The presumptive GOP nominee used the jet owned by a company headed by Cindy McCain at a discounted rate despite supporting legislation last year requiring presidential candidates to pay the actual cost of flying on corporate jets.

The New York Times reported Sunday that the Arizona senator's campaign paid a total of $241,149 for the use of the Cessna Citation Excel from last August through February, paying only about what it would cost to charter a similar jet for a month or two.

"This amounts to a subsidy for his campaign, which is notable given how badly they were struggling last year," said Sheila Krumholz, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan group that collects and analyzes campaign data.

McCain's campaign was able to use the corporate plane owned by Hensley & Co. like it would a charter jet while paying first-class rates.

McCain spokeswoman Jill Hazelbaker said the campaign acted legally and ethically in paying first-class airfares for the use of the corporate aircraft.