A charter airline is one that operates on a chartered basis.  In other words, the flights are arranged by or for specific customers, and occur outside of normal schedules.  Many of the bigger airline companies offer this service, although it is rare to find them registered as a charter carrier.

Small groups of passengers that arrange for transport, commonly use a charter flight.  Sometimes, a sports team will travel with a charter service, as do members of a company, or even military personnel.  However, the majority of charter services are for specific functions, such as a tour or holiday booking.  With this type of event, the charter company itself does not handle ticket sales.  Rather, the holiday companies set up the flight and sell the tickets themselves, and these charter flights are frequently incorporated into a package deal.  As part of a holiday set-up, the package price includes both accommodations and the flight ticket, and occasionally other amenities.  Moreover, if someone wishes to travel to the destination without the extras, they can usually purchase a ‘flight-only’ package, at a cost that is generally less expensive than a scheduled flight.  With a scheduled flight, tickets can be purchased right up to departure, but charter flights generally book in advance.  More recently, however, some charter companies have started opening sales to the general public.  This allows them to achieve maximum occupancy, and it provides some excellent deals for passengers, as well.

It’s a little trickier to find bargains on charter flights, as opposed to scheduled flights, as comparative shopping engines simply do not include charter fares.  Even so, people do use the Internet to book charter flights. Actually, the Internet booking market for charter flights is catching up with the scheduled flight market.  An advantage of charter flights is the ability to operate on routes that cannot support a scheduled carrier.  Thus, making use of small and medium-sized airports allows service in areas that otherwise, would have none.

Check over charter companies on the Internet.  You will most certainly find one that suits your needs, at a very reasonable price.   However, before you commit yourself financially, do a little research and educate yourself on a few things.  How are the pilots trained?  Is the flight crew approved by ARG/US?  How are the aircraft serviced, and who performs the maintenance on those planes?  Make sure you look into the company’s safety record, as well.  You do have the right to know this information, so do not be timid about asking questions.

In addition, it’s a good idea to make sure the company is stable.  One drawback associated with charter service is that they sometimes fold unexpectedly. This leaves the customer stranded, with no chance of recouping the cost of their flight.  If you feel the company is sound, a charter flight can offer you some wonderful advantages over a standard scheduled flight.  They can provide small groups with easy, comfortable transportation options, to specific destinations.  Not only that, but you can book those flights 24-hours a day, and 365-days a year.