Charter Flights: Pros and Cons
In this text, we'll figure out what a charter is, how a charter flight differs from a regular flight, and what its pros and cons are.
What is a charter flight?
This is a flight to a specific destination, organized not by an airline, but by a tour operator. That is, the tour operator buys out some (or all) seats from the carrier and then sells them at a lower price than a regular flight. In simple terms: a company leases an aircraft to transport passengers. This flight is not always shown in the general schedule, and tickets for it can only be purchased through the company that bought out the aircraft or block of seats. Thus, you won't find such tickets on the airline's website, unless it's a charter airline.
Charter flights also include flights that transport, for example, a large sports team or the staff of a popular artist. Their schedule is difficult to fit into a regular timetable, so charter transportation has to be arranged.
Difference between a charter and a regular flight
• Regular flights depart — incredibly! — regularly. For example, a hypothetical flight to Yerevan departs on Fridays and Tuesdays at 18:50. Charter flights have no fixed schedule at all: it's up to the tour operator.
• Regular flights operate all year round. Charter flights mainly operate during peak or holiday seasons. For example, in summer, the holiday season begins, and Russian tourists often choose Egypt or Turkey for their vacations. The number of people wishing to go on holiday exceeds the number of seats on planes, there aren't enough tickets for regular flights, demand is huge, and tour companies have to organize charter transportation so that everyone can reach their destination.
Types of charter flights
Shuttle. The plane brings one group of tourists to a destination and immediately picks up another group — those who have already rested — for the return journey.
Split. One part of the journey is a regular flight, the second is a charter. For example, a flight to Dubai flies according to schedule, while from Dubai to Hurghada it's by order of the tour operator.
With layover. The plane arrives in a city, then waits for the group to rest, and takes them back. For tour operators, this is cheaper than flying the plane back empty. Usually, such tours last no more than a week, as parking the aircraft also incurs costs.
Polycharter flight. In this case, tourists transfer from one plane to another. The downside is that charter flights are often canceled or delayed, so there's a risk of spending a lot of time in transit.
One-way. The route is operated in one direction and then returns empty.
Airlines operating charter flights
A charter is a way of organizing tourist transportation. Therefore, such flights are operated by any airline — from Aeroflot, S7 Airlines, and Azimuth to UTair and Nordwind Airlines. There are companies that specialize purely in charters: AZUR air, Royal Flight.
Important: charter flights are operated on both new and old aircraft. The idea that a charter means small, dilapidated planes is just a myth.
Pros
1. Such flights are often found when traveling to resorts, especially from cities where regular flights do not operate to that destination. This is a significant advantage for regions.
2. The price for an airline ticket on a charter flight is 40–60% lower than usual. And baggage is already included in the price.
3. The flight is usually direct, which saves travel time. Moreover, the plane can fly directly to destinations where regular flights do not operate. This is confirmed by the official website of Aeroflot.
4. Hotel accommodation is often sold together with the ticket. If you are flying to a country for the first time or buying a tour a few days before departure, this is convenient: you don't need to spend time choosing.
5. It's important for tour operators to sell all purchased seats. Therefore, tickets become significantly cheaper in the last few days. This means you can manage to buy a ticket on Kupi.com just a few hours before departure, and with a big discount.
6. Sometimes tickets can be reissued to another person if you are unable to fly yourself.
7. A charter is not a low-cost carrier. Therefore, the on-board service and the ability to carry hand luggage are usually the same as those of the airline operating the charter flight. If you fly on an Aeroflot charter flight, you can take as much hand luggage as allowed by that carrier's regulations.
8. Even if your charter flight is delayed or canceled (which sometimes happens with charters), you retain the same rights as passengers on regular flights. Therefore, either the aircraft will be replaced, or the departure time will be rescheduled, or you will fly on vacation with another carrier. Usually, the details are specified in the contract: pay attention to them.
Cons
Unfortunately, charters have plenty of drawbacks — these are the costs of a low price. But not all of them are as critical as they seem.
1. On charter flights, in most cases, there is no business class — all passengers fly in the same economy conditions. This means you won't be able to order champagne during the flight: alas and alack.
2. Sometimes catering conditions may be worse, and on medium-haul flights, it may not be available at all. This should be understood if you are flying on vacation with children. Clarify this point when purchasing.
3. The flight may depart with a delay because the airline operates it between its main schedule, which is also not always stable. This means that the charter plane must wait for a free slot to appear in the schedule. Regular flights always take priority over charter flights.
But there's no need to worry, even if there's a flight delay: what to do in such situations and what rights passengers have, we've written about in another Kupi.com article. Spoiler: if a flight is delayed for a long time, you are entitled to a restaurant voucher and even a hotel room. Even if you're flying charter!
4. Tickets for charter flights appear late, two to three weeks before the departure date. This is fine for travelers who enjoy spontaneous trips, but if you're used to planning your vacation in advance, it's better to choose regular flights.
5. The itinerary receipt arrives on the eve of departure, not immediately, as when purchasing a regular flight ticket. You must independently clarify the approximate departure time with the tour operator, as it may change. Departure information is usually indicated on tour company websites.
Important: when booking a charter flight, provide a real email and phone number so that the tour operator can promptly contact you in case of cancellation or rescheduling.
6. Departure may be at an inconvenient time because airline regular flights take priority.
7. Miles are not accrued for charter flights, and you do not participate in the carrier's bonus programs.
8. You cannot choose a convenient time or dates — charters are organized for popular destinations and during the season. If it's convenient for you, fly; if not, look for other options.
9. The carrier may change: for example, in case of flight rescheduling or delay.
10. You will not be able to exchange or refund the ticket (only reassign it to another person), whereas a regular flight ticket, if the fare is refundable, can usually be refunded, albeit with an additional fee.
11. Charter flights do not always serve the main airports of a city. You might land in a suburb, from which it's very far to get to the city center.
12. A charter departure can be canceled (just like a regular one). If your flight is canceled — read our material. There we explain how long it will take to get your money back and what rights you have.
If you're okay with the points above and see no obstacles on your way to the resort, then a charter flight is a simple and convenient option. However, if you are highly dependent on your vacation time, fear flight delays, and don't want to jostle on the same beach with a thousand other tourists during peak season — it's better to choose regular flights.
May your travel adventures be exclusively pleasant.
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