The difference between a charter flight and a regular flight in your own words. What is the difference between a charter and a regular flight? The difference between a charter flight and a regular flight

23.11.2019

The long-awaited vacation has arrived, and you need to get ready for a trip. Choose a country, city, decide on a hotel. and after that understand how to get to your vacation spot. Looking through all the available options, you can come across such a thing as a charter, and everyone will ask themselves how a charter differs from regular flight. As a rule, this can be found among tour operators who lure clients with last-minute trips at surprisingly low prices.

Just don’t expect that all its pros and cons will be described in detail, and there is very contradictory information on the forums. This is due to the fact that most people do not even bother to find out about the features of this type of travel, and do not understand what it is chartered flight and how it differs from others.

What is a charter flight

You can understand what a charter flight is using a simple example. Let's say a school needs to take students to a museum on an excursion. Due to the absence of such a “School - Museum” route, the director negotiates with the carrier that services bus routes, about providing a separate bus for the group. Such a bus will not stop anywhere, students will not have to make transfers, and the price is lower than in a taxi.

This is an example of a charter in which children are vacationers, the school is an intermediary, the carrier is the airline, and public transport and taxis play the role of regular flights. The role of intermediary can be taken on by any organization (corporate charter), sport Club or political party.

Note! Charter flights are a very popular method of air travel, which has many pros and cons. And the charters themselves are different. And so that these features do not become unpleasant surprises for you, spoiling your vacation, you should familiarize yourself with them in advance.

So, renting (chartering) an aircraft follows a fairly simple scheme. Let's consider an example in which a tour operator becomes a lessee of an aircraft. Moreover, this is a fairly large tour operator that can afford such a deal. Now he controls the plane and the seats on it.

Important! If you need to know whether a charter flight is a regular one, then it’s very easy to understand: look at the flight number. Three digits – a regular regular flight, a charter flight has four digits.

Types of charter flights

Charter flights are different, we will talk about those that tourists may encounter on their travels:

Shuttle. The plane is filled with vacationers and transported to the resort. On the same day, the rested group flies home. And so on for the entire rental period. The downside to this scheme will be two empty flights: the first, when there is no one yet to take back, and the last, when there is no need to take anyone back. These empty flights will place costs on the shoulders of holidaymakers. This scheme is used on routes that are in great demand throughout the season, that is, with good regularity.
Charter sucks. The plane brought tourists and stands in a special parking lot (settlement area), waiting for their tour to end. In this case, the tour operator only pays for parking, and this is much cheaper than a flight without passengers. When the vacation was over, all the tourists boarded the same plane and flew home. The difference is that this scheme is used mainly on exotic and expensive destinations, when the initial cost of the ticket pays for the aircraft parking.
Split charter. The most inconvenient, but often forced scheme. This is a symbiosis of a regular flight and a charter flight. For example, first everyone flies on a charter flight to the transfer point, then gets to the vacation spot on a regular flight. Or vice versa: first regular, then charter. This scheme is also used for exotic destinations. Especially when the end point is islands.

Advantages and disadvantages

Now let's take a closer look at the pros and cons of such air travel.

Let's start with the unpleasant:

Departure time delays. If there are any problems with the arrival and departure of planes at the airport (such problems happen regularly - weather, problems, human factor), then air travel on regular flights will always be first in line for departure. They are regular because they fly on schedule. People fly on such flights not only for leisure, but also for work; in addition, many of them have transfers, and their wait will be a burden on the airport. Therefore, the charter flight will be delayed not because of malicious intent, it is simply the most profitable and logical way. This does not mean that this happens regularly, of course not. But you need to be prepared for this.
Economy class service. To make the ticket as cheap as possible, the tour operator uses every opportunity. He rents an airplane with only an economy class cabin, in which the seats are arranged according to the “bigger is better” principle. Meals on board will also be very economical. One might even say minimal. The choice of dishes is either absent or small. After this, many begin to scold the carrier for inappropriate service, but all this was done for vacationers, or rather for their wallet.
Often inconvenient schedules. We remember that charters are released after regular flights. Such windows happen early in the morning or late in the evening. Worst option– when such windows are used to guide arrival and departure times at a resort. This means that the plane will arrive early in the morning and you will have to wait several hours to check into your hotel. Departure will be 5-7 hours after check-out. You will while away this time at the airport.
Bonus miles are not awarded.
Online registration is almost non-existent
It is not possible to return a ticket or reschedule the departure date. This leads to one peculiarity - it is impossible to shift the duration of your stay at the resort. Arrival and departure strictly at the appointed time.

