Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different types of private jets and how do they differ?
Private jets are typically categorized into five different size classes – small jets, mid-sized jets, super mid-sized, large jets and executive jetliners. Small jets are the smallest jets, with a cabin height approximately 4 feet 6 inches, width of about 4 feet 9 inches, and cabin length that varies from 12 to 16 feet. The aircraft typically have a limited galley and lavatory, and a range of between 3 and 4 hours or 1,000 to 1,600 miles. Mid-sized jets have a cabin height of approximately 5 feet 8 inches and a width of close to 6 feet. The cabin length ranges from 17 to 21 feet. They are equipped with a small galley and a fully enclosed lavatory. Mid-sized jets have a range of between 4 and 5 hours or 2,000 to 2,500 miles. Super mid-sized jets have a cabin height of approximately 5 feet 8 inches and a width of over six feet. Super mid-sized jets have a range between 5 and 6 hours or 3,300 to 3,900 miles. Heavy jets and executive jetliners are the largest with sizes and ranges that vary significantly depending on the model. Heavy jets generally have a cabin height of over 6 feet and are considered true stand-up cabins. Cabin width varies from 6 to 8 feet and cabin length ranges from 28 to 50 feet. Heavy jets have a range of 6 to 14 hours or 3,000 to 7,500 miles. They always have a full lavatory and galley and fly with a flight attendant who provides complete in-flight meal and beverage service.

Which jet is best suited for my trip?
The answer to this question varies depending on your travel needs and budget. Considerations include departure location, destination, the duration of your stay, the number of passengers flying, how long your intended trip is and the amenities you expect to have onboard. For example, if you have two or three passengers traveling a short distance on a limited budget, and you’re flying private for convenience, the best option would be a light jet. If you have a larger group taking a long trip looking for in-flight entertainment, full meal service with a flight attendant, and your budget allows, a heavy jet is the best option. Regardless of your plans, an experienced personal flight manager can help you better understand your options and the benefits of each.

How do I plan my itinerary?
The best way to plan your itinerary is to determine what date you want to travel, where you want to travel, the time by which you would like to arrive, how many people will be in your party and if there are any specific amenities or services you would like available on your flight. Once you have those details, contact a personal flight manager. He or she will determine the nearest departure and destination airports, the flight time, and the aircraft best suited to meet/exceed your travel expectations.

How is the price of my charter calculated?
When you charter a plane, you are billed an hourly rate times your total flight time, plus any additional costs, as applicable.
Hourly rates vary by aircraft size, class and type. Flight times are calculated using flight planning software programs that take into account typical air traffic control routing, seasonally adjusted wind patterns and aircraft performance criteria. The total time is rounded to the nearest 1/10th of an hour.
Depending on your trip, additional costs might include landing fees and airport usage fees, overnight fees to cover the cost of housing the plane and crew if your trip is longer than one day, and International fees if your trip leaves the country. These costs are added to your total bill.

Why does the price for the same trip vary on different days?
Several factors can impact the total cost of your charter. Prices may vary by date for the same trip because availability varies by date. Included in the cost of your charter are ferry charges, which are incurred when an aircraft is based at an airport different from your departure or arrival point. If a plane has to ferry to cover your charter, it will alter your charter cost. Additionally, different aircraft in the same size class are billed at different rates and fly at different speeds. The same trip on two different jets may have two different costs because the rates vary slightly and the time planned for the flight varies based on aircraft performance.

What is a deadhead?
A deadhead is a flight segment an aircraft must fly, with or without passengers, in order to get into position for a charter or to return to its home base. These are called deadhead, empty leg or ferry segments and can be purchased, often at a discount. If you are flying one-way between two points and a plane has to fly between the same two points, flying on a deadhead can save you money. It takes some market savvy and industry connections to find a deadhead you can use. The best way to find one that works for you is to discuss your travel needs with a Personal Flight Manager and have him or her work with you to find the most economical travel solution.

