Helicopter charter questions answered: the 24 we hear most

Key points

• Charter-A Helicopter is the helicopter charter service of Charter-A Ltd, which has arranged private flights across the UK and Europe since 2011.
• You hire the whole aircraft and crew, which fly to your timetable between sites you choose.
• Every aircraft is twin-engine, flown under a UK CAA Air Operator's Certificate and fully insured.
• Landing at private sites is subject to permission and site suitability.
• The quote is fully inclusive, and if the flight is cancelled because of the weather, you pay nothing.

Booking and quotes

How do I charter a helicopter?

Send us your route, date, passengers, weights and landing sites, and we reply with a quote. The quote checklist lists what to send.

How quickly can I book?

Short-notice flights are possible, but major events fill early. Call us: the line is open 24 hours.

What does the quote include?

The aircraft, crew, fuel, insurance, positioning and landing charges for the flight you describe. See what is in a fully inclusive quote.

Can the price change?

If the plan changes, yes. We tell you before it affects the price. See what can change a quote.

Do you publish prices?

No. Each quote is for your exact route. For general guidance see Helicopter Hire Prices.

How is charter different from a seat on a shared flight?

You hire the whole helicopter and set the timetable. Nobody else is aboard.

Aircraft and safety

Which helicopters do you use?

The Leonardo AW139, Airbus H145 D3, Agusta 109 Grand, AS355 Twin Squirrel and Sikorsky S-76. See the fleet compared.

How many people can fly?

Up to eight in the AW139 and H145 D3, six in the 109 Grand and five in the AS355.

Are the helicopters twin-engine?

Yes, all of them. See twin-engine helicopter safety.

Who regulates the flights?

The Civil Aviation Authority. See who regulates helicopter flying.

Are the pilots qualified?

Yes: professional pilots with a type rating for the aircraft.

Is it safe?

Flights are regulated, insured and flown by trained crews. No flight is without risk, and the pilot's decisions come first.

Weather, weights and luggage

What if the weather is bad?

If the flight is cancelled because of the weather, you pay nothing. See weather and helicopter charter.

Can I fly in winter or at night?

Yes, with limits on daylight and site suitability. See night and winter flying.

Why do you need my weight?

The aircraft must stay within its limits. See passenger weight and luggage.

How much luggage can I bring?

It depends on the aircraft, weights and route. Soft bags work best.

Can I bring a dog?

Often, if agreed in advance. See flying with pets.

How early should I arrive?

About 10 minutes before departure.

Landing places and journeys

Where can a helicopter land?

Airports, airfields, heliports and permitted private sites. See where helicopters can land.

Can you land at my house or hotel?

Often, subject to permission and site suitability. See landing at a private site.

How fast is a helicopter?

We plan on a cruise of about 135 knots, so London to Birmingham takes about 40 to 50 minutes.

Is it quicker than driving?

On most journeys of 80 to 300 road miles, yes. See helicopter versus car.

Can you fly to Paris?

Yes. See helicopter charter to Paris.

Can I charter for an event?

Yes. See helicopter to sporting events.

Where do I find more detail on each question?

These helicopter charter questions are the short version. Each links to a fuller guide, and the main ones to start with are how helicopter charter works, helicopter safety and regulation and where helicopters can land. For the aircraft, see the fleet page, and for locations, the UK helicopter charter hub.

The most useful thing you can do is tell us your journey, including the parts you are unsure about, such as the landing site or the weight of the party. A real route and a real date let us answer the questions that matter to you, rather than the general ones. If a question is not on this page, ask us. The line is open 24 hours, and we will say honestly what we know and what we need to check.

What are the questions people forget to ask?

Three questions are often forgotten. What is the fallback if the helicopter cannot fly? Agree it early; a chauffeur car is the usual answer. Who is responsible for the landing permission? We are, but you may need to introduce us to the landowner. And what is the cut-off for changes? Ask for it in writing, so that you know when a change becomes costly. Add a fourth for corporate clients: who else needs to know, such as your assistant, your security team or the venue? We are glad to be told, and glad to be asked.

If you have a question that is not on this page, send it with your quote request. Our airport transfer guide and roadshow guide answer many of the follow-up questions for those trips.

Still have a question?

Call us on the line that is open 24 hours, or request a quote and put your question in the message. We reply in plain English. For the end-to-end process, read how helicopter charter works in the UK.

Finally, remember that every answer on this page is general. Your journey has its own details: the sites, the weights, the date, the weather and the people. Those details change the answer, and we would rather give you the right answer for your trip than a general one for everyone.