Flying privately is the alternative to commercial airline flying, providing the benefits of choosing airports closer to your start and final destination, setting your departure time based on your schedule, and meals based on your preferences.
Charter companies market flying privately, and although a form of commercial aviation whereby the pilots are paid, they define this as flying for pleasure as opposed to business.
It is the purpose of the flight, not the aircraft or pilot, that determines whether the flight is private. Many private pilots fly for their own enjoyment, or to share the joys and convenience of general aviation with friends and family to truly defiine private aviation.
Private jets, turboprops, multi and single piston aircraft and rotorcraft (i.e. helicopters) all feature as types of private aviation aircraft.