Whether you fly private every month or you’re pricing your first Philadelphia charter, bring us the questions. Below are the ones we get asked most, answered the way we’d answer them on the phone.
If yours isn’t here, call us. We’d rather talk it through than have you guess.
About working with us
When can I reach you?
Anytime. Whatever time zone you’re in or flying to, someone is available to help with your trip. We work day and night, 24/7/365.
Where are you based?
Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, just outside Philadelphia in Montgomery County. That puts us close to Northeast Philadelphia, Wings Field, Philadelphia International and a handful of other fields we fly out of regularly. Our operator relationships run across the country and abroad, so we coordinate flights from wherever you’re departing, but the Philadelphia airports are our home ones and we know them well.
What does a dedicated advisor actually do?
One person owns your trip from the first quote to the moment you land. They source the aircraft, confirm the operator, handle the FBO and the ground details, and pick up the phone when something changes. You aren’t handed between departments.
How do you handle my privacy?
Passenger names and itinerary details are confidential and shared only where a party needs them to run the flight, which usually means the operator and the FBO. Nothing goes further than that.
Who are your clients?
A broad range. Corporate teams and Fortune 500 flight departments, families and individuals flying for leisure, sports teams and event groups, patients needing non-emergency medical transport, pet owners, and companies moving time-critical cargo. If you’re not sure your trip fits, ask.
Do you arrange supplemental lift for aircraft owners?
Yes. We’ve worked with corporate flight departments to fill the gap when a second aircraft is needed for simultaneous trips, or when a trip needs more range than the aircraft on hand. Depending on routing and availability, that can come together in a matter of hours. Fractional owners use it too, chartering outside their plan so they can spend their program hours where those hours go further.
Do you offer shared or per-seat flights?
No. We arrange completely private flights under FAR Part 135 (or the foreign equivalent), and by law we can only sell a flight to a single entity. You’re welcome to put a group together and split the cost among yourselves, but the contract is with one person, and that person is our single point of contact and carries the financial and legal responsibility for the flight. Per-seat public charter falls under FAR Part 380, which is a different set of rules.
Philadelphia and Pennsylvania
Which Philadelphia airport will I fly from?
Usually Northeast Philadelphia (KPNE). It’s the general aviation reliever for the metro, it’s towered around the clock, and it handles most of the jet fleet we offer. Philadelphia International (KPHL) is the answer when the trip needs airliner-size lift. New Castle (KILG) near Wilmington works well for Delaware County and southern Chester County, Trenton-Mercer (KTTN) covers the north side, and Chester County (KMQS) at Coatesville is closest to the Great Valley and Malvern corridor. We’ll recommend the appropriate airport when we present the first quote.
Can I clear customs coming into Philadelphia?
Yes, at several fields. Philadelphia International, Northeast Philadelphia, New Castle and Trenton-Mercer are all set up for it, and Trenton-Mercer has customs officers inside the FBO. Hours and notice requirements differ between them, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection sets them, not the airport. Tell your advisor early if you’re arriving from abroad and we’ll confirm what your routing needs.
Do you only cover Philadelphia?
No. We arrange flights across Pennsylvania and the surrounding states, including Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Hershey, Lancaster and York, Reading, the Lehigh Valley, and Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. Each has its own airports and its own FBOs.
What happens in Philadelphia winter weather?
De-icing happens, and it takes time on the ramp before an aircraft can depart. Your advisor will flag it ahead of the day so you’re not surprised by it. The operator and Pilot in Command make the call on whether conditions are workable, and if anything needs to change we’ll be in touch as soon as we know.
Booking and pre-flight
How far ahead do I need to book?
Depending on your routing and what’s available, a private flight can be arranged with as little as six hours’ notice. More notice usually means more choice of aircraft, so call as soon as your dates firm up. We won’t confirm a trip too far out, though. Aircraft availability changes, and an operator’s schedule months ahead is rarely the one you get closer to the date. Call whenever you like and we’ll tell you when it makes sense to lock it in.
How do I decide which aircraft is right?
Your advisor will work through it with you. Flight distance, passenger count, baggage, and the runway at both ends all narrow the field, and your preferences do the rest. Our aircraft guide has photos and specifications for the aircraft chartered most often, if you’d like to look before you call.
Are there luggage limits?
