How private jet charter works, from enquiry to wheels up
From the first enquiry to the moment the wheels leave the runway, every charter follows the same order of steps. Here is what happens at each one, and why.
Stop 1 of 6 · Understand the deal
Charter
How on-demand charter works, who actually flies you and which way of buying suits you.
A private charter is a whole aircraft, a crew and a schedule built around you. Before the first quote arrives it helps to know how the process runs, who holds the certificate and the responsibility, what happens on the day and whether you should buy flights one at a time or in blocks.
Operator, broker or contracting carrier, who really flies you
Several companies can appear on a charter booking, but only one is responsible for flying you. How to tell the operator from the broker, and why it matters.
Your first private flight, what actually happens on the day
No queues and no gate changes, but passports, security, a safety briefing and a crew working to a schedule. A calm walk through the day of your first private flight.
On demand, jet card or membership, matching the model to how you fly
Pay per trip, prepay hours, pay a fee for access or buy a share. How the main ways of buying private flying compare, and which suits how often you fly.
Try the tool
Route Planner
Pick two airports and see flight time, nonstop range and an indicative cost for every aircraft class.
Next on the route
The other sections
- CostsHourly bands, the lines of a quote, empty legs and why one way costs what it costs.
- AircraftFrom turboprops to ultra long range jets: classes, cabins and the right size for a trip.
- SafetyChecking an operator, spotting illegal charter, crew duty limits and winter operations.
- Routes & AirportsClassic city pairs, Alpine airports and how to choose where you take off.
- On BoardCatering, luggage, flying with pets and staying connected above the clouds.