If you’re new in the corporate sector and haven’t booked a charter plane before, fret not; you’ve come to the right place. In this blog, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about aircraft charter and what questions you need to ask before hiring one.
So, without wasting any more time, let’s get straight to the questions that you should ask the aircraft provider before hiring a charter plane.
What is your safety record?
Safety is the prime concern of customers. To ensure the journey is safe for you, you must inquire about the safety record of the service provider before booking a charter plane. Simply ask the broker or aircraft provider to give you a Wyvern PASS rating report that shows that their services fulfill the industry standards.
If the aircraft provider you are contacting is an experienced operator, they would have already passed both unscheduled and scheduled spot checks and full inspections by FAA safety authorities.
Which documents do I need for departure?
Despite the fact that you don’t have to wait in security & TSA scan ques, you still have to bring your identification documents when flying private. If you are going on a domestic flight, even a driving license is sufficient to prove your identity, but on an international flight, you’ll need a valid passport and visa.
In order to avoid any problem while travelling, it’s always a good idea to get complete information about the documents you have to carry with you when you board. So, you must ask the provider beforehand about the documents that you have to carry.
What type of aircraft are available in your fleet?
Always ask the provider about the types of planes available in their fleet. If the aircraft provider doesn’t have a wide variety of planes available, you should switch to someone who has a huge fleet. Because a small aircraft can work for domestic flights. However, for long hauls, you need big, spacious and luxurious planes.
Likewise, you must inquire the service providers about the age of the aircraft and their maintenance record to ensure that they are in top-notch shape.
Is there any luggage restriction?
Even though there’s no limitation on the number of luggage on a private plane, some service providers have a weight limitation due to the limited storage compartment. However, it only applies when there are a lot of passengers.
In simple words, if you’re flying solo or with your partner, there’s no luggage limitation. Still, it’s better to inquire about your service provider regarding luggage limitations beforehand to avoid any inconvenience.
Do you have any beverage rules?
Even if there’s as such no restriction of what you bring on your chartered plane, some providers, however, follow a no red wine rule. This is because red wine can greatly damage the interior cabin of the aircraft. Therefore, before booking an aircraft, it’s always good to ask the service provider if they have any beverage rules or not?
How early do I need to book?
Another question that you need to ask your service provider is how early do you have to book to get your desired plane. Undoubtedly, you can book your private plane on the same day too and fly anywhere you want.
But still, you should consider making an early reservation as if you book in the nick of time, there are high chances that you won’t get your desired plane and crew. Hence, to avoid such situations, it’s always best to book at your earliest.
Do you have operational control?
It’sIt’s always better to ask your provider whether they’re charter operators or charter brokers. A charter operator has the direct authority of managing aircraft, whereas a broker just acts as a middleman, finding the best services for their clients.
What is the legal status of your company?
It’s always a good idea to do a background check on the aviation company before booking a charter flight. You must check the legal status of your service provider for any lawsuits and if they’re involved in one, then don’t hire them.
There are chances that they won’t be at fault, but still, to keep yourself away from legal complications, it’s more suitable to avoid them for the time being.
These are just some of the questions that you must inquire about before hiring any company for aircraft charter. However, to get the best services, we recommend that you should engage someone as reputable as Empire Aviation. Doing this will ensure that your travel is full of comfort and luxury.
