What Is FAR Part 135? A Clear Guide for Private Charter Travelers

This guide explains what FAR Part 135 is, why it matters for private charter travelers, and how it affects your safety, legal compliance, and booking decisions. Whether you're new to private aviation or comparing charter options, understanding Part 135 helps you make informed choices.

Key Takeaways

• The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates and enforces FAR Part 135, ensuring compliance and safety for commercial charter operations.

• FAR Part 135 applies to commuter and on-demand operations, including charter flights, air taxi, and small air carrier services, specifically for aircraft with 30 or fewer seats.

• Part 135 is designed to ensure the highest safety standards for commercial charter flights, covering pilot qualifications, maintenance standards, operational control, training requirements, and safety procedures.

• Most legal jet charter and air taxi flights in North America operate under Part 135, not the more flexible Part 91 private rules or Part 121 airline rules.

• Jettly works with properly certificated operators, helping travelers make informed decisions when booking private aircraft.

What Is FAR Part 135? Quick Definition

FAR Part 135, formally 14 CFR Part 135, is one of the primary regulations in the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) enforced by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA oversees and enforces these regulations, which govern commercial aviation operations, specifically non-scheduled air carrier and commercial operator operations, including charter flights and air taxi services.

Part 135 operations typically use aircraft with 30 or fewer seats or a maximum payload capacity of 7,500 pounds, including commercial helicopter operations. The number of seats is a key regulatory threshold for determining which federal regulations apply. Part 135 also covers passenger trips, cargo operations, turboprops, helicopters, medical missions, and jet charter.

For travelers using Jettly, “flying under Part 135” means the flight is conducted by an FAA-regulated commercial operator, not just a private owner offering seats.

How FAR Part 135 Fits Into Federal Aviation Regulations

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) organizes aviation rules into parts under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The FAA has the authority to define and enforce aircraft operation standards through these FAR Parts, ensuring compliance and safety across all civil aviation activities. In simple terms:

FAA part	Main use	Typical example
part Main use TypicalPart 91	General aviation and non-commercial flying	Owner or corporate private aircraft
Part 135	Charter, air taxi, and small commuter service	On-demand charter
Part 121	Scheduled airlines and large carriers	Major airlines

Part 135 sits between Part 91 and Part 121. Part 91 concerns general aviation operations and prohibits compensation for air transportation in most cases. Part 121 applies to scheduled airlines and large air carriers operating fixed routes. Part 135 is specifically designed to ensure the highest safety standards for commercial operations, balancing rigorous oversight with flexibility for smaller-scale flights.

Travelers should confirm which FAA part applies before booking. It affects safety, pricing, insurance, and regulatory oversight.

Core Requirements Under FAR Part 135

Part 135 operators must meet several core requirements before carrying paying passengers. These include:

• Air carrier certification

• Operations specifications

• Approved manuals and procedures

• Pilot training and checking programs

• Maintenance programs

• Duty and rest limits

• Systems for operational control

To operate under Part 135, companies must obtain an Air Carrier Certificate and Operations Specifications issued by the FAA. This process involves comprehensive documentation and the implementation of safety management systems. Typically, obtaining certification takes between 6 and 12 months, includes FAA evaluations, and may require demonstration flights.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for the ongoing enforcement and oversight of Part 135 operators, ensuring compliance with all applicable Federal Aviation Regulations. The FAA also conducts regular oversight of Part 135 operators, including unannounced inspections and reviews of training records to ensure compliance with safety regulations. Local FAA offices use FAA guidance to assist operators and verify that aircraft operations match approved ops specs.

Pilot Qualifications and Training Under Part 135

Pilot qualification standards under Part 135 exceed those for private Part 91 operations. Part 135 establishes stringent pilot qualification requirements, which include a minimum of 1,200 total flight hours for many captains, plus instrument experience and commercial or airline transport credentials when required.

Part 135 requires operators to adhere to stricter pilot qualification and training requirements compared to Part 91, which allows for more flexibility in pilot qualifications due to its non-commercial nature.

Flight crews must undergo rigorous initial and recurrent training, including simulator checks every 6 to 12 months. Pilots also complete proficiency checks, line checks, and reviews by a check airman.

