Private Jet Group Charter Guide: Aircraft for 10 to 180 Passengers

Group size is the first variable. The table below matches passenger count to the correct aircraft category and rate range.

Per-seat rates in the table above are computed at the maximum passenger configuration. Your actual per-seat cost depends on how many passengers fill the aircraft. Contact Hogani Jets for a per-seat quote on your specific group size.

The economic case for group charter improves sharply as group size grows. At 50 or more passengers, VIP airliner charter per seat competes directly with commercial business class on the same route.

The ACJ319/neo at 50 passengers on NYC to London delivers comparable per-seat cost to commercial business class with full aircraft exclusivity, no connections, and flexible departure timing. The economics are most compelling for groups above 30 passengers on routes with strong business class fares.

Sports Team Travel

Professional and collegiate sports teams charter aircraft for both regular-season travel and playoff schedules. Key requirements are departure timing flexibility (post-game), baggage capacity for equipment, and the ability to travel as a unit.

The Boeing 737's 1,592 cu ft baggage hold is the largest of any group charter aircraft. For teams with heavy equipment, it carries more than the Airbus A320 (975 cu ft) and the Embraer 195 (748 cu ft).

Corporate Events and Incentive Travel

Corporate group charters typically cover leadership retreats, investor roadshows, client incentive trips, and multi-city conference circuits. VIP airliner charter is the standard for executive groups of 20 to 100.

• Leadership retreat (20-50 executives): ACJ319/neo or ACJ320/neo with full VIP completion
• Incentive travel (50-100 high performers): ACJ321neo/XLR or ACJ330/neo
• Investor roadshow (multi-city, 10-20 pax): Super midsize or heavy jet for flexibility
• Conference circuit (3+ cities in 48 hours): Heavy or ULR with same aircraft throughout

Film, Entertainment, and Production Travel

Film crews, touring musicians, and entertainment production groups charter aircraft to move between locations with instruments, equipment, and full crew on tight schedules. VIP airliners and group charter aircraft suit these missions depending on group size and cargo needs.

Government and Diplomatic Travel

Government delegations, diplomatic missions, and NGO deployments use VIP airliners for large group travel with security requirements. The ACJ330/neo at 100 passengers and 10,000 nm range is the most capable single aircraft for diplomatic missions needing ultra-long-range capacity.

Family Groups and Private Events

Destination weddings, family reunions, and milestone celebrations with 20 to 70 guests use VIP airliners as the most practical solution. A single VIP airliner departure eliminates the coordination complexity of multiple commercial bookings.

Group charter pricing covers the aircraft, crew, and fuel. The items below are standard inclusions across all group charter categories.

• Aircraft operation: fuel, crew wages, and basic maintenance are included in the hourly rate.
• Full flight crew: two certificated pilots; additional crew for VIP airliners with long sectors.
• Flight attendant(s): standard on VIP airliner completions; one or more on group charter aircraft.
• Private terminal (FBO) departure: standard for most group charters on VIP aircraft; commercial terminals on some group charter aircraft.
• FAA Part 135 or FAA Part 121 operator certification: every operator independently vetted by Hogani Jets before booking.
• Hogani Jets coordination: a single point of contact for the full charter from quote through landing.

Additional items quoted separately: catering beyond standard service, ground transport coordination, international permits and handling, repositioning fees, and overnight crew expenses on extended missions.

Booking early locks in both aircraft and pricing. Group charter rates fluctuate during major events. Super Bowl week, Monaco Grand Prix, and major corporate conference periods compress availability significantly.

Hogani Jets is an air charter broker and does not own or operate aircraft. Every group charter is coordinated through FAA Part 135 certificated direct air carriers who hold full operational control of the flight.

The Hogani Jets group charter process:

• Share your group size, dates, origin, destination, and any special requirements (equipment, catering, overnight).
• Hogani Jets identifies the correct aircraft category and available operators for your routing.
• Each operator's certificate, insurance, and safety record is independently reviewed.
• Hogani Jets presents options and manages all logistics from booking through landing.

Contact Hogani Jets at charter@hoganijets.com or +1-855-660-0573 to start a group charter inquiry.

How much does it cost to charter a plane for a group?

Group charter costs depend on aircraft category, group size, and route. A heavy jet for 16 passengers starts at $9,000-$16,000/hr. A VIP airliner for 50 passengers runs $14,000-$28,000/hr. Commercial-configuration group charter (A320/737 for 150-180) costs $22,000-$35,000/hr. Per-seat costs improve significantly as group size increases.

What is the minimum group size for group charter?

Any size group can charter a private aircraft. Smaller groups typically book purpose-built private jets. Group charter economics become most compelling above 20 passengers, where per-seat costs begin to compete with commercial business class. Above 120 passengers, commercial-configuration narrowbody aircraft (A320, 737) offer the lowest per-seat rate.

Can a sports team charter a private jet?

Yes. Sports teams are one of the most common group charter use cases. Professional NBA, NFL, and MLS teams regularly charter heavy jets (15-20 pax), VIP airliners (50-100 pax), or commercial group aircraft (150-180 pax). The Boeing 737's 1,592 cu ft baggage hold is the largest in the group charter fleet and is best suited for equipment-heavy teams.

What is the largest private aircraft available for group charter?

The Airbus A380 VIP carries up to 50 passengers in VIP completion on an aircraft designed for 555. The Boeing 747-8 VIP and Airbus ACJ330/neo both carry 100 passengers. For commercial-seated groups, the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 carry 150-180 passengers. Hogani Jets brokers all of these categories.

Is group charter cheaper per person than commercial travel?

For groups above 30-50 passengers, VIP airliner charter per seat competes with commercial business class on the same route. An ACJ319/neo carrying 50 passengers on NYC to London costs approximately $2,500-$3,500 per person, which is within the commercial business class range ($3,000-6,000/person). For groups below 20, per-seat costs typically exceed business class.

Can you charter a plane with a group of 30 people?

Yes. A group of 30 has several options. A heavy jet at 16 seats requires two aircraft. A VIP airliner such as the Airbus ACJ318 (18 pax) or ACJ220 (18 pax) fits the group on one aircraft but at partial capacity. The Airbus ACJ319/neo (50 pax) or ACJ320/neo (50 pax) accommodate 30 with extra capacity at a lower per-seat rate.

How far in advance do I need to book a group charter?

For most group charters, 4-8 weeks is sufficient for availability and pricing. Major events (Super Bowl, Davos, playoffs) require 6-12 weeks because aircraft book out early. Commercial group charter aircraft (A320, 737) have more flexibility at 5-10 weeks. International routings requiring permits need additional lead time.

Does group charter include ground transportation?

Ground transportation is not automatically included. Hogani Jets can coordinate coach transfers, sprinter vans, and individual car services on both ends of the flight on request. This is quoted separately from the aircraft charter rate.

Is Hogani Jets a direct air carrier?

No. Hogani Jets is an air charter broker and does not own or operate aircraft. All group charters are facilitated through FAA Part 135 & FAA Part 121 certificated direct air carriers holding full operational and regulatory control of every flight.

What airports can group charter aircraft use?

VIP airliners can use most major commercial airports and many executive airports. Commercial group charter aircraft (A320, Boeing 737) require longer runways and typically operate from major commercial airports. The Embraer 195 has the lightest MTOW (115,280 lbs) and accesses the broadest range of airports of the three group charter aircraft.