Where do I go to meet my plane?
When you fly privately, your plane will depart from a small private terminal called a fixed based operation or an FBO. These small terminals provide private jets with a variety of services including light maintenance, fuel services and catering. They also provide passengers with a lounge area, baggage handling and parking facilities. Many airports have more than one FBO location. So when your travel plans take you on a private jet, please make sure to get FBO information from your personal flight manager.

How long before my flight do I have to get to the airport?
Private jet travel is an “on demand” service. Since you are flying on your own plane, it travels on the schedule you set. Tell your personal flight manager what time you would like to fly and your flight is scheduled for that time. At the appropriate time, the crew is standing by for passengers. When you arrive at the airport, you and your baggage are loaded, the aircraft door is closed, and the plane taxis out for take-off. There is no wait at the FBO and no line. You simply arrive at the time you would like to depart, and if you are running late, your plane will wait for you.

How much luggage can I bring?
Baggage space varies by aircraft size, class and type. On a small jet, there is ample storage room for each passenger to bring a small overnight bag. On a mid-sized jet, each passenger can bring along or small duffel bag. On a large jet, each passenger can bring a full sized suitcase. If you have special baggage, like skis, or a lot of heavy luggage, please notify your personal flight manager in advance so that he or she can make sure your aircraft can carry all of your passengers and luggage safely and comfortably.

Can I bring pets onboard?
Not all aircraft are pet-friendly; however, many are. It’s important to notify your personal flight manager in advance if you plan to bring along a pet so that a pet-friendly aircraft is dispatched. There are no restrictions on transporting pets domestically. For small household pets like dogs or cats, pets need to be in a travel cage for take-off and landing to ensure their safety. During the flight, your pet is free to move about the cabin (special cleaning charges may apply if a pet soils the cabin). If you are traveling beyond the 48 contiguous states with a pet, you may need special permits. Permits can take some time to obtain so please plan in advance when traveling with a pet outside of the continental United States. Your personal flight manager can help you with all of the necessary documents and arrangements.

Can I smoke onboard?
While many aircraft are designated “No-Smoking,” and cigar and pipe smoking are never permitted, some jets do allow cigarette smoking on board. Please notify your personal flight manager upon booking so that he or she can arrange a plane that will accommodate your needs. In certain cases, there may be a special charge associated with purifying the air after you deplane. Your personal flight manager can advise you any additional charges.

What if I have special transportation needs?
We can handle almost any request including flying disabled persons, unattended children, cargo or medical transports. Additionally, we can assist with every type of ground transportation from chauffeured transportation to rental car delivery, and cargo to emergency transport. Simply contact a personal flight manager to discuss your special transportation needs.

How will the weather affect my flight?
Certain weather conditions, including fog, lightning, heavy or freezing rain and snow, can affect the safe operation of a flight. When the weather is poor, your personal flight manager will review the forecast and determine if your flight will be affected. Sometimes it will be best to postpone your flight until the weather clears. Additionally, if you are taking a long flight and the weather at your destination is questionable, your personal flight manager may select a safer alternate airport for landing and arrange ground transportation to your ultimate destination. Whatever the conditions, your personal flight manager can work with you to ensure the safest, smoothest and most efficient trip possible.

Why does the flight time vary at different times of the year?
Flight times vary by season because atmospheric conditions, in particular wind speeds, affect flight times. The jet stream is an upper-atmosphere wind stream that blows from west to east. During the winter, the wind speed is much faster than during the summer months. As a result, traveling from east to west during the winter months will take longer than similar travel during the summer. In the reverse, traveling west to east in the winter months will be much shorter than during the summer.