Part 135 regulates maximum flight and duty times to prevent pilot fatigue. That means the flight crew cannot simply keep flying because a passenger’s schedule changes.

Aircraft Maintenance Standards and Safety Culture

Part 135 imposes rigorous maintenance standards because charter aircraft often fly more frequently than privately used aircraft. Part 135 operators must adhere to rigorous maintenance requirements, including following an approved maintenance program that specifies inspection intervals and documentation procedures.

Aircraft operating under Part 135 must undergo mandatory 100-hour inspections alongside regular annual checks. Operators must also comply with airworthiness directives and specific inspection intervals to ensure aircraft safety.

Many air carriers add safety management systems, internal audits, voluntary reporting, and third-party reviews such as ARGUS, Wyvern, or IS-BAO. These programs support continuous improvement and help enhance safety beyond minimum federal regulations.

Ask about maintenance logs, inspection status, and safety ratings when comparing charter companies.

Operational Rules: Weather, Runways, and Passenger Handling

Part 135 sets practical flight rules for weather, runway performance, passenger briefings, and release decisions.

Flights under Part 135 cannot depart if forecasted weather at the destination falls below IFR landing minimums, and “look-see” approaches in deteriorating conditions are prohibited. These weather minimums can cause delays, but they protect passengers.

Operators must also calculate runway length for takeoff and landing, verify airport suitability, and maintain flight following. Part 135 requires the operator to carry specific safety equipment, such as emergency locator transmitters and life preservers, on board when applicable.

Passengers should expect ID checks, safety briefings, cabin procedures, and conservative decisions when conditions change.

FAR Part 135 vs. Part 91 vs. Part 121

Understanding the difference helps travelers assess risk and value.

Rule set	Compensation allowed?	Oversight level	Best fit
Part 91	Usually no	Lower	Owner, corporate, personal travel
Part 135	Yes	Higher	Charter and air taxi
Part 121	Yes	Highest	Airlines and large cargo

Part 135 operations require an Air Carrier Certificate and Operations Specifications from the FAA, unlike Part 91 operations, which do not require such certification.

Part 135 operations are subject to regular FAA oversight, while Part 91 operations are not, reflecting the higher safety standards required for commercial operations compared to private flights. Part 135 is specifically designed to ensure that commercial aviation operations adhere to the highest safety standards, prioritizing safety while allowing flexibility for smaller-scale commercial flights.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has reported that commercial aviation under Part 135 has a substantially lower accident rate compared to general aviation, highlighting the enhanced safety standards required by Part 135.

If a paid “charter” is offered under Part 91, treat that as a serious red flag, and take time to understand how Part 135 charter companies operate and are regulated.

Types of Operations Covered by FAR Part 135

Part 135 covers more than business jet travel. Common operations include:

• On-demand private jet charter

• Air taxi flights

• Helicopter charter

• Turboprop charter

• Small commuter service

• Air ambulance and organ transport

• Urgent cargo operations

Common aircraft types used in Part 135 operations include turboprops like the King Air series, light jets such as the Citation CJ and Phenom, midsize jets including Hawker and Learjet models, and large cabin aircraft like Gulfstreams and Falcons.

Part 135 charter companies operate a diverse range of aircraft, including those configured for cargo operations, which can be critical for urgent medical shipments and just-in-time inventory needs, and travelers can choose from an extensive fleet of private charter aircraft.

Jettly’s marketplace reflects this variety, from smaller aircraft to large cabin aircraft, all arranged under the proper regulatory framework when carrying paying passengers.

How FAR Part 135 Impacts Charter Pricing and Availability

Part 135 compliance affects hourly rates. Training, insurance, maintenance, crew scheduling, documentation, and regulatory compliance all add cost, and travelers can see these factors reflected in a private jet charter cost estimator.

That is why a properly certificated charter may cost more than an informal offer. The higher price supports approved flight operations, trained pilots, documented maintenance, and legal air transportation, all of which factor into the overall cost of flying or owning a private jet.

On-demand operations also add value. Travelers can choose more airports, flexible departure times, and aircraft suited to the route, often using tools like an airport locator for private charter flights.

Digital platforms like Jettly help compare real-time options from multiple Part 135 air carriers and understand typical private jet charter pricing and cost drivers. Empty leg flights may reduce cost when an aircraft needs to reposition, while still operating under federal regulations, and can also support crowdsourced and shared private jet flights when travelers are flexible on timing.

