What’s the Hourly Cost of a Private Jet in Canada — And What That Really Means

If you're asking, "How much is a private jet per hour in Canada?" you’re likely not looking for a brochure answer. You want numbers, context, and straight talk — especially if you’re managing corporate travel budgets, flying multiple times a year, or comparing jet cards to on-demand charter.

So, here's what you need to know: hourly pricing isn’t fixed. It’s a calculation based on the aircraft, where it’s based, how far you're flying, and what kind of trip you're trying to pull off. But we do have benchmarks. We see the same patterns again and again.

This article gives you real numbers, grounded explanations, and practical insight into what goes into the private jet cost per hour — without dodging the details.

Start With the Right Question

When people ask, "How much does it cost to fly a private jet per hour?" , what they’re often really asking is: What will it cost me to fly from point A to B with the kind of aircraft I actually need, at the time I want to fly, without getting hit with unexpected extras?

That’s not the same as “What’s the rate per hour?” because the rate is only one piece of the quote.

But we’ll give you both.

The Benchmarks: What You’re Looking At Per Hour

Here’s a ballpark breakdown in Canadian dollars . These numbers reflect what we see across Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and B.C. on a weekly basis.

Jet Type	Seats	Range	Avg. Hourly Rate (CAD)
Turboprop (King Air, PC-12)	6–8	~1,500 km	$2,200 – $3,000
Light Jet (Phenom 100, Citation CJ2)	4–6	~2,500 km	$3,000 – $5,000
Midsize Jet (Lear 60, Citation Excel)	6–8	~3,500 km	$5,000 – $8,000
Super-Midsize (Challenger 350)	8–10	~5,000 km	$7,000 – $10,000
Heavy Jet (Gulfstream IV, Global 6000)	10–14	6,000+ km	$10,000 – $18,000
VIP Airliner (BBJ, ACJ)	15–50	10,000+ km	$18,000 – $30,000+

These numbers reflect flight time only — takeoff to landing — and assume you’re chartering in or out of a major Canadian hub with minimal repositioning.

Factors That Influence the Cost of a Private Flight

Factor	Description
Aircraft Type and Size	Larger, long-range, or more luxurious jets have higher operating costs due to increased fuel consumption, maintenance, and crew requirements. Smaller turboprops or light jets are generally more economical for short routes.
Flight Distance and Duration	Longer routes require more fuel and flight time, directly increasing total cost. Multi-leg itineraries or repositioning flights may further add to the expense.
Time and Season of Travel	Peak travel periods—such as holidays, major events, or weekends—often see higher demand and limited aircraft availability, resulting in premium pricing.
Routing and Airports Used	The choice of departure and arrival airports impacts fees, fuel availability, and slot restrictions. Busy or remote airports can have higher landing, handling, and overnight charges.
Fuel Prices	Fluctuations in global fuel markets influence hourly flight rates. Operators may add a variable fuel surcharge when prices rise significantly.
Additional Services and Amenities	Catering, in-flight Wi-Fi, ground transportation, and concierge services can increase the overall bill.
Crew and Overnight Costs	If the crew must stay overnight or reposition between flights, accommodation and per diem expenses are added to the total.
Aircraft Availability and Positioning	If the selected aircraft must travel empty to reach your departure location (known as “ferry” or “repositioning” flight), the cost of that segment is typically included.

What’s Not in the Hourly Rate

Let’s clear this up. That private jet rental cost per hour you’re quoted does not usually include:

• Repositioning (empty leg to get the jet to you)
• Crew overnight costs if your itinerary spans days
• Landing, handling, and ramp fees
• De-icing (yes, in Canada, that matters)
• Taxes and duty (particularly for international legs)
• Ground transportation, VIP services, or catering beyond basic snacks

So when you ask, “How much does it cost to rent a private jet per hour?” , remember that what matters is the trip price , not just the hourly ticker.

Example: Toronto to Vancouver on a Challenger 350. About 4.5–5 hours of flight time. At $8,000/hour, you’re looking at $36,000–$40,000 flight cost. But the full invoice will also reflect:

• Repositioning if the aircraft is based elsewhere
• Landing/handling at both ends (maybe $1,200–$2,500 total)
• Crew expenses if they overnight
• HST (if domestic)
• Possibly catering, customs processing

Final price? You could be at $45,000–$52,000 all-in , depending on the operator and flight details.

Repositioning: The Hidden Cost Most People Miss

Want to cut your cost to fly a private jet per hour? Book flights that start or end where jets are already based. Repositioning is the #1 hidden fee that inflates the effective hourly rate.

Scenario: You’re in Ottawa. The closest available aircraft is in Toronto. That jet needs to fly to Ottawa to pick you up — and then fly back empty after your trip. That’s 2 extra hours billed, just to position the aircraft.

We see this all the time. The solution? Work with an operator who has home-based aircraft in your departure city — or be flexible enough to wait for one to reposition with another client.

Flight Time ≠ Total Time

Most operators have minimums — even if your flight is just 45 minutes, you’ll get billed for one or two full hours. Why?

Because even short flights tie up an aircraft and crew for an entire block of time. Ground time, maintenance prep, startup and taxi — it all adds up.

Minimum billing is usually:

• 1.0 hour for turboprops
• 1.5–2.0 hours for jets
• Full-day minimums for multi-day itineraries

So again, private jet charter cost per hour is only meaningful if you understand what else is wrapped around it.

Domestic vs. International Rates

Don’t expect a big price gap just because you're staying in Canada. What changes is the regulatory overhead:

• Canada/U.S. customs processes
• Duty/tax exposure (especially for imported goods or special cargo)
• Crew accommodations for overnight stays

But hourly rates often stay constant. What really changes is trip duration and logistics. Cross-border legs may be longer — and attract more positioning.

