Group charter flights
One aircraft for the whole group: an offsite, a wedding party, a tour or a team. Aircraft by group size, 2026 prices and the rules that decide who can fly you.
- Boeing 737
- $15,000 to $27,000/hr
- ERJ-145, 50 seats
- $5,500 to $7,000/hr
- Book domestic
- 2.5 months ahead
- Over 30 seats
- Part 121 carrier
What a group charter is
Published 2026 guides put a Boeing 737 charter at about $15,000 to $27,000 per flight hour, with one broker quoting $30,576 to $37,830, and a 50-seat Embraer ERJ-145 at about $5,500 to $7,000. A one-way 737 from New York to Cancun for 140 people was quoted at $80,000 to $100,000, before federal excise tax and fees.
A group charter is the whole aircraft, hired by one company or family and flown on your schedule. Up to 19 passengers fit a large business jet; above that you are into regional jets and airliners.
The size of the aircraft decides who can fly you. On-demand operators under Part 135 fly aircraft with 30 seats or fewer and up to 7,500 lb of payload. Bigger aircraft need a Part 121 supplemental or flag carrier.
Altivo Jets arranges group charters as a broker under DOT's Part 295 rules: we tell you which carrier operates the flight, what it costs in total, and what insurance stands behind us, before you sign.
Sports teams have their own patterns and pressures; see sports team charter. For big events, see our event travel pages.
Sources:Jettly, Jul 2026: cost to charter a Boeing 737Stratos Jets: Boeing 737 charterGlobalCharter: Embraer ERJ-145eCFR 14 CFR 110.2: on-demand and supplemental operations14 CFR Part 295: air charter brokersAir Charter Advisors: group charter flights
Which aircraft for your group
| Group size | Aircraft | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 19 | Heavy jets such as the Gulfstream G650 | Business-jet cabin; most charter brokers suggest a private jet below about 19 people |
| Up to 30 | Dornier 328Jet, Embraer ERJ-135 | Flown under Part 135 with up to 7,500 lb payload |
| 42 to 50 | Embraer ERJ-145 | Key Lime Air's version seats 50 with no middle seats, a 31-inch pitch and 2,600 lb of baggage |
| 68 | All-business Airbus A320 | GlobalX flies two in this layout |
| 120 to 189 | Boeing 737 | Classic 737s seat 120 to 150; the 737-700 and 800 seat 130 to 189 |
| 18 to 60 | Boeing Business Jet | VIP 737 cabins |
Seat counts vary by operator and layout.
Sources:Air Charter Advisors: group charter flightsAir Charter Service, Jun 2024: aircraft for team sportseCFR 14 CFR 110.2: on-demand and supplemental operationsKey Lime Air: Embraer 145GlobalCharter: Embraer ERJ-145GlobeNewswire, May 2023: GlobalX collegiate sports charter programJettly, Jul 2026: cost to charter a Boeing 737
Tell us the dates and passengers. A specialist replies with aircraft options and an all-in price, around the clock.
What group charters cost
| Aircraft or trip | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Embraer ERJ-145 | $5,500 to $7,000 per flight hour | GlobalCharter |
| Classic Boeing 737 | $15,000 to $22,000 per flight hour | Jettly, July 2026 |
| Boeing 737-700 or 800 | $20,000 to $27,000+ per flight hour | Jettly, July 2026 |
| Boeing 737, 162 seats | $30,576 to $37,830 per flight hour | Stratos Jets, September 2026 |
| Boeing Business Jet | $25,000 to $35,000+ per flight hour | Jettly, July 2026 |
| 737, Los Angeles to Chicago, one way | $70,000 to $100,000+ | Jettly, July 2026 |
| 737, New York to Cancun, 140 people, one way | $80,000 to $100,000 | Jettly, July 2026 |
| 737 sports team, Boston to Chicago | $40,000 to $50,000 per leg | Jettly, July 2026 |
Before federal excise tax, airport fees and catering. Quotes depend on dates, positioning and crew duty limits.