Yes, and they vary a lot by aircraft. Every aircraft has a different baggage compartment size and weight limit, and your bags travel in the aft compartment or the nose. Tell us the expected weight and dimensions when you book so we can size the aircraft correctly. Soft-sided bags pack better than hard cases if you’re trying to fit more in. Call us about oversized or fragile items and we’ll walk you through the options.
What documentation do I need?
A government-issued photo ID before boarding. For international travel, every passenger needs a passport, and any documents required by law or customs must be shown to the flight crew before boarding. Passengers without the proper documentation can’t board.
How do I pay?
Payment is required in full at the time of booking, and we ask for a valid credit card on file as a guarantee for incidentals on every reservation.
Bank wire at time of booking is our preferred method, and paying that way may qualify you for a cash discount of up to 5%. Check your charter quotation or ask your advisor. You can also pay by personal or corporate credit card, though the discount doesn’t apply. Payment methods and terms are set out in the Charter Broker Agreement Standard Terms and Conditions, and they can change without notice.
What happens once I’ve booked?
Your charter itinerary comes by email. It confirms the dates and estimated departure times, every flight segment we’ve arranged for you, the aircraft type, and anything else you asked for when booking. You’ll also have the operator name and the tail number before you fly.
Can you arrange my transportation to and from the airport?
Yes. With enough notice before your flight, we can arrange ground transportation through a third-party vendor. Options include luxury chauffeured sedans, stretch limousines, Sprinter-style vans, and even armored vehicles. Let your advisor know what you need when you book.
Do you book hotels, tours or concierge services?
Not directly. We keep our attention on the flying. That said, we’ve built relationships with providers over the years, so ask your advisor and we’ll point you to someone good.
What are airport slots?
A slot is prior permission from the airport and Air Traffic Control to arrive or depart in a specific window. They come into play at busy airports during major events, when ramp space and parking are tight. If your trip needs one, your advisor will handle the request as part of the booking.
What happens if the weather turns?
Mother Nature throws the occasional curveball: wind, turbulence, storms. Before departure your advisor is watching every advisory that could touch your schedule. The aircraft operator and the Pilot in Command hold the final decision on takeoff and landing, and they’ll work to route around weather, but some delays can’t be avoided. If anything is going to change, you’ll hear from us as soon as we know.
On board
What is the terminal like?
At most airports you’ll use a fixed-base operator, or FBO, which is the private terminal on the field. Most FBOs at the airports we use offer a lounge area, restrooms, and complimentary refreshments. Smaller airports may use a general aviation building or have minimal facilities; your advisor will confirm what to expect at yours.
Do the aircraft have bathrooms?
It depends entirely on size. Charter aircraft run from two-seat pistons up to airliners, and the smaller the aircraft, the fewer amenities fit. Larger cabins have a fully enclosed lavatory with a toilet, sink and room to change. Mid-size aircraft often have a semi-enclosed lavatory behind a curtain. The smallest aircraft may have a lift-up seat for emergencies, or nothing at all. Ask before you book if it matters for your trip.
Will there be a flight attendant?
Some aircraft require a flight attendant, others don’t. If yours doesn’t and you’d like one anyway, a flight attendant may be available on request.
Can I smoke on board?
On some aircraft, yes. It’s one of the reasons people charter. Tell us up front, because special arrangements have to be made and not every aircraft or operator allows it.
Can I bring my pets?
Yes, and plenty of our clients do. Not every aircraft or operator accepts animals in the cabin, so tell us about your pet when you first call and we’ll find a carrier that does. Depending on the animal, the distance and the length of the trip there may be requirements around crating, so it’s worth talking through early.
What about Wi-Fi, phones and entertainment?
Amenities like this may be available depending on the aircraft booked, and in some cases, additional charges may apply. Depending on the aircraft that can include Wi-Fi, satellite phones, televisions, music and entertainment systems, device connectivity, coffee or espresso machines, a microwave, and medical kits. See the Charter Broker Agreement Standard Terms and Conditions for details.
Who actually operates the aircraft?
A certified third-party air carrier. We search for aircraft with minimal repositioning cost and competitive pricing wherever your trip starts, present you the options, and once you’ve chosen we secure the aircraft. You’ll have the operator name and the tail number on your itinerary before the flight. How we review those operators is set out on our safety page.
Still have a question?
Ask it. Whether this is your first charter or your fiftieth with us, we want you comfortable with how the trip is put together. Call 1-888-987-5387 or send us a message, any hour, any day. Don’t hesitate to reach out.