Now let's define all the advantages:

Price. Tickets for charter flights are much cheaper tickets to regular ones. Sometimes twice.
Flights to rare destinations. , charters fly to places where direct regular flights do not fly. And it remains the only way to visit exotic places.
With the exception of a split charter, no transfers and all the inconvenient running around associated with them (unfamiliar terminals, lost luggage, long waits).

Myths

And in order for a final picture to emerge about charter flights, it is necessary to debunk several myths that still surround them.

“Only old planes fly on charter.” The condition of the aircraft depends on the fleet of the airline from which the aircraft is chartered.
“Charters are canceled if they don’t fill up.” If it is impossible to fill the plane, the tour operator sells part of the tickets to another tour operator and individuals. Therefore, such a scenario is unlikely. And you can't cancel the flight. It can be moved. But you need to be prepared for this.
“Airline service on charter is worse than on regular service.” Service depends not on the type of flight, but on the company. If it offers a minimum level for a charter, then it will be the same for a regular flight. It’s just that tour operators try to choose airlines with an initially low price tag. But this does not mean that she classifies charter passengers as second-class citizens. If a premium carrier’s aircraft were rented for charter, then the service on board would be premium. But for different money.

Buying tickets

If you decide to buy a ticket for a charter flight, despite all its differences, then you need to know how to do it?

The easiest option would be to purchase it as part of a tour. Then the traveler will not have to search for and purchase such tickets on his own. But what if you want to get on a charter without buying it? If there are available seats, the tour operator will begin open sales of such tickets a couple of days before departure. Moreover, the closer the departure time, the lower the price may be. Additional information about ticket sales is available either on special portals, or on tour operator websites, or on aggregator websites.

Note! The tour operator has the most up-to-date information and it is better to find out there.

Booking charter tickets is very rare. Even if the tour operator agrees to this, it must be done one day before departure.

In general, charter is a very justified type of air travel. Some people are in demand because of the opportunity to save money, while others prefer to overpay for comfort. But one cannot but agree that there is a constant demand for it, and this proves its popularity.

Every traveler who prefers any type of transport to air will sooner or later come across the concept of a charter flight. What does this mean, how does it differ from the usual one and in what cases is it convenient - it’s better to sort out all the questions in advance.

A charter flight is a non-scheduled flight ordered by a consolidator. It could be a travel agency, an intermediary company or the airline itself. The consolidator charters the plane and sends it in the desired direction.

In simple words the differences can be explained as follows: if a regular flight can be compared to a bus running on a schedule, then a charter flight is a taxi that is ordered and paid for for a one-time trip.

What is the difference between a charter flight and a regular flight?

There are several fundamental differences between charter and regular flights:

a ticket for a charter flight can be obtained the day before departure or already at the airport, while for a regular flight a travel document is issued at the time of purchase;
the tour operator will cancel the return ticket if the passenger fails to catch the charter flight. If a tourist plans to get to the resort in some other way and return by charter, it is necessary to notify the travel agency selling the tours in advance;
The charter flight may be moved to another airport or the aircraft may be replaced. This is not possible with regular flights;
Charter flights cannot be booked. Occasionally, consolidators open reservations, but not for more than one day.

The main difference is that a passenger planning a trip on a charter flight does not organize the flight, but only provides his data to the travel agency. Upon arrival at the airport he picks up boarding pass and registration goes through with it.

Types of charter flights

When purchasing charter plane tickets, you need to clarify what features you may encounter during the flight. So, they can offer you:

split - a flight in which part of the journey is covered using a regular flight;
shuttle - the aircraft immediately after delivering one group of passengers picks up the next;
poly - a charter flight with one or more transfers;
a layover charter will bring tourists to their destination, and will take them back after waiting;
corporate charters are ordered by large organizations to transport scientists, businessmen or other significant persons to conferences, councils, or even corporate vacations.

The most expensive type of air transportation is VIP charter, when the customer chooses the time and terms of use of the aircraft.

