Chartered Air Passenger Services

The 1,447 chartered air passenger service companies in the US provide air transportation for passengers and related cargo with no regular routes or schedules. Firms may also offer aircraft maintenance and repair services. Chartered air passenger operators generally fly aircraft with 30 seats or less and a payload capacity of 7,500 pounds or less, according to the FAA. Fractional aircraft ownership allows travelers to purchase “shares” of a plane and a set number of flight hours, depending on the investment.

Variability in Jet Fuel Costs

Chartered air passenger travel providers struggle with variable jet fuel costs, which fluctuate according to global market conditions.

New Business Models

Entrepreneurs are leveraging new business models and disrupting the chartered air travel industry.

Jul 28, 2026 - Fractional Ownership Reshapes the Private Jet Market

• Fractional ownership is becoming the dominant growth driver in the private jet industry as corporations and affluent travelers seek the benefits of private aviation without the cost and complexity of owning an entire aircraft. The shift comes as demand for private jet travel remains well above pre-pandemic levels but customers increasingly favor flexible access over full ownership. Rather than buying aircraft outright, travelers are purchasing fractional shares that provide guaranteed flight hours while leaving maintenance, staffing, and management to the operator. Honeywell says fractional operators are now the industry's primary growth engine, with their fleets expanding more than 65% since 2019 to roughly 1,300 aircraft. The trend has fueled expansion at market leaders NetJets and Flexjet while encouraging manufacturers to prioritize aircraft deliveries for shared-ownership providers.
• Private jet demand continues to climb despite rising fuel prices and broader airline industry concerns, according to aviation analytics firm WingX and comments from industry executives. Global private jet flight segments are up 3.9% this year after a 2.6% increase in 2025, with North American activity rising 4.7% and European flights gaining 3.5%. Fractional and charter operators posted especially strong growth, including NetJets, which increased flights 13.3% year over year through May, and Flexjet, up 11.9%. Executives from companies including Wheels Up, flyExclusive and Bond said demand remains resilient among ultra-high-net-worth travelers and corporations, who view private aviation as a productivity tool rather than a discretionary luxury. Knight Frank estimates the global ultra-high-net-worth population has grown to more than 713,000 people, helping fuel continued expansion in private aviation demand.
• Private aviation platforms marketed as “Uber for jets,” (Wheels Up; Blade Air Mobility), are entering a more measured phase as strong post-pandemic demand collides with structural limits. Industry activity remains high - private flight volumes in 2024 were still roughly 30% above 2019 levels, with new jet deliveries reaching 764 aircraft worth $31.2 billion globally, according to industry estimates. Public operators highlight the challenge: Wheels Up reported 2024 revenue of $792 million but a net loss of $339.6 million, while Blade posted a smaller $27.3 million annual loss. Limited aircraft supply, high fixed costs, and fragmented operators weaken network effects and force platforms toward capital-intensive hybrid models to ensure reliability. While digital platforms have expanded access and improved booking efficiency, analysts suggest the sector is converging toward a brokerage-like model, with consolidation and airline partnerships increasingly viewed as necessary for long-term viability.
• Private jet travel blew past previous records in 2025, with roughly 3.9 million private jet flights worldwide, about 5% more than in 2024 and higher than the pandemic-era peaks of 2021 and 2022. The surge reflects a deeper shift in how private aviation is used: less as a luxury indulgence and more as a business efficiency tool for corporations, entrepreneurs and ultra-high-net-worth travelers managing tight schedules and global operations. Strong corporate travel, more international flying and broader adoption of jet cards and fractional ownership fueled demand. Notably, while flight activity soared, pricing for jet cards and flight hours rose only modestly, lagging overall inflation as competition increased and fleets expanded. Major operators reported high utilization rates and healthy forward bookings. Looking ahead to 2026, industry leaders expect growth to cool slightly but remain historically strong, signaling that private aviation’s post-pandemic normalization has settled at a permanently higher level.

Industry size & Structure

The average chartered air passenger services provider operates out of a single location, employs 25 workers, and generates $18 million annually.

• The chartered air passenger services industry consists of about 1,447 companies that employ about 37,400 workers and generate $26.7 billion annually.
• The industry is concentrated; the top 50 companies account for over 70% of industry revenue.
• Large traditional chartered air passenger services firms include Executive Jet Management, XOJet, and Travel Management Company. Large fractional ownership firms include NetJets, FlexJet, and FlightOptions.