Book a last-minute private jet in France

Many business travelers and individuals find themselves faced with the need to book a private jet at the last minute. An unforeseen business appointment, a medical emergency or a cancelled commercial flight are just some of the situations in which business aviation offers the essential flexibility. Over 20% of private flights can be booked the day before or the day of departure. Some brokers even advertise missions ready for take-off within just 1 to 2 hours of request – provided aircraft and crew are available. As Europe’s leading air broker since 1991, AEROAFFAIRES uses its expertise and network to organize your urgent private flight in France or abroad, often in less than two hours. Find out how last-minute private jet booking works, the steps involved, the benefits and costs, and answers to frequently asked questions on the subject.

In 2025, the flexibility offered by private aviation in France and Europe is reflected in a marked trend: almost 20% of private flights are booked on the same day or the day before departure, according to the latest data published by WINGX and the EBAA. This phenomenon reflects the changing habits of customers – executives, entrepreneurs, families or VIPs – who prefer reactive travel solutions in the face of unforeseen business events, medical emergencies or schedule changes. Thanks to the development of digital booking platforms and the deployment of more agile fleets, it is now possible to mobilize an aircraft and its crew in just a few hours, transforming private jet rental into an immediate response to any urgent need. This practice of ultra-last-minute booking, once rare and reserved for exceptional situations, has now become standard on the market, reinforcing the appeal of the private jet as an indispensable mobility solution for discerning travellers in 2025.

The Argus report also notes that, during major events or seasonal peaks, simultaneous demand for last-minute flights often exceeds the capacity of major business airports. So, while operators continue to offer urgent flights, slot availability is becoming the main challenge: booking at the last minute remains possible thanks to modernized fleets and accelerated digital processes. But Argus advises travellers to anticipate when possible, since slots and suitable aircraft are likely to be fewer or more expensive during these high-voltage periods. In short, last-minute booking remains a strength of European business aviation, but it depends on broker responsiveness and the strategic management of airport capacity, according to Argus 2025.

Urgent needs: why opt for a last-minute private jet?

Many customers turn to private jets on an emergency basis, as they are perfectly suited to last-minute travel. Unlike commercial airlines, private jets can take off according to your schedule and from secondary airports, saving you time and connections. This makes them a popular solution in a variety of situations:

• Medical emergency or medical repatriation – Every minute counts when transporting a patient to an appropriate care facility. A private medical jet can be chartered very quickly for a safe, direct flight.
• Important family event – A hastily arranged wedding, a funeral, a surprise reunion… A last-minute private flight can bring your loved ones together without constraints, wherever they may be.
• Business opportunity or critical meeting – Entrepreneurs, managers and executives may need to travel immediately to seize a business opportunity, resolve a crisis or attend an unexpected strategic meeting. In these cases, chartering a private jet guarantees maximum flexibility and precious time savings.
• Sporting or entertainment events – Artists, VIPs or sports teams may need impromptu transport between engagements. Private jets offer direct, personalized flights, avoiding the vagaries of commercial schedules.

In all these circumstances, booking a private jet at the last minute ensures responsiveness, confidentiality and comfort. You avoid the queues in public terminals, the lengthy checks and delays of scheduled airlines. In just a few minutes, you’re on board a specially adapted aircraft, benefiting from a tailor-made service even under time pressure. In short, a last-minute private jet is often the most effective solution in an emergency, and AEROAFFAIRES responds with a service available 24/7.

How long does an urgent private flight take? 1-2 hours?

Yes, it is possible to take off quickly on a private jet after your request. Under normal circumstances, a reservation can be processed in just 1 to 2 hours. In practical terms, this means that if you contact a broker early in the morning, you could be in the air before lunchtime. AEROAFFAIRES says it can arrange a departure in less than two hours in urgent cases. Of course, this timeframe depends on the location of the aircraft, the authorization of flight plans and the necessary preparation, but it demonstrates the exceptional responsiveness of the sector.

In rare cases, a jet can even take off in a matter of minutes if the customer is already on site and a ready-to-go aircraft is available at the airport. However, you should allow 2 to 4 hours for any eventuality. This is the time needed to finalize the flight plan, organize the crew and fuel, and manage any air traffic slots. On international flights, customs formalities and traffic rights may extend the lead time. For example, if a visa is required for the destination, or if there are special health restrictions, the broker will have to check compliance before departure.

