Aircraft lease vs buy calculator
Should you finance and own, or lease? Compare the net cost of each over your holding period — down payment, loan payments, residual value and lease cost — and see which is cheaper for your situation. Begin with the illustrative example and refine every assumption.
Your assumptions
Edit any field — the comparison updates instantly.
Net cost compares cash out (down payment + payments + any balance owed at exit, less estimated resale) for buying, against total lease payments over the same period.
Buying — the breakdown
- Monthly loan payment$87,356
- Down payment$1,800,000
- Payments made over holding$5,241,352
- Loan balance owed at exit$4,308,255
- Less: estimated resale value−$6,605,136
These figures are indicative, based on the assumptions you enter — not a quotation, financing offer or financial advice. A precise analysis, built on verified data and your real terms, is prepared with our advisors.
The complete ownership analysis
This comparison uses the numbers you enter. The complete Ownership & ROI model — aircraft-specific and built on verified data — extends it to a five-year projection, financing and amortization, charter economics and a client-ready report, prepared for our members and partners.
5-year ROI projection
Year-by-year cash flow, equity & ROI
Financing & amortization
Down payment, interest, balance owed, true cost of debt
Charter revenue & break-even
Utilisation, occupancy, break-even hours
NPV / IRR + client-ready PDF
Discounted returns and an exportable report
An account shows cost per flight hour and annual cost. Membership adds the five-year ROI, financing, charter economics, NPV/IRR and report exports.
How the comparison works
For buying, we add the down payment, the loan payments you make during the holding period, and any loan balance still owed when you exit — then subtract the estimated resale value, because that is capital you recover. The monthly loan payment uses standard amortisation from the purchase price, down payment, APR and term you enter.
For leasing, we simply total the monthly lease payments over the same period. Leasing has no residual-value upside or downside — you hand the aircraft back. That difference in exposure is usually what decides the answer, and it shifts with the holding period and how well the aircraft retains value.
This is the capital and financing side only. It excludes operating cost — fuel, maintenance, crew, insurance and hangar — which applies whichever route you take.
Next steps
- · Explore structures and terms — leasing & financing.
- · Estimate the cost to run the aircraft — operating cost calculator.
Lease vs buy FAQs
Is leasing cheaper than buying an aircraft?
It depends on your holding period, the cost of financing, and how the aircraft holds its value. Leasing usually has lower upfront cost and no exposure to residual-value risk, while buying can be cheaper over a longer hold because you recover equity through resale. The calculator above compares the net cost of each over the period you enter — change the holding period and you'll often see the answer flip.
What's a good down payment on an aircraft loan?
Aircraft financing typically expects a meaningful down payment, often in the region of 15–30% of the purchase price, with the exact figure driven by the aircraft, its age, the borrower's profile and the lender. A larger down payment lowers the financed amount and monthly payment but ties up more capital upfront. Enter your own figure above to see the effect on the comparison.
How is depreciation handled in this calculator?
We estimate the resale value at the end of your holding period by applying the annual depreciation rate you enter, compounded over the number of years held. That estimated resale value is subtracted from the cost of buying, because it's capital you recover when you sell. Real residual values depend on the model, hours, condition and the market at the time of sale — so treat this as an illustration, not a valuation.
Does this include operating cost?
No. This tool compares the capital and financing side — purchase, loan payments, residual value and lease payments. It does not include fuel, maintenance, crew, insurance or hangar, which apply to both owning and (often) leasing. To estimate those, use our operating cost calculator and combine the two for a fuller picture.
Is this financial advice?
No. This is a free, illustrative tool to help you frame the lease-versus-buy question using your own assumptions. It is not a quote, a financing offer, a valuation or financial advice. For a precise analysis built on verified data and your real terms, speak with our advisors.