How to Charter a Private Jet

What information do I need to start?

You do not need to know which aircraft you want. A useful first request needs only a handful of facts; everything else can be refined later.

If plans are still forming, say so. An adviser can quote a primary plan and a fallback rather than wait for every detail.

• From and to — cities are fine; airports can be advised
• Date and approximate time, and how flexible they are
• One-way, round trip or multi-city
• Number of passengers, including children
• Luggage — especially golf bags, skis, bicycles or oversized items
• Pets, and anything that needs special handling
• Preferences: aircraft class, cabin attendant, catering, Wi-Fi, ground transfer

Step 1 — Define the mission

The mission is the trip described in operational terms: where, when, who, and what they carry. It determines aircraft size, airport choice and price far more than any brochure preference.

One-way charter suits a single journey, but the aircraft may need to return to base empty, which can be priced in. A round trip can keep one aircraft and crew with you, or release it and reposition — the right answer depends on how long you stay. Multi-city trips work best when the full sequence is shared at the start, so crew duty, positioning and airport hours are planned together.

Same-day and last-minute flights are often possible when a suitable aircraft and crew are available, but options narrow and fewer operators can respond. Peak periods — major events, school holidays, Riviera summer weekends — need more notice. As a guide, book as early as the plan allows; flexible clients can still benefit from short-notice empty legs.

Step 2 — Source actual aircraft

Aircraft are grouped into light, midsize, super midsize, heavy, long-range and VIP airliner classes. Classes are a useful starting point, but a quote should be for a specific available aircraft — with registration, year and actual cabin — not a category picture.

Passenger count is not the same as aircraft choice. A light jet may list six or seven seats, yet six adults with luggage on a longer sector can exceed what is comfortable or even possible. Baggage should be checked before the aircraft is chosen; skis, golf bags and large hard-shell cases are frequent reasons to move up a class.

Range figures are typically quoted in ideal conditions. Headwinds, passenger load, runway length and reserves all reduce practical range, so a non-stop claim must be confirmed for your route and season. Aircraft age is only one signal: a well-maintained, recently refurbished older airframe can be preferable to a newer one with a cabin that does not suit the trip. Ask for actual photos of the aircraft being offered and its floorplan, not marketing images of the type.

• Cabin height, width and seating layout
• Baggage volume and access in flight
• Practical range for your route and season
• Year of manufacture and of last refurbishment
• Cabin attendant, Wi-Fi, lavatory and sleeping options
• Actual photos and floorplan of the offered aircraft

Step 3 — Verify who operates the flight

A broker or charter adviser arranges the flight; an operator holds the authority to perform it and has operational control. Both roles are legitimate, but you should always know which company is the operator.

For relevant U.S. commercial charter, the operator should hold the appropriate Part 135 authority; the FAA provides resources to check operators and aircraft. In Europe, commercial passenger charter is performed under an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) with oversight usually by the competent national authority. Operators from outside the EU may additionally need a Third Country Operator authorisation for relevant EU operations — that is the operator's responsibility, not the passenger's. In the UK, the CAA explains that paid charter is commercial air transport and must be properly certified, licensed and insured.

There is no single global rule such as 'all operators are Part 135'. Commercial charter must be operated under the appropriate authority for the operator and jurisdiction involved. Independent audit or rating information — such as ARGUS, Wyvern or IS-BAO — can supplement, but never replace, verification that the operator is legally authorised for the flight. Ask too about liability insurance.

• Refusal to identify the actual operator
• Refusal to provide the relevant operating authority
• Attempts to shift operational control to the passenger
• Evasiveness when asked about legal authority
• Unusually structured arrangements, such as 'lease' plus separately hired crew

Step 4 — Compare quotes like for like

Two quotes for the same route can differ for good reasons: different aircraft, age, base, crew, inclusions or terms. Compare the substance before the headline price.

Be wary of quotes that say only 'Midsize Jet or equivalent'. That language may be acceptable at an early stage, but before payment the aircraft — type, registration and year — and the operator should be named, with any substitution rights clearly written.

