International Ferry Flight Cost Example

The cost of a Trans-Atlantic ferry flight depends on a few very important variables. Mostly it depends on the ever changing fees and fuel costs at the airports along the way.

Length of the trip is also a factor. This depends greatly on the weather, winds and of course, the capabilities of the aircraft. A trip from Europe to the USA in a Cessna 172 or Piper Cherokee will take longer than the same trip done in a Cirrus or a twin engine airplane like the Diamond Twin-Star or Piper Seminole.
Unlike on domestic trips, there are no delay fees. Just a fixed price ferry fee. The fee will vary based on distance to be flown and type of aircraft.


Below I have compiled an example of a ferry flight that I completed from Germany to Canada so that you can get a feel for how much your flight might cost*.

All values in the example below are based on a real ferry that I completed.

Please keep in mind that in order to combat fatigue, I allow myself 10 hours of flight per day. I also schedule a rest period of 60-90 minutes between legs. This ensures that I am rested and sharp while I transport your airplane. 

* Costs WILL vary. The cost of your individual ferry flight will vary due to many factors such as weather, mechanical status of the aircraft and other unknowns. The example to the right had perfect weather and a mechanically sound aircraft.



Total Costs:
These numbers are not estimates,
these are the exact numbers (rounded to the nearest dollar) from a real ferry from Germany to Canada in a Glasair done in July of 2010.


Fuel Prices as of July, 2010:

Wick, Scotland:  $10.32 per gallon

Reckyavick, Iceland: $9.84 per gallon

Narsasuaq, Greenland: $15.84 per gallon

Goose Bay, Canada: $7.20 per gallon

Sept Isle, Canada: $6.04 per gallon


Fuel Costs: $2,209
Misc. Airport Fees: $519
Airline Tickets: $1,700
Ferry Pilot Fee : $2,500
(Fixed Rate, NO DELAY FEES!)
Hotel: $551

Total  cost of the trip: $6,979


  Ferry Flight

Germany to Canada
Aircraft: Glasair II


Day 1

The first day normally consists of travel to the aircrafts pick-up location. If the point of origin is within the USA or Canada and the conditions permit, I will begin to transport the aircraft the same day that I get to it. 

Day 2

The second day will include an assesment of the aircraft, loading and departure. If the aircraft requires ferry tanking, the plane will be transported to a location where the ferry tank can be installed.

On this particular flight we did not need a ferry tank, however we discovered an issue with the landing gear position indicators and we took the aircraft to be repaired

Day 3

I departed Germany to  Wick, Scotland for refueling and then ultimately to Rekyavick, Iceland for the night.



Day 4



Day 5

I departed Greenland to Canada with my final destination planned to be Burlington, Ontario. Unfortunately, a weather front produced a line of thunderstorms and I was forced to spend the night in Sept Isles in Quebec.



Day 6

I departed Sept Isle, Quebec in the morning and delivered the aircraft to its owner around noon.  Afterwards I returned commercially to my home base in Maryland USA.


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