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Charter Glossary

99 terms from quotes, contracts, airports and cabins, explained in plain English and linked to the articles where they matter.

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A

Air operator certificate
The AOC, the approval a national authority grants a company to carry passengers commercially, with the aircraft it may use listed alongside. Operator, broker or contracting carrier, who really flies you
Air taxi operation
In EU law, non-scheduled on-demand commercial flying in an aeroplane with 19 or fewer passenger seats. Two pilots, rest and duty time, why crews shape your schedule
Air-to-ground
Inflight connectivity through a network of ground stations, available only over land where the network exists.
Airborne time
Time from take-off to landing only, without taxiing. Shorter than block time on every leg. The charter quote, read line by line
Airside
The secure part of an airport beyond security screening, including aprons, taxiways and runways. Choosing the departure airport and FBO
Altiport
A short mountain airfield, often with a sloping runway, serving a resort and limited to specially qualified pilots and small aircraft. Flying to the Alps for skiing, Geneva, Sion, Samedan and the altiports
Animal health certificate
An official document issued by a government authorised vet for pets entering the EU from outside, valid for arrival within 10 days of issue. Flying with pets on a private jet
Anti-icing
Applying a thicker fluid after de-icing that protects the aircraft from new ice for a limited holdover time.
AOC
Air operator certificate: the licence that allows a company to carry passengers or cargo for payment, issued by its national aviation authority.
APHA
The Animal and Plant Health Agency, the British government body that approves carriers and routes for pets entering Great Britain. Flying with pets on a private jet
ARGUS
An aviation auditing company whose ratings for charter operators are widely used as an independent safety reference.

B

Block time
The time from the moment the aircraft moves off its stand until it stops at the destination, including taxiing. Charter is often billed on it.
Break-even
The length of stay at which waiting and sending the aircraft home cost the same. One way or round trip, why the return can cost less than you think
Brochure range
The range a manufacturer quotes under ideal conditions, usually with few passengers, still air and standard fuel reserves. Private jet classes, from very light jets to ultra long range
Broker
A company that arranges a charter on your behalf with an operator. It does not fly the aircraft itself.

C

Cabin altitude
The pressure altitude the cabin is kept at during cruise. A lower cabin altitude usually means less fatigue.
Callout notice
The minimum advance warning a programme needs to guarantee an aircraft, usually longer on peak days. On demand, jet card or membership, matching the model to how you fly
Callout time
The notice a programme or operator needs between your booking and departure.
Category C
An airport so demanding that crews need specific training, such as a simulator session or a familiarisation flight, before operating there. Flying to the Alps for skiing, Geneva, Sion, Samedan and the altiports
CDC Dog Import Form
The free online form that anyone bringing a dog into the United States must complete, producing a receipt to show on arrival. Flying with pets on a private jet
Centre of gravity
The balance point of the loaded aircraft, which must stay within certified limits for the aircraft to handle safely. Luggage on a private jet, soft bags, skis and golf clubs
Charter agreement
The contract that turns a quote into a booking, naming the operator, aircraft, schedule, price, inclusions and cancellation terms. How private jet charter works, from enquiry to wheels up
Club seating
Four seats arranged in two facing pairs, usually with a table between them, the standard business jet layout. Cabin dimensions explained, height, width, floor and what you feel
Cold-soaked fuel frost
Frost that forms on a wing chilled by very cold fuel after a long flight, even above freezing. Winter flying, de-icing, holdover time and realistic schedules
Contracting carrier
The party named in the agreement as undertaking to carry you, ideally the operator that actually performs the flight. Operator, broker or contracting carrier, who really flies you
Cost sharing
Splitting the direct costs of a private flight among the occupants, allowed only within narrow limits and never for business jets in Europe. Grey charter, how to recognise an illegal flight
Crew overnight
A night the crew spends away from base during your trip, billed as hotel, allowances and local transport. What a private jet charter costs in 2026, class by class
Curfew
Hours during which an airport is closed to some or all movements, often at night, usually for noise reasons.

D

Dangerous goods
Items such as flammable liquids, gas canisters or certain batteries that are forbidden or restricted on aircraft under international rules. Luggage on a private jet, soft bags, skis and golf clubs
De-icing
Removing frost, snow or ice from an aircraft before departure, usually with heated Type I fluid.
Density altitude
Air pressure and temperature expressed as an equivalent altitude; high values mean thinner air and weaker aircraft performance. Flying to the Alps for skiing, Geneva, Sion, Samedan and the altiports
Divan
A sideways bench seat that often converts into a bed on longer flights.
Domestic segment fee
A fixed US charge per passenger for each domestic flight segment, meaning one takeoff and one landing, adjusted every year. New York to Palm Beach by private jet
Dropped aisle
A lowered channel along the centre of the cabin floor that adds standing height in the aisle, with the seats on raised ledges. Cabin dimensions explained, height, width, floor and what you feel
Dry lease
A lease of the aircraft without crew. Combined with a pilot supplied by the same party, it is a classic route to illegal charter. Grey charter, how to recognise an illegal flight
Duty period
The working day of a crew from reporting for duty to release, limited by flight time and duty rules.
Duty time
The period a crew member is on duty, counted from reporting for work and capped by legal limits regardless of delays. Your first private flight, what actually happens on the day

