX, King Air 360ER, Beechcraft Denali. Regional flights up to 1,500-2,000 km, capacity up to 6-9 passengers. Can land on short runways and small airfields – convenient when the final destination is far from a major airport.
Very light jets – from $2,000 to $3,500/hour. HondaJet Elite II, Cirrus VisionJet Gen 2, Cessna M2 Gen 2, Phenom 100EX. Capacity for 4-6 passengers, range up to 2,000 km. Fast business flights between neighboring cities: Dubai-Riyadh, Almaty-Bishkek.
Light jets – from $3,000 to $5,000/hour. Cessna CJ3 Gen 2, Cessna CJ4 Gen 2, Phenom 300E, Learjet 75. Capacity for 6-8 passengers, range up to 3,500 km. The most popular class for regular business travel within the region.
Medium jets – from $4,000 to $7,000/hour. Citation Latitude, Citation XLS+ Gen 2, Pilatus PC-24, Praetor 500. Spacious cabin for business jets, range up to 5,000 km. Allows for in-flight negotiations on routes lasting 3-4 hours.
Super-midsize jets – from $5,500 to $9,000 mpg. Challenger 3500, Citation Longitude, Gulfstream G280, Praetor 600. Range up to 6,500 km, capacity for 8-10 passengers. They cover the majority of international business routes: Dubai-London, Almaty-Istanbul, Tashkent-Moscow.
Large jets – from $7,000 to $12,000/hour. Challenger 604, Challenger 605, Challenger 650, Falcon 2000LXS. Separate areas for work and rest, range up to 7,500 km, capacity for up to 12 passengers.
Ultra-large jets – from $9,000 to $15,000/hour. Gulfstream G450, Falcon 900LX, Challenger 850, Legacy 650E. Fully functional work and sleeping areas. Range up to 9,000 km – sufficient for most intercontinental routes.
Long-haul aircraft – from $12,000 to $20,000/hour. Global 5500, Global 7500, Falcon 8X, Gulfstream G550, Gulfstream G650ER. Maximum range – up to 14,000 km nonstop. Global 7500 connects Dubai and Los Angeles directly. The aircraft has berths, showers, and conference areas.
Business jets – from $15,000 to $35,000+/hour. ACJ 220-100, ACJ 320 neo, BBJ 737-8 MAX, Sukhoi Business Jet. These refurbished airliners feature a custom interior, including an office, bedroom, and meeting room. Capacity for up to 30-50 passengers – ideal for large delegations.
When business aviation is more profitable than scheduled flights
Flying private isn't always a matter of status. There are situations where it directly saves time and money.
Urgent business trips. The contract requires a personal appearance tomorrow morning, and the next scheduled flight is the day after. The cost of a missed deal is incomparable to the cost of the flight. A light jet for a route of up to 3,000 km will cost $9,000-$15,000 per flight.
Several cities in one day. Visiting three cities in different countries in one day on scheduled flights is impossible due to schedules and connections. On the super-midsize Challenger 3500, the Dubai-Riyadh-Doha-Dubai route fits into a weekday.
Group travel. When traveling with a team of 6-8 top managers, business class tickets on a scheduled flight can be more expensive than chartering a midsize jet. This allows for private work throughout the entire trip. Eight business class tickets from Dubai to London start at ₽7,000 ($40,000). A midsize jet on the same route costs ₽25,000-₽35,000 ($25,000-$35,000).
Hard-to-reach destinations. Ski resorts, island airports with short runways, industrial sites far from major cities. Regular flights don't fly there, and the Pilatus PC-12 NGX turboprop lands on a runway just 800 meters long.
From one-off flights to your own plane
Many business owners go through the same process: starting with occasional private flights, then flying more and more frequently, and at some point realizing that chartering is no longer profitable.
After flying 20-30 times a year, you'll know exactly which destinations are your key ones, how many passengers you typically carry, and which options you really need. When you're flying more than 150-200 hours a year, it's worth comparing the economics of leasing versus owning.
For example, 200 hours on a super-midsize jet at $7,000/hour translates into $1,400,000 per year in flight hours alone. However, it's not always available when needed, so you have to adjust to the availability of available aircraft. Owning your own jet solves both problems: predictable costs and 24/7 availability.
For aircraft flying less than 100-150 hours per year, leasing is generally more cost-effective. For aircraft flying 150-300 hours per year, both options should be considered. For aircraft flying over 300 hours, purchasing often makes economic sense. Commercial aircraft management allows for partial offsetting of maintenance costs by increasing aircraft occupancy during downtime.
How to book a private flight with JetHunter
JetHunter has been operating in the business aviation market for over 14 years and has organized over 5,000 flights. The company handles everything from a one-time flight to purchasing and managing your own aircraft.
Aircraft selection for the task. The manager specifies the route, number of passengers, baggage, and cabin requirements. Based on these information, the manager selects the optimal option from the catalog, complete with cabin photos and a description of the features.
Transparent pricing. You receive a full quote: flight hours, fuel, airport fees, ground handling, and meals. No hidden fees.
Turnkey service. Slot booking, crew coordination, meals, and transfers to the ramp. All you need to do is arrive at the airport at the appointed time.
Leasing vs. buying. If you fly regularly, JetHunter will provide a financial estimate: how much a lease costs based on your flight volume and how the economics will change if you buy your own aircraft.
Purchase support. Once the purchase decision has been made, we will select an aircraft on the global market, conduct a technical inspection, conduct a legal review, formalize the transaction, and organize commercial management.
Submit a request on the website or contact a personal manager – the consultation is free.