Advantages of charters

The best thing about charter flights is the price. This in particular explains the popularity of holidays in Turkey, Antalya, Egypt - charter flights make these tourist destinations accessible to all groups of tourists. On short routes the price can be half the cost of a regular flight. The cost of tickets does not change, but a few days before departure they usually decrease. Other benefits will be appreciated by passengers planning flights to rare destinations:

purchasing a ticket for a charter flight is a rare and usually the only chance to fly to a place where regular flights do not fly. The absence of transfers will allow you to save additional money;
a ticket for a non-scheduled flight can be easily reissued to another person if the passenger’s plans have changed;
Charter flights are completely non-stop. For this reason, they do not have departure priority over regular flights, since the air corridor for regular flights is strictly planned.

Low ticket costs, the opportunity to get to an unvisited place and the absence of tedious transfers are the secret of the popularity of charter flights.

Disadvantages of Charters

The advantages of irregular routes also entail their disadvantages, which air carriers compensate for with low prices:

Charter flights are more often postponed or delayed, because they are not a priority for airlines. If malfunctions occur, passengers will have to wait until the plane is repaired;
If a ticket is purchased without the help of a travel agency, you need to be prepared for the fact that the flight may be canceled if few tickets are sold. This can be a big problem since charter tickets sell out in just a few days;
When buying a trip with charter delivery, you need to keep in mind that it is impossible to change the duration of your stay at the resort, they strictly depend on the flight schedule;
unlike regular flights, charter flights are not charged bonus miles;
If reissuing a ticket is not a problem, then you won’t be able to get your money back in case of refusal.

Affordable prices also explain the impossibility of changing flight class. On charter flights all seats are economy class. This way, more seats can be accommodated, which means more profit for the travel agency.

What documents are required for a charter flight?

To purchase a ticket for such a flight, you only need a foreign passport for traveling to another country or a regular one for traveling around Russia. To reserve a seat, the passenger will need to indicate the series and number of the document, full name, date of birth and citizenship. You will be able to receive your boarding pass one day before departure, subject to full payment. To get on board the plane without any problems, you need to remember:

the travel document must be filled out completely and without errors - both passenger and flight coupons;
the passenger must familiarize himself with the rights and obligations indicated on the ticket;
any damage or correction to the document will invalidate it;
the passenger must be ready to present the ticket to the air carrier representative at any time.

If these conditions are met, the journey will be smooth and without surprises.

How to buy a ticket for a charter flight without a voucher

Finding a ticket for a charter plane on your own is not easy, as they go on sale several days before departure. Search engine sites will help you navigate. Several online resources specialize specifically in selecting charter tickets, but large online search engines can also offer them.

The search procedure is simple:

you need to register on the search engine website;
on the main page select the “Charters” section;
fill in all the necessary fields - place of departure and arrival, dates, number of passengers and click on the “Find” button - the search results will appear in front of you;
in confirmation, applications with completed personal data have priority, so all of them must be accurately transferred from the international passport;
After filling out all the fields, including contact information, click on the “Book” button.

After some time, the operator will contact you and clarify further actions. One day is given to pay for the ticket, otherwise the reservation is cancelled. You can pay for your purchase by bank card on the website or in cash. This service is provided by Svyaznoy salons.

An electronic ticket is usually ready several days before departure, but personal account it appears no later than 24 hours before departure. If the airline provides an online check-in service, the passenger will be able to check in in advance, select a seat and print a boarding pass.

It should be noted that online check-in for a charter flight is possible in extremely rare cases. This opportunity is not offered by every airline. For example, Aeroflot and S7 do not provide it at all, and Ural Airlines allows it only for some charters.

Another option to purchase a ticket for a charter flight would be to contact travel agencies that regularly sell last-minute, that is, unclaimed tickets.

Which airlines operate charter flights?

