August private aviation activity in second-home and resort markets was more than 75% above 2019 levels with large increases across the board
In August, Bandon Dunes in Oregon saw an average of 42 private jet flights a day. That’s a 75% increase compared to 2019. To the south, Napa private flights spiked 77%. Neither were close to Aspen, where private flights were up 111% last month over pre-pandemic totals. On the East Coast, Westhampton Francis S. Gabreski Airport saw a whopping 125% more flights last month than two years ago.
10 of the 15 busiest private aviation airports saw declines during the first 10 days of the month with New York and Seattle airports seeing the steepest drops
Of the busiest airports in the U.S. for private jet departures, three Colorado airports rank in the top 10 for the first 10 days of August, according to data from WingX.
How much does it cost to fly to Aspen by private jet from Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and popular markets?
Will a jet card save you money versus an on-demand charter when flying to Aspen?
Aspen Pitkin County Airport FBO and private jet information
Compare private jet membership programs against private jet charter prices on-demand
So you want to rent a private jet to Aspen?
You want to minimize COVID-19 contact, so you are looking into the cost of a private jet rental as an alternative to the airlines. And you want to find out how much it will cost if you charter a private jet on a one-off basis?
Calling brokers and getting quotes is not the only option if you are looking into private flights to Aspen.
Jet card programs, which begin with deposits of just $25,000, or in some cases paying a membership fee, and then paying until you fly, can also be a cost-effective option.
Most folks who do one-off charters, end up flying privately again. You can’t be the experience, particularly the convenience and time savings. They then find they probably should have considered multiple private flight solutions from the start.
Below you can compare some of the benefits of using jet cards and memberships compared to booking private jet flights on a one-by-one basis.
On-Demand Charter vs. Jet Cards
What you get
Jet Cards*
On-Demand Charters
Fixed Pricing
Yes
No, Varies by trip
Booking Window
4 to 96 hours before departure
At time of booking for lowest price
Cancelations
4 to 72 hours before departure
Not allowed**
Guaranteed Service Recovery
Yes
Customer pays extra charges
Catering
Yes
Extra charge
Deicing
Yes
Extra charge
WiFi
Yes
Extra charge
* Varies by program and provider; **May be available at higher prices
The biggest advantages of using jet cards include fixed one-way pricing, the booking and cancelation terms, and guaranteed service recovery.
Fixed one-way pricing means you only pay for your actual flight time, and don’t have to worry about repositioning fees.
With on-demand charter, typically you have to pay when you book, and in many cases, you can’t cancel and it’s non-refundable. By contrast, jet cards allow you to book at your guaranteed pricing with as little as 6 to 96 hours.
And if your plans change, cancelation windows, which look all jet card policies, vary by provider and program, range from 4 to 72 hours.
Other benefits included with some jet cards include catering, deicing, which can run in the thousands of dollars and WiFi.
What happens when my private jet flight to Aspen cancels?
One reason many longtime on-demand charter customers switch to memberships is Guaranteed Service Recovery. With ad hoc charters, if the operator cancels your flight because of a mechanical, the pilot is sick, or the owner of the airplane changes his or her mind, you have to pay any extra expense for the replacement flight. Of course, you have the option not to travel.
With virtually all fixed-rate jet cards, if there is a problem with your designated aircraft or crew, your provider will get you and equal or better private jet at their expense. They may even offer compensation for the delay.
Below is lead pricing from the more than 50 providers in the Private Jet Card Comparisons. Compare your on-demand charter quotes to jet card pricing, and see if you should consider a jet card membership. Flight pricing is directly from our exclusive QUICK COMPARE FLIGHT PRICING tool available to paid subscribers for $250.
Aspen private jet charter pricing
Chicago to Aspen Lowest One-Way Cost
Aircraft Type
Flight Cost
Booking Deadline (in hours)
Cancelation Deadline (in hours)
Light
$10,644
12
72
Midsize
$12,717
72
48
Super Midsize
$13,886
4
48
Large Cabin
$20,008
24
48
Jet Card pricing is based on a one-way flying time of 91 minutes, the average of the west and eastbound legs with seasonal winds. It includes all additional fees. Lower pricing is available for roundtrips trips of 2 days or less.
