A chartered flight is an airplane you commission to fly to a specific destination, rather than running on the schedule of a commercial airline. Think of it as taking an Uber rather than hopping on a bus.
Chartered flights are conducted through companies called operators, which supply the aircraft, pilots, crew and supplies for the flight. Other companies, called brokers (like AvSky Charters), coordinate flights through a network of operators. Think of operators as mini-airlines and brokers as travel agents who help passengers book flights with these mini-airlines.
The benefits of charter flights are many: passengers can fly directly to their end destination, security is easier to navigate, there are fewer baggage restrictions, and flights are more flexible and private.
The main drawback to chartering a flight is its substantial cost.
It’s much more expensive to charter a private flight than to fly business class on a commercial jet. For instance, a first-class ticket from New York to London may cost between $4,000 and $12,000. By comparison, the same distance on a chartered plane could cost from $50,000 to $100,000.
Of course, the exact cost of a charter flight depends on the number of passengers, type of plane, distance and amenities.
Types of Charter Flights
Chartered flights generally fall into one of these six categories:
On-demand charters: This is the most common variety of charter, and what most people mean when they say “charter flight.” With an on-demand charter, you or your organization say when and where you want to travel. A broker will then locate an ideal operator and aircraft, and plan the trip around your needs.
Semi-private charters: This is when you purchase a seat on a charter flight as opposed to the entire aircraft. Relatively new companies like XO and Blade operate on this model.
Empty legs: You can fly privately for up to 75% off typical market prices by taking advantage of empty legs, which occur when an aircraft needs to be moved between two locations. Since these “legs” don’t have passengers, they’re often offered at steep discounts to help the operator avoid losing money. You can learn more in our article about how to find and book empty legs.
Public charters: These charter flights use commercial jets but are contracted by a person or company to a specific destination. Additional seats may be sold to the public either directly or through a travel agency.
Affinity charters: These are charters arranged for the use of a particular organization or club. Seats on these charters aren’t open to the public. Passengers typically pay their own individual fares.
Cargo flights: This is one of the quickest and most reliable ways to ship something across the world, such as live animals, sensitive medical supplies or dangerous items. These flights carry only freight, not people. Like other types of charters, you can share the cargo and cost with other people.
How to Book Charter Flights
To arrange a chartered flight, you usually go through a brokerage that has contracts with a number of flight operators. Many brokers (including AvSky) allow you to request a quote for a flight online. While brokerages may have a home base at a specific airport, planes can usually be repositioned to destinations around the globe.
When booking a charter flight, include all relevant information about your passenger and baggage requirements, schedule constraints, as well as any amenities you require during the flight (WiFi, worktables, catering, etc.). This will help you and the operator choose the type of aircraft that will best suit your needs.
Once you’ve nailed down the details, you sign the service contract and provide payment. Most brokers and operators require wire transfers because of the large sums, though some may take credit cards.
How Much Charter Flights Cost
Charter flights are expensive, though exactly how much you’ll pay depends on a myriad of factors, including:
- Length of the flight.
- Size of the crew.
- Number of passengers.
- Whether the plane must be repositioned to your location.
- Aircraft size.
- Fuel costs.
- Landing and other fees.
The main element of a charter flight’s cost is how much you’re charged per hour the plane is in the air. Large, heavy planes cost more to operate than light, small ones. You may pay $1,000 per hour to charter a turboprop or $10,000 per hour for a heavy jet.
This pricing structure makes longer legs more expensive than short ones. Moreover, a small plane may be crewed by one person, whereas large aircraft are designed to be flown by two pilots, which adds to the cost.
As an example, let’s say you want to take a flight with you and one other person on a turboprop plane from LAX to Lake Tahoe Regional Airport for a vacation. This one-and-a-half-hour trip would start at around $4,000. By contrast, a three-hour flight from Chicago to Bermuda for 10 people in a large jet starts at around $100,000.
The major factors in the price difference are the larger plane, longer distance, additional passengers, and the fact that the flight is international.
If you need to fly privately on a regular basis, private jet memberships (like the one we offer at AvSky) can save you as much as thousands of dollars per flight.
Common Questions
Still have questions about chartered flights? Here are some of the most common FAQs.
Are charter flights safe?
Yes, though it’s worth ensuring that your operator observes industry-standard safety measures. Operators must adhere to the Federal Aviation Administration’s 14 CFR part 135. Also, many charter companies conduct safety audits. Don’t be shy about asking for the operator’s part 135 certificate and most recent audit results.
Are charter flights guaranteed?
Like commercial flights, chartered flights may be subject to change due to weather, maintenance problems, or problems with pilot availability. If your charter flight is canceled, you have the same rights as a passenger as you would on a commercial flight. If a flight cannot be conducted, you are entitled to a refund within 20 days.
Can you cancel or change a charter flight?
Depending on the operator, you can probably change or cancel your charter flight, but there may be significant fees for doing so.
What types of aircraft can be chartered?
Nearly any kind you want. Chartered flights use a variety of different types of aircraft, from Turboprops to midsized jets to commercial airliners. Check out our list of the most common aircraft for charter flights to see the planes you’ll typically encounter when booking a trip.
What amenities are available on charter flights?
Depending on your needs and budget, your chartered flight can have catered meals, a fully stocked kitchen, WiFi, dedicated flight attendants, full-sized bathrooms (with showers), lounges, spa services, audiovisual equipment for meetings, and more.
When you charter a flight, are you renting the plane?
No. You are paying an operator for the service of flying you from one location to another, similar to hailing a taxi or booking a rideshare. The service of the driver (or pilot) is part of what you purchase.
