Traveling by private jet for the first time? Learn how to fly private like a regular by avoiding these common mistakes first-time private travelers make.
How to Fly Private: 7 Mistakes to Avoid When Chartering a Private Jet
Flying private offers luxury and efficiency, but simple missteps can disrupt your experience. Whether you're a first-time flyer or a seasoned traveler, avoid these 7 common mistakes with our expert-backed private air travel tips for beginners and pros alike.
- Booking the wrong jet for your trip
- Choosing inefficient airports or FBOs
- Overlooking essential onboard amenities
- Ignoring baggage limitations
- Booking too early or too late
- Misunderstanding private boarding procedures
- Working with an unvetted or inexperienced charter provider
Commercial aviation simply can’t compete with the freedom, comfort, and efficiency you experience when you fly privately. Whether or not it’s your first time flying on a private jet, common mistakes can often add unwanted complications to an otherwise seamless journey. More critically, even small errors have the potential to cost you time and money that you can’t afford to lose.
Do you know how to fly private without accidentally compromising your own experience?
Over the past two decades, Paramount Business Jets has arranged tens of thousands of private flights for high-net-worth and VIP travelers. Based on our experience, we’ve curated this list of must-know private jet travel tips to help you avoid the most common missteps and enjoy an exceptional trip.
In this blog, we’ll share private air travel tips to support beginners and seasoned flyers alike. Continue reading to ensure you avoid the 7 most common private aviation mistakes and take to the sky with confidence.
Mistake #1: Booking the Wrong Jet for Your Trip
One of the most common mistakes new private passengers make is choosing an aircraft based solely on price or speed.
There are many other crucial factors to consider when selecting an aircraft, including:
- Number of passengers
- Range
- Runway requirements
- Luggage capacity
- In-flight amenities
A trusted and experienced charter advisor should help match the aircraft type to the length and type of journey, not just fill a plane. Work with a charter service willing to provide detailed aircraft comparisons and personalized recommendations. An experienced charter partner will ensure you’re directed to the most ideal jet for your needs.
Mistake #2: Not Planning Your Airport Access Wisely
A unique perk of private jet travel is access to thousands of smaller airports worldwide. Many will be considerably closer to your destination, ultimately saving you hours on the ground. A key private air travel planning tip is to be thoughtful about the airport you choose for your mission.
Before takeoff, ensure you’ve selected the most efficient FBO and airfield for your start and end location. Don’t simply select an airport based on its proximity to the nearest major city. You’ll likely encounter crowds and congestion that could be easily avoided at small, private airports. A good charter service can help you choose between airports if you’re not aware of the best options available to you.
Mistake #3: Overlooking Onboard Amenities During Booking
According to the National Business Aviation Association, private aviation continues to play a critical role in business productivity. However, to maintain productivity, you must ensure you have everything necessary to maintain an optimal workflow in the air.
It’s easy to assume that all luxury aircraft offer the same experience. In reality, onboard amenities can vary significantly, even among similar business aircraft types. One of our most critical private jet travel tips for beginners is to be assertive about your needs. Clear communication of your priorities is key to ensuring a successful mission.
Before booking your aircraft, determine the amenities or features you need in advance. Amenities go beyond cabin layout or Wi-Fi access. Ask about your options for catering, pet accommodations, and even cabin branding or entertainment needs when booking, too.
Mistake #4: Ignoring Baggage Limitations
Private jets offer unmatched flexibility, but some new private passengers may assume they come with unlimited cargo space. One of our private air travel tips for beginners is to inquire about baggage limitations before booking a jet.
Some private business jets, while spacious, have limited storage due to their cabin class and layout. It’s unwise to assume you can bring your golf clubs or your skis before confirming baggage limitations on a given aircraft.
Ideally, communicate how many bags and what kind you plan to bring on the mission. The last thing you want to do is reconfigure your mission-critical luggage at the last minute at the airport.
Mistake #5: Booking Too Late (Or Too Early)
Private aviation offers exceptional flexibility, but last-minute bookings can still result in limited aircraft availability or higher costs. Alternately, booking too far in advance can sometimes mean missing out on better dynamic pricing.
For the best balance of availability and pricing, we recommend booking about 30 to 60 days in advance. This is especially wise during peak travel seasons or for international trips.
Mistake #6: Not Understanding How Private Boarding Works
If you’ve never boarded a private jet, you will be delighted to discover just how seamless the process can be. In most cases, you’ll depart from a discreet private terminal, where your driver will be able to pull up directly to the entrance.
Once at the terminal, you won’t face TSA lines or crowded boarding areas. Compared to flying on commercial airlines, it’s a refreshing, luxurious night-and-day experience.
Still, many operators have specific requirements that must be followed before boarding. In nearly all cases, you’ll be asked to present photo identification, such as a valid state ID or passport. Passengers will be asked to present a valid, government-issued REAL ID as of May 7th, 2025. While every operator has different policies, many request that you arrive between 15 and 30 minutes before departure.
Your advisor should be able to provide you with the precise FBO name, as well as their unique requirements for boarding.
Mistake #7: Failing to Work with a Trusted Charter Partner
One of the most critical mistakes in private jet travel planning is assuming all charter providers are the same. Many first-time private flyers are lured by online marketplaces that don’t vet operators, pilots, or safety records.
At Paramount Business Jets, we provide pre-flight safety reports, real-time operator vetting, and white-glove support 24/7. Our goal is to safeguard your entire private flight experience. We act as your personal aviation advocate throughout the entire process. We have personally vetted and curated relationships with the safest, most reliable operators in the industry.
Here are the non-negotiable services that set high-quality charter partners apart:
- A dedicated safety manager
- Pre-flight safety reports
- Fully transparent pricing
- Real-time, dynamic market pricing
- 24/7 access to your private aviation advisor
- Advocacy when it matters most
Trust is everything in private aviation. When you work with Paramount Business Jets, you’ll have a team of seasoned professionals behind you. We ensure that every detail is handled with integrity, precision, and care.
With the right charter partner, you can avoid the mistakes on our list. Book your flight today!
