How private jet charter booking works

In the EU, and in Switzerland, which applies the same rules, only an airline holding an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and an operating licence may carry passengers for payment. This is set by EU Regulation 1008/2008. In Spain both are issued by AESA, the State Aviation Safety Agency; in Switzerland by FOCA.

A charter broker arranges the flight for you with a licensed operator. Industry guidelines from the European Business Aviation Association say the broker should tell you who the operator is when you book, and that the contract should name the aircraft and its registration.

Avoid "grey charter": a paid flight on a private aircraft whose operator has no AOC. It is illegal, and the insurance may not cover you. AESA publishes the list of Spanish AOC holders and FOCA the Swiss list, so an operator's licence can be checked.

Private jet charters are quoted per flight. The main item is flight time, based on the aircraft type and the route. Positioning, the flights the aircraft makes to reach you or return to base, is also part of the price, which is why the same route can cost differently on different days.

Airport, landing and handling fees, crew costs and standard catering are often included in the quote, but not by every operator, so the quote should list them. Items that depend on the day, such as de-icing in winter, special catering requests or extra waiting time, are usually charged only if they arise.

With Nero Line, the quote covers flight time, positioning, handling and airport fees and is all-in for the flight as booked. De-icing, special catering requests and extra waiting time are billed only if they happen.

In Spain, a domestic passenger flight carries VAT at the reduced rate of 10%. International flights, including flights to other EU countries and to or from the Canary Islands, are exempt from Spanish VAT.

In Switzerland, domestic flights carry the standard 8.1% VAT and international flights are exempt. A domestic Swiss flight, such as Geneva to Zurich, flown by a non-Swiss operator also needs a permit from FOCA.

Some countries add departure taxes on private flights. France, for example, has charged a per-passenger solidarity tax on business-aviation departures since March 2025.

Charters are paid in full before departure. When the money is due depends on the operator and on how far ahead you book: some ask for payment when you confirm, others 48 to 72 hours before departure. Longer trips booked well in advance may start with a deposit.

With Nero Line you can pay by card (except American Express), bank transfer or crypto. Cash is not accepted.

Charter cancellation terms work on a sliding scale: part of the price becomes non-refundable once the flight is confirmed, and the share rises as departure approaches, up to 100% for a no-show and, depending on the operator, from anywhere between a few hours and several weeks before departure. Arriving late can count as a no-show. The exact scale is set by the operator and written into your charter terms.

If the aircraft develops a technical problem, the operator usually tries to provide a replacement aircraft; if none can be found, the flights that could not be operated are refunded under the charter terms. Industry guidelines say the operator should use its best endeavours to give a delay estimate or a replacement within three hours, and that if the delay exceeds three hours you may cancel the remaining legs for a pro-rata refund.

Weather, air traffic control, airport slots and crew duty limits can delay a flight. The captain decides whether a flight can go ahead safely.

Each passenger needs a valid passport or ID, and visas where required for international destinations. Within the Schengen area there are no systematic passport checks, but flights between Spain and Switzerland still pass customs because Switzerland is not in the EU customs union. Travellers from outside the EU arriving from outside Schengen, for example from the UK, are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System with fingerprints and a photo.

There are no security queues — you typically arrive just 15–20 minutes before departure at the private terminal. Some operators ask passengers to be ready 30 minutes before departure; we confirm the time with your flight details.

Luggage space depends on the aircraft. Both weight and the size of the hold matter, so tell us about golf bags, skis or large cases when you request a quote.

In most cases, yes — pets can usually travel with you in the cabin. Let us know when booking so we can confirm the operator's requirements and any applicable fees. Within the EU, dogs and cats need a microchip, a rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel and an EU pet passport; some countries also require a tapeworm treatment for dogs.

A private jet can often be arranged within 4–6 hours, subject to aircraft and crew availability. For the widest choice of aircraft, we recommend booking at least 48 hours in advance.

Summer is peak season at Ibiza, Palma and Málaga, and some of these airports limit how long private aircraft may stay on the ground in summer. Booking early secures both the aircraft and the airport slot.

Empty legs are one-way flights that occur when an aircraft needs to reposition without passengers. They offer savings of up to 50–75% compared to a standard charter, with dates and routes set by the operator. Because the operator can change or cancel an empty leg if the aircraft is booked for another trip, they suit flexible plans rather than fixed schedules.