What are Fractional Jets ?
Fractional Jets Ownership is sometimes referred to as Fractional Jet
Leasing or Jet Time Sharing.
A company or individual buys, or leases, a fractional interest in one
aircraft just as they might acquire a partial interest in one condo
unit.
People can use their own aircraft or another similar or identical
aircraft a certain number of hours or days per year just as a condo
owner can use the condo a specified number of days or weeks per year.
In most programs, if your 1/8 interest aircraft is not
available when you want it, you can have access to a larger pool of
identical or similar 1/8 interest aircraft fractionally owned or leased
by others. This concept is expressed in the logo.
Although individual deals vary, there is room for negotiation. In
general, a buyer or lessor normally buys or leases a 1/8th interest in
an airplane, and can have up to 100 hours per year of usage as part of
the purchase.
The cost of the 1/8th share depends on the airplane you choose.
You can sometimes buy or lease a 1/16th interest which would include
50 hours, or a 1/4th interest which would include 200 hours. A 1/16th
interest in a Citation Ultra has been quoted at a cost of approximately
$90,000, and a 1/4th interest in the new Boeing Business Jet at
$12,000,000. Each deal is separately negotiated and some have buyback or
cancellation provisions.
The fractional interest buyer or lessor will get a "turnkey"
operation of aircraft, crews, scheduling, and maintenance on demand.
Naturally, the economics of each situation differs depending on the
number of people who will use the aircraft, the value of their time to
the company, and the dollars saved in airline tickets, hotels, etc. In
general, the following guidelines are commonly used: