Charter and fractional ownership flights account for over half of private jet activity in North America

Charter and fractional ownership flights have dominated the North American Market in the last few years. The flexibility of fractional models has allowed more high-net-worth users to increase their personal and corporate efficiencies. In 2025, fractional ownership flights alone saw an over 10% increase in departures. According to the data compiled from ARGUS TRAQPak, there were approximately 5.4 million private jet flight hours in North America last year. Of those, over 3 million constituted charter and fractional ownership, amounting to 55.8%. It is a significant 12.1% jump since 2012, when they accounted for just 43.7% of flights. These models offer guaranteed on-demand access to aircraft without the extensive costs of full ownership. A significant surge in charter and fractional departures over the last few years Fractional ownership (Part 91K) and on-demand charter (Part 135) flights have become very popular among individuals and corporations. Part 135, covering ad hoc and jet card-based charter flights, was up 3.3% from the previous year, equating to over 1.9 million flight hours. Key players like NetJets, VistaJet, and Flexjet offer charter and fractional programs, offering unmatched access to various types of aircraft. In 2025, charter and fractional flights recorded just over 3.02 million hours, up 6.5% compared to the previous year. It is the highest in the last decade, amounting to nearly 56% of business aviation industry flight hours. Charter platforms and on-demand flight booking apps have offered greater access to individuals and corporations. Jetcraft states that its sales under 45 nearly doubled in the last decade. It is noteworthy that private jet travel is no longer associated with ultra-wealthy individuals, but rather evolving users, including younger professionals, first-time flyers, and bleisure travelers. Pandemic-driven shift away from commercial flights holds strong Fractional ownership and charter segments have seen a significant surge since the beginning of the global pandemic. Time-saving and flexibility benefits are simply too lucrative for high-net-worth individuals to ignore. Moreover, without the high capital costs and administrative procedures, fractional owners can purchase a share in an aircraft. Depending on the share, the owner can utilize the aircraft for a set number of hours each year. Owners also enjoy predictable shared operating costs, managed by aircraft management firms. The flexibility, ease of access, and predictability positively add to the overall user experience. Key drivers for growth in the last few years Travel flexibility and operational ease are some of the major reasons for the continuous growth in fractional and charter flights, as stated by AirSprint. Aircraft management companies offer comprehensive ownership management packages, including operational logistics, crew staffing, maintenance, and aircraft storage. Requiring significantly less upfront costs, fractional ownership models start as low as $250,000 per share of an aircraft. While taking away administrative burdens, management companies guarantee aircraft availability and lower operating costs. It is ideal for individuals and corporations that utilize private jets for approximately 100 hours a year. The management company ensures the aircraft remains available for each owner when needed. Management companies handle maintenance, crew staffing, and logistics to ensure a smooth travel experience for the owner. By avoiding long-term commitments and depreciating assets, fractional and charter users enjoy guaranteed access to top aircraft at a wide range of airports worldwide. More and more leisure travelers and young professionals utilize on-demand private charters. Forbes states that fractional ownership is considered one of the most cost-effective ways to fly 50-100 hours annually. Early indicators show that 2026 will build on last year's momentum in business aviation. Continued expansion in charter and fractional ownership programs will lead to greater demand for private jet flights.