How to book a private jet comes down to four steps: send us your route and dates, approve a fixed all-in quote, sign and pay, then fly. Charter-A Ltd is a UK private jet and helicopter charter company, and once contract and payment are in place we can usually have an aircraft ready within three hours.
We already explain the basics in our guide to booking your first private jet charter, and our how to book a private jet page covers the four-step process in more detail. Our private jet charter page describes the whole service. This article is the working checklist. It sets out what to have ready, what happens at each stage, and where a booking can slow down, so you can move from enquiry to boarding without surprises.
What do you need before you ask for a quote?
You can start a booking with very little. Even so, a quote is only as accurate as the details behind it, so it helps to gather these points first:
- Your departure and destination airports, or the nearest towns if you are not sure which airports suit.
- Travel dates and preferred times, including the earliest you can reach the airport and the latest you must arrive.
- The number of passengers, including children.
- Luggage quantity and dimensions, including anything bulky such as golf clubs or skis.
- Special requests: pets, catering, ground transport or anything unusual about the trip.
If the trip is international, passenger names as they appear on passports speed things up. Do not worry if you cannot answer everything. Our specialists will ask the rest on the phone.
New to it? A first-timer’s guide to chartering a private jet.
How do you request a quote?
There are two routes. You can fill in our private charter quote request form, or you can call the 24-hour desk on +44 20 7781 8094 and talk it through. Both reach the same team.
We use your route, passenger numbers and luggage to find aircraft that fit, then send you options with a fully inclusive price. For urgent requests we aim to give you a fixed price and a realistic departure time, usually within the hour. We also tell you plainly what limits the departure time: border clearances, slot availability and crew duty limits.
How do you choose between the options?
Expect a short choice of aircraft rather than a long list. Each option should show the aircraft, the cabin size, the flight time and the all-in price. When you compare, look at four things:
- Does the cabin fit your passengers and luggage comfortably?
- Is the flight time right for the aircraft class?
- Does the price cover everything you expect, or are items listed as extra?
- Do the airports and departure time suit your day?
Our private jet charter cost page explains that our quotes are fixed and that the price covers the aircraft, fuel, crew, airport fees and standard catering. If a quote from anyone leaves items out, ask for them in writing before you decide.
What happens when you say yes?
Confirming a flight has three parts, and it helps to know them in advance.
Contract and payment. You sign the booking and pay. This is the point at which the flight is locked in, and it starts the clock on the three-hour window mentioned above. Our fastest to date is 35 minutes.
Passenger documents. After booking, an operations officer asks for a copy of the passport or ID for each passenger. We use these to build the aircraft manifest, which goes to the aircraft crew, immigration and border control, and the handling agent at each airport. Depending on the countries involved, the documents can often be used to pre-clear passengers. You still carry your passports and any required entry documents, and our guide to passports and private jets explains the detail.
Extras. This is the time to confirm catering, ground transport and any pet arrangements, if you have not already done so.
How long does each stage take?
Timings depend on the route and how much notice you give, so treat the table as a guide to the order of events rather than a promise for every trip.
| Stage | What happens | Typical timing |
|---|---|---|
| Enquiry | You send route, dates, passengers and luggage | A few minutes by form or phone |
| Options and price | We send aircraft options with a fixed all-in price | For urgent requests, usually within the hour |
| Contract and payment | You approve, sign and pay | Your decision; the flight is locked in once done |
| Aircraft ready | Crew and aircraft prepared | Usually within three hours of contract and payment; fastest 35 minutes |
| Itinerary and documents | We send your itinerary and collect passenger documents | After booking |
| Boarding | Arrive at the private terminal | As little as 15 minutes before departure |
What is boarding day like?
Once you are booked we send a detailed flight itinerary, and you just turn up and fly. Passengers use a private terminal instead of the main airport, so there is no queue and no long check-in, and you can arrive as little as 15 minutes before take-off. Bags are handled for you, and you board within minutes.
Leave a little extra time if it is your first visit to the airport, and carry your passports even though the process is faster. If your plans change on the day, call the same desk. Someone is always there.
What slows a booking down?
Most delays come from missing information rather than from the aircraft. The usual causes are:
- Passenger names that do not match passports, or documents sent late.
- Luggage that was not mentioned until after the aircraft was chosen.
- A pet booked without checking the paperwork for the route.
- Peak days when the aircraft you want is already committed.
If you need to fly soon, our guide to 24-hour private jet charter shows what we need from you for a fast departure. Booking earlier gives you more aircraft to choose from, which can help the price as well.
Frequently asked questions
How far ahead should I book a private jet?
As early as your plans allow, because earlier booking gives more choice of aircraft and can help the price. That said, we can often arrange flights at short notice, subject to availability. With contract and payment in place, an aircraft can usually be ready within three hours, and our fastest to date is 35 minutes.
Do I need to pay before the flight?
Yes. The booking steps are to approve a fixed all-in quote, then sign and pay, and the flight is locked in once both are done. Our team explains the payment details when we send your quote, so read it before you sign. If you have a question about how to pay, call the desk and we will talk it through.
What documents do I need to board?
A passport or the correct travel document, because border and entry requirements are the same as on any other flight. After booking, our operations officer asks for a copy of the passport or ID for each passenger so we can create the manifest. You must also meet visa rules for your destination, and our team can guide you.
Can I add a passenger after I have booked?
Contact us as soon as you know, because the aircraft, the manifest and the airport arrangements are all built around the passenger list. We check whether the aircraft has a spare seat and whether documents can be added in time. A larger group may need a different aircraft, and we explain the options and any price change.
How early should I arrive at the airport?
You can arrive as little as 15 minutes before departure, because you use a private terminal with no queue or long check-in. If it is your first time at that airport, allow a little longer for the journey, and make sure everyone has their passports. Your itinerary gives the terminal and the time.
Can I book a private jet by phone?
Yes. Call our 24-hour desk on +44 20 7781 8094 and a charter specialist takes your route, dates and passenger details, then sends options and a fixed price. The online request form works the same way, and both lead to the same team, so choose whichever is easier for you.
Ready to book? Start from our private jet charter page or contact Charter-A on +44 20 7781 8094, and we will take you from enquiry to boarding.
