Differences Between Regular & Private Charter Flights, and How to Charter a Private Plane
Charter flights offer far more flexibility than their scheduled counterparts, serving virtually any destination around the world, with itineraries that are tailored for every flight. They are unscheduled and are not available as part of the regular routing offered by commercial airlines. Instead, the schedule is created around you.
There are many differences between scheduled commercial flight and private jet charters, but for brevity’s sake: it’s when you rent an entire aircraft, choosing the dates, times, aircraft, and airports used for your flight.
No waiting in line. No security screenings. No baggage claims or malfunctioning carousels. You don’t have to arrive hours before your flight, either. Simply choose the date & time you wish to depart, show up 15 minutes before your flight, pass through your local airport’s private terminal, and board for takeoff.
And, as seen above, many private airports allow you to pull your car alongside your plane on the tarmac.
Flight crew members from the private terminal at the airport (FBO) will load all of your belongings on board, along with any amenities, catering, or other prearranged services. All you need to do is sit back, relax, and prepare to experience the best way to fly.
You can choose between renting a large or small plane, and your flight can either be one-way, or you can arrange for a round-trip. You can book just a private flight, or you can add services including ground/helicopter transportation, catering, and yacht rentals to complement your business trip or luxury vacation.
Types of Charter Flights
Private Charter
Also defined as private jet charter or air charter, it’s when an individual rents an entire aircraft (chartering) as opposed to purchasing individual seats on a commercial airline (purchasing a first-class ticket through any major commercial airline). This is the service we provide. Flights can range from individual travel on small planes, to group flights of up to 100 or more passengers using regional and VIP airliners. Also known as single entity, an individual or company must cover the entire cost of the flight; the cost can be split and collected afterwards accordingly, but the initial payment for these flights must be billed to the individual named on the contract.
Public Charter
These types of flights are frequently offered by air carriers on a seasonal basis, operating on limited schedules (once or twice a week) depending on the time of year. They’re popular among European holiday travelers in places like the UK and Germany to reach tropical getaways in Sicily, Sardinia, Malta, and Palma de Mallorca. They can include operators from low-budget airlines to regularly scheduled carriers. Public charters may also come from tour operators renting an aircraft, then advertising and selling seats to members of the public, either directly or through a travel agent.
Affinity
The main difference between this and single entity is that although passengers are associated with a business, group, or organization, everyone must still pay for their seats. Passengers may include sports fans traveling to the Super Bowl, or music fans traveling to a major concert. Members of the general public are not able to purchase seats with this type of service.
Cargo
Passengers aren’t the only thing private planes are used for. Need replacement parts ASAP? Moving precious cargo? Perhaps your items aren’t authorized for commercial travel, or you’re conducting a humanitarian mission. Whether your cargo is valuable, perishable, dangerous, or just in large quantities, cargo planes are available to transport anything from currency, antiques, and donated goods, to live animals, blood samples, even human organs.
Benefits of a Private Charter Flight
You Choose When & Where to Fly
Since a private charter flight is unscheduled, you’ll depart at the date & time you want. You can also choose which cities & airports you fly to/from, and enjoy direct non-stop flights between any two locations. Private flights provide even more convenience when flying to a city that requires multiple airline connections or layovers before finally reaching your destination.
Depart from a Private Terminal
Privacy is one of the main advantages of chartering a private plane. Unlike a commercial flight, where travelers are herded through a crowded airport, having to undergo an intrusive security screening, passengers depart from a private facility known as an Fixed Base Operator. At most private airports, passengers can pull their cars right up to the plane.
Unparalleled Comfort @ 30,000 Feet
Private charters offer superior comfort, from in-flight meals to Wi-Fi and entertainment. Instead of being tossed a bag of peanuts, you’ll have the chance to design your meals, including catering from local gourmet restaurants and delis. Many private jets offer a variety of entertainment options, from WiFi and high-end stereo systems with iPhone/Android connectivity and/or satellite TV.
It’s Not Where You’re Going, But Who You’re With
One of the biggest benefits of private charters is the ability to travel with whoever you want – bring your family, your friends, your co-workers, even your pets! Once onboard your chartered aircraft, you’ll have the choice between relaxing in a comfortable cabin or taking advantage of the privacy needed to conduct your business.