• Operator name and operating authority
• Aircraft type, registration, year and refurbishment
• Seats, baggage and cabin attendant
• Itinerary, timings and any technical stop
• Positioning and return legs
• Taxes, airport, handling and landing fees
• Catering, Wi-Fi and de-icing — included or extra
• Validity period of the quote
• Payment schedule and cancellation terms

Step 5 — Understand the price

Private jet pricing is built from the whole mission, not just the time you spend on board. The billed flight time can include positioning the aircraft to your departure airport and back to base, which is why a one-way flight is rarely half a round trip.

Taxes vary by country and route; airport, handling, landing and parking fees vary by airport and season. Catering may be standard or charged at cost, Wi-Fi may have data charges, and winter de-icing is usually charged as used. Round trips can be cheaper per sector when the aircraft waits, but waiting days may incur crew and parking costs.

Empty legs — flights where an aircraft must reposition anyway — can be good value for flexible travellers, but they can change or cancel if the original charter changes. For hourly planning ranges, see the private jet cost guide; we do not publish fixed prices because quotes depend on the live aircraft and route.

• Flight time and positioning
• Crew, overnight and waiting costs
• Taxes
• Airport, handling, landing and parking fees
• Catering, Wi-Fi, de-icing
• Ground transfers and helicopter links if requested

Step 6 — The charter agreement

Before payment, a charter agreement documents the flight. Check who the contract is with — the broker acting as agent, or the operator — and that the operator is disclosed.

Substitution clauses explain what happens if the named aircraft becomes unavailable: whether an equivalent or better aircraft may be supplied, and what rights you have if you decline it. Cancellation schedules often move from partial to full charges as departure approaches; event and peak dates may be stricter. If the operator cancels or the aircraft has a technical problem, the agreement should explain recovery options, replacement aircraft and refunds. Weather delays and diversions are safety decisions taken by the crew and are usually treated differently from operator cancellations.

Step 7 — Payment

Charter is typically paid before the flight, often in full or in stages, depending on the operator and timing. Short-notice flights usually require payment before departure is confirmed.

Bank transfer is common; card payment may be accepted, sometimes with a surcharge. Quotes may be in EUR, USD, GBP or other currencies; confirm the currency and who bears conversion or bank fees.

Payment fraud is a real risk in any high-value transaction. Verify bank details by a trusted channel before paying, be suspicious of last-minute changes to account details sent by email, and never pay to an account you have not confirmed.

Step 8 — Passenger information

The operator needs a passenger manifest: full names as in travel documents, nationality, date of birth and document details. International flights need valid passports and any required visas — passengers remain responsible for their own entry documents. Domestic flights still require identification.

Tell the adviser early about minors (and any travel consents), pets, oversized baggage and medical needs. Pets are often welcome but depend on the operator and destination rules, including health documents. Dangerous goods and restricted items — certain batteries, aerosols, firearms and ammunition — must be declared and may be refused or need special arrangements.

Step 9 — Choose the airports

The best airport balances distance to your door with runway suitability for the aircraft, opening hours, customs availability, slots and parking. The closest airport is not always the fastest door-to-door.

Monaco: there is no airport in Monaco; most jets use Nice Côte d'Azur, with a helicopter or road transfer onward. London: Farnborough, Luton, Biggin Hill, London City and Stansted each suit different aircraft and parts of the city. Miami: Opa-locka Executive, Miami International and nearby executive airports serve different neighbourhoods and customs needs.

International arrivals must clear customs where the service is available, and at some airports at set hours. Busy airports and event periods may require slots and limit parking, so an aircraft may need to reposition after drop-off.

Step 10 — Final itinerary and flight day

Before departure you should receive the final itinerary: operator, aircraft and tail number, crew contact, departure terminal or FBO, timings and ground transfers.

Arrive at the private terminal or FBO around 20–30 minutes before departure for most domestic flights and allow more for international flights with outbound formalities; confirm the exact time with your itinerary. The aircraft may be able to wait a short time, but crew duty limits, slots and airport hours can make delays costly or impossible. Private terminals still apply security screening; crew load baggage and give a cabin briefing. Service depends on aircraft and booking — confirm cabin attendant, catering and sleeping arrangements in advance.

