Flying » Fractional Jet Ownership

Inside Fractionals: Small fry
May 31, 2011
You're probably familiar with the four operators that dominate the fractional-jet-share business: CitationAir, Flexjet, Flight Options and–the biggest of the big, with more than half the market–NetJets. But if you're shopping for a share, those aren't your only choices.
Is the fractional business model broken?
February 1, 2011
“Fractional is slightly more than 50 percent of our business,” said Citationa
Not long ago, the idea of selling fractional shares in business jets looked like a winner. Industry pioneer NetJets-which Warren Buffett had acquired for Berkshire Hathaway in 1998-appeared prosperous, and so did the several other companies that had formed to take advantage of the business model.
Frax FAQ
December 1, 2010
Providers generally charge a minimum of 60 minutes per flight. So If all your
If you're new to the world of fractional shares, you may well be confused about how these deals work and about the terminology you're hearing. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions. How did the fractional-share concept get started?
Buy, borrow or lease
August 1, 2010
Leasing might make sense if you can't take advantage of the tax-depreciation
You've analyzed numerous variables, including where, when and how often you fly. You've determined that a fractional share makes sense for you and figured out which aircraft model best suits your needs. You've even picked a fractional provider. Time to call the company, sign the paperwork and break out the margaritas?
What's Going On at Flight Options?
June 1, 2010
Kenn Ricci, who founded Flight Options and left the company in 2003, returned
When industry observers speculate about the future of the four biggest fractional-jet-share providers, the company that often prompts the most discussion is Flight Options. That's because it has arguably undergone more change than its competitors while also lacking the protection afforded by being under a large corporate umbrella.
Peak Experiences
February 1, 2010
If you want to fly on designated “peak travel days,” you have to give your pr
A chief selling point of fractional flying is its simplicity. Unlike charter customers, you don't have to bother with shopping for a flight; and unlike full owners, you don't have to worry about maintenance, storage and hiring crews. The fractional provider takes care of all that.
The Fractional Market
December 1, 2009
AMERICA'S ECONOMIC DOWNTURN has dealt a crippling blow to the fractional-share industry. Rapidly declining used-aircraft prices and fewer flying hours over the past year have forced fractional operators to defer aircraft deliveries, cut staff and explore new ways to keep flying.
Bail out-or buy a share?
December 1, 2009
IS this A GOOD TIME to buy a fractional share? Or to sell the one you own? The answer, depending on your situation, could be yes to either question.
What Santulli accomplished
October 1, 2009
Richard Santulli wrote the rules on fractional ownership, and in the process
Richard T. Santulli, who resigned in August after nearly a quarter century as chairman of NetJets, had never been in an airplane-had in fact never been outside the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut metropolitan area- until he turned 21 and spent his honeymoon in Puerto Rico.
Are fractional shares worth the money?
September 1, 2009
Providing aircraft at locations all over the U.S. on short notice is no small
Suze Orman didn't pause before answering when I asked whether she'd ever considered replacing her charter flights with a fractional jet share. "I think they're rip-offs," said the personal-finance guru, in an interview that appeared in our April/May 2009 issue.

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