E

Echinococcus multilocularis
A tapeworm that dogs must be treated against before entering Great Britain, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Finland, Malta or Norway. Flying with pets on a private jet
Empty leg
A positioning flight offered for sale, usually at a reduced price, with the risk that it is cancelled if the original trip changes.
European Firearms Pass
A document for residents of EU countries that lists the firearms they may take with them when travelling between member states. Luggage on a private jet, soft bags, skis and golf clubs

F

Fall-back plan
The alternative you book or keep ready in case the empty leg is cancelled or moved. Empty legs, real savings and their limits
FBO
Fixed base operator: the private aviation terminal and service company at an airport, with lounge, handling and fuel.
Federal Excise Tax
US tax on domestic air transport of persons: 7.5 per cent of the price plus a per passenger segment fee. The charter quote, read line by line
Flat floor
A cabin floor without a lowered aisle, so the floor is level from wall to wall.
Flight hour
The unit charter is priced in. Depending on the operator it is counted as block time, including taxiing, or as airborne time only. What a private jet charter costs in 2026, class by class
Föhn
A warm, dry wind descending on the lee side of the Alps, often bringing strong turbulence near mountain airports. Flying to the Alps for skiing, Geneva, Sion, Samedan and the altiports
Fractional ownership
Buying a share of a specific aircraft that gives you a number of flight hours a year, plus monthly fees.

G

Galley
The aircraft kitchen. Its size decides whether meals can be heated, plated or only served cold.
Geostationary
An orbit about 35,800 km above the equator in which a satellite stays over the same point on the earth. Wi-Fi above the clouds, connectivity on business jets
Great circle
The shortest route between two points on the globe. Real routings along airways are usually somewhat longer. Private jet classes, from very light jets to ultra long range
Ground speed
The speed of the aircraft over the ground: cruise speed plus any tailwind, or minus any headwind. Choosing the right aircraft for a trip, range, runway, people and bags

H

Handling
Ground services at an airport, from marshalling and baggage to fuel coordination, billed by the handling agent or FBO.
Headwind
Wind blowing against the direction of flight, which lowers ground speed and raises flight time and fuel burn. Choosing the right aircraft for a trip, range, runway, people and bags
Holding out
Offering air transport to the public for payment, which under US rules requires a commercial operating certificate. Grey charter, how to recognise an illegal flight
Holdover time
How long an anti-icing fluid protects the aircraft in given weather. If take-off is later, the treatment must be repeated.
Home base
The airport where an aircraft and its crews are normally stationed and from which its trips are planned. One way or round trip, why the return can cost less than you think
Hot and high
Airports at high elevation or in high temperatures, where thinner air lengthens the take-off run and can limit payload.

I

ICAO code
The four-letter airport code used by pilots and air traffic control, for example LFPB for Paris Le Bourget.
IS-BAO
The International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations, a code of practice with registration in three stages.

J

Jet card
A prepaid or committed block of flight hours at fixed hourly rates, with guaranteed availability under set conditions.

K

Ka-band
A satellite frequency band used for fast inflight connectivity on long range business jets.

L

Latency
The delay before data completes its round trip; high latency makes video calls feel stilted. Wi-Fi above the clouds, connectivity on business jets
Low earth orbit
Satellites circling a few hundred to about 1,200 km up, which gives far lower latency than geostationary systems. Wi-Fi above the clouds, connectivity on business jets

M

Management company
A firm that operates privately owned aircraft on its own certificate, providing crew and maintenance and selling charter time when owners do not fly. Operator, broker or contracting carrier, who really flies you
Maximum take-off weight
The highest weight at which an aircraft is certified to take off, often used for airport limits and fees. London to Nice by private jet, airports, timings and options
Minimum daily flight time
The smallest amount of flight time billed on any day you fly, even when the actual trip is shorter. On demand, jet card or membership, matching the model to how you fly
Minimum daily usage
A minimum number of billable hours per day the aircraft is with you, often applied when it waits for a return flight.