This service is provided by almost all airlines - Aeroflot, S7, NordStar Airlines, Yakutia, Utair, Rusline, Ural Airlines and others. The following airlines also operate charter flights in Russia:

I FLY - enters into contracts with TEZ TOUR and flies from Vnukovo to Spain, Egypt, Turkey, Italy and Thailand;
Pegas Fly - organizes irregular flights to airports in Europe, Asia and Africa;
Red Wings Airlines - sends planes from Domodedovo to the most popular tourist destinations: to Spain, Greece, Egypt and other countries;
Azur Air - works together with Anex Tour;
Royal flight - cooperates with Coral Travel and operates flights on mass tourist routes: Goa, Barcelona, Sharm el-Sheikh, Kemer, Antalya, popular resorts South-East Asia;
Nordwind - provides charter flights to Europe, the UAE, and others popular places recreation.

Usage aircraft for quickly moving to anywhere in the world has become a common practice for many people. The prerequisites for this are the transience of events in the modern technogenic world, the eternal shortage of time and the desire to use it as usefully as possible. Private or business flights, as a rule, are carried out by regular airline flights. People get to their vacation destination, especially if the tour was purchased from a specialized agency, by charter flights. How a charter flight differs from a regular flight, and what types of flights exist, is revealed in the article.

Types of aircraft flights

Making periodic flights to a place of rest or habitual permanent flights related to the performance of duties assigned by work or position, few passengers are interested in questions about what types of air transportation exist and how they are divided into types. Although the ticket price, the ability to manipulate it, and the level of service during a direct flight depend on these parameters.

Today, flights are classified according to the following characteristics:

The frequency of a particular route and the service offered, including:

performed according to a strictly observed schedule (regular);
organized in addition to regular flights (to ensure the movement of peak flows of travelers seasonally or for other reasons);
carried out in connection with special circumstances and certain conditions – special;
charter.

The following features of the flight:

non-stop flight – from the point of departure to the point of destination;
connecting – in this case it is necessary to transfer along the route at airports specified on the route to other aircraft;
through, the peculiarity of which is landing at intermediate airports for additional landing of passengers or refueling without changing the aircraft.

Types of flight:

one way (One Way) – non-stop movement to the desired airport;
carried out from point “a” to point “b” and back by an airliner of the same carrier and along the same route (Round Trip);
composite Open Jaw, in which the movement is similar to the previous option, but the return to the point of departure is carried out along a different route or using an aircraft of another carrier, and departure or arrival can occur from a city different from the point of arrival (departure).

It is important to know! Regardless of the flight classification, carriers provide service within strictly defined limits. international standards, divided into first, business and economy class. Each involves a separate list of usual services and opportunities for the traveler, ranging from pre-flight conditions, comfort seat(seats) and ending with meals on board. The price of the flight corresponds to the level of service provided to the passenger.

Differences between charter and scheduled flights

Regular flights are flights of airline aircraft carried out to transport passengers according to an agreed schedule for a long time. Cancellation or rescheduling of a flight can only occur in the event of force majeure circumstances.

Even if one plane ticket is sold, and weather do not interfere with departure, then the flight must be carried out. In this case, the carrier incurs certain losses, but he has no right to change the terms of a previously concluded contract for the carriage of passengers. To fill an aircraft with the maximum number of passengers, carriers sometimes use various marketing techniques in the form of discounts on pre-purchased tickets for various age and social categories of citizens.

Charter flights are planned and will be carried out by aircraft on the basis of an aircraft charter (lease) agreement between its owner and, as a rule, a tourism operator. It should be understood that the risks of lost profits are minimized for the carrier - the responsibility falls on the customer. Regular departures and landings are carried out according to a set schedule, and the air corridor of a charter flight occurs in the “windows” between regular flights. The price of tickets in some cases includes meals on board, but is quite affordable.

You should understand! If there is a delay in several flights, including the charter used for the flight, the departure of the latter will be carried out only after the departure of the main (regular) flights. Thus, the wait can last for many hours.

At the same time, special attention should be paid to the so-called “regular charters”. They differ in that tourist operators buy passenger seats in packages from regular carriers for their scheduled flights. Emergence non-standard situations does not lead to long delays.

Advantages and disadvantages of a charter flight

The peculiarities of flying on a charter flight are accompanied by both certain advantages and some inconveniences. The list of advantages includes the following:

The ticket price is lower than the cost of a regular flight;
A plane for a charter flight can be chartered not only tour operator, but also any other financially independent organization ( football club, public association, private structure or individual);

Using a charter allows passengers to avoid additional transfers during the route. For example, there are no regular direct flights to your destination, but when using a charter, the issue is resolved without much difficulty. It is especially convenient to fly charter to remote resort areas.