Verifying That a Charter Flight Is Legal Under FAR Part 135

Due diligence matters because an illegal charter can bypass required training, maintenance, insurance, and regulatory oversight.

Before booking, ask:

• Who is the FAA-certificated air carrier operating this flight under Part 135?

• Can the operator provide its Air Carrier Certificate?

• Is the aircraft tail number listed in the operator’s ops specs?

• Who has command authority and operational control?

• What is the crew’s recent experience and recurrent training status?

A legitimate company should answer clearly. Avoid offers that are far below market, framed as “cost sharing,” or vague about the actual operator.

Jettly, as a broker and digital marketplace, works with properly certificated aircraft operators and can assist travelers with operator details on request, including partners such as Dexter Air Taxi and other licensed carriers.

Why FAR Part 135 Matters When Using Jettly

Jettly connects travelers with vetted Part 135 operators rather than operating aircraft itself, partnering with instant‑book services like Zenflight and similar private jet operators. That distinction matters because the certificated air carrier is responsible for the aircraft, crew, compliance, and daily operations.

Part 135 status is a key filter for commercial charter flights on the platform. Jettly’s instant pricing helps customers compare aircraft size, routing, estimated time, and budget across multiple operators, similar to its dedicated jet card flight cost estimator.

Typical use cases include multi-city business trips, family travel to secondary airports, last-minute air travel, and routes where airlines offer limited options, which can also be addressed through structured jet card private flying programs.

Learn more about Jettly’s charter options at https://www.jettly.com.

Market Context: Part 135 and the Growth of Private Charter

Part 135 operations are a major part of private aviation demand. Growth is driven by flexible schedules, access to regional airports, transparent digital booking, and travelers who want alternatives to scheduled airlines, as highlighted in broader guides to charter airlines and private aviation.

Broker platforms like Jettly help certified operators reach customers without relying only on local sales teams. This can improve aircraft utilization, especially when adding aircraft to a charter fleet, and offers travelers a flexible NetJets alternative for flying private.

Environmental awareness is also growing. Efficient aircraft selection, optimized routing, and optional carbon offset programs can help reduce waste while maintaining the highest standards expected in private aviation.

FAQ About FAR Part 135 and Charter Flights

Does every private jet flight have to operate under FAR Part 135?

No. Many owner and corporate private aircraft trips operate under Part 91 when no passengers pay for transportation. Paid charter or air taxi flights should normally operate under Part 135, or Part 121 for airlines.

Can the same aircraft fly under both Part 91 and Part 135?

Yes. The same aircraft may fly under Part 91 for owner use or repositioning, and under Part 135 when carrying paying passengers. The operator must use the correct paperwork, procedures, and flight rules for each trip.

Are Part 135 charter flights safer than flying privately under Part 91?

Both require safe flying, but Part 135 adds extra oversight, minimum flight hours, duty limits, recurrent training, maintenance documentation, and FAA inspections. Risk-conscious travelers often prefer audited Part 135 operators.

How can I confirm a charter company’s Part 135 status before booking?

Ask for the legal name of the FAA-certificated air carrier, its certificate, and confirmation that the aircraft tail number is in its operations specifications. You can also contact the FAA Flight Standards District Office for additional confirmation.

What kinds of aircraft typically operate under FAR Part 135?

Typical aircraft include King Air and Pilatus turboprops, Citation CJ and Phenom light jets, Hawker and Learjet midsize jets, and Gulfstream, Falcon, and Challenger large cabin jets. Helicopters and some small regional aircraft also operate under Part 135.

Conclusion: Using FAR Part 135 To Make Smarter Charter Decisions

What is FAR Part 135? It is the regulatory backbone of most legal charter flights, covering certification, pilots, maintenance, weather, procedures, and safety.

Before booking, travelers should know whether a flight will operate under Part 135, Part 91, or Part 121. That choice affects safety standards, insurance, and accountability.

Jettly simplifies the process by connecting customers with vetted Part 135 charter companies and clear aircraft, pricing, and operator information.

Experience private travel tailored to your schedule. Discover available flights or request a private jet charter quote at https://www.jettly.com.