4 business class tickets: $4,800
2 checked bags: $140
Airport parking: $60
Pet cargo (if they even allow it): $200+
Total: ~$5,200
+ 7 hours door-to-door
Skip the airport chaos. Fly private with your family.
4 business class tickets for your family = $4,800. A light jet empty leg for all 4 of you = $3,800–$8,000. Plus: no TSA, the dog comes too, and you arrive in half the time.
Why families love empty legs
Pets fly with you
Your dog or cat sits in the cabin, not in cargo. No carrier restrictions, no size limits, no extra fees. Most charter operators welcome pets.
No airport stress with kids
No security lines, no crowds, no gate changes. Arrive 15 minutes early, walk directly to the plane. Car seats go right on board.
Unlimited luggage
Strollers, car seats, ski equipment, golf clubs, surfboards. No checked bag fees. No worrying about overhead bin space.
Your own private cabin
No strangers. No keeping the kids quiet. If the baby cries, nobody cares. Bring your own snacks. Watch what you want.
The family math
Commercial (family of 4)
Empty leg (family of 4)
Light jet empty leg: $3,800–$8,000
Luggage: $0
Parking at FBO: Free
Dog in cabin: $0
Total: $3,800–$8,000
+ 3.5 hours door-to-door
Family-specific details you won't find elsewhere
Car seats and strollers
Most private jet operators allow FAA-approved car seats on board. Strollers go in the baggage compartment. Unlike commercial, you won't gate-check anything — your gear goes from your car to the plane's luggage hold in seconds. Light jets fit 1-2 car seats comfortably; midsize jets handle 3+.
Kids on board — what changes
Children under 2 can sit on a parent's lap (same as commercial). All passengers count toward the seat total shown on each listing. The biggest difference: no one is judging you when your toddler has a meltdown at 35,000 feet. It's your cabin. Bring snacks, iPads, and noise — nobody cares.
Pets fly in cabin, always
On commercial flights, large dogs go in cargo ($200+). On a private empty leg, your dog sits with you in the cabin — no carrier required, no size limit, no cargo hold. Most operators don't charge extra. Just confirm the pet policy when booking. Check our glossary for FBO details.
Best aircraft for families
Family of 4: a light jet (Phenom 300, Citation CJ3+) fits perfectly — 6 seats, enclosed lavatory, 40+ cu ft of baggage. Family of 5-6: step up to a midsize (Citation XLS, Hawker 800XP) for stand-up cabin and more room. Use our Advisor to get a personalized recommendation based on your family size and luggage.
Find a family-friendly empty leg
Set your family size and see per-person cost instantly. Use the calculator to compare against commercial.