The inconvenience of using a charter flight when transporting travelers to their vacation destination is associated with the organization of the flight and the specifics of purchasing tickets, including:

Class division is not provided on all flights; the distance between boarding seats is reduced. Quality of service and comfortable flight conditions are not the main task of an air carrier. Lounge pillows and blankets are not provided on all flights. However, this practice is no exception for regular flights. Charter carriers do not aim to attract the traveler as a regular passenger. They work for different directions, based only on commercially beneficial agreements;
There is food during the flight, but it is limited to the minimum allowed by flight rules;
Systems for accumulating bonuses and miles for travel when using a charter are not applied;
It is almost impossible to return or replace a purchased charter ticket, despite the fact that its acquisition is associated with many difficulties;
It is not always possible to check in for a flight using online services; often the traveler can find out the type of aircraft only a couple of days before departure;
Considering the fact that charter flights operate within regular flight windows, flight delays are not uncommon.

Any potential traveler can choose a charter flight for himself or use a regular one for his flight. You just have to take into account the fact that selecting a ticket for a charter will take a little more time - tour operators and agencies are trying to carry out package sales of services at a competitive price. The task is simplified if there are few empty seats left on the plane after the main sale of tours. Sometimes you can find the opposite when in ticket offices offer flight tickets at a reduced price, forgetting to warn that the flight is not regular. In such cases, it would be useful to know that regular flights have a three-digit code, and charter flights have a four-digit code.

Video

Travel by plane can be done on a charter or regular flight. For business trips, it is better to choose a regular one, but for leisure trips you can take a charter one. Let's look at how these destinations differ and how to find out whether you have a charter or regular flight.

Types of flights

A lot depends on the type of specific flight: the price of the ticket, the possibility of exchanging and returning the ticket, the level of service during the trip. So, according to the frequency of departure and service, flights are:

Regular– sent according to a strict schedule.
Additional– are organized in addition to regular ones if there is a demand for them.
Special– designed for passengers who require certain flight conditions.
Charter– sent only when the aircraft is full.

Depending on the characteristics of the flights, they can be through, connecting or non-stop:

non-stop– fly from the point of departure to the point of destination without transfers;
docking– passengers must transfer from one aircraft to another in order to get to their destination;
end-to-end- the aircraft lands at intermediate points for refueling or new boarding of passengers.

Travelers are especially concerned about regular and charter flights, which are worth talking about in more detail.

What is the difference between a charter flight and a regular flight?

Regular flights all year round are carried out by the same airlines according to a strictly specified schedule. The plane is dispatched even if it is filled with only a few passengers.

The difference between charters and regular flights is that they do not depart according to a schedule, but based on the fact that the aircraft is rented. They do not have a regular schedule and are often sold by travel companies.

The difference between charter and regular destinations is clear, however, it is worth considering the advantages and disadvantages of each in order to make right choice. Let's arrange them in the form of a table.

	Charter	Regular
Advantages	They often land in resort towns. Tickets are always relatively cheap low price. There are no transit landings. A few days before departure, air tickets become significantly cheaper - you can save money.	Departure will take place in any case, even if the cabin accommodates a minimum number of passengers. There are many tariffs with different conditions. In most cases, you can exchange or return your ticket if your plans change. All bonuses Special offers and promotions are available to you. Quite a wide travel geography. Excellent level of service, availability different classes service. In case of a delay, the airline offers the passenger all the amenities at the airport: free food, drinks, and in case of a long delay, a free hotel room. If there is a delay, airline representatives will do everything possible to make the flight faster. Typically aircraft are serviced by major airports, from where it is easy to get to the desired hotel.
Flaws	Only economy class is available in aircraft cabins. Meals on board are either not offered or are very modest. Planes depart between scheduled flights, so their schedule may be inconvenient. Tickets cannot be returned or exchanged if plans are cancelled. When ordering on the website, you cannot purchase a charter ticket - only at the box office. Bonuses are not awarded. You cannot register online - you will have to stand in line. Delays can be hours or even days, as scheduled flights are dispatched first in emergencies. Service may occur at remote airports, so travelers will have to spend additional money on transfers.	Lack of landings in resort towns. Relatively high price. In most cases, tickets do not become cheaper as the departure date approaches. You can register online and buy a ticket on the airline’s official website. The routes can be long and inconvenient.

