Private Jet Etiquette: What You Need to Know

The Jet Waits for You, Within Reason

One of the genuine advantages of private charter is that the aircraft holds at the FBO for you. If you are 10 minutes late, the crew waits. If you are 20 minutes late, they will call to confirm your status. You do not miss a private charter the way you miss a commercial flight.

That said, the aircraft waiting is a courtesy that works best when it is not abused. A group that routinely departs 45 minutes past the scheduled time affects the crew's duty day, the FBO's scheduling, and, on multi-leg itineraries, can compress the timeline for subsequent legs. Arrive within 15 minutes of the agreed time. If circumstances make you significantly late, call Hogani Jets as early as possible so the crew and FBO can plan accordingly.

Informing Your Broker of Changes

Schedule changes happen. A meeting runs long, a connection delays a passenger, a client dinner extends. The right approach is early communication. Contact Hogani Jets as soon as a delay or change becomes apparent. A 2-hour delay communicated 3 hours before departure is manageable. A 2-hour delay communicated at the scheduled departure time is disruptive for the crew, the FBO, and potentially for subsequent flights on the same aircraft.

For cancellations, refer to the operator's cancellation policy confirmed at booking. Most Part 135 charter contracts include specific notice periods for cancellation without penalty. Last-minute cancellations within 24 to 48 hours of departure typically forfeit a percentage of the charter fee.

There is no dress code on a private jet. Business attire, smart casual, sportswear, and comfortable travel clothes are all equally acceptable. The aircraft is your private space, and there is no dress standard imposed by the operator, the FBO, or Hogani Jets.

For FBO lounges at major aviation hubs, the environment is business-oriented. Guests in swimwear or wet clothing from a beach or pool visit are generally expected to change before entering the FBO lobby. This is a courtesy to other FBO clients and staff rather than a formal rule.

Shoes are a common question. There is no requirement to remove shoes on a private jet. Some passengers remove shoes for comfort on longer flights. If the aircraft has plush carpeting or lighter interior upholstery, removing heavy or dirty footwear before boarding is a considerate practice. Some aircraft interiors carry specific operator notes about footwear, which Hogani Jets relays at booking if relevant.

The Captain

The Captain is a professional with absolute authority over the aircraft. Brief, respectful communication is appropriate. Address safety or operational questions to the Captain directly. Do not enter the cockpit without an explicit invitation. Do not argue with a Captain's decision on any matter related to the safety or conduct of the flight.

For routine requests during the flight, approach the Captain during the stable cruise phase rather than during departure, approach, or any period of concentrated flight crew activity.

The First Officer

The First Officer is occupied with flight duties alongside the Captain. The same courtesies apply as with the Captain. If the aircraft has a flight attendant, direct service requests to the flight attendant rather than the flight crew.

The Flight Attendant

Where a flight attendant is present, they manage all cabin service requests. Communicate catering preferences, temperature requests, and any passenger needs through the flight attendant. Treat the flight attendant as you would any hospitality professional in a high-level service environment.

One: arrive on time or communicate changes early. Two: do not smoke on or near the aircraft at any stage. Three: respect the Captain's authority without negotiation. Four: moderate alcohol consumption: the crew will manage service and can stop it. Five: treat the aircraft interior with care. Everything else on private jet etiquette resolves itself through common courtesy. The formal rules are few. The informal ones are the same as in any professional, shared space.

Smoking is prohibited on all private jet charter flights, including all Part 135 on-demand aircraft. This includes cigarettes, cigars, pipes, e-cigarettes, and vaping devices. Federal smoking restrictions are governed by 14 CFR Part 252, and violations may result in civil penalties.

The no-smoking rule applies from the moment the aircraft door closes. Smoking is also typically prohibited within the FBO terminal and within a specified distance of the aircraft on the ramp. If you require a smoke before departure, do so before arriving at the FBO.Whether it is allowed at all comes down to the operator and the individual aircraft rather than etiquette  smoking rules on private jets covers the position on cigarettes, cigars and vaping.

