How do pax fly charter?
 

Sorry for this question if its misplaced. I'm a MIL and 121 guy asking for a friend with the means to charter his family around. He lives in SoCal and is wondering how to start flying using non-121 services. Any pointers I can pass along to help him get started? I don't think he's interested in fractional ownership, but I won't dismiss any suggestions either. Thanks in advance.

Call a local/regional charter operator and ask for a quote.

Sounds simple. Thank you!

A lot of charter companies use brokers.
So as a pax you’re actually the customer of a broker, kinda like high end concierge services.
You tell your broker when you want to go and with how many people and what airplane you want.
They’ll go though their Rolodex of charter companies they do business with and get you 2-3 quotes with their recommendation.

http://www.charterbroker.aero/default.html

I disagree.

The “local/regional charter operator” could be a reputable, highly rated ARG/US provider or comparable to a run-of-the-mill South Florida nightmare. If your friend has the means, he probably has friends with the means. Ask for recommendations from other people who already use those services. If he doesn’t have that network in place by all means find a broker that knows what to look for.

I can’t imagine going to the yellow pages and using the “eenie meenie miney moe” method for something that important and wide ranging.

They’re in SoCal, and in the age of the internet they can easily find reputable operators in the area.

IMO there are just as many shady brokers as charter operators...

If he’s going to do it often. Join a program like Netjets, XOjet and other. Go to the airline profiles link on this site, then click onto charter. There’s several good choices. Fractional might be an option too depending on how deep his pockets go.

Friend of mine flies for :

https://www.deltaprivatejets.com/

And I’ve flown for:

https://www.flyexclusive.com/

Enjoy!

flyxo.com.

They’ll take care of exactly what you’re friend needs.