One of the benefits of flying private is that you don’t have to worry about waiting in long lines to go through the TSA security checkpoint. Private jets depart from a different airport facility than commercial flights, called an FBO. This means that you don’t have to go through the TSA line to get to your flight. This saves private jet passengers a lot of time and hassle. Not only do they not have to arrive hours before their flight to make time for security, but they also don’t have to take off shoes or limit the size of the toiletries in their carry-on luggage to small sizes. Typically, there’s only a screening when you fly internationally and have to go through customs.

When you fly private, you don’t have to go to the main airport where the commercial air traffic is. Instead, you would go to the FBO, which is typically either located on land that is leased by the FBO from the airport or, more rarely, on property adjacent to the airport.

FBO is an acronym for a fixed-base operator. An FBO is the airport terminal used for private jet charter passengers. An FBO is also the provider of services such as hangaring, tie-down, parking, flight instruction, and more for general aviation.

The amenities available at an FBO depend on the size of the airport, but often include:

• Lounge
• Security check area
• Bathrooms
• Cafeteria
• Meeting rooms

One of the biggest inconveniences of flying commercial is how early you have to arrive before your flight. When you fly private, you don’t have to arrive hours early to go through security and wait at the gate. Instead, you can arrive 30 minutes before your flight to leave time for checking in and any security screening. Then, you can proceed to the aircraft that is waiting for you.

There’s a lot more flexibility in what or who you can bring with you on a private jet charter than when you fly commercially. Because you pay for the aircraft instead of by the seat, you can absolutely use one of those seats for a pet. There may be some rules regarding how your pet can fly, however. Smaller pets may need to be in a pet carrier while larger ones may need to have a harness. Check with your private jet broker before your flight so you know exactly what you’ll need to keep your pet safe in-flight.

There’s a lot more flexibility in what or who you can bring with you on a private jet charter than when you fly commercially. Because you pay for the aircraft instead of by the seat, you can absolutely use one of those seats for a pet. There may be some rules regarding how your pet can fly, however. Smaller pets may need to be in a pet carrier while larger ones may need to have a harness. Check with your private jet broker before your flight so you know exactly what you’ll need to keep your pet safe in-flight.