What a charter quote leaves out.
9
Costs to ask about
before you sign
- 1The flight you don't take
- 2Empty legs: the real discount, and the catch
- 3Daily minimums and same-day round trips
- 4Overnights and crew costs
- 5Taxes and fees
- 6Airport choice and event pricing
- 7De-icing and weather
- 8Cancellations and changes
- 9Who is actually flying you
SetFlight
A free guide to the nine costs to ask about before you sign, the question that stops each one, and where empty legs can take a large share off the price.
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Part 135
Certificated operators only
5,167
Empty legs tracked today
One price
The number you sign is the number you pay
What's inside
Nine places a charter bill grows after the quote.
Every chapter is one cost that rarely shows up in the first number you see, and the one question that keeps it from surprising you on your next trip.
The flight you don't take
Your quote includes hours to fly the aircraft to you and home again, but you often see only one number. Learn how to spot positioning time, and why it's the reason empty legs exist.
Empty legs: the real discount, and the catch
Empty legs can cost a fraction of a full charter. Learn how they work, why the date can move, and how to book one without being stranded.
Daily minimums and same-day round trips
Many operators bill a minimum number of hours per day, flown or not. Learn how it changes the price of short hops and same-day returns.
Overnights and crew costs
Keeping a crew away from home costs money. Learn which crew charges show up on a multi-day trip and how to keep them predictable.
Taxes and fees
A 7.5% federal excise tax applies to most US charter, plus per-passenger segment fees. Learn what each one is, when they apply, and what international trips add.
Airport choice and event pricing
The airport closest to your destination is often the most expensive. Learn how fees, slot rules and big events change the price, and where a short drive saves thousands.
De-icing and weather
Winter de-icing can add thousands to a bill, and nobody puts it in a summer quote. Learn who pays and how to avoid the biggest charges.
Cancellations and changes
Cancellation terms can reach the full price of the trip. Learn how the terms usually step up as departure gets closer, and what to agree before you pay.
Who is actually flying you
Not every aircraft offered for charter is legally allowed to carry you for hire. Learn the one certificate to check and what your broker must tell you.
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Liam Naughton
Founder, SetFlight
Founder-led
A straight answer before you sign, not after.
I started SetFlight because private aviation wastes so much in empty legs. I love planes and travel, and I knew there had to be a way to make that a win for everyone: the customer gets a great trip at a great price, and the operator gets more out of its fleet.
Aviation runs in my family. My grandfather was a pilot for Japan Airlines, and I grew up loving aircraft. My own start came working at the FBO at Paine Field.
SetFlight doesn't compromise on service or transparency. Some brokers hide their fees or charge far too much, and that never sat right with me. We also won't work with customers who disrespect operators. It's a small industry, and everyone has to do their part to keep it honest.
From the moment you request a trip, you can expect full transparency and clear communication. Our team manages every quote, and I step in personally whenever something needs my attention.