Private Jet Sales – Buying a Private Jet in 2024

There are three main answers to this question. Private jets are frequently sold through brokers, dealers and aviation companies. Each offers a unique approach to a private jet sale, and although you’re welcome to opt for any of the above, there’s one that clearly takes advantage.

Considering how private jet owners value their time, the process of negotiating an aircraft is time-consuming and particularly complex. Having someone to look after every step of the way for you might prove worth your while in the end.

Brokers are often the way to go, and with that in mind, we can surely help you pick the right private jet for your needs.

Think of a private jet broker in the same sense as a luxury real estate representative. They know the ins-and-outs of the market, what’s available and where. Their extensive network and expertise are worth your while, as not only can you get the deal of a lifetime, but you’re in the right route to get exactly what you’re after.

A broker will help not only pick the right private jet, but also assist in navigating the somewhat process of buying and selling it. They excel at price negotiation, checking the history and maintenance records of the aircraft and, naturally, look after all legal processes.

You’ve guessed it: brokers take their share of the deal, which should be communicated from the start and include all the necessary steps from browsing available inventory, contacting current owners or suppliers, negotiating the deal and look after the documentation. It’s very likely they’ll deliver the bird themselves once the deal’s gone through.

If you can buy a Bugatti on a dealership – there are 34 of them in the world, in case you’re wondering – then you can certainly buy a private jet. Naturally the process is slightly different from entering a showroom and picking your favourite, but things might be simpler than you imagine.

Private jet manufacturers aren’t particularly picky. As long as you can meet the price tag and legal requirements, you can definitely order the private jet of your choice. But how does the deal run through this approach?

Not only do manufacturers offer access to brand new private jets, they also have pre-owned aircraft available. With specific online platforms you can save some precious time and do your own research before approaching the seller. Again, brokers look after this process for you in case you don’t have the necessary knowledge or availability.

Examples of dealerships available for private jet sales include:

• Bombardier Aviation
• Dassault Falcon Jet
• Embraer Executive Jets
• Gulfstream Aerospace
• Honda Aircraft Company
• Textron Aviation

These are some of the most prominent aircraft manufacturers and dealers in the world, with models adapted to every customers’ needs and budget. From the affordable Cessna to the Gulfstream G700, there’s plenty to pick from.

A luxury used car retains its value for a long time, and a used private jet isn’t all that different in the end. While parking and keeping up with maintenance are slightly different, there are plenty of options in the market for used private jets.

Private jet companies are constantly renewing their fleet. As a result, their pre-owned aircraft tend to fly off to other companies or private owners. The opportunity then arises to try and find a deal, while obtaining a comprehensive process that ensures all technical and legal requirements are met.

Aviation companies will evaluate and inspect the aircraft before listing it in the market. Such listings include an extensive amount of information and detailed photographs. Should any capture a customer’s interest, then they can either go through the whole process themselves or opt for the assistance of a broker.

The negotiation and due diligence phases are particularly demanding, with several technical requirements met. The same can be said for all legal compliance, according to both the origin and destination of the private jet.

Very often, aviation companies will look after delivery and can offer pilot training in the specific model if required. The same can be said for maintenance and overall aircraft management.

The NBAA (National Business Aviation Association) exhibition is one of the biggest events for private jet sales. It’s a meeting point for industry leaders, manufacturers, and prospective buyers from around the world. Held yearly, it brings the latest innovations in private jet technology to the public. There are several models on display, and the focus lately is on the private jet carbon footprint with more efficient engines, sustainable fuel and the imminence of electric and hydrogen-powered jets.

The NBAA exhibition serves as a global networking platform, establishing bridges between key players in the private jet sales sector. Manufacturers engage with buyers and redefine future tendencies. For those looking to invest in this industry, buy or sell a private jet, the NBAA is the one event in the year that you can’t miss.

Considering the alternatives, we still believe opting for the services of a broker offers far more advantages in comparison. Unless you’re a private aviation yourself, these are tough roads to navigate. Private jet fairs such as EBACE are indeed one-of-a-kind and make up for an interesting commercial display. Just like motorshows, such events are a great way to get acquainted with the several models on offer from each manufacturer.

With several steps and their unique requirements along the way, it’s not that private jet companies and manufacturers don’t offer enough support. They surely do, but it’s often those who already possess experience in the niche that will benefit the most.

For someone looking to buy their very first aircraft, the right broker will serve as an advisor. Sometimes, it goes to the extent of advising against a purchase. If that’s the case, there are certainly some great alternatives to spending your millions right away, and we’ll cover them next.

Even though we’ve been covering private jet sales in this article, the alternatives are nothing short of appealing. And while you may enjoy the idea of complete ownership, let us present two of the best arguments with enough potential to make you think twice.

After all, in the world of exclusive flying there are always alternatives to collect the benefits and ensure a business that works for everyone.

