Air charter
Posted on June 15th, 2025
What Is Air Charter?
Air charter is a private aviation service where an individual or business rents an entire aircraft—typically a business jet—for a specific trip or series of trips, rather than booking individual seats on a commercial flight. Air charter offers unmatched flexibility, privacy, and access to thousands of airports not served by airlines.
Air Charter Definition
In aviation, “air charter” refers to the on-demand hiring of an aircraft and its crew for exclusive use. This includes light jets, midsize jets, super-mids, heavy jets, and even turboprops, depending on the route and client preferences.
Types of Air Charter Services
- Private Jet Charter: The most common form, offering luxury travel for business and leisure.
- Group Charter: Aircraft chartered for events, sports teams, corporate shuttles, or incentive travel.
- Cargo Charter: Time-critical freight and specialty item transport.
Who Uses Air Charter?
Clients include executives, celebrities, sports professionals, government officials, and individuals seeking a premium travel experience. Air charter is also widely used for medical evacuations, organ transport, and humanitarian missions.
How Air Charter Differs from Scheduled Airline Travel
Unlike scheduled airlines, air charter flights depart on your timetable, fly direct to your destination, and bypass commercial terminals. You choose the aircraft type, departure time, and service level—making it ideal for urgent or bespoke travel needs.
Related JetOptions Charter Services
Learn More About JetOptions
JetOptions Private Jets is a leader in on-demand air charter services, offering access to thousands of FAA-certified aircraft worldwide. Want to learn more? Visit our JetOptions Private Jets homepage for details on our services, destinations, and fleet options.
The History and Growth of Air Charter
Air charter services began as a niche offering in the mid-20th century, primarily used by governments, corporations, and the wealthy elite. As aircraft technology advanced and more operators entered the market, private charter became more accessible to a broader clientele. Today, air charter is an integral part of the global business travel and luxury tourism ecosystem, connecting travelers to thousands of airports worldwide.
Popular Air Charter Routes and Aircraft
Popular domestic air charter routes in the U.S. include New York to Miami, Los Angeles to Las Vegas, and Dallas to Aspen. Internationally, clients frequently charter jets to destinations such as London, Paris, and Cabo San Lucas. Depending on passenger count and distance, common aircraft types include the Citation X, Challenger 350, and Gulfstream G650.
Why Work with a Trusted Air Charter Provider
Working with a reputable charter provider, such as JetOptions Private Jets, ensures safety, service, and value. We exclusively use ARGUS- and Wyvern-rated aircraft and crews, and we offer 24/7 access to a diverse fleet of hundreds of aircraft types for on-demand charter. With transparent pricing and customized service, JetOptions stands out in the private aviation marketplace.
Air Charter Regulation and Safety Standards
In the United States, all air charter flights must comply with FAA Part 135 regulations, which govern operational safety, maintenance, and crew certification. JetOptions only works with operators that meet or exceed these standards, and most of our charter flights are conducted by operators with ARGUS or Wyvern ratings—third-party safety auditing systems recognized throughout the industry.
Air Charter vs. Aircraft Ownership
For travelers who don’t want the long-term commitments of owning and operating a private jet, charter offers significant advantages. There’s no capital outlay, maintenance responsibility, or crew management. Instead, you gain the same luxury, privacy, and schedule control—on demand, with only the costs of each trip. Charter is especially attractive to business executives, families, and leisure travelers who fly fewer than 200 hours per year.
Explore Private Jet Charter Options
Now that you know what air charter means, discover how JetOptions delivers safe, flexible, and luxurious private jet travel. We offer access to thousands of aircraft worldwide with transparent pricing and top-rated operators.
Which Jet Is Right for You?
From light jets to heavy long-range aircraft, JetOptions offers a wide range of on-demand air charter solutions. Find the perfect jet for your next flight.
Popular Charter Destinations
Private air charter lets you access more airports and avoid the congestion of commercial terminals. Explore some of our most-requested destinations for your next private flight, worldwide.
