Are chartered flights worth the cost?

Understanding the differences between chartered and regularly scheduled flights is the key to getting the most value and pleasure out of your next trip in the skies.

Regular (or scheduled) flights are those the airline schedules to take-off at a set time. They have a certain number of seats available and passengers purchase tickets to reserve a seat. Depending on seat availability, passengers can choose to purchase numerous seats or only one.

When buying tickets for a regular flight, passengers have no say in when the flight will depart from one airport and arrive at its destination. This means travellers must schedule their vacations or business trips around the airlines' available flight times. Travellers can call in, use travel agencies or book flights online to reserve the number of seats they want.

In most cases, regular flights scheduled through the major airlines can only take off and land in major airports designed for handling heavy air traffic to ensure the safety of both passengers and airport personnel.

Charter flights are flights that passengers can schedule as a group. Individuals cannot purchase single tickets through a charter airline, but they can often book a flight if they have a group of a certain size going to the same destination. Charter flights can be a more convenient option for large groups, as they can schedule their flights during a time when all travellers are available rather than trying to get everybody on board for a flight scheduled by the airline.

In many cases, charter flights are arranged by travel agents who can book several client groups at once. This allows the agents to provide more scheduling leniency for their clients than what traditional airlines are usually able to provide. In most cases, charter planes are able to land in smaller airports that could not handle most commercial flights, which provides even more flexibility in terms of locations and scheduling.

Chartered flights often have fewer regulations than commercial ones. Passengers can often drive or walk directly up to the planes, and some flights are catered. Security checks may also be more lenient, allowing travellers to get through the airport faster and more efficiently. Some charter flights do not have bathrooms and other amenities, which is one consideration for travellers looking to book a flight.

Charter flights are generally more expensive than scheduled flights due to their privacy and flexibility. The price disparity makes scheduled flights more accessible for people on a budget.

There are pros and cons to both chartered and scheduled flights, so travellers should carefully consider whether the added cost of a charter flight is worth the expense.