Flexjet Review

If you dream of flying in a private jet, you have many options to choose from. Many aircraft management companies offer charter, leasing, and acquisition services to help you make your private aircraft dreams a reality. Flexjet is one of those companies, and this Flexjet review will tell you all you need to know about this private aviation industry expert. 

Founded in Cleveland, Ohio, Flexjet is a well-known company offering exceptional service through its fractional jet ownership, jet card, and leasing programs.

So, what can Flexjet offer you as an aspiring or experienced flyer? How does Flexjet compare with other ownership program offerings? What’s the Flexjet cost per hour or Flexjet vs. Netjets costs for ownership? We’ll answer that and more with this Flexjet review and pricing assessment!

What is Flexjet?

Operating in North America and Europe, Flexjet is an aircraft company that specializes in various private jet ownership options for businesses and individuals. Flexjet originally began as part of Bombardier Aerospace division, a major aviation manufacturer, in 1995 and was purchased by Directional Aviation in 2013. 

Boasting an impressive portfolio of planes, FlexJet has the following aircraft among its fleet:

• Phenom 300
• Legacy 450
• Challenger 350
• Praetor 500
• Gulfstreams G650, G450, G750

Flexjet offers what the name entails – flexible solutions to own an aircraft. They offer five main ownership programs: fractional ownership, leasing options, jet cards, corporate solutions, and exclusive Gulfstream G650 access programs. The company’s Gulfstream access stands out, especially for customers interested in long-range flights. 

Flexjet offers many international destinations for flyers, but here are the top destinations:

• Aspen, Colorado
• Vail, Colorado
• Bozeman, Montana
• Palm Beach, Florida
• Miami, Florida
• Naples, Florida
• Nassau, Bahamas
• Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
• Montego Bay, Jamaica
• London, United Kingdom
• Bordeaux, France
• Venice, Italy

Flexjet Review

Flexjet is for the modern traveler. Specializing in fractional ownership and private jet cards, FlexJet offers an ownership solution that encompasses the perks of ownership without the high costs or headaches. 

Fractional ownership allows aspiring flyers to purchase equity in a jet. The size of your share determines the number of guaranteed flight hours you get to enjoy.

Other perks in the program include:

• The discounted Red Label price
• Extensive response to COVID
• Guaranteed credit for unused hours
• Flexibility to use multiple aircrafts

Customers rave about Flexjet’s consistent attention to detail, impeccable service, and competitive pricing for private jet ownership options. 

Flexjet Features

Flexjet Jet Cards

Flexjet’s jet cards allow you to purchase a minimum of 25 hours of flight time upfront. These private jet cards were so popular they’ve had to pause the program until mid-2022. But for when the jet card program is back up and running, here’s what you need to know. 

Jet cards are similar to charters in flexibility but without the capital investment and more control. The 25 Jet Card Program from Flexjet allows you to book flights with a minimum of 5 days’ notice for the following aircraft:

• Phenom 300
• Challenger 300

Other features for the program include:

• Inclusive pricing that embodies the pilot’s fees, fuel adjustments, and flight time within the hourly rate
• Excellent service, with experienced cabin crews and pilots
• Short booking notice, with minimum of five days

Jet cards are for people that value both flexibility and security. By prepaying for your flight hours, you secure guaranteed access to jets that helps you book last-minute trips with ease.

Flexjet Pros

Flexjet is a leading aviation ownership provider for many reasons, including:

Industry Experience: The flight consultants, cabin crews, and pilots have decades of aviation industry experience. 

Flexible Options: Fractional ownership and jet cards offer aspiring jet owners flexibility and access to private aircraft ownership without the same commitment and upfront costs

Young planes: Youngest jets available, some as young as only six years old

Impeccable safety standards: Achieved the world’s first recognition of the Air Charter Safety Foundation’s Industry Audit Standard; holds an ARG/US Platinum Safety Rating and Level 2 IS-BAO compliance

Impressive standards for excellence: Only company awarded 21 FAA Diamond Awards for Excellence

Flexjet Cons

The biggest FlexJet cons known across the industry are their prices, but many customers find them worth it. 

Here are some potential cons of choosing FlexJet for your private jet needs:

• Minimum contract length required for leasing
• Pricey compared to other providers, with monthly lease fees and high management fees
• No options for charters

Flexjet Pricing: How much does it cost to fly with Flexjet?

Flexjet has varying prices depending on the private jet program you choose. 

Fractional ownership costs

Flexjet doesn’t have exact pricing for fractional ownership on its website, so you’ll need to contact them for a quote, but here’s a breakdown of their costs:

Capital Cost: Asset purchase allowing for 50 flight hours minimum

Asset Purchase: Your equity of the aircraft

Monthly Management Fee: This fee includes indirect expenses like insurance, pilot training, and other administrative costs.

Hourly Rate: Flight hour rate plus 2/10 taxi time; includes maintenance expenses

Fuel Component Adjustment: Fuel costs vary each month, with fluctuations shown in the hourly rate. 

Private Jet Card

Flexjet has two private jet card programs, one for the Phenom 300 and another for the Challenger 350. While Flexjet doesn’t list their pricing for their jet card programs, other sources list the Phenom program as a minimum of $160,000 and the Challenger at a minimum of $249,000 per 25 hours of flight. 

Monthly lease payment

Again, FlexJet doesn’t advertise their costs, even for leasing. They hint at the initial costs falling somewhere between the price of a jet card and fractional ownership, which seems to be a pretty extensive range. Additionally, FlexJet reminds potential customers that lease payments are ideal for businesses and corporations, as they qualify as travel expenses for tax purposes. 

FlexJet Alternatives

NetJets

NetJets offers similar services to Flexjet, but they have more years of industry experience. Founded in 1964 and currently a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary, NetJets introduced the first fractional ownership model for private aircraft. 

Similar to Flexjet, NetJets fractional ownership is for flyers that intend to fly a minimum of 50 hours per year. However, they boast an even shorter notice time (24 hours, sometimes even 4-6 hours) than Flexjet’s 5-day minimum. 

VistaJet

VistaJet offers charter services, unlike Flexjet. They provide an impressive availability for jets with as little as 24-hour notice and have a fleet of over 70 aircraft. VistaJet doesn’t offer fractional ownership or leasing options for flyers interested in acquisition; instead, they provide impeccable charter services for travelers who want the least commitment, with the same impressive service and access. 

Buying your own jet

Suppose you decide to go the acquisition route or finance a jet. In that case, you should be aware of the many operating tasks and private aircraft costs for which you’ll be responsible. From annual maintenance to repairs, interior design to seating, maintaining a private jet is no easy feat! The good news? You don’t have to handle it alone! Purchasing a private jet is costly but exceeds any other aircraft experience regarding freedom and benefits.

Here at Southern Air Custom Interiors, we pride ourselves on over 100 years of combined experience serving the private aviation industry. We specialize in custom interiors, exteriors, maintenance, and avionics for any private aircraft and offer jet owners peace of mind with our expertise and dedication to excellence. 

Conclusion

Whether you want to purchase a private jet or enjoy the flexibility of a jet card program, there are more ways today than ever to enjoy the freedom of a personal flight.

If you’ve purchased a private jet, you’ll need to keep it running smoothly with skillful and regular maintenance and stylish with custom interiors. Contact Southern Custom Interiors today for a quote.