There are also so-called regular charter flights. This is the case when all plane tickets have been purchased in advance by the tour operator; accordingly, the date and time of departure will definitely not be postponed, but the flight will take place. These are the most winning tickets.

How to find out the species

So, how do you know which flight you bought a ticket for? If you buy a ticket from intermediaries - travel agencies or travel agents - they are required to inform you of the type of ticket. If they don’t do this, ask about this issue yourself - the employee simply could have forgotten to tell you this information. If you buy a ticket at an airline ticket office, an employee will tell you the type of flight.

Charter tickets are most often not sold online, but some travel companies make an exception. In this case, there must be a corresponding signature opposite the ticket.

If you have already purchased a ticket and want to know about its type, pay attention to its number. If it consists of 3 digits, your flight is regular, if it consists of 4 digits, it is a charter flight.

The main feature of a charter is the very low cost of air tickets. This is what you should focus on first.

A charter is a flight for which tickets cannot be purchased at the ticket office in advance, and it is not mentioned in the airport schedule. Anyone who has been on a tourist trip abroad knows about this type of flight.

How are charter flights organized?

The name charter comes from the English word to chart, which means hiring a ship. IN modern meaning A charter flight is a flight that is organized specifically, for a specific time and in a specific direction. Similar nautical term can be considered a bareboat when a seagoing vessel is hired.

Charter plane on course

Charter flights are not regular and are carried out in accordance with a special passenger transportation schedule. The organization of charter flights is almost always carried out by a travel company, sports club, enterprise or other wealthy organization.

To carry out the transportation of a group of people (teams of athletes, tourists, company employees or pilgrims) using an aircraft by affordable price and to a place where there is no regular flight, the organizer rents the entire plane along with its crew. The condition of the aircraft, the comfort of the flight and the level of service are directly dependent on the amount paid for the flight, which means it is necessary to pay attention to this.

Everything, from the package of permits to preparation before the flight, is carried out by the flight organizer. A travel operator is in charge of allocating seats on board an aircraft to travel agents who want to transport their clients to their desired destination.

Travel companies become the owners of tickets for a charter flight, and, in accordance with their tariffs, sell them to the end customers - tourists of package tours.

Experts note that the demand for charter flights and new air travel destinations increases sharply during the summer holidays. During this period, the demand for airline services (for example, the Turkish company Onur Air) significantly exceeds their resources. The maximum number of summer charters are carried out from Moscow, Northern capital, Yekaterinburg and Krasnodar. During this period, planes fly to Turkey (especially a lot to Antalya), Egypt, Bulgaria, the city of Tivat in Montenegro and other resort countries.

The sports team has arrived

What is the difference between a regular flight and a charter flight?

Although regular and non-scheduled flights sometimes use the same aircraft, they differ in several respects. There are several differences that will help you understand what a charter is:

The passenger receives a ticket for a regular flight in his hands after paying for it at the ticket office. A travel company issues a ticket for a charter flight no earlier than one day after departure. Sometimes a document or a whole batch of them is issued to tour buyers only upon arrival at the airport.
The flight organizer can change the departure time at any time - from several days to several hours before departure. The earliest reservations can be made for 24 hours only.
If a passenger is late for the plane at the scheduled departure time, then his return ticket is simply cancelled.
When carrying charter passengers, the airports at which flights will arrive or depart may often change. In addition, they can change the plane itself. Such replacements are very rare on regular flights, unlike on non-scheduled ones.
The entire organization of flights is shared between the tour operator company, the air carrier company and the airport. This allows all participants in the process to take into account their interests in setting ticket prices and flight schedules. And if the normal interaction of these three parties disappears, then the air bridge may not work properly. And this is one of the negative aspects of irregular transportation in comparison with regular ones.
The cabins of charter flights are usually more densely packed passenger seats so that the price of one seat is lower. In defense of this, it can be said that some modern scheduled low-cost carriers install seats even more tightly into the cabins of flying ships.
Travel companies try to reduce the cost of travel as much as possible, and therefore the passenger’s in-flight comfort can be significantly reduced due to various savings: from canceling meals during the flight to reducing the weight of luggage. In simple words, those who want to save money cannot demand the service.
Non-scheduled flights may be rescheduled or delayed in favor of regular ones if a traffic jam occurs. Passengers on regular flights must make connections, which charter flights simply do not have.

