Tool

Operator Check

Ten questions to ask whoever sells you a flight, with what a good answer sounds like. Tick them off as you go; your answers stay in this browser.

0 of 10 answered well

Who is the operator, and may I see the air operator certificate?

A good answerA company name and certificate number at once, and the certificate itself on request. Your agreement should name the same company.
Is this exact aircraft listed on that certificate?

A good answerYes, with its registration. An aircraft that is not on the certificate cannot be flown commercially by that operator.
Which independent audits does the operator hold?

A good answerNamed audits or registrations with a current date, for example an ARGUS rating, Wyvern registration or IS-BAO stage. None is mandatory, but they are a useful outside view.
Who are the pilots, and how experienced are they on this type?

A good answerTwo pilots for most jets, both trained and current on the type, with total and type hours the operator is willing to state.
What insurance covers passengers, and can I see the certificate?

A good answerA certificate naming the operator and the aircraft, with passenger liability cover and its limit.
How old is the aircraft and when was the cabin last refurbished?

A good answerA year of manufacture and a refurbishment date. Photographs of the actual aircraft, not of a sister ship.
What happens if the aircraft goes technical?

A good answerA clear answer on replacement aircraft, who pays for it and how quickly it can be found.
Which costs are not in this price?

A good answerA written list: de-icing, extra catering, overnight costs if the schedule changes, taxes and any fees billed afterwards.
What are the cancellation terms?

A good answerPercentages and deadlines in writing, before you pay.
Who is my contact on the day, and how do I reach them?

A good answerA named person or a 24 hour number, and the crew’s contact details passed on before departure.

Why ask at all

A charter passenger rarely sees the paperwork behind a flight. The operator’s certificate, the aircraft on it, the crew’s training and the insurance are what make a flight legal and safe, and a reputable operator or broker answers these questions without hesitation. Hesitation itself is an answer.

When an answer stays unclear

Mark it and ask again in writing. If the company cannot or will not name the operator, show a certificate or explain why the aircraft is not on it, do not pay. Our article on grey charter describes the warning signs in detail.

Questions

Do I need to ask a well known operator these questions?

It costs little and the answers come quickly. Large operators fly many aircraft and sometimes subcontract a flight to another operator, so asking which company and which aircraft will actually fly you is useful with everyone.

Articles behind this tool

Safety

How to check a charter operator before you fly

Certificates, the aircraft list, audits, insurance and crew: the checks that tell you who is really flying you, and how to make them in under an hour.

6 min read

Safety

Grey charter, how to recognise an illegal flight

A flight sold for money without a commercial certificate can look exactly like the real thing. Here is how the rules are bent, why it matters and the signs to watch for.

5 min read

Charter

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.

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