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Is a private jet safe? What to check

By · Published · Updated · 4 min read

The flight deck of NASA's Shuttle Training Aircraft, a modified Gulfstream II, with screens, instruments and control yokes
Photo: NASA/Jack Pfaller, public domain (Wikimedia Commons)

Is a private jet safe? That depends on who operates it, who flies it and what it is, far more than on the word "private". We aren't going to quote a statistic that compares private flying with airlines, because we haven't found one we could stand behind. What we can offer is a way to check the things you can check.

Start with the certificate or permit

The first question is whether the operator is legally allowed to carry passengers for payment. In India, DGCA's Civil Aviation Requirement on non-scheduled air transport sets out the minimum requirements for an Air Operator Permit, and it sits within Rule 134A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937. In the United States, the FAA tells consumers to ask the operator to show its air carrier or operating certificate; if it won't, the FAA says, find one that will.

We cover this in more detail in who operates your charter flight. We only work with licensed operators.

What the FAA says to watch for

The FAA's consumer page lists warning signs of an operator that may not be legitimate. A few of them:

  • no safety briefing or passenger briefing cards
  • evasiveness when you ask questions
  • a price far below everyone else's
  • a company that supplies the aircraft and at least one crew member but tries to pass operational control to you through a document

The same page makes a point we also make in how charter pricing works: legitimate operators carry relatively high overheads for aircraft upkeep, crew training and testing, and compliance.

Safety audits and standards

Beyond the legal minimum, some operators choose to be audited. A few examples, described only by what each organisation says about itself:

  • IS-BAO. The International Business Aviation Council describes it as a voluntary standard launched in 2002, built around a safety management system. Its audit has three stages: Stage 1 confirms the system's infrastructure is established, Stage 2 that safety risks are being effectively managed, and Stage 3 that safety activity is integrated into the business and a positive safety culture is sustained. IBAC says it is the only ICAO-recognised industry standards programme developed specifically for business aviation.
  • Wyvern. Wyvern says it has worked in aviation safety since 1991 and pioneered the Wingman Standard, used to evaluate operators.
  • ARGUS. ARGUS offers auditing and assessments to operators.

Taking part in a voluntary standard shows an operator has chosen to be checked. It isn't a guarantee, and each programme has its own scope, so ask which audit an operator holds, which level, and when it was last renewed.

What to ask an operator

  1. Who holds the operating certificate or permit for this flight, and who issued it?
  2. Is that the company flying me, or is it arranging the flight with someone else?
  3. Which safety audits or standards does it hold, and are they current?
  4. Who are the crew, and what are their qualifications and training?
  5. If something changes on the day, who decides, and how will I be told? (What happens if a flight is delayed or changed explains one operator's terms.)

If something changes on the day, you hear it from us first. You can see the whole sequence, from request to landing, in what happens after you send a charter request.

When you're ready, tell us about your trip or look at the aircraft on our Fleet page.

Sources

All pages read on 3 October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is flying private safer than flying on an airline?

We can't give you a number and won't guess. Safety depends on the operator, the crew and the aircraft more than on the label. What we can do is tell you what to check, which is what this article covers.

What is IS-BAO?

It is the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations, a voluntary safety standard from the International Business Aviation Council, launched in 2002. It focuses on a safety management system, audited in three stages.

What should I ask to see?

The operator's certificate or permit, and which regulator issued it. The US FAA tells people chartering an aircraft to ask for this, and to look elsewhere if the operator won't show it.

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