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Orca Travel Collection

The Orca Private Flights Guide

Flying Private

How we do it, and why.

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How we work

We don't sell private flights. We help you choose the right one.

After 30 years of flying private, including owning our own jet, we've learned that the cheapest quote can be the most expensive trip. So Orca doesn't act as a charter broker. We advise you, point you to operators we trust, and you book and pay them directly. You get our experience, and your money goes straight to the company flying you.

Operators we trust

Companies we'd consider

  • No. 01

    NetJets / Executive Jet Management

  • No. 02

    Flexjet

  • No. 03

    VistaJet

  • No. 04

    Jet Linx

  • No. 05

    Solairus

  • No. 06

    flyExclusive

  • No. 07

    Wheels Up

  • No. 08

    XO

  • No. 09

    Silver Air

  • No. 10

    Magellan Jets

Each one fits different trips, budgets, and ways of flying, and we'll help you pick.

Before you book

Red flags before you book any private flight

  • No. 01

    Red flag

    The quote doesn't list the company that actually operates the aircraft.

  • No. 02

    Red flag

    The price has no federal excise tax on it. The FAA treats that as a warning sign of an illegal charter.

  • No. 03

    Red flag

    You're asked for a large deposit long before the trip, with no escrow.

  • No. 04

    Red flag

    There's no plan for a backup aircraft if the jet breaks down, especially on trips to Mexico or overseas.

  • No. 05

    Red flag

    A 'certified' badge on the seller, but no safety rating for the aircraft and operator themselves.

  • No. 06

    Red flag

    Photos of the cabin that don't match the tail number you're flying.

Your checklist

Questions to ask every operator

  1. 1Who is the operating carrier, and what's their certificate number?
  2. 2What safety rating do they hold, such as ARGUS or Wyvern?
  3. 3If the plane goes down mechanically, what's the recovery plan, and does it cover my destination?
  4. 4What are the liability insurance limits per passenger?
  5. 5What's the all-in price, including taxes, fees, and surcharges?

Flying Private

6 pages · PDF

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Talk to Us About Your Trip

You get our experience, and your money goes straight to the company flying you.

Talk to Us About Your Trip

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Orca Travel Co. offers travel planning and guidance only. We do not sell, arrange, or operate air charter. All flights are contracted directly between you and the operator.