Documents and ID for Your First Private Charter Flight

Private charter removes most of the queueing from air travel. It does not remove the identity and documentation requirements, and assuming otherwise is the most common avoidable problem on a first flight.

What is mandatory

Valid government-issued photo identification is required for every passenger on a domestic flight, exactly as on a commercial one. The name on the identification must match the name given at booking. This sounds trivial and is the single most frequent cause of last-minute complications, usually where a booking was made informally on someone else's behalf and a name was shortened or misspelt.

Children and infants

Children need identification too. For infants and young children without their own photo ID, carry the birth certificate or an accepted alternative. If a child is travelling without both parents, carry documentation showing consent, since requirements here vary and being asked without having it is a poor way to start a trip.

What depends on the route

International charters carry the full weight of passport validity, visa requirements, and immigration procedure, no differently from commercial travel. Passport validity requirements catch people out most often, because many destinations require validity well beyond the return date. Some domestic destinations have additional permit requirements, and your flight advisor will flag those in advance if they apply.

What people forget

Medical documentation for anything that needs to travel with you, particularly prescription medication in quantity or medical equipment. Documentation for high-value items you are carrying. And where a company is paying, whatever authorisation your finance team needs, which is easier to obtain before the day than during it.

Before your first flight

Your flight advisor will confirm exactly what your specific route requires, but check identification names against your booking as soon as it is confirmed rather than the night before. For a broader picture of how a first charter flight actually runs, our guide on what to expect on your first private charter walks through the whole process. Ready to book? Request a quote and we will confirm the requirements for your route.