CHARTERING AN AIRCRAFT
**Excerpts taken from "A Consumer Guide to Help You Fly Smarter" Published by the NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION (NATA).
What is charter?
"Charter is probably one of the best-kept travel secrets around. In fact, the NATA's research shows that only a small
percentage of frequent business travelers have considered chartering an airplane. But now, the secret is out.
Last year, thousands of people all over the United States discovered the benefits of air charter. And every day,
more travelers are discovering just how smart charter can be.
Charter is about saving you time and, often, money
on your business trips. Charter is the convenience of traveling on your schedule rather than the airlines’
schedule, and flying to airports closer to your final ground destination. Selecting a charter operator is not
difficult, nor does it require a vast knowledge of the industry or federal air carrier regulations.
Best of all, charter is having complete control over your travel environment, while enjoying the comfort,
safety and security of a private aircraft.
Charter aircraft operators are often referred to as ondemand or
air taxi operators. These synonymous terms convey the key attribute of charter service—we’re there when you call,
ready to conform to your unique schedule and needs. But, to help you form your own opinion of what charter
is—and what it can do for you or your business—let’s answer a few of the most common questions asked about
charter to help you select an operator that can meet your needs."**
When does it make sense to charter?
"Charter is smarter only under certain circumstances. The airlines are very competitive when it comes to carrying
a lot of people, for long distances, to a limited number of destinations. So when traveling between two very distant,
major cities, like Los Angeles and New York, or traveling overseas, it may make sense for some to travel on the airlines.
But, there are times when charter makes a lot more sense. For example, when you have several places to go but very
little time. Or, if there are more than one of you going. Or, if your destination is not a major airline hub.
Or, when the airlines’ schedules just don’t fit into your business schedule.
So, before you compare the costs
of airline travel to air charter, consider the time and money you’ll save on overnight expenses— motels, meals
and car rental—and factor in the inconveniences you often face with the scheduled airlines: lost/delayed baggage,
missed connections, cramped seating and oversold flights, to name a few. Many times it’s smarter to charter."**
What information do I need
to prepare my charter trip?
First of all, lay out your travel plans.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- What is the location that I will be departing to the airport from and in
which city?
There may be several airport options that are unfamiliar to you. Let
JetCombo.com locate airport options by entering the zip code of your departure
point.
- Will there be any intermediate stops?
JetCombo.com can arrange a multileg trip up to 7 segments.
- What is your return date?
JetCombo.com will calculate for you whether it is best to have the
aircraft wait for you or make a separate drop off and pick up run.
- How many people will be traveling with you?
When shopping on JetCombo.com, we recommend not to book an
aircraft that has the exact number of seats as passengers. Many of the mid
size and heavy jets have divan style seating which may be uncomfortable for longer
flights. Leaving one or two seats open allows for more cabin mobility.
- Will you need ground transportation arranged?
Book Limolink right on the system for door to door service.
- Will you need any special catering for
your flight?
Tell us what you want in the free form box when making your booking.
Are these aircraft safe?
FAA
"The FAA has rules that address crew rest, physical examinations, and mandate
a stringent anti-drug/alcohol program for operators. The FAA closely monitors operators to make sure that they conform to the
established standards of performance. The high standards for training, maintenance and operations required by the FAA, and the
devotion to safety of the charter operators themselves, assure you of the safest possible flight environment. Couple this attitude
towards safety with technology improvements in the cockpit over recent years, and you have the safest mode of transportation available."**
There are approximately 3,000
air charter operators in the United States who have met the
comprehensive criteria required to qualify for a Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) Air Carrier Operating Certificate. Of those
operators, approximately 2,500 offer service in airplanes and 500
provide service in helicopters.
Please note - FAA certification should never be the sole criteria for selecting
an operator to work with. It is the basic minimum requirement.
Independent Safety Auditors
Over and above FAA regulations, several companies are used to rate or classify
operators in terms of their commitment and track record for safetly. To learn more about our safety program, click here.
Am I secure?
