Why is there a deposit to post a request?
It keeps the marketplace honest in both directions. Operators know every request is from a committed traveler, so offers arrive fast and sharp. And you risk nothing: the deposit is refunded in full if your trip can't be flown or none of the quotes work for you. It only becomes Chartavia's fee when you accept a quote — we get paid when you get a flight.
Why are operators anonymous until I accept?
Anonymity makes the competition fair. Operators bid as "Operator A, B, C" with their safety rating, fleet verification, reviews, and response time fully visible — so you choose on merit, not brand familiarity. The winning operator's full identity, tail number, and direct contact are revealed the moment you accept.
Are the operators actually vetted?
Yes, and the check is a gate rather than a badge. An operator cannot send an offer or list an empty leg until their Part 135 certificate number matches the FAA's published list of certificate holders, and the aircraft they are offering matches the FAA aircraft registry and appears on that certificate. A member of the Chartavia team then confirms that the account really belongs to that certificate holder before its first offer goes out. D085 aircraft listings are kept on file, and an ARGUS / Wyvern / IS-BAO safety rating appears on an offer only after we have checked it against the operator's audit certificate, and only until that certificate expires. Reviews and response times come only from real platform activity.
Does Chartavia handle the charter payment?
No — and that's deliberate. Once you accept a quote, you settle the charter directly with the operator, exactly as you would with any Part 135 carrier. Chartavia's only revenue is the posting deposit, so there's never a markup hidden in your flight price.
What does it cost an operator?
Nothing to join, nothing to quote, and no commission on flights — ever. Operator Pro ($299/mo) adds a 15-minute head start on every new request, priority placement in quote lists, unlimited team seats, and 20 empty-leg slots — advantages that compound in a marketplace where the first strong quote often wins.
What do the ARGUS, Wyvern, and IS-BAO safety ratings mean?
They're independent, third-party safety audits of charter operators — the industry's answer to "how do I know this operator is safe beyond the FAA minimums?" ARGUS rates operators Gold (validated certificates, aircraft, and pilot records), Gold+ (adds a passed on-site audit), and Platinum (the top tier: on-site audit plus a functioning safety management system and emergency response plan). Wyvern offers Registered (operator reports safety data) and Wingman (an on-site audit against standards that exceed FAA requirements). IS-BAO is the international business aviation standard, with Stages 1–3 reflecting how mature and ingrained the operator's safety management system is. On Chartavia a rating appears on an operator's offers only after our team has checked it against the operator's audit certificate, and it comes off again when that certificate expires unless the operator renews it; otherwise the offer shows the FAA check result instead.
Can brokers bid on Chartavia?
No. Every operator on Chartavia links a Part 135 air carrier certificate and a D085 aircraft listing, and their tail numbers are verified against the FAA registry. Brokers don't hold operating certificates, so they can't complete verification — by design. You always deal with, chat with, and fly with the certificate holder actually operating your aircraft, with no intermediary margin between you.
What exactly is an empty leg?
When a jet drops passengers in one city and needs to return home — or reposition for its next trip — it often flies empty. Operators list those flights on Chartavia's empty-leg board at steep discounts, because any revenue beats flying an empty airplane. The trade-off: the route and date are fixed by the aircraft's schedule, and if the anchoring trip changes, the empty leg can move or disappear. For flexible travelers, it's the best value in private aviation.
What actually determines the price of a charter?
Mostly the aircraft's hourly operating cost times the flight time — a light jet runs far less per hour than a heavy — plus positioning (getting the aircraft to you), crew duty and overnight costs, airport and handling fees, and extras like catering or international permits. Sealed bidding works in your favor here: every operator quotes their true best number without anchoring to a competitor's price.
How far in advance should I request a trip?
Charter's whole advantage is flexibility — a few days to a couple of weeks ahead is typical, and same-week trips are routine. Each offer shows the operator's measured response time (often under an hour), so you'll know quickly whether your trip is coming together. For short-notice travel on a budget, watch the empty-leg board — those flights are usually days away by nature.
Can I bring pets, skis, or medical equipment?
Usually yes — that's half the point of flying private. When you post a request you can flag pets on board, medical equipment, extra baggage, and wheelchair access, plus add-ons like catering and ground transport. Operators see those needs before quoting, so every offer you receive already accounts for the dog in the cabin or the four ski bags in the hold.