Comparing Jet Cards to On-Demand Hourly Rates

If you’re flying regularly, jet cards are worth a look. They lock in your private jet price per hour, offer guaranteed availability, and remove the guesswork. You pay for a block of hours (usually 25–100), and rates stay fixed.

But they’re not for everyone:

• Great for people flying 2–3 times a month or more
• Not great for one-off travellers or ultra-flexible flyers

If you're only flying a few times a year, on-demand charter will likely be more cost-effective — even if you pay higher per-hour rates and a few repositioning fees.

Real Trip Examples (All CAD, Approximate)

Calgary → Kelowna

• Turboprop, 1.5 hours
• $2,500/hour = $3,750
• Add $1,000–$1,500 for ground fees, HST
• Total: ~$5,000–$5,500

Toronto → New York City

• Light jet, 1.5 hours
• $4,000/hour = $6,000
• Add $2,000–$3,000 for U.S. handling, fees, customs
• Total: ~$8,000–$9,500

Vancouver → Maui

• Heavy jet, 6 hours
• $14,000/hour = $84,000
• Add $5,000–$8,000 in customs, fuel surcharge, crew hotel
• Total: ~$90,000–$100,000+

These are real, working estimates—not brochure pricing. And they fluctuate weekly based on fleet availability, time of year, and geopolitical issues (like current fuel taxes or airspace restrictions).

So, How Much Is a Private Jet Per Hour?

As honest an answer as you’ll get:

• The number itself? Anywhere from $2,200 to $30,000+ per flight hour, depending on what you’re flying.
• What you’ll pay overall? That depends on where the aircraft is based, how long the trip is, and how your flight is structured.
• The biggest mistake? Thinking the per-hour rate is the price.

Instead, ask your charter rep:

“What’s the all-in cost to do this route, on this date, with this number of passengers, in this type of aircraft — with everything included?”

That’s how you get an answer worth planning around.

One Last Thing: Cheap Hourly Rates Often Cost More

Operators quoting rock-bottom hourly rates may look appealing, but read the fine print. Are they charging separately for:

• Wait time?
• Return leg?
• De-icing?
• Crew hotel stays?

Are they based halfway across the country, meaning you’ll pay two hours of repositioning before takeoff?

Work with a provider who gives you trip-based quotes, not just hourly bait rates. It saves you frustration, and usually, a few thousand dollars.

Want the Numbers On Your Route?

No guesses. No estimates. Just real numbers for real itineraries.

📍 Starting in Toronto, Calgary, Montreal, or Vancouver?
🧭 Planning multiple stops across provinces?
✈️ Want to explore fixed-rate jet card options?

We’ll walk you through it. No hard sell — just real answers.
That’s what NovaJet does differently.

FAQ

---

How much does a 10-seater private jet cost to charter?

Chartering a 10-seat midsize jet in Canada generally ranges from $4,500 to $7,500 per flight hour , depending on aircraft type, route, and seasonal demand.

For example :

• Toronto – Miami round trip: typically $38,000–$48,000
• Toronto – Vancouver one-way: generally $32,000–$40,000

These figures cover the aircraft, flight crew, fuel, standard catering, and operational support.
Additional fees may apply for:

• International handling & landing permits
• Overnight crew costs
• High-density airport fees or short-notice repositioning

NovaJet also offers premium large-cabin aircraft (10–14 passengers), with long-range capability starting around $8,500+/hour, ideal for transcontinental or international missions.

---

How much does a 100-hour private jet program cost?

A 100-hour program or “jet card” alternative typically requires $550,000–$1,400,000 depending on aircraft category.

With NovaJet’s customized block-hour arrangements, clients benefit from:

• Fixed hourly rates and predictable budgeting
• Guaranteed availability on peak and non-peak travel dates
• No aircraft depreciation, crew management, or maintenance oversight
• All Canadian safety, regulatory, and operational standards managed in-house

For travellers flying 25–100 hours per year, block-hour programs provide reliability without the long-term cost commitments of ownership or fractional programs.

---

How do you calculate the cost of a charter flight?

Charter pricing is primarily based on the hourly rate multiplied by total flight time.

Example :
A 3-hour charter at $5,500/hour = $16,500 base rate.

To estimate a final quote, factor in:

• Positioning fees: when an aircraft must travel to pick you up
• Government and airport fees: NAV Canada, landing fees, security charges
• Crew overnight costs: varies by location
• De-icing (winter): $1,500–$7,500 depending on aircraft size
• Catering upgrades: optional
• Overflight permits: $500–$2,000 when applicable

NovaJet typically recommends adding a 10–20% buffer for weather, air traffic delays, or seasonal variables — especially during winter operations.

---

How much does it cost to buy a private jet?

Private jet ownership ranges broadly depending on the aircraft class:

• Light jets: $3–$10 million
• Midsize jets: $8–$20 million
• Large-cabin or long-range jets: $25–$75 million+

Annual operating costs often include:

• Crew salaries: $220,000–$480,000
• Hangar fees in major Canadian cities: $60,000–$200,000
• Insurance: $30,000–$150,000+
• Maintenance, inspections & parts: varies by aircraft age and cycles
• Fuel & operational costs: depends on flight hours

Fractional ownership starts around $500,000+ for a share, but most owners fly 200+ hours annually to justify full ownership over chartering.

NovaJet also provides turn-key aircraft management, handling:

• Safety oversight
• Crew hiring & training
• Maintenance scheduling
• Regulatory compliance
• Charter revenue offset (optional)

This ensures owners can enjoy the benefits of private aviation without day-to-day operational responsibilities.