Transatlantic Routing
 

Looked at routing options for a Praetor 600 from KMHT → LSGS, I compared fuel, handling, and total costs for different stops. Interesting differences came out:

• KMHT – KPSM – LIMF – LSGS
  • Fuel: $7,459
  • Handling: $949
  • Total: $8,408
  
• KMHT – CYQX – LIMF – LSGS
  • Fuel: $8,854
  • Handling: $1,370
  • Total: $10,224
  
• KMHT – KPSM – LIMC – LSGS
  • Fuel: $7,328
  • Handling: $3,910
  • Total: $11,238
  
• KMHT – CYQX – LSZH – LSGS
  • Fuel: $6,696
  • Handling: $2,141
  • Total: $8,837
  
• KMHT – KPSM – LFSB – LSGS
  • Fuel: $8,082
  • Handling: $1,593
  • Total: $9,675
  

💡 Observation:

The lowest overall cost came from KPSM – LIMF at $8,408, while routing through LIMC ended up being the most expensive at $11,238.

Sharing this breakdown for anyone planning similar transatlantic trips - It’s a good reminder on how changing stops can help save money!

If you’re flying a Praetor , KMHT-LSGS, why are you making all those stops?

Hello,

Fuel at KMHT is on the higher side (around $6.80/USG), whereas at KPSM it’s closer to $4.70/USG, and at CYQX about $3.48/USG. On an uplift of 1,000 gallons, that’s a saving of about $2,100 at KPSM compared to KMHT, and roughly $3,300 at CYQX compared to KMHT.

The operator also needed a stop before LSGS to clear Schengen customs (there was a dog onboard), and LIMF offered competitive fuel and handling rates. Since the operator wasnt concerned about the additional time spent on tech stops, cost-effectiveness was the main priority.

DOC
 

This is an interesting experiment, but it seems to miss the direct flight cost of operating the aircraft (beyond fuel), assuming the “increased fuel” is simply a proxy for increased flight time. That may, or may not, be significant depending on type and operation, but it should be modelled explicitly.

I’ve done some work on building a crude cost index for business-jet trips, and found that getting accurate inputs is difficult. In most cases, though, flight hours were more expensive than fuel burn, so omitting time-based operating costs risks understating the true impact.

It’s only money, the owner rarely cares in my experience

The costs owners seem to get obsessive about always surprises me. I’ve seen owners get worked up about crew laundry, but not about a thousand dollars of catering getting binned after a flight.

My suspicion is that many owners simply don’t see the full balance sheet in context.
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