How we estimate costs
Meridian Ledger publishes estimates, not quotes. This page explains exactly how each private jet figure is produced, so you can judge how far to trust it and adjust it for your own trip.
Estimated cost = hourly rate for the aircraft class × estimated flight time × 1.15 + $900 in fees, shown as a range of plus or minus 12%. It is a modeled figure, not a price from any operator.
Private jet charter estimates
Distance and flight time
Distance is the approximate great-circle distance between the two airports named on each page. Flight time is estimated from that distance using typical cruising speeds, with an allowance for taxi, climb and descent. Real flights are affected by winds, routing and air traffic, so actual times can differ.
Hourly rates by aircraft class
We group aircraft into six classes and assume one hourly rate for each. These are our modeling assumptions, chosen to sit in the range typical of the charter market. They are not taken from any single operator's price list.
| Aircraft class | Example | Seats | Assumed rate per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very light jet | Phenom 100 | 4 | $2,900 |
| Light jet | Citation CJ3 | 6 | $3,900 |
| Midsize jet | Citation X | 8 | $5,000 |
| Super-midsize jet | Challenger 350 | 9 | $6,300 |
| Heavy jet | Gulfstream G450 | 12 | $8,300 |
| Ultra-long-range jet | Global 6000 | 13 | $11,500 |
Fees and the range we show
Flight time is multiplied by 1.15 to allow for positioning, waiting and handling time, and a flat $900 is added for airport, landing and handling fees. The result is the midpoint of the range we publish, which spans plus or minus 12% around it. Each route page lists the aircraft classes that are realistic for that distance.
Currency
Pages default to US dollars. Where a route starts in a city with a well-known local currency, such as London or Dubai, we show that currency instead, converted at a fixed approximate rate. These rates are not updated live, so treat converted figures as approximate.
| Currency | Units per US dollar (fixed) |
|---|---|
| British pound (GBP) | 0.80 |
| Euro (EUR) | 0.93 |
| Swiss franc (CHF) | 0.88 |
| UAE dirham (AED) | 3.67 |
| Canadian dollar (CAD) | 1.37 |
What our estimates leave out
- Live availability, empty-leg discounts and last-minute pricing
- Operator-specific rates, minimum charges and peak-day surcharges
- Catering, de-icing, customs, and overnight or crew costs
- Taxes, which vary by country and by how the trip is booked
Any of these can move a real quote noticeably above or below our range. Use our figures to compare routes and aircraft classes, then request quotes for the trip you actually plan to take.
Luxury real estate estimates
Price ranges are built from an assumed price-per-square-foot band for each city and property type, multiplied by a typical size range for that property type. To keep figures comparable across countries that normally quote per square meter, such as the UK, the Gulf and continental Europe, every page on this site is standardized to price per square foot.
Yacht charter estimates
Weekly charter costs are built from an assumed rate per foot per week for each yacht class, multiplied by a typical size range for that destination. Fuel, food, dockage and gratuity are not included, and typically add 25 to 35 percent to the base charter fee.
Luxury watch estimates
Resale ranges reflect typical secondary-market pricing patterns for each model, shown alongside the approximate retail price for comparison. They are not drawn from any single dealer, auction house, or marketplace listing, and real prices vary by condition, box and papers, and current waitlist dynamics at authorized dealers.
Exotic car rental estimates
Daily and weekly rates are built from typical rental-market pricing for each model and city. Insurance, deposits, and mileage limits are set by individual rental companies and are not included in these estimates.
Independence, updates and corrections
Meridian Ledger is supported by advertising. We do not accept payment from operators, agents or dealers to change a figure, a ranking or a page. We review the estimates regularly and show the review date on each page. If you spot a figure that looks wrong, tell us through the contact page.
Further reading
For primary information on business aviation, these industry and regulatory bodies are good starting points. We link to them for reference; they have not reviewed or endorsed our estimates.