Dallas to Aspen Lowest One-Way Cost
Aircraft Type
Flight Cost
Booking Deadline (in hours)
Cancelation Deadline (in hours)
Light
$7,667
12
72
Midsize
$9,183
24
48
Super Midsize
$10,753
24
48
Large Cabin
$15,288
24
48
Jet Card pricing is based on a one-way flying time of 91 minutes, the average of the west and eastbound legs with seasonal winds. It includes all additional fees. Lower pricing is available for roundtrips trips of 2 days or less.
Los Angeles to Aspen Lowest One-Way Cost
Aircraft Type
Flight Cost
Booking Deadline (in hours)
Cancelation Deadline (in hours)
Light
$7,806
24
48
Midsize
$9,587
24
24
Super Midsize
$11,226
24
48
Large Cabin
$15,960
24
48
Jet Card pricing is based on a one-way flying time of 95 minutes, the average of the west and eastbound legs with seasonal winds. It includes all additional fees. Lower pricing is available for roundtrips or 2 days or less.
Miami to Aspen Lowest One-Way Cost
Aircraft Type
Flight Cost
Booking Deadline (in hours)
Cancelation Deadline (in hours)
Midsize
$21,050
72
48
Super Midsize
$27,678
24
24
Large Cabin
$36,190
5
72
Jet Card pricing is based on one-way pricing with a flying time of 231 minutes, the average of west and eastbound legs with seasonal winds. It includes all additional fees. Lower pricing is available for roundtrips trips of 4 days or less.
New York to Aspen Lowest One-Way Cost
Aircraft Type
Flight Cost
Booking Deadline (in hours)
Cancelation Deadline (in hours)
Midsize Cabin
$21,800
72
48
Super Midsize
$27,678
24
24
Large Cabin
$37,600
5
72
Jet Card pricing is based on one-way pricing with a flying time of 240 minutes, the average of west and eastbound legs with seasonal winds. It includes all additional fees. Lower roundtrip pricing is available for trips of 4 days or less.
Find the Best Private Jet Solutions to Aspen
If you have already spoken to jet card companies or received quotes from charter brokers, we can help you identify the best fit for your private travel needs. We don’t sell private jet charters or jet cards.We are an independent private aviation research site that enables you to make the best choice as an educated consumer. Find out more information here.
Empty Legs and Illegal Charter
The best way to fly by private jet is to do a bit of research first. Get quotes from brokers or operators for your single trip. Make sure you read the fine print! Know the cancelation terms.
Make sure to ask if the quote is based on a confirmed flight, or if it is an empty leg.
Empty leg flights are repositioning flights before or after a full revenue charter. If you are getting quotes that are 30% below what you see above, ask if you are being offered a ferry flight.
When the person on the other end of that flight changes his or her plans, the empty leg is likely to get changed or canceled. That could be your flight! If that happens, it’s up to you to find your way wherever you are going, either through buying a full-price charter flight or booking an airline seat. If you have non-refundable hotel reservations or need to be somewhere at a specific time without much buffer, avoid empty legs.
Beware of illegal charter. If the price is too good to be true. There may be a reason. As a paid subscriber to Private Jet Card Comparisons, we will provide you personal assistance to help you make the right choice, based on your needs and budget.
Aspen Pitkin County Airport (ASE)
Aspen Pitkin County Airport is the only airport serving the popular mountain resort and is located about four miles from the town center. Atlantic Aviation is the only FBO at the airport. Verify with your provider that pilots have special training for mountain airports.
A survey of Flexjet, Jet Linx Aviation, Magellan Jets, Sentient Jet, and VistaJet found private jets will be traversing the country from sea-to-shining sea this summer
Where is the private jet set headed for the summer? A survey by Business Insiderof five leading jet card providers found a wide variety of domestic hot spots.
Flexjet, Jet Linx Aviation, Magellan Jets, Sentient Jet, and VistaJet each shared insights into where their members are flying.
