Aircraft Charter Flights for Tour Operators and Groups

Our charter flights service is for tour operators and group organisers booking an entire passenger aircraft. ACMI Lease assesses full charter flights, return journeys and seasonal programmes around your route, dates and passenger requirements. This service is for whole-aircraft bookings, not individual airline tickets.

Begin with the group and itinerary. Aircraft size matters, but so do the baggage load, departure airport, destination and timing. We assess those details together so the proposal addresses the journey you need to deliver.

Request a charter flight quote

Charter flights for tour operators

Tour operators can use group charter flights to plan dedicated departures around a holiday programme. A full charter reserves the whole aircraft for the agreed flights, rather than a block of seats on a scheduled service. It can cover one departure, weekly rotations or a defined seasonal schedule.

Start with passenger forecasts for each flight, including outbound and inbound numbers separately. For example, a programme may have full outbound flights at the start of a season and lighter return loads. Sharing the complete rotation plan helps us assess the requirement as a programme, not as unrelated flights.

Where the required cabin and route capability allow, we can assess alternative aircraft. A programme might accept either a Boeing 737-800 or an Airbus A320 if the proposed seating and service meet its needs.

One-off flights and seasonal charter series

A single event trip and a seasonal programme need different planning. For one event, the priority may be arriving before a fixed start time and returning after it ends. A series needs a repeatable schedule, a clear flight list and an agreed approach to changes.

• One-off charter: a defined flight for a group travelling together.
• Return charter: outbound and inbound flights, with the time between them included in the assessment.
• Series charter: repeated flights over agreed dates, routes and frequencies.

For a return journey, aircraft positioning or time spent away from base can affect the price. Provide both flight dates at the outset, even if one remains flexible. That allows the proposal to consider the full itinerary.

Sports team charter flights and event travel

Sports team charter flights can serve teams, coaches and support staff travelling to fixtures or tournaments. Separately, tour operators and event organisers may need aircraft for supporter groups, sponsors or hospitality guests.

For a team movement, explain the cabin preferences and equipment load. Large or unusual items need dimensions and weights. A team’s seating requirements may also differ from those of a supporter flight, so the largest aircraft is not always the best match.

For an event group, provide the venue, acceptable arrival window and earliest realistic return time. Extra time after a match, ground transfers and airport operating hours can all affect the schedule. Share these constraints before fixing flight timings with travellers.

Hajj and Umrah group charter

Pilgrimage organisers can request whole-aircraft flights or charter series for Hajj and Umrah. These programmes require detailed planning of passenger movements, outbound and return rotations, baggage and destination arrangements. Visit our dedicated Hajj and Umrah aircraft charter and ACMI page for the specific programme requirements.

Matching your aircraft charter to the journey

A single-aisle aircraft may suit a group whose seating, baggage and route fit that configuration. Larger groups or different route requirements may justify a wide-body option. In either case, the proposed cabin and operating conditions matter more than the aircraft family name alone.

The offered seating plan should show the actual number of seats and cabin arrangement. If a premium cabin, additional legroom or particular catering service is essential, include it in the enquiry. Likewise, account for sports equipment, mobility aids and other baggage needs early.

Follow the aircraft links above for family information and indicative range maps. These support initial comparisons, not a guarantee of a nonstop flight. The responsible AOC holder confirms the aircraft’s capability for the proposed passenger load, baggage and route.

What affects an aircraft charter quote?

A quote depends on the aircraft, itinerary, dates, positioning and services included. Flight distance alone does not determine the total. Airport charges, handling, catering and time away from the aircraft’s base can also affect the commercial proposal.

• Aircraft and schedule: cabin requirements, operating dates and the number of rotations.
• Positioning and airport costs: where the aircraft starts, the airports used and the interval before a return flight.
• Agreed service: catering, baggage requirements, inclusions, exclusions and terms for schedule changes.

Ask for the offer to identify inclusions and exclusions clearly. If an element of the schedule is flexible, say so: an alternative time, airport or aircraft may change the available options. The agreed contract defines the final service and price.

Full charter or ACMI?

A full passenger charter is generally the relevant starting point when a tour operator or group organiser wants an aircraft for specified flights. The charter agreement sets out the itinerary and the services included.

An ACMI lease addresses an airline capacity requirement with aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance. Under a standard wet lease, the supplying AOC holder operates under its AOC. However, a recurring schedule can still use a series-charter agreement; frequency alone does not make it an ACMI lease.

ACMI Lease may develop a solution using aircraft it owns or manages, aircraft placed or dry-leased with partner AOC holders, aircraft acquired or financed with its involvement, established AOC-partner capacity or selected third-party capacity. The proposal identifies the responsible AOC holder for the flights.

Request aircraft charter flights

Use the aircraft request form and select FULL CHARTER. Include the details below. For several routes, provide a flight-by-flight schedule with your enquiry:

• Organisation name and the purpose of the charter.
• Departure and arrival airports, dates and preferred times.
• Passenger numbers for each flight, including outbound and return journeys.
• Required cabin, baggage allowance and special equipment.
• Number of flights, frequency and programme duration.
• Acceptable aircraft alternatives and flexibility on dates or airports.
• Budget guidance, if available.

Send your full-charter requirement

Group air charter questions

Can we book individual seats?

This service is for whole-aircraft enquiries from tour operators and group organisers. It is not an individual airline-ticket or holiday-package booking service.

Can you assess air charter flights for an entire season?

Yes. Submit the proposed series with dates, routes, frequency and passenger numbers. ACMI Lease can then assess the programme, subject to aircraft suitability, availability and the required operational approvals.

Can supporters and a sports team use the same flight?

A combined movement can be assessed. Provide the full passenger breakdown, seating needs, baggage and team equipment so the cabin and loading requirements are clear.

Do we need to choose an aircraft before enquiring?

No. Start with your passenger numbers, airports, dates and service requirements. Include a preferred aircraft if you have one, and state whether alternatives are acceptable.

Every proposed programme remains subject to confirmation by ACMI Lease and, where applicable, by the responsible AOC holder, together with aircraft availability, operational feasibility, regulatory approval and agreed commercial terms.