Since 1984, Travel Station has been providing seamless air charter transportation for clients around the country. Sounds easy...not so much!

If there is one aspect of travel that you should leave to the experts it's chartering an airplane.

There are some charter companies I would fly on some I would not. Our job is to select the safest, most efficient, most economic company out there all while navigation through the "Airplane Charter Pitfalls".

All charter companies require you to sign a legally binding contract for air service after accepting the bid.

Things to watch for include:

What was fuel market price at time of contract and how does it compare to the bid? Some carriers, to get the business, will underbid the fuel to get the contract and leave the client with a large "fuel surcharge" once the trip has been completed.

Are all cost included in the contract like, de-icing, baggage handling, TSA screening, gate parking fees, catering?

What is the payload of their plane (how much weight it will carry)? Just because it has 172 seats does not mean you can fill them all.


What are the weather, runway landing, vision restrictions?
Can it land safely at both airfields?

What is the manifest procedure? Are you a public or a private charter? If public, are you knowledgeable enough to complete and submit the DOT paperwork?