Sources:GlobalCharter: Embraer ERJ-145Jettly, Jul 2026: cost to charter a Boeing 737Stratos Jets: Boeing 737 charter
Who can fly your group, and what you are told
| Rule | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Part 135 (14 CFR 110.2) | On-demand charter in aircraft with 30 passenger seats or fewer and up to 7,500 lb payload. |
| Part 121 supplemental | Aircraft with more than 30 seats or more than 7,500 lb payload, flying your charter or a public charter. |
| Part 380 public charter | A sponsor sells seats to individuals. It must file a prospectus with DOT, protect payments in escrow or with a bond, and cannot cancel or raise the price within 10 days of departure except in narrow cases. |
| Part 295 brokers | A broker must say it is not the operator, name the carrier in operational control, give the total cost with taxes and fees, and disclose its liability insurance before you sign. If that comes late, you can cancel for a full refund. |
Part 295 took effect on 14 February 2019.
Sources:eCFR 14 CFR 110.2: on-demand and supplemental operationseCFR 14 CFR Part 380: public charters14 CFR Part 295: air charter brokersNBAA, 2018: DOT air charter broker rule
US airlines that fly group charters
iAero Airways, formerly Swift, stopped flying in April 2024 after its restructuring failed.
Sports teams, business groups and band tours. Book domestic charters at least 2.5 months ahead and international about 6 months; payment by wire or check before departure.
One of the largest narrow-body charter operations in the US, with 70 Boeing 737s at the end of 2025. Flies every MLS team and NCAA championships. Allegiant agreed to buy it in January 2026.
A Part 121 carrier flying the A320 family for sports, government and leisure charters, with about 15 aircraft in mid 2026.
Sources:Delta: chartersSun Country Airlines FY2025 Form 10-KGlobeNewswire, May 2023: GlobalX collegiate sports charter programAviacionline, Apr 2024: iAero Airways shuts down
Regional jets on the US charter list
Larger aircraft on the FAA Part 135 list, flown with 30 seats or fewer.
Large jets for groups up to 19
Bombardier Challenger 604 / 605 / 650
205 on charter in the US with 68 operators
Bombardier Global 6000 / 6500 / Express
106 on charter in the US with 31 operators
Bombardier Global 5000 / 5500
71 on charter in the US with 21 operators
Dassault Falcon 900 / 900EX / 900LX
66 on charter in the US with 33 operators
Questions, answered
Still deciding? A charter specialist will talk you through aircraft, airports and price, with no obligation.
Ask a specialistHow much does it cost to charter a plane for a group?+
A 50-seat ERJ-145 runs about $5,500 to $7,000 per flight hour and a Boeing 737 about $15,000 to $27,000, before taxes and fees.
What is a group charter?+
Hiring a whole aircraft for one group, with the route and schedule set by you.
How do I charter a plane for a large group?+
Give us the dates, route, headcount and bags. We find carriers with the right aircraft, disclose the operator and full cost, and you sign and pay before departure.
How much is a private jet for 20 people?+
Twenty is just above the largest business jets, so you would take two jets or a regional jet such as the ERJ-145. We quote both.
How far ahead should we book?+
Delta asks for at least 2.5 months for domestic charters and about 6 months for international.
Can I book a one-way group charter?+
Yes, though you may pay for the aircraft to reposition.
Is a public charter the same as a group charter?+
No. A public charter sells seats to individuals under Part 380; a group charter is one customer hiring the whole aircraft.
Fares, dates and rules on this page were checked on 13 October 2026. Official fares and schedules change every season; the operator or authority named in each source has the final word.
- 1.Jettly, Jul 2026: cost to charter a Boeing 737
- 2.Stratos Jets: Boeing 737 charter
- 3.GlobalCharter: Embraer ERJ-145
- 4.eCFR 14 CFR 110.2: on-demand and supplemental operations
- 5.14 CFR Part 295: air charter brokers
- 6.Air Charter Advisors: group charter flights
- 7.Air Charter Service, Jun 2024: aircraft for team sports
- 8.Key Lime Air: Embraer 145
- 9.GlobeNewswire, May 2023: GlobalX collegiate sports charter program
- 10.eCFR 14 CFR Part 380: public charters
- 11.NBAA, 2018: DOT air charter broker rule
- 12.Delta: charters
- 13.Sun Country Airlines FY2025 Form 10-K
- 14.Aviacionline, Apr 2024: iAero Airways shuts down
Move the whole group together.
A specialist replies around the clock with aircraft options, the operator's name and an all-in price.