.jpg)
When you book a private jet charter, you are trusting someone with your safety. That trust should be earned, not assumed. Not every charter operator meets the same standards, and not every broker takes the time to verify the operators they work with.
At The Jet Guys, safety is not a marketing line. It is a process. Every flight we book goes through a structured vetting process before a client ever steps on board. As a WYVERN Registered Broker, we have access to industry-leading safety tools and databases, and we use them on every single booking.
This post breaks down exactly what that process looks like, step by step, so you know what happens behind the scenes before your next flight.
Our 7-Step Safety Vetting Process at a Glance
Here is a summary of what our Flight Desk team checks before every charter flight is confirmed:
Each of these steps is completed before we confirm a booking with a client. The data comes from a combination of FAA records, WYVERN's safety database, operator-provided documentation, and our own internal verification process.
Step 1: Confirm Operator Legitimacy
The first thing we verify is that the operator holds a valid FAA Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate. This is the federal certification that authorizes an operator to conduct on-demand charter flights. An operator without a valid Part 135 certificate is not legally authorized to sell you a charter flight.
We confirm the certificate is active, not expired or under suspension, and that the operator is in good standing with the FAA. This can be verified through the FAA's public database and through WYVERN's tools. This step alone eliminates operators that are cutting corners or operating outside of their legal authority.
Step 2: Review Safety History
We research the operator's safety track record using the WYVERN database, which aggregates incident data, accident history, and FAA enforcement actions. This is the primary tool we use for this step, and it gives us a comprehensive view of how the operator has performed over time.
Our approach here is straightforward: any accident history creates a red flag, and we move on without including that operator in the quote options. An operator with a pattern of incidents or violations is not one we are willing to put our clients on, regardless of pricing or availability.
Step 3: Review Liability Insurance
We verify that the operator carries adequate liability insurance coverage. Our minimum requirements are specific: $50 million in liability coverage on light jets and $100 million on heavy jets. These thresholds protect you as a passenger in the unlikely event of an incident.
Insurance is one of the most commonly overlooked aspects of charter safety. Some operators carry minimum coverage to keep costs down, which is not something you want to discover after the fact. Our team checks this on every booking and will not proceed with an operator that does not meet our coverage minimums.
Step 4: Review Aircraft Status
We confirm the aircraft's current registration status online and then check directly with the operator regarding any open maintenance items that may affect the upcoming trip. Only operators have direct access to their aircraft's detailed maintenance records, so this step involves asking the right questions before the flight.
Specifically, we ask about any open MELs (Minimum Equipment List items) that could affect safety or passenger comfort. An open MEL might not ground the aircraft, but it can mean a broken lavatory, cabin lights that are not working, or a malfunctioning seat. These are not safety-of-flight issues, but they absolutely affect the experience when you have paid for a premium charter.
Some operators disclose these items upfront. Others would never tell you if you did not ask. That is why we ask on every flight, every time.
Step 5: Review Pilot Training Status
We ensure that the flight crews assigned to your trip meet the WYVERN standard for certifications, type ratings, and recurrent training. The WYVERN standard is higher than what the FAA requires, which means pilots on your Jet Guys charter have met a more rigorous bar than the regulatory minimum.
Pilot qualifications vary significantly across the industry. Some operators invest heavily in training and hire experienced crews. Others cut costs by hiring less experienced pilots or delaying recurrent training. Our vetting process catches these differences before they affect your flight.
Step 6: Pilot Background Check
Beyond certifications and training records, we review the WYVERN database for any FAA incidents, violations, or enforcement actions associated with the assigned pilots. The WYVERN database provides detail on what happened in each case, giving us a clear picture of the pilot's professional history.
This step does not involve criminal or driving record checks. Those are DOT requirements that the operator is required to perform on every pilot before they are hired. The fact that a pilot is a qualified crew member on an operator's certificate means those background checks have already been completed and cleared. What we are looking for are aviation-specific issues: incidents in the cockpit, regulatory violations, or any FAA enforcement actions that indicate a pattern of concern.
Step 7: Aircraft Listed on Operator's 135 Certificate
This is a step that many charter clients do not know to ask about, but it is critical. We verify that the specific aircraft being used for your flight is listed on the operator's FAA Part 135 certificate. An operator may hold a valid certificate, but if the aircraft you are flying on is not listed on that certificate, the flight may not be legally operated as a charter.
This can happen when operators lease aircraft from third parties or use aircraft that are registered under a different entity. Our team catches these mismatches and ensures every flight is fully compliant.