How to Charter a Private Flight
Chartering a private flight is the most comfortable, luxurious, and secure way to travel anywhere around the world. There are more than 15,000 planes available to be chartered around the world, flying privately to and from more than 100 times the number of airports available with scheduled commercial flights.
What was once something reserved for celebrities, executives, and HNWI’s has now become more available (and affordable) than ever before. Memberships with new shiny jet cards and going halfsies with your friend on a fractional aircraft offer affluent flyers with alternative ways to travel without spending millions of dollars.
Although jet clubs and fractional programs offer new ways to fly private, the easiest and most economical way to get into a piston aircraft, turboprop, or private jet is by chartering on-demand. This doesn’t require the same upfront payments as private jet cards and fractional ownership. All that’s needed to charter a plane is to put down a deposit.
Renting a private plane is nothing like flying commercial. Whether you’re relaxing and laying down on a plush divan or sitting around a conference table conducting business midair, charter planes provide unsurpassed levels of comfort, privacy, and security. So how do executives, HNWI’s, and affluent travelers arrange their flights? Read more to learn how to charter a plane for your next flight.
What to know when Chartering a Private Plane
Looking into chartering a jet for your next flight? Here’s are some things you should know before requesting a quote for your private plane charter.
Where You’re Going
You choose the destination when renting a private jet, along with the date & time of your departure. Don’t worry about scheduling your day around your flight – charter flights are scheduled around you. You won’t have to waste hours at busy commercial airports, either. Private terminals allow you to quickly board your plane without dealing with long security lines and baggage claims. Just show your ID to the pilots and you’ll be welcome on board, departing in as little as 5-15 minutes. You’ll also have access to private airports and regional, county, and municipal airports that allow you to fly closer to your home, office, or preferred destination.
Who You’re Going With
When you book a private plane, you get to decide who comes with you, whether it’s family, colleagues, close friends, or your entourage. You can even rent a pet-friendly plane to bring your dogs, cats, and other pets! Please note that you can not purchase a seat or split the cost on a legal part 135 charter. Shared flights are available to “known members” of a club or jet card. Payment for aircraft rentals can be divided among passengers after the fact, however, private plane charters must be contracted and paid for individually.
What You’re Bringing
Knowing what you’ll bring with you on-board your flight will help determine the appropriate aircraft when booking your flight. Each plane offers different configurations in terms of baggage space, passenger amounts, fuel capacity, weight totals, and more. If you’re traveling heavy with up to 10 passengers, you may need to move up to the next size aircraft. Likewise, calculating passenger weights, luggage amounts, and flight distance may save you thousands by hiring a smaller size airplane.
Ask Questions
There are some questions you should always ask, regardless of who you’re working with.
Ask if there are two pilots or one
We always recommend two pilots for added safety, although single pilot operations may be available for short flights on smaller planes.
Are there any daily minimums?
Daily minimums and taxi fees can quickly double the cost of shorter flights. With a $9,000 hourly rate, you would assume a 40-minute flight could cost $6,000. However, if there’s a daily minimum of 1.5 hours, the cost rises to $13,500, plus taxi time. Learn more about private jet charter rates.
Safety First
Never be afraid to ask your broker, operator, or private jet club about their safety standards. Reputable providers will prominently display their safety standards and accreditation, and are more than happy to answer any of your questions regarding pilots, aircraft, operators, or incidents. You’ll also want to work with a company following the latest FAA broker regulations and operator standards. ACA’s network of aircraft rentals offers more than 10,000 charter planes that meet and/or exceed FAA requirements for private aviation. Learn more.
Ask for an All-Inclusive Quote
Once you’ve decided upon all of the parameters for your flight, ask your private jet charter broker for an all-inclusive quote, with photos of the aircraft you’re renting if available. Have any more questions before you charter a private plane? Our brokers have over a decade of experience in the charter industry, along with instant access to thousands of private planes around the world waiting for your flight. Feel free to call us anytime at (888) 987-5387 to receive competitive rates on a variety of aircraft, from turboprops & business jets to luxury Gulfstreams and VIP airliners.