Where the time goes on an airline trip
In the air, airliners and business jets cruise at similar speeds, so flight time alone rarely explains why a trip takes all day. The time is lost on the ground: driving to a large hub, checking in, queuing at security, boarding and finally waiting at the baggage carousel.
On short routes this share is especially large. A one-hour flight easily turns into half a day once the drive, lead time and arrival are added. If a connection is needed, transfer time and a detour via the hub come on top.
Private jet: short distances on the ground
Flying privately, you depart from an FBO (fixed base operator), the private terminal for business aviation. You arrive shortly before departure, the walk to the aircraft is short and your luggage travels on board with you. After landing you step off and continue your journey without waiting at a carousel.
The choice of airport matters too: many business jets can use smaller airfields that airlines do not serve. If one of them is closer to your home or destination, the drive gets shorter as well. That is why the calculator lets you enter separate drive times for each mode.
When the time saving matters most
The comparison shows that the advantage depends less on distance than on what happens on the ground. Typical situations where a private jet saves a lot of time:
- Day trips with an outbound and return flight on the same day – the saving counts twice.
- Routes without a direct airline service, where a connection would otherwise be needed.
- Destinations a private jet can reach via a smaller, closer airfield.
- Travelling with family, a group or plenty of luggage, where check-in and baggage claim take longer.
How we calculate
- Drive time to and from the airport: your inputs, entered separately for airline and private jet.
- Airline lead time at the airport (check-in, security, boarding): 120 minutes up to 1,500 km, 150 minutes up to 4,000 km, 180 minutes beyond.
- Airline flight time: great-circle distance plus 5% for airways, divided by 830 km/h, plus 40 minutes for taxi, climb and descent.
- Airline connection: 150 minutes of transfer time and a 10% longer flight distance for the detour via the hub. A connection is preselected above 6,500 km; you can switch it on or off for any route.
- Airline arrival (deplaning, baggage claim, immigration): 30 minutes up to 1,500 km, 45 minutes up to 4,000 km, 75 minutes beyond.
- Private jet: arrival at the FBO 20 minutes before departure, flight time as in the flight time calculator (typical cruise speed of the class, 5% routing allowance, 15 minutes of climb and descent and 10 minutes of taxi per take-off and landing), 45 minutes per fuel stop, 10 minutes to deplane.
- Wind, delays, air traffic control holds and traffic jams are not included. All values are typical assumptions, not a guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
How much time does a private jet save compared with an airline?
It depends on the route and on the processes on the ground. Relative to total travel time, the saving is largest on short and medium routes, where lead time, security and baggage claim make up a big part of the trip. If a connection is needed, the advantage grows further. The calculator shows the figures for your route, one way and for a return trip.
How early do I need to be at the airport for a private jet?
Much later than for an airline flight: it is usually enough to arrive at the FBO shortly before the scheduled departure. The calculator assumes 20 minutes. The operator confirms the exact meeting point and time before the flight.
What is an FBO?
FBO stands for fixed base operator, the private terminal for business aviation at an airport. Private jet passengers are handled there, separately from the airline terminal, with short walks and no long queues.
Why is the drive to the airport often shorter with a private jet?
Private jets do not depend on large commercial airports. Many business jets can also use smaller airfields that are closer to home or to the destination. Whether an airfield suits a particular aircraft class depends on runway length, opening hours and customs availability, among other things.
Is a private jet faster on long-haul routes too?
Usually, but the margin depends on the aircraft class. Smaller jets need fuel stops on long routes, which can eat into the time saved on the ground. Choose a larger class in the calculator to fly the route nonstop and compare it with an airline flight with or without a connection.