How to book a private jet in India

Every charter quote starts with the same handful of facts: where you are flying from and to, the date and preferred time, whether you need a return, and how many passengers are travelling. Add the amount and type of luggage, any pets, and anyone who needs mobility help on the ground.

Be specific about airports. Many Indian cities have one airport, but some trips work better from a smaller field closer to your final destination, and helicopters can reach places a jet cannot. Tell your broker where you actually need to end up, not just the nearest big city.

If your dates are flexible, say so. A charter is priced around one aircraft and one crew, so small shifts in timing can change which aircraft is available nearby and how much positioning the trip needs.

If you plan to return the same day, say how long you will be on the ground. Whether the aircraft waits for you or flies away and comes back changes the cost, and your broker can price both options so you can choose.

Pick the aircraft for the trip, not the other way round. Turboprops and light jets suit short and medium sectors with smaller groups. Midsize and super midsize jets add cabin space and range. Heavy jets suit long sectors, larger groups and international flying. Helicopters cover short hops and places without a runway, subject to helipad and weather limits.

On Altivo, hourly rates for the whole aircraft, before GST, currently run as follows: turboprops ₹1.49 lakh to ₹2.2 lakh, light jets ₹2.48 lakh to ₹3.52 lakh, midsize jets ₹3.52 lakh to ₹4.51 lakh, super midsize jets ₹5.01 lakh to ₹6.49 lakh, heavy jets ₹6.99 lakh to ₹10.01 lakh and helicopters ₹1.21 lakh to ₹2.48 lakh. These are per aircraft, not per seat, so the cost per person falls as your group grows.

Seat count is not the only limit. Baggage space, runway length at your airports and the sector distance all decide which aircraft can do the job. A good broker will flag when a smaller aircraft needs a fuel stop or cannot take your luggage.

If you are travelling to Kedarnath, note that seats on the government helicopter shuttle are sold only through IRCTC HeliYatra. Altivo does not sell those seats, but it can arrange a private helicopter charter for your whole group where the route and landing sites allow it.

A charter quote should break down the main costs. The largest is usually the aircraft's flying time. If the aircraft is not based where you start, there may also be positioning flights to bring it to you and take it home afterwards. Then come airport charges such as landing, parking and handling, and crew costs if the crew must stay overnight.

GST is charged on top. Altivo shows every price in rupees with GST as a separate line, so you can see the tax clearly. The rate that applies depends on how the service is classified under current GST notifications, so check the rate and the operator's GSTIN on the tax invoice.

Ask what is not included. Common extras are special catering, ground transport, extra waiting time and changes after confirmation. A transparent quote names the operator, the aircraft type and registration, the schedule and every charge you will pay.

Compare quotes like for like. Two quotes for the same route can differ because one uses an aircraft based nearby and another needs long positioning, or because one includes airport charges and another adds them later. Ask each provider for the same breakdown.

In India, a charter must be flown by a holder of a DGCA Non-Scheduled Operator Permit (NSOP). The operator's full legal name should appear on the quote and the charter agreement. Check it against DGCA's published non-scheduled operator list on dgca.gov.in, then check the aircraft registration, which begins with VT, is endorsed on that operator's permit.

Ask for the aircraft's insurance certificate. DGCA's requirements oblige the operator to keep insurance adequate to cover its liability to passengers and baggage, crew, cargo, hull loss and third parties.

Altivo does this before quoting. We are a broker, not an operator, so we do not own or fly aircraft. We confirm the operator is on DGCA's published NSOP list and the aircraft is on that permit, and we ask the operator for the insurance certificate before you sign. If an operator cannot or will not provide these details, choose another aircraft.

Once you accept a quote, you will receive a charter agreement. Read it before paying. It should name the operator, the aircraft, the passengers or passenger count, the route and times, the total price with GST, the payment terms and the cancellation terms.

Pay only against a written agreement and a proper invoice. Be cautious if you are asked to pay a personal account, or to pay in full before you know which operator and aircraft will fly you.

Keep the agreement and the operator's contact details for the day of travel. If anything changes, such as passenger names or timing, tell your broker in writing as early as you can.

If you book through a broker, the broker manages the booking but the operator remains responsible for the flight. Altivo names the operator on every quote and on the charter agreement, so you always know who is flying you.

Every passenger needs valid photo identification, and a passport for international trips. The operator will usually ask for names and ID details in advance. Charter passengers still go through security screening. At airports with a dedicated general aviation terminal, such as Mumbai, you check in, clear security and board from there. Mumbai's terminal, opened on 1 November 2022, has its own baggage screening, access control and a customs and immigration area.

Follow the reporting time on your confirmation. It is set by the operator and the airport, and it can differ between airports and between domestic and international trips. Arriving late can cost you your slot.

Luggage space is fixed by the aircraft, so share bag sizes and anything unusual, such as golf bags, batteries or pets, when you ask for a quote. Catering is usually arranged in advance through the operator. Ask for what you want when you book and check whether it is included or billed separately.

Flying abroad adds paperwork. You leave and arrive through airports with customs and immigration, and each passenger needs a valid passport and any visas the destination requires. The operator files the flight plan and arranges the clearances the route needs, which takes extra lead time.

Some general aviation terminals handle this on site. Mumbai's terminal lists customs, immigration and quarantine services, coordination with customs, immigration and CISF, and ATC filing for international departures.

Give your broker passenger passport details early and check entry rules for every country on the route. Customs rules on what you carry still apply when you fly privately.

Cancellation terms are set in the charter agreement, so read them before you sign. Charges can rise as departure gets closer, because the operator may already have committed the aircraft, crew and positioning flights to your trip.

Weather and safety can also change plans. DGCA stated in February 2026 that a pilot in command's decision on safety grounds is final, whatever the commercial pressure. Ask in advance what happens to your money if a flight is delayed or cancelled for weather or technical reasons.

If you need to change times or passengers, tell your broker as soon as possible. Altivo's quote desk works around the clock, so changes can be picked up at any hour.