THE CLEARER WAY TO CHARTER
Know the market
before you call.
Independent private charter price benchmarks and a searchable directory of FAA-certificated operators — built to make your first quote more intelligible.
Price index updated October 30, 2026 · U.S. market benchmarks
CHARTERSEEK PRICE INDEX
What private charter costs per hour in 2026
Mid-market aircraft-time ranges for U.S. on-demand charter. Use them to sanity-check a quote — not as a final trip price.
Methodology: ranges reflect published U.S. charter rate guides. Rates vary with aircraft age, positioning, availability, fuel, airport fees and trip minimums. CharterSeek does not sell or broker charter flights.
THE NUMBER THAT MATTERS
A headline hourly rate is not a trip price.
For short trips, daily minimums and aircraft positioning often matter more than the advertised hourly rate. Ask every provider where the aircraft is based, how many hours will be billed, and whether taxes and handling are included.
Use the quote checklist →FAA PART 135 DIRECTORY
Find a certificated charter operator
Search the FAA's current legal Part 135 holder data by operator name, certificate designator, or aircraft type. Inclusion is not an endorsement or a safety rating.
QUOTE CHECKLIST
Four questions before you compare offers
- Where is the aircraft based?Ask whether positioning time is billed and at what rate.
- What is the daily minimum?Confirm the number of billable hours, not only flight time.
- Is fuel fixed or floating?Clarify whether a surcharge could be added later.
- What is the all-in amount?Request every fee, tax, handling charge and overnight cost in writing.
FOR OPERATORS & BROKERS
Make your listing accurate.
Claim a free CharterSeek profile, correct your fleet details, and be considered for featured placement when the program opens.
Claim your listing