Most people would prefer to fly on a private plane rather than commercial airlines if they could. Individuals who are interested in private aviation travel have many options. The two main forms of private aviation access are charters and ownership.

Private jet ownership has its benefits. You can personalize your aircraft to meet your needs. If the aircraft is to be used for business purposes, it can be made to this end. If the jet will be used for group transport only, it can also be outfitted in that manner. Private jets have the advantage of being readily available at a moment's notice. Full ownership comes with the main drawback of high-priced costs, which can run into the millions. There are also ongoing costs that could cost millions per year.

Chartering a jet is another option for fractional aircraft ownership. You can fly anywhere you want in a jet charter. A charter is much cheaper than owning a plane. Charters can be more affordable than commercial travel when you take a group. Charter companies are able to provide aircraft in as little as four to seven hours.

Private aircraft can be used for chartering or ownership, as well as other purposes.

Fractional ownership means that one can buy a fraction of a jet and share it with others. The jet is typically given to first-come, first-serve basis. This is not a common practice as most fractional jet companies offer owners access to all of their jets. Owners can choose to use different jets for different trips or needs. The owner is responsible for hourly fuel costs and other fees in addition to the purchase price.

Because jet cards are granted access to all aircraft fleets, fractional programs are closely associated with them. Instead of purchasing a fractional share in a jet, program participants buy a jet card. This is basically a prepaid debitcard for private jet travel. Each flight is then deducted at a fixed hourly rate from the card.

Private aviation is a new frontier. Others operate on a fixed schedule, just like an airline. Others offer ready take-off at a discounted rate. Because they use very light jets (VLJ), air taxis can offer a lower rate than standard charters. The initial cost of a VLJ is lower, which allows the company to charge less per trip. VLJs are limited in capacity and range.