Remember timeshares in the Caribbean? If not, you’re in luck and are too young to be taken back to the days when that was a booming business. Fortunately, fractional ownership of a private jet is nothing like that – particularly because you can indeed use the aircraft.

As the name unveils, a private jet can have several owners who will be able to use it according to the number of fractions – or shares – they own. The more shares, the more rights within the ownership. But that’s not to say all, since with every right comes a series of obligations.

Users can then reserve a series of flying hours in the year in relation to their shares. These can be in the dozens of hours or more, depending on the deal and number of fractional users. It may seem a flawed system, but there are several advantages to it.

Users can benefit from added flexibility and far lower costs compared to owning their jet. While private jet sales are appealing, fractional ownership can be up to twenty times cheaper depending on the deal.

By far our favourite alternative to private jet sales. Chartering a private jet offers several advantages which we’ve covered extensively in our articles. Mainly, through its cost-effective service, high flexibility, time saving, and always finding the right private jet for your needs.

Plus, charter operators can offer a wide range of services to make your travel needs far more exclusive, comfortable and enjoyable. The cost factor is truly competitive, particularly for those travelling frequently and using commercial airlines.

One important consideration is that while a private jet sale assumes you’re responsible for all operational costs, this isn’t the cost while chartering. Final quotes include all the requested services, without adding a second’s thought about anything other than relaxing and enjoying your flight.

We are big fans of private jet sharing, and many of our frequent flyers have already benefited from this service. While fractional ownership represents a solid commitment towards keeping a position in a pool of users, jet sharing is far more advantageous. Book an available leg compatible with your needs, and leave the rest to us.

You’ll find promotional airfares on private jets around the world, including premium routes and some of the finest aircraft available. All for a portion of the price of chartering a jet for yourself or your party. There are very few disadvantages when opting for this service, but the best way to ensure you get what you’re after is by contacting our team and letting us find a solution that works for you.

While we made quite a case for the alternatives, sometimes buying a private jet is indeed the best option. High-net-worth individuals and corporations rely on private jets to ensure availability and flexibility. Time saved amounts to millions saved a year, which ultimately justifies the somewhat hefty price tag.

Here are a few reasons to consider when buying a private jet:

• Absolute flexibility
• Time saving
• Added comfort
• Privacy and security
• Access to remote locations
• Higher productivity

To these, we can certainly add the prestige of owning a private jet. For both companies and individuals, these are sometimes deal-changers. They serve as proof of success and never fail to impress business partners while reflecting the success story you wish to tell the world. From our perspective, a private jet never fails to impress; even those accustomed to luxury travel will always acknowledge these benefits.

The purpose of buying a private jet can also be trifold. Owners can buy a private jet for personal use, taking advantage of all the benefits it can offer. Some owners opt for a different approach, where they’ll use the jet and make it available for chartering when available. Finally, there are those who will buy a private jet solely for the purpose of chartering it as a business asset.

Naturally, the price of buying and maintaining a private jet are what keeps many away from ownership. While we mentioned there are options for every budget, these aren’t certainly fit on your everyday expenses.

Private jets are expensive by definition, but it’s also the operational costs that weigh them down. Here are some of the reasons why you may wish to consider not buying a private jet, and consider one of the previously mentioned alternatives.

• Expensive to buy
• High operational costs
• Limited utilization

While these seem short in comparison, the operational costs alone include maintenance, crew management and licenses. There is far too much to consider, even when leaving a jet’s management in the hands of a team of experts.

With these in mind, we can make a strong case for those opting for a private jet charter, jet sharing and, in some cases, fractional ownership. Plus, those looking to buy a private jet should consider their actual needs and how many traveling hours they plan a year to ensure it’s a good investment.

Considering Bombardier as an example of success, private jet sales are doing fine. The market grew 2.3% between 2022 and 2023 and is now worth $22.58 bn. Growth expectation aims at $38 bn by 2029, according to official sources.

Private jet sales are, therefore, rising but the price tag is still beyond most people’s dreams. Starting at around $3 million and up to $75 million, to which we must still consider operational costs. Maintenance, crew, airport fees, licenses and insurance all weigh considerably in the actual running price of a private jet. Those amount to millions every year and we’re not even accounting for certain models’ rates of depreciation.

Maintenance alone can set you back $1 million every year, which would allow you to charter a jet for hours on end. No wonder private jet chartering is an incomparably far better deal, even for those who are frequent flyers. And while private jet sales seem to be up, we must consider that it’s not so much down to private or corporate ownership.

Instead, you’ll find that those opting for a service instead of ownership are also on the rise, enjoying the many benefits without any of the hassle.

If you’re in the market for the best deal in private jet sales, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our experienced team of brokers can guide you through the process of buying and selling a private jet anywhere in the world.