Booking a private flight is both exciting and liberating: you get to fly luxuriously on your own terms.
Whether you’re flying solo to a weekend event or on a business trip with your company, you probably have a lot of questions.
Everyone has their own approach to travel and will have varying needs for information. We at Jettly see some common threads in the questions we are asked, especially because we are instrumental in opening private charter flights to people who never dreamed that it could be for them.
Please be aware that several factors are at play to keep you and your passengers safe. Regulations, registrations, certifications: the list is almost endless. Air travel is highly regulated around the world and that includes pilots, mechanics, aircraft, operators, airports, and airspace.
These are the eight questions we think you should be asking.
We have access to the information to most of your questions and can give you that information so that you can make your own personal decisions.
Your safety, comfort, and experience are our main concern here at Jettly. That’s why we have a team of specialists ready – anytime – to help you answer any of these questions (and more).
8 Essential Questions to Ask Before Booking Your Charter Aircraft to Ensure a Smooth and Safe Flight
1. Who operates the aircraft?
Is a legitimate business operating the aircraft? You’ll absolutely want your operator to hold certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the form of an FAA 135 Operating Certificate.
It is rare that a “shady” operator is in business. Don’t compromise your safety with uncertified or unregistered operators.
At Jettly, we rely on the integrity of operators and the effectiveness of the regulations and those who watch over the industry. We’re here for you 24/7 through email, chat, or phone to answer questions you may have about your aircraft and operator.
2. Does the FAA list your aircraft under the operator’s control?
The FAA has several strict regulations and specifications to ensure the safety of aircraft passengers and the public at large. Each operator should have a DO85 which verifies their aircraft is properly registered with the FAA and listed under their own control. Their DO85 will list the plane in question’s tail number.
Through our Jettly Wingman Program, we expect our network of operators and aircraft to be fully and properly registered with the FAA and has the proper paperwork to prove it to you.
As always, our specialists can answer any questions you might have any time of the day. You don’t need to go through the hassle of digging through online records or making multiple phone calls. Just give us a call about your potential flight and we’ll give you all the answers you need.
3. Does the information add up?
Using the FAA’s website, you can easily double-check any information by simply looking up the plane’s tail number. We’re here to help if you wish.
Jettly aggregates flights around the world. We make it easy to browse both your operator and aircraft before you make a decision. If you’d like to check the information on your own terms, we can help with that.
We have access to all the information and can facilitate your particular need for information. The Jettly team is happy to help.
4. Has the plane been in an accident?
When it comes to booking your charter plane, you want luxury but you also want to stay safe. Accidents are rare but they do happen. Aircrafts are carefully repaired by regulated personnel who are employing highly regulated methods for even small repairs before the plane is back in the air.
Fortunately, the National Transportation Safety Board has a searchable database of all aviation accidents and incidents since 1962. If you want, you can arm yourself with knowledge before booking your private flight.
It’s great that this information is available. At Jettly, we can assist in getting you the information. Our team is ready – right now – to answer questions about your potential aircraft and operator from these public databases.
5. Does the operator have any citations?
You would think this should be pretty easy to find out. Unfortunately, it’s not. While the FAA makes it easy to find information about your aircraft, it’s not so simple when it comes to details about your operator’s past.
If you want information about your operator’s possible citations, you’ll need to visit the local FAA office. They keep records on citations for five years.
But why waste time driving down to the FAA office just to ensure your operator doesn’t have a history? We don’t think you should have to go through that hassle. That’s why our specialists are ready to help in all the ways we can.
We’re ready 24/7 through chat, email, or phone so you should never hesitate to contact us!
6. Is the aircraft insured?
Let’s say you’ve found a great deal on a charter flight. When you rent an aircraft, you like to know it’s insured. Air regulations require levels of insurance coverage that the regulators have carefully thought out to protect you.
Each aircraft in our system must be properly insured by law. There will be no hidden insurance charges added to your charter price.
Still not convinced? Before you book your flight with us, you can see your aircraft tail number and operator. This gives you the ability to double-check any information on your own including all about their insurance. Of course, we can help get you the answers to questions you might have about insurance anytime.
7. Will you be covered as a passenger?
Most companies can easily list passengers as “additionally insured” on their aircraft and provide you with adequate documentation. If you want to know, just ask about this before booking your flight.
What happens if you are injured on the plane? What if your bags or valuables somehow go missing? You may want to know about that in advance and learn how the insurance works.
At the time of booking, we will give you all the information you need to directly contact your pilot or the operator. Not feeling up to that? No problem. Just give us a call and we’ll get the details for you.
8. Has the operator been audited?
There are many reasons where the FAA might audit an operator to ensure regulatory compliance pertaining to and including aircraft maintenance, procedures, and training.
If you want to know, we can take on the burden when it comes to inquiring about or obtaining an audit report – if one is available.
At Jettly, we know this information might be important to you as a passenger. That’s why we’ve developed a streamlined system for answering any questions and obtaining existing audit reports for you. Our specialists are standing by ready for your questions. We can access what is available to assist you.
Call us with questions or submit a flight request today.
We want you to be informed. As a passenger, you have a right to know your operator and have confidence in them. You also deserve to know that your aircraft is fully certified, registered, and compliant with all regulations.
Through our streamlined system, you can view thousands of private charter flights around the globe before making a decision. We also put you in direct contact with operators to create a more personal experience.
Our team of specialists is available 24/7 through phone or email to answer any of the questions above. Give us a call at 1-866-448-2358 or submit your flight request today!