Private Jet Charter Guide

Flying is a fast and reliable way to travel. But, being stuck in business class again can get tiring after a while. Long lines through security and the uncertainty of canceled flights are too common when flying commercially. Fortunately, you have a great alternative: private plane charters. Private planes are no longer just for the rich, famous, or television characters. In fact,  CNBC reported  that since the COVID-19 pandemic, private air travel has been “prospering,” and many people are flying via private plane charter for the first time. You can book a private plane charter for your next trip and enjoy the luxury, convenience, and extra legroom.

When you are looking into private plane charters, the first step is to understand your options. Once you know where you are flying, you can use online booking systems to see what flights are departing and returning at the times you want. For example, our affiliate  Southern Private Jets , offers full-service air charter services. You can contact them directly for assistance with on-demand charters and receive help in finding competitive rates from a comprehensive database of charter providers. But on top of just comparing prices—which you would do when using a standard airline anyway—you have a few other outside-the-box options. 

Many private charter companies offer shared ride flights, which tend to be significantly cheaper than a standard private plane charter. They do require you to share a private plane with strangers, but it can make the ride more affordable, and you would ride with strangers on a commercial jet anyway. The experience is still usually far more luxurious than standard air travel.

Another option in the plane charter world is empty leg flights. Empty leg flights are flights where the plane has been chartered to either pick up or drop off another passenger, and the company doesn’t want to waste the flight going the other direction. Since the plane is already going on the trip, these flights can be cheaper than a standard plane charter — even as much as 75% cheaper. However, empty leg flights are less flexible because the plane already has a set destination or departure. It is also possible that you will not be the only passenger on board, and there may be no in-flight catering without a prior arrangement.

Before you decide on your private plane charter, make sure you ask the charter company a few basic questions. If the company is reputable, they will be able to answer these questions if the information isn’t available on their website already. Asking an expert will save you the time of trying to figure out everything yourself, particularly if you are new to the world of private plane charters.

While the basic price should be easily found online, talk to the company about the actual cost. Ask what the minimum charter time is—you might only be flying for an hour but end up paying for an hour and a half or two. Another potential added cost is taxi time—the time the plane spends moving on the runway before and after flying.

The type of plane you charter will be a major determiner of your flight experience. For a larger group, you will need to book at least a mid-size aircraft. But if you are traveling alone or with one other person, a turboprop or light jet could work just as well. In addition, consider how much luggage you are planning to bring.

Of course, a larger plane means a higher cost. If you are traveling on a budget, let the charter company know so that they can factor accordingly and help you find a plane that suits both your needs and your wallet.

This is a huge factor in deciding on your private plane experience. You should ask what the required flying hours for pilots are. The national requirement for licenses is 150, but many companies have higher standards. In addition, ask about the safety ratings of the pilots, crew, and operator. You may also want to ask if the plane model has had issues with accidents in the past.

One of the top advantages of traveling by private plane charter is that you can avoid the long lines for security typical at commercial airports. According to the  U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) , the average wait time at commercial airports is 30 minutes (as of January 21, 2019). By traveling via private plane charter, you can safely allow less time before arriving at the airport because you won’t have to check bags or go through a security line.

That being said, there will still be security measures in place. In the United States, passengers on a Part 135 charter flight need to provide current government-issued identification. There may be additional screening, such as luggage searches and full-body scanners. Still, security screenings will generally be much quicker due to the small volume of passengers. If you are unsure what security measures apply to your private plane charter, ask the charter company when booking your flight.

Weight limits are a key logistical issue because they affect how much luggage you can bring with you and may affect how many passengers you can bring. The company will need to seat passengers and store luggage in the most balanced way possible, so be aware of their expectations when packing.

Some privately chartered planes will allow pets, but you should ask first. Rules regarding traditional pets will vary from airline to airline and even from plane to plane, depending on the model and the staff. Exotic pets are less likely to be allowed. However, if you are chartering the entire plane, it is more likely that pets may be accommodated.

You should also ask whether children are allowed, as the plane may need to be childproofed before flying a party including children.

If you can’t find them on the company’s website, you may be able to ask for photos of the plane. While this isn’t necessary, it can be helpful for you to get a feel for the age and general upkeep of the plane—though you can just ask about those as well. Photos of the plane’s interior may help you decide if your choice is purely the cosmetic difference between two equally good options. And if you are seeking a luxury travel experience, photos of the plane’s ambiance and amenities will be especially helpful.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, traveling by private plane charter has advantages because it reduces the number of potential exposures to people instead of traditional commercial flights. However, you can still ask how the planes are being sanitized and what safety precautions are being implemented.

If you’re interested in using a private plane charter, but you aren’t sure how you can afford it, don’t worry. There are ways to experience the luxury of a private plane without paying an arm and a leg for it.

You can ask a few different companies for quotes and then use their prices to get a lower quote from their competitors. This is a common tactic when buying a car, and the reverse—where you find out how much someone will pay for something to make the most profit—is common in selling houses, business stocks, and more. While this isn’t a foolproof plan, it won’t hurt to try.

As mentioned above, using alternative options for private planes can save you some money. Booking an empty leg or a shared ride flight are both great options to cut down on some of the costs involved in charting a private plane. It’s not the same exact experience, but it may be worth it for the price difference.

Some plane chartering companies offer memberships with deals. You pay an enrollment fee upfront, plus a flat monthly membership fee, and then you get discounted—or sometimes free—private plane tickets. The exact cost and benefits vary from company to company; this is a good option if you regularly fly (at least 15 hours a year) and are tired of having no legroom. Be sure to research the company first, as some may offer flights as shuttle-like services, only to and from specific locations. Still, this is an attractive option for a frequent flier or a flier who regularly goes to the same places.

A final budget friendlier option is group pricing. If you and several friends or colleagues are all going on the same trip, splitting the cost of a private plane can seem appealing. Be careful, though. While splitting the bill certainly helps, the cost is still relatively high. You should make sure to compare your pricing and experience options before deciding to share a plane. But with the right company, this can be both cost-effective and fun.

If you are interested in booking a private plane charter for your next trip, please don’t hesitate to check out our charter services or contact us . We’d love to help you experience flying at the next level.