For many years, private aviation was limited to either owning a jet or chartering one on an hourly basis. While these options remain popular, more flexible alternatives have emerged for individuals and corporations seeking private jet travel.
One such alternative is private jet memberships. These operate on a deposit drawdown system, where customers make an initial deposit to access flights and consume the amount without purchasing or chartering an entire jet. Customers buy specific flight hours with their deposit, which is drawn down as they fly. Members benefit from reduced rates compared to standard charters and enjoy perks like preferred rates, no blackout dates, fleet choices, shorter booking windows, and exclusive offers with partner programs.
Private jet memberships come in various formats. Volato, a private jet management company, notes there are over 50 different membership types offering flexibility and benefits to flyers. The most common models include upfront deposits that lock in capped rates based on aircraft type and size. Memberships provide better rates than market charters along with additional benefits like advanced quoting and access to larger fleets.