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Charter flights are private flights arranged upon request for a variety of purposes, such as time-sensitive cargo, moving passengers, or emergency air travel. They offer scheduling flexibility, direct flights, and specialized equipment, but can be more expensive and environmentally harmful. They can be arranged directly through the charter airline or through a third party, and some groups have started to charter flights and open up ticket sales to the general public.
A charter flight is a private flight scheduled to meet the needs of specific passengers or organizations. While public commercial flights depart at regular intervals with tickets purchased up until the day of departure by the general public, charter flights are arranged upon request. They can be used for a variety of purposes, such as flying time-sensitive cargo, moving passengers, or emergency air travel. Typically, the fees for this service are higher than using a traditional passenger or cargo airline, although a discount can sometimes be negotiated.
Charters are available through some major airlines and private companies that specialize in such flights. The aircraft are equipped with cabin crew and any supplies, such as meals, required under the lease agreement. Different aircraft can be used, depending on the amount of cargo or the number of passengers carried.
Passenger charters
People, such as celebrities or the very wealthy, who want to avoid the crowds at a public airport may choose to take a charter flight instead. Some charters are operated by tour companies who book the charter flight as part of a package that includes accommodations, rentals, and other activities for an entire vacation. Occasionally companies, schools or organizations will book a charter flight in order to receive a better fare from the airline. Organizations with a frequent need for flight crews may find it cheaper to contract with a charter service than other options, such as maintaining a corporate aircraft. Using private flights can also be more convenient for transportation needs that may arise unexpectedly, because the company can skip the ticketing and other procedures required by a conventional airline.
Cargo Charter
One-off or time-sensitive cargo may be chartered because regular airlines cannot handle it or may not be able to meet delivery goals. Racehorses, for example, are often flown by charter to transport them to distant racetracks. It may be faster to charter a flight for sensitive cargo, such as important documents, perishable goods, or critical medical devices and supplies. In remote regions that are difficult to access by land in the winter months, charter flights can also be used to provide a lifeline for residents. The planes deliver mail, food and supplies to residents upon request and also provide flights for people in need.
Medical cards
Persons who need to be transported for medical reasons may need to use a charter flight. In the event of an emergency, rapid transportation to a treatment facility can be critical to ensuring people get the right care as quickly as possible. Ambulance jets can also be hired to provide routine medical transport for people who are unstable and may need special care. Nurses and paramedics are available to monitor the patient on the aircraft, provide basic interventions and keep the patient as stable as possible before a transfer to another medical facility.
Charter flights may also be necessary to transport human organs for transplantation, which in most cases have a very limited life outside the body. Hospitals preparing for transplants coordinate with organ-requesting surgeons and transportation companies that specialize in emergency medical flights. These flights may allow direct transport between hospitals by helicopter in some cases, ensuring that delicate organs arrive at their destination as quickly as possible.
Benefits of charter flight
There is much more scheduling flexibility available on charter flights, as the people who buy their services determine when and where they will fly. Charter flights are also almost always direct, meaning passengers don’t have to change planes or wait during layovers. For special cargo or medical situations, aircraft are available with the proper equipment to make travel as safe and comfortable as possible; a person on life support, for example, is unable to travel safely on a regular commercial flight. Travelers preparing for conferences and similar events may consider a charter as a possible transportation option that could reduce cost and stress. These flights may also serve smaller regional airports, which may be beneficial for some passengers, such as those flying into a remote region.
Disadvantages of charter flight
The small profit margins and relatively small size of most charter airlines can lead to greater financial instability; there have been some extreme examples of airlines going bankrupt and leaving those who bought charter tickets stranded. Additionally, tour operators or the airline may choose to cancel a charter flight up to ten days before departure for any reason, most often because they haven’t properly filled the flight. Charter flights are also typically more expensive, particularly if the trip is chartered for a small group or piece of cargo. From an environmental point of view, flying consumes a lot of fuel and increases air pollution; a person sharing a flight with many other people may have a lower environmental impact than a single person chartering a solo flight.
Shopping per likes charter
Charter flights can be arranged directly through the charter airline or through a third party, such as a travel agent. There may be additional costs associated with arranging your flight through an agent, but if the agent works with the airline on a regular basis, they may be able to get you a lower price. In many cases, a charter airline can arrange a flight in as little as five or six hours from when it is requested. Chartering a flight tends to be much more expensive overall, especially if you need a plane or special equipment, but if a group of people are traveling together, the individual cost may be less than buying tickets on a flight commercial.
Public charter flights
While in the past it was necessary to charter an entire plane, in recent years some groups have started to charter flights and open up ticket sales to the general public. A business might charter a flight to a major tourist destination a few times a season, for example, or to a sporting event. Such flights usually have much stricter cancellation penalties than comparable commercial flights, often with little or no refund. People who buy single-seat tickets on public charter flights usually also have less flexibility, because sales depend on which flights have vacant seats that need to be filled. Prices on these flights are often low, however, especially as the departure date approaches and the airline works to fill the plane.