Step 11 — Arrival and onward travel

On arrival the crew and handling agent guide you through any customs and immigration. Chauffeurs can meet you planeside where permitted or at the terminal; helicopter connections suit destinations like Monaco; and yacht clients can be transferred to the marina or tender point.

What happens if plans change?

Tell the adviser as soon as anything changes. Passenger changes usually require an updated manifest; airport changes may change price, slots or aircraft suitability; time changes depend on crew duty and airport hours.

If the aircraft goes technical, the operator will try to repair or replace it; the contract governs your options. Weather diversions are decided by the crew for safety, after which ground or onward arrangements are re-planned.

Red flags and the 'cheapest jet' problem

The cheapest number is often the least complete: positioning omitted, fees excluded, an older or smaller aircraft, unclear operator, or no cancellation terms. Compare complete quotes rather than headline prices.

A good adviser adds value by sourcing actual aircraft, verifying the operator, reading the terms, and coordinating airports and ground travel. Booking directly with an operator can suit simple repeat trips; jet cards and memberships suit high, predictable usage; on-demand charter suits most occasional and complex trips.

• No named operator
• 'Or equivalent' wording still in place at payment
• Prices far below comparable quotes
• Pressure to pay immediately
• Changed bank details
• No written contract or cancellation terms

Example — Monaco weekend, full workflow

Four passengers from London to Monaco for a Friday-to-Sunday stay with golf bags. Mission defined; options sourced on midsize and super midsize jets from London airports to Nice; operators verified; quotes compared including positioning and waiting; agreement signed; manifest supplied; helicopter transfer booked from Nice to Monaco; on the day, the FBO meets the passengers and the helicopter connects on arrival. Every step happens around the confirmed aircraft — not the other way round.

First-time charter checklist

Use this short checklist before you confirm.

• Route, dates, passengers and luggage confirmed
• Aircraft type, registration and year named
• Operator named and authority confirmed
• Quote inclusions and exclusions understood
• Cancellation and substitution terms read
• Bank details verified by a trusted channel
• Passports, visas and manifest ready
• Terminal/FBO, timings and transfers received

How LUND GROUP helps

LUND GROUP arranges private aviation as an adviser. We do not own or operate aircraft; every flight is performed by an appropriately authorised operator. What we need from you: route, date, passengers and luggage. What we do next: source actual available aircraft, verify the operator, explain the quote and contract, and coordinate airports, ground transfers, helicopters and yacht connections around the confirmed flight.

The charter process at a glance

A private jet charter is not booked by choosing a picture of an aircraft. It is built around a mission, an operator and an actual available aircraft.

1. 01

   Mission

   Route, date, passengers, luggage.

2. 02

   Aircraft

   Actual available aircraft, not a category picture.

3. 03

   Operator

   Who legally operates the flight, under which authority.

4. 04

   Quote

   Compared like for like: aircraft, inclusions, terms.

5. 05

   Price

   Positioning, taxes, fees and extras understood.

6. 06

   Contract

   Substitution, cancellation and operator disclosed.

7. 07

   Payment

   Verified bank details, agreed schedule.

8. 08

   Passengers

   Manifest, passports, pets, baggage.

9. 09

   Airports

   Door-to-door, hours, customs, slots.

10. 10

    Flight day

    Tail number, FBO, timings, crew.

11. 11

    Arrival

    Chauffeur, helicopter or yacht connection.

Next: request a private jet, explore aircraft, choose airports or browse routes.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

• How Much Does a Private Jet Cost?

  The factors that move a private jet quote, and how to read one without surprises.

• Private Jet Types Explained

  The six aircraft classes, what separates them, and how to choose.

• Empty Leg Private Jets Explained

  With a normal charter, the aircraft adapts to you. With an empty leg, you adapt to the aircraft.

• Private Jet vs First Class

  The seat is only part of the comparison. The real difference is the journey around it.