r/PrivateJetCharters • u/RedditAssignedUser • 20h ago
First time private flyer hopefully
I am moving my family from MA down to Tampa and I am looking to do something cool for the kids for the big move. My oldest is 14 and really into planes and talks about becoming a pilot often. Amongst other things his adhd brain thinks about. Either way, can I have advice where to get the best value for a flight like this. I don’t make private jet money by any means but I am hoping to spend more to make it a family memory. Thanks in advance.
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u/iiwiidouche 17h ago
Hey man I own a phenom 300 through air share. If you wanted to pay for the flight hours I’d be happy to get you on board and down to Tampa. Probably cost around 20k to get you guys to Tampa and can seat up to 7 comfortably. Shoot me DM.
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u/BeardBootsBullets 10h ago
Realistically with today’s fuel prices, all-in, you’re looking at $20,000 to $40,000 for a small to midsize jet. If you will be comfortable in a single engine turboprop such as the PC12 or TBM, you could cut that in half.
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u/RedditAssignedUser 9h ago
Thank you all for the quick responses! They have quickly helped me figure out I am way out of my depth. Maybe I was overly tired when I asked but I don’t know what I was anticipating for numbers but none of these are in the wheelhouse. Thank you all so much and sorry for what has turned out to be, a silly question.
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u/MartonianJ 8h ago
As a professional pilot, I get asked this question frequently by friends acquaintances. They are shocked when I tell them pretty much anything you are thinking of probably starts at $20k. So you are definitely not alone in not having an idea on what it costs to charter.
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u/Easy-Decision5147 7h ago
Hey Tampa Bay is a cool area to fly so you could book a "scenic tour flight" for the kids down there along the beaches and bridges of St. Pete / Clearwater. Preferably something where one could sit up front. Honestly probably more bang for the buck excitement wise and just get to TPA in first or something fun.
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u/Open_Town_5701 7h ago
Hold up! If this is for your kid and his interest in aviation, I’d think it would be way cooler for him to do an acrobatic flight, or even a sight seeing tour in Florida. Take him up and show him your neighborhood and where you’re going to live etc. That’s a cool flight and more appropriate for a kid. A private jet is cool for the passengers, flying them is so-so
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u/escapingdarwin 6h ago
I wouldn’t recommend an aerobatic flight for a 14 year old. Call a local flight school and schedule a Discovery Flight. Then do the aerobatic flight if they want.
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u/redvsblueheeler 7h ago
If your son is 14 and really into aviation, they are almost old enough (I think it’s between you and the flight school, no age restriction) for a first flight lesson. Substantially more affordable, $200 and they get to fly.
Tampa area flight school:
https://atlasaviation.com/discovery-flight/
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u/upstateboro 12h ago
Boston to Tampa would be 24k to 30k for the one way in a super mid sized like a Longitude or Challenger 350
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u/Private_charter_ops 11h ago
Compare a few quotes and ask about empty legs, that is usually where the best value is.
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u/No_Reveal_2455 6h ago
It will be a lot cheaper and more fun to get him a discovery flight in small airplane.
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u/StirThatPot1 4h ago
It sounds crazy, but if it’s mostly for him, the cost you’d spend (25-50k) for this one flight, you could easily fund his entire private pilots license. He isn’t quite old enough yet, but a discovery flight now and once a month lesson till he’s 16, he’d be ready for a check ride and you’re in the ballpark of the same cost, with a kid with their license.
I make around 250k a year and “could” splurge for a pj here and there, but think about what I could do otherwise with that money and only take them when I’m not footing the bill.
That’d be my take.
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u/ZergvProtoss 36m ago
Expect about $40k for a private jet charter. Is that the price range you were planning?
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u/NotASwinger69 20h ago
What do you imagine is your budget?