RULES AND REGULATIONS
The rules of charter, in plain English
The FAA, DOT and TSA rules that decide who can sell a charter, who can fly it, and what travelers are owed. Each one links to the official text.
What applies to you
Brokers
- Say you are a broker in every ad, quote and contract. Never present yourself as the operator.
- Name the operator, and its certificate, to your client before they book.
- Book only certificated operators flying aircraft listed on their certificate.
- No U.S. domestic legs on foreign-registered aircraft. That is cabotage.
The rules
4 rules · FAA, DOT, TSA and more
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FAA 14 CFR Part 91
General operating and flight rules
Who it's for: Everyone who flies
The base rules for every flight. A private flight where nobody pays usually flies under Part 91. Paying passengers on a Part 91 flight is usually illegal charter.
Read the official text → Last changed Sep 29, 2026
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DOT 14 CFR Part 295
Air charter brokers
Who it's for: Brokers, and operators that also broker
A broker can't present itself as the airline. It must say it is a broker, name the operator that will fly the trip, and follow consumer rules in its ads and contracts.
Read the official text → Last changed Feb 14, 2019
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DOT 14 CFR Part 380
Public charters
Who it's for: Tour and group sellers
Rules for charters sold seat by seat to the public, including how customer money is protected.
Read the official text → Last changed Jun 15, 2005
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U.S. law 49 U.S.C. 41703
Cabotage
Who it's for: Brokers and foreign operators
A foreign-registered aircraft can't carry paying passengers between two U.S. airports.
Spot an illegal charter
- Ask for the operator's certificate number and look it up on the FAA's list of Part 135 operators.
- Check that the tail number is on that certificate.
- Be careful with a "private flight" you are asked to pay for.
FAA illegal charter hotline: 1-888-SKY-CHRT
Recent rule changes
- PROPOSED RULE Withdrawal of International Airport Designation of Chalk Seaplane Base CBP · published Sep 29, 2026
- FINAL RULE Notice of Policy Change and Rescission of Single-Pilot Training Exemptions for Certain Cessna Aircraft FAA · took effect Sep 29, 2026
- PROPOSED RULE Flight Operations: Pilot requirements; Use of oxygen FAA · comments due Nov 23, 2026
Where this comes from
Official text from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Changes come from the Federal Register, checked daily. Summaries written by ACE. Last reviewed Oct 14, 2026.
Not legal advice. If the official text and our summary ever differ, the official text wins.