"Global security concerns have led to significant security enhancements within the entire aviation industry,
and charter operators are no exception. In fact, enhanced security is often one of the primary reasons for
chartering, because when you charter an aircraft, you are in control. You decide who is permitted on your
flight. There are no strangers to overhear your confidential business conversations or to threaten your
personal security. When traveling via charter, you dictate the departure time and location as well as
the destination.
Your flight itinerary is private, not published for the world to see, as is the case
with airline schedules. Recently, the federal government has mandated security programs for most charter
operators. In addition, most charter operators, and many airports, have also instituted security
precautions for charter passengers that may include a verification of identification, checks of baggage
for dangerous items, screening with a metal detector and other measures, even when not required by federal
regulations. Your charter operator is dedicated to ensuring your safety and security and will be willing
to answer any of your questions."**
What about weather?
"Weather can affect your flight plans when chartering just as it can affect airline schedules. The FAA has
many regulations concerning weather, types of aircraft, and pilot capabilities. Some aircraft are equipped
with various optional equipment that allows operation in complex weather such as icing conditions or heavy
rain showers.
Always trust the decision of your professional pilot when it comes to weather and flight safety. "**
What about the ground facilities?
"Charter facilities will vary from airfield to airfield. The smaller airfields will often have many of the accommodations
of major airports—waiting areas, restrooms and telephones. Many of these facilities, known as fixed base operators (FBOs),
provide complimentary airport-to-town transportation. What these smaller fields facilities
may lack in size, they make up for in warm hospitality. With few exceptions, people in aviation are there by choice:
They like what they’re doing and their enthusiasm sparks a cordial atmosphere. There are two primary benefits to
choosing a smaller airport: avoiding the delays and hassles so often found at the major airline hubs, and landing
at an airport close to your ground destination."**
Can I make my connections with airlines if necessary?
Occasionally, passengers in towns without airline service decide to charter an aircraft to more easily connect
with an airline flight. Airports with airline service are divided
into separate general aviation (including charter) and airline areas. Often,
courtesy
cars are provided to drive you to the airline terminal. Please include
any onward or arrival information of a commercial flight on your record. It
will help your operator orchestrate the transfers more efficiently to
know where
you are coming from and going to.
How do I find a charter operator?
It’s easy! Use JetCombo.com to locate a premium, safe operator. If you would like assistance, you can have a
live online chat with a Specialist or call 1800 397 8564.
So what makes charter smarter?
"The advantages. The advantage of saved time. You can fly in or leave whenever you’d like—without having to depend on the airlines’ schedules or without the long hours on the road. You can go where you need to, get your business done and come back when you want. This means saving money on food, lodging and car rental. It could also mean spending more valuable time with your client or your family.
The advantage
of convenience
. Over half of all airline flights connect with only the 20 busiest airports in the U.S. With charter you have direct access to all of these major airports—plus some 12,000 airports in small communities that the airlines don’t reach. Charter is the primary air link to about 19,000 smaller communities and over 400 cities. With a chartered aircraft you can often land whenever and wherever you want—usually much closer to your destination. You can avoid the large, crowded airline hubs. You can even have a car waiting for you when you land. You can choose your traveling companions. This means converting wasted travel time into useful study or preparation time. Just think of what you could accomplish with everyone together in your own private work area. And, you can take along extra people and equipment—at no extra cost.
The advantage
of security
. You can be assured of corporate and personal security when traveling via air charter. Only those persons known to you and authorized by you will be on the aircraft. Your charter operator will maintain your security by preventing public disclosure of your flight plans and by complying with the strict safety and security mandates imposed and monitored by the federal government. Your personal peace of mind and satisfaction is the charter operator’s key goal during your charter experience.
The advantage of knowing.
Now that we’ve let you in on our little secret, you’re beginning to see the advantage of charter.
The advantage that means spending more time in front of your clients and less time getting there. Once you try it,
you’ll see for yourself how smart charter can be. You’ll probably wish you’d known about it sooner."**
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