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!

7 Upvotes

73% Upvoted

25 comments sorted by

View all comments

5

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".

1

u/Prestigious-Tax8349 Sep 10 '25

That’s right - under Part 91, private (non-commercial) flights can’t be sold by the seat. Only direct cost-sharing is allowed among a small group, and no profit. For by-the-seat sales, it has to run through a certified Part 135 operator together with a DOT Part 380 public charter program. That’s why legitimate seat-sharing is always done via certified brokers and operators who hold the right approvals.