Austin is the capital of Texas and calls itself the Live Music Capital of the World. Its main airport, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), is about 5 miles southeast of downtown. An Austin private jet charter lets you fly in or out on your own schedule, from a private terminal, with only your group on board.
With BLADE Anywhere, BLADE's charter service, BLADE can arrange jets, helicopters and turboprops to fly you and your guests to any destination. BLADE acts as an air charter broker and indirect air carrier. It does not operate aircraft. All BLADE flights in the United States are operated by DOT/FAA licensed direct air carriers, under 14 CFR Part 135, the FAA rules for on-demand charter.
A dedicated flier-relations advocate manages and monitors your trip and is available 24/7.
What is a Private Jet Charter?
A private jet charter means you book an entire aircraft and its crew for your trip. You are not buying a seat on an airline. You choose the departure airport, the destination, the date and the time, and the cabin is only for your group.
How Does a Private Jet Charter Work?
- You tell BLADE where and when you want to fly, how many people are coming and how much luggage you have.
- BLADE shows aircraft options and a price, and arranges the flight with a licensed operator.
- On the day, you go to the fixed-base operator (FBO), the private terminal for business aircraft, rather than the airline terminal.
- You meet your crew, board and depart.
Advantages of Private Jet Charter
1. Flexibility and Convenience
You set the schedule. The aircraft leaves when your group is ready, within the crew's duty and rest limits. You can plan a same-day round trip or add a stop.
2. Time-Saving
You skip the airline check-in and the walk through a busy terminal. Many private charters also skip the passenger checkpoint used for airline flights. Screening is required when passengers board from a sterile area of an airport, or when the aircraft is very large, and your operator will tell you what applies.
3. Privacy and Comfort
You fly with people you know. You can talk business, rest or travel with family without strangers around you.
4. Access to Remote Locations
Private jets can use many smaller airports that have no airline service, which can put you closer to a ranch, a resort or a job site. Runway length and airport facilities decide which aircraft can land there, so name the exact airport when you request a quote.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Private Jet Charter
1. Aircraft Options
- Turboprops and light jets suit short regional trips with a few passengers.
- Midsize and super-midsize jets add cabin room and range for longer domestic flights.
- Large-cabin and long-range jets suit bigger groups and long nonstop flights.
2. Safety and Maintenance
In the United States, charter flights for hire are operated under FAA Part 135 by licensed air carriers. All BLADE flights in the United States are conducted by FAA-certificated operators under Part 135. BLADE's operator oversight includes annual onsite audits and reviews of each operator's manuals, training, maintenance and compliance records, aligned with frameworks including FAA SMS, IS-BAO, ARGUS and Wyvern. For what those ratings mean, see ARGUS Platinum and Wyvern Wingman.
Part 135 also sets pilot minimums. The pilot in command needs at least 500 hours as a pilot for flights under visual flight rules, and at least 1,200 hours for flights under instrument flight rules.
3. Reputation and Customer Reviews
Look past the marketing. Ask who operates the flight, whether the operator holds an independent safety rating, and who you can call if something changes on the day of travel. Before you sign, an air charter broker must tell you which carrier has operational control of your flight and in what capacity the broker is acting.
4. Cost and Billing
Charter is priced per trip, not per seat. The main factors are the aircraft's size and type, the distance and flight time, the date, fuel prices and positioning, if the aircraft has to fly in from elsewhere. Ask what the quote includes, such as taxes, fees and catering, and read the cancellation terms.
BLADE's private jet charter cost estimator shows aircraft options and an estimated price based on your airports, the distance and the date. For one-way trips, empty leg flights can cost less when an aircraft is repositioning on your route. With BLADE, you can also crowdsource your flight: BLADE sells your unused seats in the BLADE app, and sold seats are credited back to you as BLADE credits toward future flights.
How to Charter a Private Jet in Austin
1. Research and Compare Charter Companies
Ask each company the same questions: who operates the aircraft, what the quote includes and what happens if the weather changes your plans.
2. Contact Charter Providers and Request Quotes
With BLADE, open the BLADE app or go to blade.com and choose charter. Select AUS or another airport as your origin, pick your destination, and select the number of fliers, the date and the time. Have questions? Call BLADE Flier Relations at 1-844-359-2523.
3. Review and Confirm Flight Details
Check the airports, the date, the departure time, the passenger count and any requests such as catering, pets or ground transportation.
Plan ahead around big events. During the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, for example, AUS has run a Prior Permission Required program for general aviation arrivals and departures, so book early for race weekend.
4. Finalize the Charter Agreement
Read the confirmation, the total price and the cancellation terms before you pay. Have identification ready for every passenger, and passports for international trips.
Popular Destinations from Austin by Private Jet
Straight-line distances from AUS:
1. New York City
Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, a common private jet airport for New York, is about 1,310 nautical miles away. Teterboro is publicly owned and run by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. See our Teterboro Airport guide for what to expect there.
2. Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport is about 1,080 nautical miles away. Ask whether your trip can be flown nonstop on the aircraft you are considering.
3. Miami
Miami International Airport is about 960 nautical miles away.
4. Las Vegas
Harry Reid International Airport is about 950 nautical miles away.
Flight time depends on the aircraft, the winds and the route, so check it for your exact trip when you request a quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Austin known for?
Austin is the state capital of Texas. Its nicknames include the Live Music Capital of the World and Silicon Hills.
Can I fly to Austin in a private aircraft?
Yes. BLADE can arrange a private jet charter to or from Austin, operated by a DOT/FAA licensed direct air carrier under Part 135.
Which is the main airport in Austin?
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), about 5 miles southeast of downtown. It has two runways and three helipads.
What amenities and services are available at Austin Bergstrom International Airport?
Private aircraft use the airport's FBOs rather than the airline terminal. Ask BLADE which FBO your flight will use.
What services does Atlantic Aviation offer?
Atlantic Aviation's FBO at AUS is open 24 hours a day. Its listed services include charter ground handling, on-site customs, security screening and hangar space for aircraft up to the size of a Gulfstream G650 or Global Express.
This article is part of an experimental series that was created by leveraging AI. It may occasionally generate incorrect or misleading information, or produce offensive or biased content.