Glossary
Block Time
Why it matters
Why block time matters
Quotes are priced in occupied hours. Block time is how those hours are measured. Taxi, hold, and approach minutes count toward block time even when you think of the trip as a short hop. Comparing a broker's block estimate to your own gate timing causes confusion at invoice time.
Cost
How it affects cost
Hourly rate multiplied by billable block hours is the core charter charge. Long taxi at busy airports, weather holds, and diversion routing increase block time without changing the map distance. Daily minimums may bill more block hours than a single short leg actually flies.
Example
A quick example
Related terms
Other terms to know
Common questions
Is block time the same as flight time?
Operators often use block time for billing. It usually includes taxi and airborne minutes under a defined chocks-off to chocks-on or wheels-up to wheels-down standard stated in the contract.
Why is block time longer than the map suggests?
Taxi at busy airports, routing, holds, and minimum billable hours all add to occupied time beyond great-circle distance divided by cruise speed.
How do I estimate block time for planning?
Use route page flight-time context and the charter calculator, then confirm billable hours—not just airborne minutes—in the quote.
Guides that explain this
- How Much Does a Private Jet Cost?What drives private jet cost—hourly rates, flight time, repositioning, minimum hours, taxes, and handling—and how to budget with planning ranges before you request quotes.
- Private Jet Short FlightsWhy short private flights can feel expensive per hour, how daily minimums and positioning work, and when a short hop is still worth it.
- Why Private Jet Quotes VaryThe reasons two charter quotes for the same trip differ, including aircraft availability, positioning, dates, airports, and what each operator includes.
- Private Jet Quote Checklist: What to Confirm Before You BookA practical checklist for reading a private charter quote: aircraft, all-in pricing, taxes, repositioning, airports, crew, weather, cancellation, international handling, and operator credentials.
Calculators that use this
- Charter CostFree private jet flight cost calculator: estimate charter cost from flight time, aircraft category, trip type, and extras. Planning ranges only—not quotes.
- Aircraft Hourly RateSee planning hourly rate ranges by aircraft category and estimate a flight cost from hours, with a reference table across all categories.
Last reviewed May 2026. Estimates use planning assumptions that we revisit periodically.