Frequent Flyer? Consider a Jet Card
If you fly often, our JetOptions 25-hour and 50-hour flight cards offer predictable pricing, VIP service, and unmatched convenience. Tell us more about your upcoming flights and discover the benefits of jet membership.
Air Charter Glossary | Private Jet Charter Terms Defined
Explore the essential vocabulary of private aviation with our comprehensive air charter glossary. Whether you’re new to private jet travel or a seasoned flyer, these definitions will help you better understand industry terms and services.
A–Z Index
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
A
ADIZ (Air Defense Identification Zone): A designated area of airspace where aircraft must identify themselves to national authorities.
Apron: The area on an airport where aircraft are parked, loaded, unloaded, or refueled.
B
Block Rate: A discounted rate for booking a set number of flight hours in advance, typically via jet card programs.
Broker (Jet Charter Broker): A licensed intermediary who arranges air charter services on behalf of clients using vetted operators.
C
Cabotage: Restrictions on foreign-registered aircraft operating domestic flights within a country.
Carbon Offset: A financial contribution made to environmental projects to compensate for carbon emissions produced by a flight.
Tip: Ask us how to offset your next private flight.
D
Deadhead: A flight segment where the aircraft is flown without paying passengers, often repositioning to or from a charter pickup.
E
Empty Leg: A one-way flight that occurs when a private jet repositions to pick up passengers.
Example: Book a New York to Miami empty leg for 50% off standard pricing.
View our latest empty-leg offers
F
FBO (Fixed-Base Operator): A private terminal offering aircraft services, amenities for passengers, hangar space, and more. Most FBOs provide VIP lounges, concierge services, and direct boarding.
G
General Aviation: All flights other than military and scheduled commercial airline flights, including private and charter aviation.
H
Hangar: A structure at an airport where aircraft are stored and maintained.
I
ICAO: The International Civil Aviation Organization, a UN agency that sets international aviation standards.
J
Jet Card: A prepaid program allowing members to buy blocks of flight hours with fixed pricing, priority scheduling, and guaranteed availability.
K
Knot: A unit of speed used in aviation equal to one nautical mile per hour (approx. 1.15 mph).
L
Leg: A single non-stop flight segment of a journey.
M
MTOW (Maximum Takeoff Weight): The maximum weight at which a pilot is allowed to attempt to take off, including fuel, passengers, and cargo.
Nautical Mile:
A unit used in aviation equivalent to 1.1508 statute miles or 1.852 kilometers.
O
Operator: A company licensed to fly charter aircraft under FAA Part 135 or equivalent regulations.
P
Part 135: FAA certification regulation under which charter operators must comply to provide for-hire flights.
Q
Quick Turn: A rapid servicing and turnaround of an aircraft for another flight, often under 60 minutes.
R
Runway: A defined strip of land at an airport used for aircraft takeoff and landing.
S
Slot (Landing Slot): A pre-assigned time at which an aircraft may land or take off at congested airports.
Supplemental Lift: Additional aircraft capacity arranged for corporations that already operate their fleet but need overflow or special routing.
T
Turboprop: A type of aircraft powered by a turbine engine driving a propeller, ideal for short runways and regional travel.
U
Unavailable Leg: A segment of a private jet’s repositioning route that cannot be booked due to time or maintenance restrictions.
V
Visual Flight Rules (VFR): A set of regulations allowing pilots to operate the aircraft in clear weather conditions with visual navigation.
W
Wet Lease: A leasing arrangement where the lessor provides the aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance.
X
Crosswind: A wind blowing across the runway, potentially complicating takeoffs and landings.
Y
Yoke: A control wheel used to maneuver the aircraft, similar to a steering wheel in a car.
Z
Zulu Time: Another name for Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), used as the standard in aviation worldwide.
✈️ Ready to Charter?
Seeking personalized assistance or interested in learning how these terms apply to your travel? Contact our expert team or Request a Charter Quote today.
This glossary is updated quarterly to reflect the latest in private aviation terminology.