N

NBAA IFR reserves
A business aviation fuel reserve standard covering a missed approach, a diversion to an alternate airport and a final reserve. Private jet classes, from very light jets to ultra long range

O

Operational control
The authority over starting, conducting and ending a flight. In charter it rests with the certificated operator, not with the broker.
Operations specifications
The document attached to an operator’s certificate that lists, among other things, the aircraft models and registrations it may use commercially. How to check a charter operator before you fly

P

Part 135
The US Federal Aviation Regulations for commuter and on-demand operations, the rules most US charter flights fly under.
Part 91
US general operating rules for private flying. Selling seats or flights under Part 91 alone is not allowed.
PASS report
Wyvern’s Pilot and Aircraft Safety Survey, a check of the operator, aircraft and pilots for one specific trip. How to check a charter operator before you fly
Passenger manifest
The list of everyone on board, with names, dates of birth, nationalities and passport details, needed by the operator and many border authorities. How private jet charter works, from enquiry to wheels up
Payload
The weight of passengers, bags and cargo on board, which competes with fuel for the aircraft’s weight allowance. Choosing the right aircraft for a trip, range, runway, people and bags
Peak day
A high demand date on which jet card and membership programmes apply surcharges or longer notice periods.
Peak days
Busy dates on which a programme applies longer notice, surcharges or restrictions. On demand, jet card or membership, matching the model to how you fly
Pet passport
A document issued by an authorised vet that records a pet’s microchip, rabies vaccination and treatments, used mainly for travel within the EU. Flying with pets on a private jet
Positioning
A flight without passengers to bring the aircraft to your departure airport or back to its base. Often part of the price.
Positioning flight
A flight without passengers that takes an aircraft to its next departure airport or back to its home base. Empty legs, real savings and their limits
Positioning leg
A flight without passengers that brings the aircraft to your departure airport or returns it to base, usually included in the charter price. How private jet charter works, from enquiry to wheels up

R

Refreshment centre
A compact cabinet on smaller jets with drinks storage, an ice drawer and sometimes a coffee maker, but little or no heating. Catering on a private jet, how ordering works
Rest period
Time free of all duty that a crew must receive before and after duty, normally in a hotel. Two pilots, rest and duty time, why crews shape your schedule

S

Safety briefing
The crew’s explanation of seat belts, exits, oxygen and emergency equipment before take-off, required by regulation. Your first private flight, what actually happens on the day
Schengen area
A group of European countries that have largely abolished passport checks at their common borders. Your first private flight, what actually happens on the day
Second in command
The second pilot on the flight deck, required in commercial operations in many situations. Two pilots, rest and duty time, why crews shape your schedule
SET-IMC
A European approval for commercial flights in single-engine turbine aircraft at night or in instrument meteorological conditions, such as cloud. Turboprop or light jet, when the propeller is the better choice
Slot
A permission to take off or land at a specific time at a busy or coordinated airport.
Slot coordinated
An airport where every flight, private ones included, needs an allocated arrival or departure time before it may operate. London to Nice by private jet, airports, timings and options
Special Drawing Rights
An international unit of account defined by the International Monetary Fund and used in aviation liability and insurance rules. How to check a charter operator before you fly
Stand-up cabin
A cabin tall enough for most adults to walk upright, usually around six feet, found from midsize jets upward.
Super midsize
An industry label for jets between midsize and heavy, with stand-up cabins and brochure ranges of roughly 3,400 to 4,000 nm. Private jet classes, from very light jets to ultra long range
Supplemental type certificate
An approval that allows a modification, such as a new antenna, to be installed on an aircraft type after its original certification. Wi-Fi above the clouds, connectivity on business jets

T

Technical stop
A landing made only to refuel, without passengers joining or leaving, used when a leg exceeds realistic range. Choosing the right aircraft for a trip, range, runway, people and bags
Turboprop
An aircraft whose propeller is driven by a turbine engine, efficient at moderate speeds and altitudes and on short runways. Turboprop or light jet, when the propeller is the better choice
Two-step procedure
De-icing with hot fluid followed by a separate application of thickened anti-icing fluid. Winter flying, de-icing, holdover time and realistic schedules

U

Unpaved runway
A runway surfaced with grass, gravel or earth rather than asphalt or concrete. Only some aircraft are approved to use one. Turboprop or light jet, when the propeller is the better choice

W

Wet lease
Hiring an aircraft together with its crew, maintenance and insurance from another operator.
Wyvern
A safety auditing company whose Wyvern Registered Operator status is another independent reference for charter operators.

A shared language

Charter has its own vocabulary, and much of it appears in quotes and agreements. Knowing what block time, positioning or minimum daily usage mean is the quickest way to compare offers and avoid surprises on the invoice.

Read more

Articles behind this tool

Costs

The charter quote, read line by line

Block time, positioning, fees, taxes and cancellation terms: what each line of a charter quote means, what is usually added later and how to compare two offers fairly.

5 min read