Alcohol service is standard on most equipped private jets. The crew manages service throughout the flight. There is no preset number of drinks and no automated cutoff. The flight attendant or Captain will use professional judgment to manage service.

The Captain has the authority to deny or terminate alcohol service at any point under FAA regulations. In practice, this authority is almost never exercised. Drinking responsibly in a private aircraft means being a good guest in a shared space where the crew cannot easily separate themselves from the environment.

For celebration flights (birthday charters, bachelorette parties, wedding departures), discuss the catering and alcohol plan with Hogani Jets at booking. The crew is prepared for a celebratory environment and coordinates accordingly.

Private jets are small. A midsize jet seating 8 passengers has a cabin roughly the size of a large SUV interior. Phone calls at full volume affect everyone in the cabin. Business calls, video conferences, and loud conversations are the primary sources of cabin friction on group charters.

For work-critical calls, use headphones. Inform fellow passengers before taking an extended call. For social charters where the group is the same party, cabin noise is a shared decision. For mixed-purpose flights where some passengers are working and others are socializing, align expectations before boarding.

Photography of the aircraft interior, the exterior, and the departure experience is common and welcomed. Photography of other passengers, however, requires their explicit consent. This is common courtesy in any private setting and particularly important where confidentiality or security is a consideration for other passengers on the flight.

Photographing the cockpit or flight crew requires the crew's permission. Most crew are comfortable with a brief cockpit photo on the ground before departure. Do not photograph instrument panels or operational displays while the aircraft is in motion.

The passenger manifest is filed before departure. If the number of passengers changes, notify Hogani Jets immediately. Adding passengers affects weight and balance calculations, catering quantities, seat configuration, and potentially the operating certificate conditions of the flight. Bringing additional guests without advance notice is disruptive to the operator and is not acceptable practice.

Passenger names for international flights must be on the manifest before departure for APIS submission. Last-minute name changes on international charters require operator coordination and may not always be accommodated within the APIS filing window.

Children are welcome on private jet charters and travel the same way adults do, with no screening or boarding formalities. Infants require an approved child restraint system for takeoff and landing on most Part 135 operations, the same as commercial aviation. Confirm car seat requirements with Hogani Jets at booking.

Private jet cabins are small, and there are no other passengers to avoid. If a young child is distressed during the flight, the sound is close-quarters for the crew and for any adult passengers. For long flights with young children, discuss cabin comfort planning with Hogani Jets when booking.

Pets are common on private jet charters. Dogs and cats travel in the cabin, not in the hold. Most operators permit pets with advance notice. Inform Hogani Jets of any pet at booking so the operator can confirm their pet policy and prepare the cabin accordingly.

For international travel with pets, health documentation and destination country entry requirements apply. See the International Private Jet Travel guide for pet documentation requirements by region.

The aircraft is the operator's asset. Minor care of the interior is appropriate. Do not place wet items directly on leather seating without a towel. Heavy footwear on light-coloured upholstery leaves marks. Food spills happen and are cleaned by the operator, but flagging a spill to the crew rather than leaving it unmentioned is appropriate.

Do not remove aircraft emergency equipment from its placarded location. Do not tamper with aircraft systems, switches, or controls.

First-time private jet clients often expect more formality than exists. There is no boarding announcement, no safety video on a screen, no steward handing out menus. The safety briefing is delivered by the crew verbally before departure. Catering is already loaded. You board, find your seat, and the departure follows. The experience is closer to a well-staffed private car than to a premium airline. Relax, communicate your preferences directly to the crew, and let the service come to you.

For questions about any aspect of the private jet experience before your first charter, contact Hogani Jets at charter@hoganijets.com or +1-855-660-0573. 

All charters are facilitated through licensed Part 135 direct air carriers who hold full operational control and regulatory compliance for every flight.