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
Travelers
- Fly only with a company that holds a Part 135 or Part 121 certificate. Every Confirmed operator on ASTRA has had its certificate and tail numbers checked.
- If a broker sells you the trip, the broker must say so and tell you which operator will fly you.
- Your contract names the operator and the aircraft. If either changes, you should hear before you fly.
- Paying for a seat on a "private" flight is the most common sign of illegal charter.
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.
Operators
- Carry paying passengers only on aircraft listed in your operations specifications.
- Keep pilots inside Part 135 duty and rest limits, and keep drug and alcohol testing current.
- Keep your DOT registration and insurance filings current.
- Broker another operator's aircraft? Part 295 broker rules apply to that trip too.
The rules
11 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.
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FAA 14 CFR Part 119
Certifying charter companies
Who it's for: Operators
How a company earns the certificate to fly people for pay. Its operations specifications list the exact aircraft it may use for charter.
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FAA 14 CFR Part 135
On-demand charter operations
Who it's for: Operators, and what travelers can expect
Pilot training and checkrides, duty and rest limits, maintenance programs and weather limits that are stricter than Part 91.
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FAA 14 CFR Part 120
Drug and alcohol testing
Who it's for: Operators
Pilots and other safety-sensitive staff at charter companies are tested before hiring and at random.
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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.
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DOT 14 CFR Part 298
Air taxi registration
Who it's for: Operators
Part 135 operators register with DOT before selling charter to the public.
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DOT 14 CFR Part 205
Liability insurance
Who it's for: Operators
The minimum accident liability insurance a charter company must carry and keep on file with DOT.
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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.
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TSA 49 CFR Part 1544
Twelve-Five security program
Who it's for: Operators of larger aircraft
Charter aircraft over 12,500 lb fly under a TSA security program, including checks of passengers and bags.
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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.
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CBP 19 CFR Part 122
International arrivals and eAPIS
Who it's for: Operators flying abroad
Passenger lists go to U.S. Customs before an international flight leaves or arrives.
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
No recent changes to these rules.
All regulatory updates →Where this comes from
Official text from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Changes come from the Federal Register, checked daily. Summaries written by ASTRA. Last reviewed Oct 14, 2026.
Not legal advice. If the official text and our summary ever differ, the official text wins.