Who owns the plane I charter?
In general, wealthy individuals and large corporations own jets used for the provision of charter service. These individuals or companies purchase aircraft because, based on the number of hours they fly a year, owning a jet provides them with the most economical way to fly private. While they may use their aircraft quite a bit, it isn’t always in use. These individuals and companies contract with FAA registered Air Carriers to manage their aircraft and rent them out when the owners aren’t using them. It is these FAA registered and certified Air Carriers that actually run the aircraft. They hire and train the crew and are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the aircraft subject to FAA regulations and the aircraft owner’s requirements.

Who flies the plane and how do I know the pilot is safe?
Private jets used for the provision of charter service are operated under Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations issued by the FAA. Pilots have to meet rigorous training requirements set by the FAA. In addition to being qualified as pilots, they are required to be certified to fly specific aircraft types. They go through recurrent simulator training every 6 months and are subject to regularly scheduled physical exams, drug testing and FAA flight checks.

Who maintains the plane and how?
Aircraft are maintained subject to the aircraft manufacturer’s specifications as approved by the FAA. Based on aircraft age, make and model they are subject to routine inspections according to an established timeline and hours in the air. There are thorough inspections every 12, 24 and 48 months, as well as major inspections at the 5-year, 10-year or 12-year mark, depending on the aircraft. There are also inspections every 300, 600, 1200, 2400, and 4800 flight hours depending on the aircraft age, make and model. Aircraft are always inspected and maintained by FAA licensed and certified technicians who are trained to maintain and repair specific aircraft makes and models. Accordingly, every individual maintaining the aircraft you take was trained and is certified to work not just on jets, but on that specific type of aircraft.

How safe is jet charter travel?
Traveling by charter jet is as safe as commercial air carrier travel because charter jets are regulated by the same organization – the Federal Aviation Administration. All private jets undergo the strictest safety and jet maintenance schedules required by the FAA Safety Standards. Specifically, the FAA Part 135 regulations apply to private jet charters. All private jet charter companies, utilize jet aircraft that comply with FAA Part 135 regulations.

The FAA is the trusted source to inspect commercial and private jet aircraft. All of the private jets we charter meet and/or exceed the FAA safety standards and regular inspections from the FAA. No reputable private jet charter company can utilize planes that are not certified by the FAA.

All of the private jets we charter are audited by third-party companies such as AR/GUS and Wyvern, assuring our customers that our jet network is the safest in the air. Private jet maintenance schedules are reviewed by these third party companies like AR/GUS and Wyvern to ensure that an independent audit confirms the required FAA certifications.

If you would like a copy of the FAA inspection records or the private safety audits before you fly, please let us know.

Why Should I fly Private Charter?
Flying private charter is not only a first class experience, it is convenient, private and saves you time. It gives you the freedom of flying into 5,000 airports across the United States. That is access to over 4,500 more airports than flying commercial. When you fly with Aethereal Aviation we guarantee that you will receive the personalized service you deserve every time.

Does the cost change with number of people on the flight?
No, when flying private air charter you are charged for the whole jet, no matter how many people are flying on it. The cost is based on an hourly charge not the number of passengers.

Can I keep the airplane overnight or for a week?
When you charter an aircraft you make the schedule, no matter how long and how far you want to travel. The airplane is yours.

Are meals served on the flight?
Let your personal flight manager know of any catering requests. All catering is provided at cost.

Can you help me arrange Ground Transportation?
Yes, whether you need a rental car or a limousine, your personal flight manager will be more than happy to provide you with door to door service.

What if my schedule changes while I am on the trip?
No problem. Our professional personal flight managers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you with any changes or questions you might have.

Can I fly one-way on private jet charters?
Yes. However be aware that chartered flights are charged on a round trip basis. The aircraft must be flown back to its home base.

Are there additional costs that I will find out about after the trip is completed?
No, we give you a quote up front and as long as there are no changes in your itinerary, we will honor that quote. If any unforeseen deviations, including weather and Air Traffic Control we will only charge you what you actually flew.

How many seats does the private aircraft have?
Depending on the aircraft model, we can accommodate an unlimited number of passengers.