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Five brokers suit a first private flight, ranked on four published measures that matter most to a newcomer: whether a price is visible before contact, whether any commitment is required, how much guidance is offered, and how clearly operator details are disclosed. Data reflects what each company publishes about itself. Every price mentioned is indicative and worth confirming on a quote.
Quick picks
Choosing the largest aircraft available. Hourly cost rises steeply with size. JetAlto's published rates run from €3,800 for a light jet to €11,800 for a heavy jet, so a group of four on a two-hour hop rarely needs the bigger cabin.
Signing without reading the charter agreement. Quotes are typically non-binding until that agreement is signed. The agreement, not the website, sets cancellation and refund terms.
Not asking who flies the aircraft. Brokers arrange flights; operators fly them. The operator's name, certificate and tail number should appear in writing before payment. Brokers that hold ARGUS certification, or that offer a safety file, make this step easier.
Assuming a return costs double a one way. Positioning flights mean one-way pricing is rarely half of a round trip, so price both options.
Leaving identity checks until the last minute, when the departure is only hours away. Passengers go through screening: XO screens pay-as-you-go customers, and JetAlto applies standard passenger KYC and sanctions screening on crypto payments. Have passport details for every passenger ready before you confirm.
Treating an online figure as final. Estimates move. JetAlto states its final quote may differ from the estimate by 15% in either direction.
For a newcomer, the most useful thing a broker can provide is a realistic number before any sales conversation. JetAlto's instant estimate is described as all in, with fuel, crew and handling folded in, and it appears without an email address. Published examples, such as New York to Miami from $18,500, give a reference point before any commitment.
The quote itself is free and carries no obligation, and nothing binds the buyer until a charter agreement is signed. Each request returns 2 to 4 operator options naming the aircraft, operator and tail number, and the company says these arrive within 15 minutes. There is no membership or retainer, and route and destination guides for 80+ locations help a newcomer understand the options.
Pros
Cons
Evojets names first-time flyers as one of its two core audiences and assigns one point of contact per client. The company says it hires aviation professionals rather than salespeople, which suits a buyer with plenty of questions.
Its route pages pair a cost calculator, based on historical averages, with an empty leg search. Founded in Aspen in 2006 and now based in New York, it reports flights arranged in 119 countries.
Trips to Europe are quoted in US dollars only, which removes one variable for an American first timer. The company also publishes route, airport and destination pages for Europe, Asia and Mexico.
Pros
Cons
XO lets a first timer test private aviation without chartering a whole jet. Shared flights between New York and South Florida run up to four times a day, with each seat sold separately; non-members pay a $395 seat fee.
Whole aircraft charter is also available through the app, where real-time prices appear and booking takes as little as three steps. Support runs 24/7.
XO states that it is not a direct air carrier; flights run on licensed US or foreign carriers. Seasonal shared routes extend to Aspen and the Hamptons.
Pros
Cons
Jettly combines an instant pricing engine with a library of blog guides, which helps a newcomer build a picture of costs. One 2026 example puts New York to Miami in a midsize jet at $22,000 to $32,000.
Bookings run through the site or iOS and Android apps, with 24/7 live support. If flying becomes regular, a pay-as-you-fly card and 50-hour to 200-hour jet cards are available. Jettly states that it carries no additional liability insurance, so passengers rely on the operator's cover.
Pros
Cons
ACS assigns a personal charter specialist to each enquiry and offers a callback option, so a first timer can talk the trip through. Founded in 1990, it reports more than 800 staff and 43 offices worldwide.
Its site gives worked price examples, such as about $2,800 for a 40-minute small plane flight, and an instant estimate tool that excludes tax or VAT.
ACS states that it is not an aircraft operator. For a newcomer, the practical value is the human contact: a dedicated account manager and a specialist on every enquiry.
Pros
Cons
It depends on the aircraft class, route and positioning. Published examples include New York to Miami from $18,500 at JetAlto and $17,000 to $24,000 in a light jet on a Jettly blog. A short small plane flight can cost around $2,800, according to ACS, which shows how widely prices range.
No. JetAlto, Evojets and ACS all quote individual trips, and XO's pay-as-you-go option is open to anyone who passes screening.
The operator owns or manages the aircraft, employs the crew and holds the air operator certificate. The broker acts for the buyer, finding a suitable operator and handling the booking.
Safety depends on the operator. Ask for its certificate and any ARGUS or Wyvern rating; JetAlto sends a safety file on request. Confirm also that two pilots will be on board.
Rules vary by aircraft and operator, and by the airports at each end. Ask the broker when requesting the quote, since cabin and hold space differ widely between a light jet and a heavy jet. Some brokers, such as Villiers, take pet and extra luggage requests as part of the booking form.
Arrival times are set by the operator and the departure terminal. Confirm them with the broker when the charter agreement is signed.