These few differences will help anyone imagine what a charter flight is.

Important! A tourist who plans to get to his final destination himself, and only fly back by plane, must definitely tell the staff of his travel company about this.

Benefits of charter flights

Non-scheduled air travel has its advantages. This is evidenced by the stable and growing demand for charter flights of specialized companies.

Let's list them:

The main advantage is that a tourist can fly to places where regular air travel has never flown. And a charter can be organized to any place on the globe.
Due to the fact that non-scheduled flights are always direct, the passenger will not have to face the problems of transfers and connections at unfamiliar airports if there is not enough time between flights.
The passenger of a direct charter flight receives an economic benefit because the tickets are significantly lower than usual because the tour operator receives a significant discount for renting the entire aircraft. At the beginning and end of the season, the difference in ticket prices can reach 200-300%.
If unforeseen circumstances occur, the travel company can always issue an unclaimed ticket to someone else.

Charter flight completed

Disadvantages of irregular flights

If there are several advantages, it would be logical to assume that there must also be disadvantages. It does not happen that a very low price will provide only advantages. That’s right, there are several inconvenient features of charters:

First on runway Regular flights are always sent because they are a priority for air carriers.
Such flights are carried out strictly according to the schedule, which contains the aircraft rental agreement. Therefore, vacationers will not be able to reschedule their return flight at low cost and enjoy their vacation longer.
If you cancel the flight, the money paid cannot be returned. Although this is done on regular flights, but not on all flights, it depends on the fare.
Paying for a charter flight excludes receiving any bonuses in the form of miles, etc.
Due to the fact that the charter schedule is always prepared for the time when regular flights do not take off, it is usually inconvenient. Departures happen either sooner or later. For tourists, this entails inconvenience associated with a long wait for check-in at a hotel or earlier check-out, which is affected by the departure time.
Unlike regular flights, passengers cannot check in for the plane online. But in Lately Large carrier companies have begun to organize online check-in for charter flights.

Private jet interior

Misconceptions About Charters

Tourists with little travel experience do not yet know what a charter is. And so there are some myths that we will look at below:

Most non-scheduled flights are carried out on older aircraft. It is not true. For this purpose, the same aircraft are used as for regular flights. The age and reliability of the aircraft depends entirely on which one the consolidator charters.
Charters are not reliable. Here, too, everything depends on the specific organizing company.
You shouldn't count on food during the flight. On the contrary, everything happens in full accordance with nutritional standards, depending on the duration of the flight.
An irregular flight can be canceled very easily. This is not possible since the passenger's rights are protected. The flight can be postponed for up to several days, but it cannot be cancelled.
You cannot carry luggage for free. Baggage allowances are the same for any air travel and depend on the flight class.

Note! If passengers on charter flights are delayed, they have the same rights as everyone else. According to the rules of air passenger and baggage transportation, all passengers have the right to visit the mother and child room, make phone calls and send emails, be provided with hot food and drinks, check into a hotel and store luggage. It all depends only on the time for which the flight was delayed. It is important to ensure that the delay is noted on the ticket at the airport.

Boarding

Buying a cheap charter flight ticket

Having figured out what a charter means, many decide to fly on it. A tourist who is looking for charter flights will immediately understand that it is cheaper. You can usually buy them if you book a tour with a travel company. Cheap tickets come as a package along with payment for a three-star hotel and included expenses for food and entertainment. Such tickets will cost less than similar ones for a standard flight.

How do you know if you can buy a ticket for a charter flight separately from the tour? To do this you need to show patience and endurance. For example, a last minute ticket on the Moscow - Antalya route may appear on a special website for the sale of such tickets. Also, such an offer may appear shortly before departure on the website of a large travel company-transportation operator.

Every person who needs to fly on a charter flight can get enough information about non-scheduled air transportation and the nuances of charter flights in this material. Anyone who wanted to know that this is a charter will be able to find out. The only thing left to do is to compare the level of your financial capabilities with those offers from travel companies, which are in his region.