In France, the advantage is a vast network of business airports. Paris-Le Bourget – Europe’s leading private aviation airport – offers 24/7 departures, as do Nice Côte d’Azur, Lyon Saint Exupery, Bordeaux and many other hubs. In all, some 3,000 airports in Europe are accessible to private jets (compared with around 300 served by scheduled airlines). In France alone, there are over 70 airports with customs services (PPF) for international flights. This geographical accessibility facilitates last-minute solutions: wherever you are, AEROAFFAIRES will find the nearest departure point and aircraft to get you off the ground as quickly as possible.

How to book a last-minute private jet? The key steps

Organizing an urgent private flight may seem complex, but with the assistance of an experienced broker like AEROAFFAIRES, the process is quick and easy. Here are the main steps involved in booking a last-minute private jet, from your initial inquiry right through to take-off:

1. Make your flight request

Contact the broker as soon as your flight requirements are confirmed. You can call the emergency hotline directly (e.g. AEROAFFAIRES on +33 1 44 09 91 82, available 24/7) or fill in an online quote request form. On the form, indicate as precisely as possible your departure airport, your destination, the number of passengers, thedesired timetable and any special constraints. As soon as you’ve submitted your request, an aviation expert will call you back within 5 minutes to confirm the details and make sure you understand the urgency of the situation.

Tip: during this initial exchange, be ready to provide any useful information: weight and number of baggage items, presence of a pet, transport of specific objects (musical instruments, sports equipment, hunting weapons, etc.). Please also mention any medical constraints or reduced mobility, to ensure optimum organization on the ground and on board. Finally, specify the reason for the trip, if it requires special authorization (diplomatic flight, emergency medical repatriation, etc.).

2. Receive quotes and choose your aircraft

Once all the information has been gathered, the broker mobilizes his network to find the best aircraft options available that meet your criteria. In general, several quotes are presented to you as quickly as possible, with aircraft of different sizes or ranges if possible (from light jets to long-haul jets, depending on the distance to be covered). Each offer specifies the aircraft model, number of seats, estimated take-off time, flight duration and total price including all costs (fuel, crew, airport taxes, etc.).

At AEROAFFAIRES, from this point onwards, a dedicated contact person is on hand to answer any questions you may have. Don’t hesitate to tell him or her about your preferences (for example, a particular model of jet, or the need for a cabin that can be configured as a meeting room). This is also the time to ask for additional services, such as specific in-flight catering or ground transfers on arrival. The broker will adapt the quote accordingly. Once you’ve made your choice of aircraft, inform your contact so that you can block the aircraft immediately.

3. Booking confirmation and payment

To confirm your reservation, you’ll need to sign a charter contract, which summarizes all the terms and conditions of the flight (itinerary, timetable, number of passengers, services, price, etc.)* At the same time, you’ll be asked to provide identification (passports) for each passenger. These documents are essential for drawing up the flight plan by name, and to facilitate security and immigration checks.

When it comes to payment, the golden rule of urgent flights is immediacy. There are two solutions: either you make an immediate bank transfer, or – if time is too short or you’re a new customer – the broker takes a credit card imprint as a guarantee. In this way, the aircraft can be positioned without waiting for the bank transaction. AEROAFFAIRES also accepts payment by PayPal or other secure methods, depending on the situation. Once payment or guarantee has been made, your flight is officially booked. Payment in crypto-currencies is also possible.

*(*) Good to know: in private charter, the contract generally specifies cancellation conditions. Last-minute cancellations may incur substantial charges, as the operator will have mobilized a plane and crew for you. Cancellation insurance is not systematically included, but can sometimes be proposed for costly missions.

4. Preparing the flight and sending the flight plan

After confirmation, the broker finalizes the organization with the air operator. The exact itinerary is submitted to the civil aviation authorities in the form of an official flight plan. You receive this document as soon as it has been validated, usually within the hour. The flight plan includes all the relevant information: take-off time, dedicated boarding terminal (often a business terminal called FBO), aircraft registration, names of pilots and crew, estimated journey time, etc. This is your “roadmap” for D-day.

At the same time, the broker ensures that your special requests are taken into account. For example, the catering you have ordered (meals on board) will be prepared and delivered to the aircraft; a private driver will be waiting for you on arrival if you have requested one, etc. Please note that some late requests may slightly delay departure (e.g. a last-minute gourmet menu will require time to prepare). As a general rule, once the flight has been confirmed, everything is done to ensure on-time departure: refuelling, cabin cleaning and crew check-in are all accelerated.

5. Arrival at the airport, boarding and take-off

The great advantage of a private flight is that it minimizes your time at the airport. As soon as you receive your flight plan, you can present yourself directly at the indicated business aviation terminal (FBO), ideally 20 minutes before your scheduled departure. There’s no need to arrive hours in advance: all you need to do is go through the check-in process. In the private terminal, a comfortable VIP lounge awaits you, with snacks and beverages at your disposal, while you finalize the last details.

