A private jet charter quote normally includes the aircraft, crew, fuel, standard airport handling, and federal excise tax. Catering, ground transport, de-icing, international permits, and crew overnight costs are usually billed separately.
The problem is that operators bundle differently. Two quotes with the same total can hide very different exposure once the trip actually happens. Here is how to read one properly.
What Does a Charter Quote Cover?
A standard domestic quote covers the aircraft for your itinerary, a qualified crew, fuel for the planned routing, standard FBO handling at departure and arrival, and the 7.5% federal excise tax applied to domestic charter.
On Fly VelAir's Jet Card, the included list is stated explicitly: fuel at domestic standard, federal excise tax, standard FBO handling, Wi-Fi where available, and broker access. Billed separately are catering, ground transportation, international fuel surcharges, de-icing, and overflight permits.
That kind of written inclusion list is what you want from any provider. If a quote does not have one, ask for it.
Which Fees Are Billed Separately?
The common separately billed items are catering beyond standard provisioning, ground transportation, de-icing, international fuel surcharges, overflight and landing permits, customs and immigration fees, and crew hotel and per diem on overnight trips.
The ones that most often move a total materially:
De-icing. Priced by fluid volume and entirely weather dependent. A winter departure from a northern airport can add a meaningful sum with no warning.
Repositioning. If the aircraft is not based at your departure point, someone pays for the ferry leg. Confirm whether it is in the quote.
Daily minimums. Most operators bill 1.5 to 2 hours per day the aircraft is dedicated to you, even if you fly less.
Wait time. Aircraft held on the ground between legs is often billed hourly.
International handling. Permits, customs, and higher foreign fuel prices.
What Questions Should You Ask Before Accepting a Quote?
Ask for the tail number and aircraft year, the operating certificate holder, whether repositioning is included, the daily minimum, the de-icing policy, the cancellation terms, and a written list of what is billed separately.
Why Does the Same Trip Get Different Quotes?
Because quotes reflect different aircraft, different positioning, and different bundling. An operator with an aircraft already at your airport can quote lower than one flying an aircraft in empty from three hours away. The cheapest headline rate is not always the cheapest trip.
Comparing quotes on tail number and inclusion list, rather than on hourly rate, is the only way to compare them fairly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the quoted price final?
The aircraft and crew portion generally is. Variable items such as de-icing, catering, actual flight time, and wait time settle after the trip. Ask for the estimated range on those so there are no surprises.
Do you tip the crew?
It is customary but not required, and it is never in the quote. Many clients handle it directly with the crew or ask their broker to arrange it.
Is the 7.5% federal excise tax always charged?
It applies to domestic US commercial charter. International flights are treated differently and carry their own segment and departure fees instead. Your quote should show it as a line item either way.
Fly VelAir prices trips through aviation professionals rather than salespeople, and every quote comes with the inclusions and exclusions written out. Send us your route and we will show you the full number, not just the attractive part of it.
