Flight tax, specifically UK Air Passenger Duty (APD), is an excise duty charged on passengers departing from UK airports. The cost depends on your destination and cabin class. For the 2025-2026 tax year, rates range from £7 for domestic economy up to £1,141 per passenger for long-haul flights on large private jets.
The Hidden Cost of Luxury Travel
When you charter a private jet, the invoice often includes line items that can be confusing. The most significant of these for UK departures is Air Passenger Duty (APD). Unlike commercial airlines where this is bundled into the ticket price, private aviation breaks it down to ensure total transparency.
At Charter Wind, we believe in helping you understand exactly what you are paying for. Whether you are flying for business or leisure, knowing the difference between “Standard” and “Higher” rates can influence which aircraft you choose for your mission.
2026 Air Passenger Duty (APD) Rates Explained
The UK government categorizes flights into “Bands” based on the distance from London to the destination country’s capital.
- Reduced Rate: Economy class (commercial).
- Standard Rate: Business/First class (commercial) and small private jets (<5.7 tonnes).
- Higher Rate: Private jets over 20 tonnes with fewer than 19 seats.
Key Insight: If you book a Global 6000 (Heavy Jet), you fall into the Higher Rate. If you book a Citation Mustang (Very Light Jet), you may only pay the Standard Rate, potentially saving thousands on a group trip.
The Official 2026 Rate Table
| Destination Band | Distance from London | Standard Rate (Business Class) | Higher Rate (Large Private Jets) |
| Domestic | Within UK | £14 | £142 |
| Band A | 0 – 2,000 miles | £32 | £142 |
| Band B | 2,001 – 5,500 miles | £244 | £1,097 |
| Band C | Over 5,500 miles | £253 | £1,141 |
(Rates subject to final government confirmation for the April 2026 fiscal year.)
Why Is My Tax So High? (The “Higher Rate” Rule)
This is the most common question we receive. The “Higher Rate” was introduced to target luxury private aviation explicitly.
If your aircraft weighs more than 20 tonnes and is designed to carry fewer than 19 passengers, HMRC views it as the ultimate luxury. Therefore, a flight from London to Dubai (Band B) on a Legacy 650 will incur a tax of £1,097 per passenger.
Strategic Tip: For smaller groups flying within Europe, choosing a mid-size jet like the Citation XLS+ (which is often under the weight threshold for the super-heavy tax tier depending on configuration) can be a smart financial move.
Are There Any Exemptions?
Yes, you can legally avoid or reduce this tax in specific scenarios:
- Inbound Flights: APD is only charged on flights departing from a UK airport. Your return leg from Paris to London is not subject to UK APD.
- Children: Children under 16 traveling in the lowest class of travel are often exempt (though this rarely applies to private charters where there is only one “class”).
- Crew Members: Active flight crew are exempt.
- Short Stopovers: If you are connecting through the UK and depart within 24 hours, you may be exempt.
Global Tax Variations: It’s Not Just the UK
While UK APD is among the highest in the world, other nations have their own versions.
- France: The Taxe de Solidarité applies to all commercial and private flights.
- USA: A federal excise tax (FET) of 7.5% plus segment fees applies to domestic charters.
- Italy: The Italian Luxury Tax (Salva Italia) charges passengers on private aircraft based on the distance flown, ranging from €100 to €200+.
When you request a quote through our Executive Charters team, we provide a fully inclusive price. We calculate these taxes in advance so you never face surprise fees upon landing.
Maximizing Your Budget with Charter Wind
Understanding flight taxes is part of optimizing your travel spend. Our team specializes in selecting the right airframe for your journey, balancing comfort, speed, and fiscal efficiency.
Whether you need a Service for a quick European hop or a trans-Atlantic diplomatic mission, we ensure your invoice is accurate and your journey is seamless.
Ready to fly? Use the booking tool above or contact our team for a tax-efficient quote today.
