Chartering a private jet means renting a whole aircraft, with its crew, for your trip. You choose the airports, the departure time and who comes along. A charter advisor matches your trip to an aircraft from a certified operator and gives you an all-in quote. The more you can tell them up front, the more accurate that quote will be.

Where are you flying from and to?

Start with the city pair, not the airport. Private flights can use thousands of US airports that airlines don't serve, and a smaller field is often closer to where you're actually going. It's usually quieter too. Ask your advisor which airports near each end of the trip make sense. Runway length, customs availability and opening hours all affect which aircraft can use them.

Who is flying, and what are they bringing?

Passenger count is only part of the picture. Your advisor will also want to know:

• How many adults and children are flying, and whether anyone needs an infant seat
• How many bags, and whether you're bringing anything oversized, like skis, golf bags or strollers
• Whether any pets are coming (see traveling with pets on a private jet)
• Any accessibility or medical needs

Weight, luggage and the length of the route together decide which aircraft can fly the trip nonstop.

Choosing the right aircraft

Aircraft are grouped into classes: turboprops, light jets, midsize, super-midsize, and heavy or ultra-long-range jets. Larger classes have more seats, more cabin height and more baggage space. They also fly farther without stopping. Range matters as much as group size. Four people flying coast to coast may need a larger jet than eight people flying from Miami to the Bahamas.

Beyond class, ask about:

• Cabin height: whether you can stand up inside, which matters on longer flights
• Wi-Fi: many aircraft have it, but coverage and speed vary
• Lavatory: an enclosed one isn't standard on the smallest aircraft
• Year of manufacture: ask how old the aircraft is. Newer aircraft generally have more modern avionics, quieter and more comfortable cabins, better connectivity and fewer age-related maintenance issues. Older aircraft can be more economical, but they are more likely to have dated interiors and unscheduled downtime. Ask about the year and the date of the last interior refresh, and your advisor can quote newer options alongside.

You can compare classes on the aircraft page.

Will there be a fuel stop?

A smaller aircraft with a fuel stop can be more economical than a larger one that flies nonstop. A stop typically adds an hour or more to the trip. Some travelers don't mind the trade; for most business trips, a stop isn't an option. Your advisor can quote both ways so you can compare.

One-way or round trip?

A one-way charter often includes the cost of the aircraft flying back empty to its base, so a one-way isn't simply half a round trip. If you're returning within a few days, a round trip on the same aircraft can be better value. Your quote will include crew overnight costs for the days the crew waits.

Empty legs are the exception. These are repositioning flights an operator sells at a discount. They can be very good value, but the route, date and time are set by the operator's schedule, and the flight can be cancelled if the original trip changes.

Catering and ground transportation

Snacks and soft drinks are usually stocked on board. Tell your advisor ahead of time about special catering, dietary needs or a particular wine so it can be ordered in advance. They can also arrange cars at either end. If you've booked your own driver, share the details so the timing lines up on arrival.

What's included in the price?

Ask for a quote with taxes and fees included. A charter price is built from:

• The aircraft's hourly rate for the flight time
• Repositioning time, if the aircraft has to fly to you
• Landing, handling and airport fees
• Crew overnight costs on multi-day trips
• Catering and any special requests
• Taxes. Flights within the US carry the 7.5% Federal Excise Tax plus a per-passenger, per-segment fee that the IRS adjusts each year. International trips have their own airport and government fees.

Weather can add de-icing costs or a change of plan; see how weather affects private jet flights.

What are the cancellation terms?

Cancellation terms vary by operator and get stricter close to departure, especially during holidays and peak season. Read them before you sign. Ask what happens if the operator cancels, for example because of a mechanical issue. In that case the operator or broker should find a replacement aircraft or refund you.

How to vet a charter broker

• Broker disclosure: a broker should never present itself as the air carrier. US charter brokers are governed by 14 CFR Part 295.
• Operator name: the broker should tell you which operator will fly your trip, and that operator should hold an FAA Part 135 certificate or a foreign equivalent.
• Third-party audits: ask whether the operator holds a current ARGUS or Wyvern rating, or ask for a trip report. These independent audits review operator safety, pilot experience and records.
• Responsiveness: a good advisor answers quickly, explains the quote line by line and handles changes without fuss.

Next steps

When you have your route, dates and group size, contact our team and a Velox Jets advisor will come back with options and an all-in estimate. If you fly often, compare charter with ownership in private jet charter vs. fractional ownership.