What It Means to Be a WYVERN Registered Broker
The Jet Guys are a WYVERN Registered Broker, which means we have access to WYVERN's proprietary safety tools, operator audit data, and risk assessment databases. WYVERN is one of the most respected independent safety auditing organizations in business aviation, and their tools give us the ability to perform the level of vetting described above on every single flight.
Being WYVERN registered is not something every broker invests in. It requires a commitment to safety processes, documentation, and ongoing compliance. For our clients, it means every flight is backed by an industry-recognized standard of safety, not just our word.
Red Flags: When to Walk Away from a Charter
Part of educating our clients is helping them recognize when something is not right. Here are the warning signs that a charter operator or broker may not be holding up their end of the safety equation:
If you encounter any of these red flags, reach out to our Flight Desk. We are happy to provide a second opinion on any charter quote or operator you are considering, even if you did not originally book through us.
Why Safety Vetting Matters More Than Price
The private jet charter industry is not as standardized as commercial aviation. There is a wide range of operators out there, from best-in-class companies with impeccable safety records to smaller operations that cut corners to keep costs low. The price difference between the two may not be obvious on a quote sheet.
That is where a broker earns their value. When you book through The Jet Guys, you are not just getting access to aircraft. You are getting a team that has already done the homework on the operator, the aircraft, and the crew. For a deeper look at how charter pricing works and why the cheapest option is not always the best, see our pricing guide.
Day-of Flight Tracking
Our safety commitment does not end once the flight is booked. On the day of your trip, our Flight Desk proactively tracks your aircraft in real time. We monitor weather conditions along your route, communicate with the FBO, and stay in contact with the crew and the operator throughout your flight.
The biggest day-of challenge in private aviation is when an aircraft goes AOG (Aircraft on Ground) due to a maintenance issue. When this happens, we immediately work to find a replacement aircraft and keep you on schedule as closely as possible. Communication is key during these situations, and our clients hear from us the moment we know there is a change, not after the fact.
If anything else changes, whether it is a weather delay, a routing adjustment, or a crew swap, you hear about it from us before it affects your plans. This level of day-of oversight is something most booking platforms do not offer, but it is standard on every Jet Guys flight.
Fly with Confidence
When you book through The Jet Guys, safety is built into every step. From operator vetting to day-of tracking, our process is designed to give you confidence that the aircraft you are boarding is the right one, with the right crew, from the right operator. Learn more about our team or request a quote for your next trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is flying private safe?
Yes. Private charter operators in the United States are regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under Part 135 certification standards. The Jet Guys add additional safety layers through our WYVERN-backed vetting process that goes beyond what the FAA requires.
What is WYVERN?
WYVERN is an independent safety auditing organization that provides risk assessment tools and operator safety data to the business aviation industry. As a WYVERN Registered Broker, The Jet Guys have access to their proprietary safety tools and databases, which we use to vet every operator on every flight.
Do you vet every flight, or just the first one?
Every flight. Our vetting process is not a one-time check. Each time you book through The Jet Guys, we verify the operator, aircraft, and crew for that specific trip. Operators and aircraft can change status between flights, so continuous vetting is essential.
How is this different from booking through an app or marketplace?
Most booking apps and online marketplaces match you with an available aircraft based on price and availability. They may perform basic checks, but they generally do not conduct the level of operator-specific, aircraft-specific, and crew-specific vetting that we do on every flight. When you book through a broker like The Jet Guys, you are getting a human team that has personally reviewed the safety profile of your specific flight.
Can I see the safety records for my operator?
Yes. If you want to know more about the operator assigned to your flight, our Flight Desk can share relevant details about their safety record, certifications, and fleet. Transparency is part of how we operate. You can also review public FAA records through the FAA's online databases.
What happens if you find a problem during vetting?
If any step in our vetting process raises a concern, we do not book that operator for your flight. Instead, we find an alternative operator that meets all of our standards. You will never be put on an aircraft that did not pass our full process, and in most cases you will not even know a substitution was made because it happens before the booking is finalized.
What happens if my aircraft goes down for maintenance on the day of my flight?
This is called AOG (Aircraft on Ground), and it is the biggest day-of challenge in private aviation. When it happens, our Flight Desk immediately works to find a replacement aircraft and keep you on schedule. Communication is our priority. You will hear from us the moment we know there is a change, and we will present your options so you can make the best decision for your trip.