Best XO alternatives: private jet platforms to consider in 2026

XO is one of the most recognized names in private aviation, offering whole-aircraft charter alongside its XO Select shared-seat product on popular routes. But XO is not the right fit for every traveler, and several platforms offer different models worth considering before you commit.

This guide covers the most relevant alternatives to XO for private jet booking in 2026, with honest context on where each one wins and where it falls short.

Why people look for XO alternatives

XO has a strong product, particularly for US domestic routes. The reasons travelers look elsewhere usually fall into a few categories:

• They want to avoid a membership or program commitment
• They specifically want empty leg flights at significant discounts
• They want whole-aircraft booking only, with no shared-seat model
• They want to browse real-time inventory with pricing visible upfront before making any commitment

None of these are criticisms of XO. They reflect different use cases that different platforms are better built for.

SkyAccess

SkyAccess is the strongest alternative for travelers focused on empty leg flights and whole-aircraft booking without a membership.

The platform lists 10,000+ live empty legs from 900+ certified charter operators globally. You browse inventory, see all-in pricing before you confirm, and book directly without a quote cycle, a program enrollment, or a minimum spend. Every booking covers the entire aircraft, so there is no shared-seat option and no per-passenger pricing. US operators on SkyAccess hold FAA FAA Part 135 air carrier certificates; international operators hold EASA, CAA, or equivalent certifications under ICAO Annex 6 standards.

SkyAccess is purpose-built for the empty-leg category. Repositioning flights on SkyAccess are typically available at 25-75% off the full-charter rate, sourced from operators who would otherwise fly the segment empty.

Where XO is stronger: XO’s XO Select product offers shared-seat options on popular routes like New York to Miami and Los Angeles to Las Vegas, which SkyAccess does not provide. If per-seat pricing on a fixed-route schedule is what you want, SkyAccess is a whole-aircraft-only platform and that use case is outside its scope.

Jettly

Jettly is an app-first private jet booking platform with no membership requirement. It operates on a quote-and-confirm model for full charters and lists some empty leg availability. Jettly has solid US domestic coverage, with a focus on ease of use through its mobile app.

Compared to XO, Jettly skews slightly more toward the on-demand charter end with less infrastructure around shared seating or fleet programming. If you want a no-membership whole-aircraft booking experience focused on the US market, Jettly is a reasonable option to compare.

VistaJet

VistaJet operates on a program model: you purchase a block of flight hours on a fleet of Bombardier aircraft. It is a direct competitor to XO’s program tier, not to the empty-leg marketplace segment.

VistaJet is worth considering if you fly more than 25 hours a year and want a predictable cost structure, a fixed fleet type, and global coverage with consistent service standards. It is a different product category from both XO’s open marketplace and SkyAccess’s empty-leg inventory.

Wheels Up

Wheels Up (which operates in the same Wheels Up Experience corporate family as XO) offers a membership-based model with access to a large managed fleet, primarily King Air and light jets for short-haul US routes. The membership structure and fleet focus make it a close XO-family competitor rather than a distinct alternative, but it serves a different route profile (shorter hops, more regional coverage).

Stratos Jets

Stratos Jets is a traditional broker that handles the sourcing and quoting process on your behalf. It is a good option when you want a human advisor managing a complex itinerary or an unusual international route. Unlike SkyAccess, Stratos operates entirely on a quote model and does not have a live empty-leg marketplace.

How to choose

The right alternative depends on what specifically about XO does not fit your use case:

• If you want the best empty leg inventory with no membership: SkyAccess is the strongest option.
• If you want a no-membership whole-aircraft app booking experience: Jettly is worth comparing.
• If you want a broker to handle a complex multi-leg charter: Stratos Jets or a similar broker adds the service layer.
• If you are flying 25+ hours a year and want predictable program pricing: VistaJet or a fractional program like NetJets is a better comparison than any on-demand marketplace.

The empty leg category is where SkyAccess specifically outperforms XO. XO lists some empty legs, but its primary product is on-demand charter and the XO Select shared-seat program. SkyAccess carries roughly 10,000+ live repositioning flights at any time, compared to the smaller empty-leg footprint most charter platforms maintain as a secondary offering.

Frequently asked questions

Does XO require a membership?

XO offers both a program membership and on-demand booking for non-members. Access and pricing differ depending on which path you take. SkyAccess and Jettly are fully no-membership platforms with no enrollment requirement.

Which XO alternative has the most empty leg inventory?

SkyAccess carries the largest live empty leg inventory among marketplace-style platforms, with 10,000+ live repositioning flights available at any time from 900+ certified charter operators globally.

Is SkyAccess a good replacement for XO?

SkyAccess is a strong alternative if your primary interest is empty leg flights, whole-aircraft booking, or no-membership transparent pricing. It is not a replacement for XO’s shared-seat XO Select product, since SkyAccess is a whole-aircraft-only platform.

Can I book international flights through XO alternatives?

Yes. SkyAccess has operator coverage across the US, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia Pacific. VistaJet and Stratos Jets also handle international routes. Availability depends on the specific route and aircraft type required.

What is the cheapest way to fly private?

Empty leg flights offer the most significant discount in private aviation, typically 25-75% off the full-charter rate. SkyAccess is purpose-built to surface these flights from operators who would otherwise fly the segment empty.

Related reading

• What are empty leg flights? The complete guide to last-minute private jet deals
• SkyAccess vs XO: which platform fits the way you fly? (2026)
• SkyAccess vs Jettly: which private jet platform is right for you?
• Best websites to book empty leg flights (2026)
• Empty leg flight cost: what to expect in 2026
• How to fly private without a membership