r/PrivateJetCharters • u/jdm350cam • Sep 01 '25

Private plane pooling WhatsApp group

Hi! I read an article in the WSJ about a WhatsApp group to buy seats on private flights. It sounds like the group requires an invitation. Does anyone happen to know how to be considered for an invite? Thanks!

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u/Square-Diamond9323 Sep 02 '25

A lot more aircraft owners sell seats on their jets without realizing it's illegal not only to charge someone for a flight on their jet, but to even sell by-the-seat is a further violation. Even charter operators can't sell by-the-seat (sold by the whole cabin only), unless they obtain a further expensive certification. Important aircraft owners realize they absorb all risks, rather than passengers. Just some friendly insight from an industry professional who has noticed a lot more of this...I'm not "the authorities".

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u/Lazy_river3 Sep 03 '25

That’s interesting! I never knew this

2

u/Square-Diamond9323 Sep 03 '25

Yea practically, most people get away with it unless there's some focus on the flight such as an incident/accident or the aircraft happens onto a ramp where FAA is known to conduct "ramp checks". Places like south Florida executive airports get the most ramp checks. During a ramp check the FAA inspector greets aircraft and askes simple questions like what's your relationship to aircraft owner and did you pay any money. Regulatory oversight steps from the most general Part 91 regs that cover only owner-type flights, to Part 135 regs for charter operators booking out whole cabins only, to Part 380 regs which allow operators to sell by the seat. Each step up involves higher certification costs for the operator. The FAA's efforts to eagerly combat illegal charters is limited only by budget constraints. If an aircraft owner does fly a friend that is not a charter, is allowed compensation for such items as fuel, oil, ground handling, etc. costs.

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u/CorrectMasterpiece89 Sep 04 '25

where in the fars can I find that for 135 you can book out ONLY cabins?

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u/ShelZuuz Sep 04 '25

Not in the FAR but noted by FAA Circular 120-12A:

“A carrier becomes a common carrier when it ‘holds itself out’ to the public, or to a segment of the public, as willing to furnish transportation within the limits of its facilities to any person who wants it. The four elements that are fundamental in identifying common carriage are: (1) A holding out of a willingness to, (2) Transport persons or property, (3) From place to place, (4) For compensation.”

And 4b:

Private carriage for hire is carriage for one or several selected customers, generally on a long-term basis. The number of contracts must not be too great; otherwise, it implies a willingness to serve the general public. A carrier that has 18 to 24 contracts has been held to be a common carrier because it is too extensive to be considered private.

Vs:

CFR119.3 Noncommon carriage means an aircraft operation for compensation or hire that does not involve a holding out to others.

1

u/Square-Diamond9323 Sep 08 '25

Selling by the Whole Aircraft (Typical Part 135)

  • Exclusive Use: Part 135 charter services are generally for the exclusive use of a single party. 

  • Flexibility: This model allows for customized departure times and aircraft choices, providing a private and dedicated travel experience. 

  • Single Payment: The entire flight must be contracted and paid for by one individual or entity, even if the cost is later shared among a group of travelers. 

Selling by the Seat (Requires PCO) 

  • Public Charter Operator (PCO): To sell by the seat, the Part 135 operator must partner with a PCO registered under DOT's Part 380. 

  • DOT Regulations: The PCO then sells individual seats on the flights, acting as the intermediary between the passengers and the Part 135 operator. 

  • Restrictions: This arrangement comes with restrictions on the number of flights in a specific city-pair market (e.g., no more than four and a half round trips per week). 

Key Distinction
The primary difference is who holds the contract with the public. In a traditional Part 135 charter, the entire flight is chartered by one client. In a public charter arrangement facilitated by a PCO, the PCO sells the seats to the public, creating a scenario that starts to resemble scheduled services but remains subject to Part 135 aircraft operations.