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Quote Decoder

A sample quote for London Farnborough to Nice in a midsize jet. Change the trip, the season and the catering and watch which lines move.

Sample quote

FABNCE

London Farnborough to Nice · midsize jet · four passengers · about 2 hours block time

Trip options
  1. Flight time

    The hours you fly, multiplied by the hourly rate. Many quotes bill block time, from moving off the stand to stopping at the destination, which is longer than the airborne time.

  2. Positioning

    The aircraft has to come to you and go home again. On a one way trip the return to base is often billed; on a return with a long gap the aircraft may fly home and come back.

  3. Crew overnights

    When the aircraft waits for you, the crew needs hotels and daily allowances. Some operators include this, most list it.

  4. Parking

    Airports charge for parking by the night or the day, and space at busy airports in season is limited.

  5. Landing and handling

    Landing, terminal and handling fees at both ends. Business aviation terminals and busy hubs cost more than quiet regional fields.

  6. Catering

    Ordered for your flight and usually billed at cost plus a handling fee. It ranges from a light platter to plated meals.

  7. De-icing

    In winter the aircraft may need de-icing before departure. The amount is unknown until it happens and is billed after the flight.

  8. VAT and taxes

    Depends on the route and the countries involved. International flights are often zero rated, domestic flights within one country usually are not. Ask how the quote treats them.

Indicative total before VAT

Illustrative figures built from our indicative hourly band for a midsize jet and rounded example fees. They show the structure of a quote, not a market price or an offer.

Why one way costs what it costs

The aircraft in this sample is based near London. On a one way flight to Nice it has to fly home empty, and that positioning leg appears in the quote. Choose a same day return and the aircraft brings you back instead; choose a return after three nights and it waits in Nice, which adds crew hotels and parking but saves two empty legs.

Lines that change with the season

In peak summer weeks the hourly rate is at the top of the band, because demand on Riviera routes is high. In November the same flight may be quoted lower. In February the aircraft may need de-icing before it leaves London, a cost that is only known on the morning and is billed afterwards.

Comparing two quotes

Put quotes side by side line by line, not total by total. Check whether both bill block time or airborne time, whether positioning is included, which fees are estimates and which costs are explicitly excluded. Our article on reading a quote goes through every line in detail.

Questions

Are these real prices?

No. The hourly rate comes from our indicative band for midsize jets in autumn 2026 and the fees are rounded examples. The tool shows how a quote is built and how the lines react to your choices, so that you can read a real quote with confidence.

Why is de-icing not in the total?

Because nobody knows the amount in advance. It depends on the weather on the morning, the amount of fluid and the airport, and it is billed after the flight. A good quote mentions it as a possible extra rather than leaving it out.

Read more

Articles behind this tool

Costs

The charter quote, read line by line

Block time, positioning, fees, taxes and cancellation terms: what each line of a charter quote means, what is usually added later and how to compare two offers fairly.

5 min read