Meanwhile, the aircraft is pre-positioned on the nearby tarmac. When everything is ready, the crew personally welcomes you and escorts you to the aircraft. Security and customs checks (for international flights) are carried out directly at the FBO in just a few minutes ( 5 minutes on average). You board the aircraft without queuing, and take-off can take place immediately after the doors close. Note that the pilot must obtain permission from the control tower to take off: at busy major airports, a short wait for a take-off slot is possible, but at most business airports departure is almost instantaneous once the aircraft is ready. Mission accomplished: less than a few hours after your initial request, you’re already on your way to your destination thanks to ultra-reactive private jet rental!

Cost and availability: is a last-minute flight more expensive?

Many travelers ask whether it costs more to book a private jet at the last minute than to book in advance. The answer is yes… and no, because several factors come into play. As a general rule, it’s advisable to plan ahead to guarantee an optimal choice of aircraft and fares. Booking early gives you access to a greater availability of aircraft, and therefore the possibility of finding the most suitable aircraft at the best price. On the other hand, when you book at the last minute, your choices may be limited to the aircraft available at that moment and the remaining slots, which may force you to opt for a more expensive solution than you would normally.

Fares for private flights depend on a multitude of criteria: the distance to be flown, the type and size of aircraft, the number of passengers, landing taxes… and, of course,supply and demand. If your request coincides with high demand (vacation period, international event, etc.), operators will have fewer aircraft available and may charge higher rates. For example, on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends or during the Cannes Film Festival, jets are scarce on the Côte d’Azur; a flight booked at the very last minute could cost more than usual due to these exceptional circumstances.

However, booking late is not always synonymous with higher prices. In some cases, you may even be able to get a good last-minute deal. How can you do this? Thanks to emptylegs. These are the empty returns of private jets after an outbound flight: as these journeys are already planned (aircraft repositioned without passengers), operators offer them at a greatly reduced rate rather than flying empty. By being flexible on schedule or destination, a customer can save up to 70% of the price by taking advantage of one of these empty flights. AEROAFFAIRES regularly publishes the empty legs available on its website. For example, if a jet is due to return from Geneva to Paris tomorrow, and this corresponds to your requirements, you’ll fly in the same aircraft at a lower cost.

In short, booking a private jet in a hurry may cost a little more because of availability constraints, but the tailor-made service and time savings often justify the cost for customers who need it. Moreover, even in business class on commercial flights, last-minute tickets are generally more expensive – a trend not limited to private aviation. With the help of a transparent broker like AEROAFFAIRES, you can quickly obtain several quotes and remain in control of your budget by choosing the most advantageous option for you.

Why choose AEROAFFAIRES for a last-minute private flight?

When you choose AEROAFFAIRES for your urgent private jet flight, you’re relying on a European leader in air brokerage with over 30 years’ experience. Founded in 1991, the company has organized over 45,000 private flights for more than 9,000 customers – from business leaders in a hurry to private individuals in emergency situations – with a satisfaction rate of 4.9/5. AEROAFFAIRES has a worldwide network of 20,000 aircraft available, ranging from small turboprops to long-haul VIP jets. This vast selection enables us to meet any demand, even during peak seasons or in complex situations.

Above all, AEROAFFAIRES offers a complete in-flight concierge service, available 24/7. From the moment you call, a dedicated expert is on hand to coordinate every aspect of the mission: choice of optimal aircraft, crew, flight slots, weather monitoring, administrative formalities, etc. In the event of unforeseen circumstances (breakdown, weather change, unforeseen restrictions), AEROAFFAIRES will activate its resources to offer you an immediate Plan B. That’s the difference between a reliable broker and a simple automated platform. What’s more, the company is committed to an eco-responsible approach(SKY CO2 program), offsetting 100% of the carbon emissions of its chartered flights, a valuable asset for more sustainable private jet travel.

Finally, choosing AEROAFFAIRES means opting for peace of mind. You’ll benefit from personalized advice, transparent rates and a team passionate about business aviation, committed to making your trip a success, even if you decide to book at the last minute. Don’t wait any longer: contact AEROAFFAIRES now for your next urgent private flight. Our aviation experts are at your service 24/7 on +33 (0)1 44 09 91 82 or by e-mail at charter@aeroaffaires.com. You can also get a free online quote – we’ll get back to you within two hours. AEROAFFAIRES takes care of everything, so you can travel quickly, safely and in comfort.