Recently I met a client who acquired their first jet last year, a beautiful Dassault Falcon 8X. After years of relying on commercial airlines and charter jets, they very quickly had become accustomed to the flexibility and productivity that ownership provides – from both professional and personal perspectives. Now, their aircraft is a critical business tool which has also enabled increased family travel to new destinations.
The transition to ownership has been nothing short of life-changing.
Time travelling
At its core, a private jet is simply a tool that delivers the most precious commodity, time. When used effectively, owning aircraft will unlock capabilities that commercial travel cannot match. While there is no denying the costs are material, for leaders who value their time above all else, the return on investment is immeasurable.
Private jets fly faster, on more direct routing at altitudes which escape the weather. Once you experience the ease and the luxury, of private jet travel, returning to commercial feels like stepping back in time.
The fastest private jets in production travel at up to Mach 0.925 (around 700 mph), compared with 0.83 for a commercial aircraft. This difference may shave 45 minutes off a New York to London trip, which is not much in of itself. However, a few days ago I travelled on an airline Airbus A380 from Singapore to London which, despite sitting near the pointy end, was still quite an ordeal. Travelling to Changi airport, airport security, waiting at the lounge and gate and boarding conservatively added five hours to the trip, A private jet could have routed from a local airport directly to my final destination in Jersey with no waiting time.
In flight, private aircraft are designed to maintain a far lower cabin altitude (the altitude of the air pressure inside an aircraft's cabin during flight) within an exceptionally comfortable and private cabin, meaning passengers disembark fresher, ready for action and, in this case, at least 10 hours recovered.
For a busy frequent flyer (typically someone who flies more than 200 hours per year), the annual time saving maybe 50, even 70 working days. What value would you put on this?
The current market
During the pandemic many corporates seized the opportunity to place an order for a new jet, and often immediately purchase a pre-owned jet to cover the intervening waiting period. As a result, values soared to record levels and available inventory from the estimated 22,000 active private jets in service globally dwindled. Now in 2025, the market has normalised and, with new models such as the Dassault Falcon 6X and Gulfstream G700, new orders delivery slots are well into 2027/8 and pre-owned values of the circa 2,000 available aircraft have shifted in a buyer’s favour. It is an opportune time to consider ownership, especially with the new business aviation friendly U.S. administration poised to stimulate the industry.
Asking prices for pre-owned jets range from $2.5m up to $75m+, plus 5 – 10% annual operating costs
There is no one-size-fits-all jet, so understanding the new owner’s current and future objectives is fundamental. Contacting an independent aviation advisor at this stage will help set your path to identifying a trusted broker, crew and management company who are aligned with the owner’s long-term best interests. There are numerous pitfalls to navigate, and below we highlight three key aspects of an acquisition that can help de-risk the process.
The Broker
Private aviation brokerage is unregulated and, like any industry involving wealth and significant commissions, there are good and bad players. I recommend owners enter into an acquisition mandate to conduct a full market scan with a clear fee structure. Bear in mind those prepared to charge the highest fees often justify their 2%, once negotiations start. Beware brokers who rely on lavish wining and dining to win new business. This is often an indication they’re not well established or lack a loyal customer base.
Poorly structured transactions will expose buyers to unnecessary risks (which happen with worrying frequency) particularly on who is liable for rectifications identified during the pre-purchase aircraft inspection, problems with aircraft title or maintenance documentation.
The pre-purchase inspection
Given the technical complexities of aircraft, a thorough inspection of an aircraft’s airworthiness and validating its value is paramount. Engaging a reputable pre-purchase inspection facility, independent of both buyer and seller, should provide the assurance that the aircraft is as described, any maintenance that is outstanding and highlight any major costs to expect during the upcoming maintenance cycles. Depending on the maintenance history and geographic region in which it been flown and kept, the PPI level determines the extent of intrusion and inspection of airframe, engines and avionics, together with a comprehensive documentation inspection.
The management
Although aircraft can successfully be self-managed by a chief pilot or family office, most are operated by professional management companies. This doesn’t mean having to charter the aircraft out to third-parties (which never delivers the financial savings that many claim). It does mean you have direct access to fleet purchasing power for fuel and maintenance, and a 24/7 experienced support team on hand to ensure missions are conducted professionally and problems mitigated.
Having conducted due diligence on hundreds of management companies, ranging from small dedicated operators to global market-leaders with several hundred jets under management, there are operators to suit all clients and feedback from other owners is an excellent indicator. Knowledge of the specific aircraft type and a strong safety ethic are sine qua non, and expect to see an efficient flight operations team, advanced maintenance planning and, critically, transparent accounting.
In summary, the transition to owning a private jet might be daunting and complex. However, for owners who identify and leverage a strong team to support through the acquisition, entry into service and operations, it is rarely one they regret.
