Frequently Asked Questions

For most trips, one to two weeks gives the widest choice of aircraft at the best price. Short-notice charter is routine, and a flight can often be airborne in as little as two hours. Peak periods, group charters and trips with a hard arrival deadline should be booked four to six weeks ahead.

Often, yes. It depends on which suitable aircraft are in position near you, whether a crew is available within their duty limits, and the operating hours of both airports. Call rather than estimate — we can usually tell you within minutes whether same-day is realistic for your specific trip.

Yes, subject to the cancellation terms in your charter agreement. Those terms vary by operator, and the cancellation window is the clause most often overlooked. We will point it out before you sign rather than after.

Yes. One-way charter is standard. Pricing may include a repositioning charge covering the aircraft's return or onward leg, which is why a one-way trip is not usually half the price of a round trip.

The base is the aircraft's hourly rate, driven by aircraft class. Added to that are:

• Repositioning, if the aircraft is not already near you
• A 7.5% Federal Excise Tax plus per-segment fees on domestic flights
• Landing and FBO handling fees
• Crew costs and any catering

Together, these typically add 20% to 40% above the base rate.

There should not be. Every Trilogy quote is itemized, so you see the aircraft rate, repositioning, taxes, landing and handling, and crew costs as separate lines. Where a flight attendant is required, that cost is included in the quote. If any broker gives you a single lump-sum number, ask for the breakdown before you commit.

An empty leg is a repositioning flight an aircraft has to make without passengers, usually to reach its next booking. Operators sell them at a substantial discount to offset the cost. They are excellent value if your dates are flexible, and unsuitable if they are not, because empty legs can change or disappear at short notice.

See current empty leg flights

Fifteen to thirty minutes before your scheduled departure. There is no need to arrive hours ahead as you would for a commercial flight. Your flight revolves around you, and the aircraft can depart shortly after all passengers are aboard.

No. Private charter passengers do not pass through TSA checkpoints. Photo identification is still required for all passengers, and international flights clear customs and immigration in the normal way.

At the FBO, a short walk from the aircraft. In most cases, you can also arrange to drive your vehicle directly plane-side — tell your charter advisor in advance if you would like to. The operator normally selects the FBO based on fuel pricing and existing relationships, though most will accommodate a different one on request, sometimes with a surcharge.

Usually, within limits, and we would always rather know early. The limits are real: Part 135 crews operate under federal duty and rest rules, some airports have curfews or restricted operating hours, and busy airports issue departure slots. A short delay is normally manageable. A long one may require re-timing the flight.

Most of the time, yes. Pets are welcome on the majority of charter flights, though the policy is set by the individual operator, so tell your charter advisor in advance and we will confirm it for your specific aircraft. If there is an accident on board, you may be responsible for a cleaning fee. International travel with a pet involves additional documentation.

It depends on the aircraft, and on what kind of luggage rather than how many bags. Baggage capacity ranges from roughly 16 cubic feet in a very light jet to over 200 in a large-cabin aircraft. Tell us what is going in the hold at the quote stage so we can source an aircraft that fits it.

Yes, but tell us before we quote. Bulky equipment is the most common reason a trip needs a larger aircraft than the passenger count suggests. Four passengers with four sets of skis frequently need a bigger aircraft than eight passengers with carry-on bags.

Yes. Children of any age can travel on a charter flight. Tell your advisor about infants or car seats in advance so the aircraft and seating are suitable.

It varies by aircraft, and by more than most people expect. Systems range from older air-to-ground networks delivering a few megabits to Starlink and other low-earth-orbit systems delivering well over 100 Mbps with low enough latency for live video calls. If working in the air matters, tell us at the quote stage and we will confirm what is installed on the specific aircraft.

Yes, as much or as little as you like, with none of the commercial restrictions on liquids. If you are bringing a case of wine or anything bulky, mention it beforehand so it can be stowed properly for departure and landing.

Most private aircraft have a lavatory, though on smaller types such as turboprops, very light jets and light jets it is compact and intended for occasional use. These aircraft typically fly legs of around three hours before refueling, so the need is limited. Larger stand-up cabin aircraft have fully enclosed lavatories.

On Part 135 flights, a flight attendant is required when ten or more passengers are carried. Many aircraft owners also require one regardless of passenger count. Where a flight attendant is required for your trip, that cost is included in your Trilogy quote rather than added afterward.

Four variables decide it: passenger count, distance and required range with reserves, runway length at both airports, and baggage volume. Preference comes after those. We will recommend a class and explain why, and if a cheaper aircraft would arrive later or need a fuel stop, we will tell you that too.

Every flight is operated by an FAA-certificated Part 135 air carrier. For each flight, we require a passing ARGUS Trip Cheq or Wyvern Pass Report — third-party audits verifying that specific carrier, aircraft, and crew, not just a general company rating. We also require two qualified pilots on every flight, including on aircraft certified for single-pilot operation.

More on our safety standards

Not anywhere, but far more places than airlines serve. The FAA counts over 5,000 public-use airports in the US, compared with roughly 500 served by scheduled carriers. Runway length and surface determine what can operate where. Most jets require paved runways; the Pilatus PC-24 is currently the only jet certified for unimproved surfaces, and aircraft like the Cessna Grand Caravan and Quest Kodiak handle remote fields.