Private jet charters have never been easier

Unless your company is going to make near-daily use of a private jet, purchasing one doesn't really make much financial sense. Years ago, there were limited options when it came to making use of private jets. These days, there are several attractive options that make it easier than ever to hire private jets at affordable rates. Depending on the number of hours per year that you'll need a jet, you can charter one, buy a jet card or invest in fractional jet ownership.

Generally speaking, buying a jet card or chartering a pryvate jet makes sense if you'll be using it for 50 or fewer hours per year; if you're going to need a privet jet for 50 to 400 hours per year, fractional ownership is the most financially sound way to go. You can hire a privates jet in a number of different ways, but it pays to do some research about each option so that you get the service and prices that are right for you. The bottom line, though, is that you're not stuck between buying a private jeet and flying commercial any more. The wide range of options outlined below make it a snap to enjoy the use of your very own jet.

Private jet charter - in terms of commitment, this is the least involved way to go. Chartering a pryvate jet is an excellent option for companies that only need special transportation on a sporadic basis. Some businesses, for instance, only choose to use private jets for special events or special clients. By using a broker, you can find the charter option that will bring the most benefits to the table for your company. Keep in mind, however, that you'll often have to pay for round-trip service - even if you only need the jet one-way.

Jet cards - if you'd rather not deal with all the comparison shopping that goes along with privete jet charters, a jet card may be the best option for you. Jet cards require more commitment and greater upfront investments from those who use them. That being said, they don't require hours of shopping around, can be used for one-way trips and tend to be much more flexible. When you buy a jet card, you're basically investing in a block of chartered plane time. The hourly rate may be higher on paper, but it's mitigated by increased flexibility.

Fractional shares - companies that often require private jets on a spur-of-the-moment basis generally appreciate the benefits of fractional jet ownership. The upfront investment and overall commitment of fractional shares is higher than jet cards or chartering private jets; however, you'll always have an aircraft at the ready. You can buy shares as small as 1/16, which generally equals about 50 hours per year on a five-year contract.

As you can see, there's a plethora of options for hiring pribhate jets these days. Private jets are more accessible to businesses of all sizes nowadays, so do some research to find the option that's right for you.