Part 91 (Private Operations)
Part 91 of the FAA regulations governs non-commercial flight operations — private owners flying their own aircraft, corporate flight departments flying company aircraft, recreational pilots. Aircraft on Part 91 cannot be chartered for hire; doing so anyway is illegal "gray" charter.
Also known as: 14 cfr part 91, part 91 operator, private operation, general aviation private
Part 91 is the FAA's rulebook for non-commercial flight. It covers everything from a student pilot in a Cessna to a corporate Gulfstream operated by a company's own flight department to a fractional-program aircraft. The defining characteristic is that no money changes hands for transportation as the primary purpose of the flight.
Part 135 governs the commercial-for-hire side: paid private jet charter, air taxi, on-demand cargo. The line between Part 91 and Part 135 is where consumers most commonly encounter illegal charter — a Part 91 owner-operator can't legally accept payment to fly someone else around, even if the aircraft is identical to a Part 135 aircraft and the crew is qualified.
Practical implications for empty-leg buyers: every legitimate empty leg flown in the United States is operated under Part 135. If a listing or quote can't name the Part 135 certificate holder, the trip is probably an illegal "gray" charter. Insurance coverage typically voids the moment a gray charter is identified, exposing the operator and the passenger to significant liability.
Frequently asked questions
- Can you charter a Part 91 aircraft?
- No. Part 91 governs non-commercial flight only — paying to be transported on a Part 91 aircraft is illegal "gray" charter under FAA rules and DOT enforcement. In the United States, every legitimate paid charter — including every empty leg — must be operated under Part 135.
Related terms
- Part 135 Operator
A Part 135 operator is an FAA-certificated company authorized to fly paying passengers on private (non-scheduled) charter aircraft under 14 CFR Part 135. Every legitimate private jet charter flown in the United States — including every empty leg — is operated under a Part 135 certificate; operators based elsewhere fly under the equivalent authority in their own jurisdiction.
- Charter Broker
A charter broker is an intermediary who arranges private jet flights between customers and certificated charter operators — Part 135 operators in the U.S., or the equivalent abroad — without operating any aircraft themselves. Brokers earn a margin on the operator's quote; marketplaces like SkyAccess remove that intermediary by surfacing operator inventory directly.
- Empty Leg Flight
An empty leg flight is a one-way private jet flight sold at a discount because the aircraft has to fly without passengers to its next paid booking. Empty legs are typically priced 25–80% below retail charter, with the discount widening as the departure window narrows.
Sources
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