Charter Smarter - Rules For Flying Charter Airlines
(June 6, 2002)
Squished in the back of USA 3000's
Airbus 320, I knew it was going to be an interesting flight to Punta
Cana. Things got even more interesting when a large man wearing a
loud Hawaiian shirt bellowed, "Are you ready?" "Aye yi Captain," his
traveling companions barked back. In tandem, they begin singing, or
rather slurring, the theme song from the cartoon Sponge Bob over and
over. At that point, I just looked at my family pondering what
exactly I had gotten us into.
Welcome to the wonderful world
of vacation airline charters, where the fares are cheap and the
travelers can be a bit over the top.
What's a
charter?
The main difference between a "scheduled" flight
and a charter flight is that charter flights are scheduled on
certain days each week and may not depart every day as scheduled
airlines do. Also, charters are mostly operated by companies that
specialize in them; however, they can be operated by scheduled
carriers like US Airways, United, and Southwest, to name a
few.
In Europe, charter flights are the way most Europeans go
on vacation, mainly because they are generally the least expensive
way to fly and are often the most convenient (as they usually go
direct and are often scheduled to maximize your vacation time). They
also don't have the wide variety of fare categories, restrictions,
and stay requirements that scheduled airlines do. Plus, for
last-minute travel, you won't pay a large premium if a seat is
available, and you often get a discount.
When major U.S.
airlines cut back on flights after September 11, charter flights
filled the void, becoming a preferred vacation option, as in
Europe.
Things to consider
Public charters are
regulated, but under different rules than scheduled carriers—rules
which provide for less consumer protection. For this reason, Real
Traveler highly recommends that you consider the reputation of the
tour operator that has chartered the flight because it is through
them that you are most likely to get compensation if something goes
awry.
Also, before you show up at the airport with your
passport and snorkel gear, review the tour package carefully, and
investigate the operator. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Charter airlines can cancel flights up to 10 days prior to
departure.
- Charter airlines are allowed to change schedules at the last
minute.
- Charter airlines are allowed to delay flights for up to 48
hours with no mandated compensation.
- Most charters do not have reciprocal agreements with scheduled
airlines, so you will not be put on an alternate airline.
The tour operator is not obligated to provide alternate
transportation or to compensate you for your expenses if a delay
happens. Check the contract to see if the operator will cover any
costs associated with flight delays. Know your rights. According to
Department of Transportation (DOT) rules, you have
a right to cancel a charter package without penalty if the operator
makes a "major change," such as departure, return date, or city
changes; hotel substitutions not named in the charter contract; or a
package price increase of more than 10 percent.
"Fifth
freedom" charters
Some U.S. tour operators contract with
foreign airlines for charter flights. These flights are termed
"fifth freedom" charters by the DOT, meaning a carrier from Country
A flies between Country B and Country C, without serving its
homeland. While the DOT routinely approves such flights, there is
much debate about whether allowing these flights is hurting the U.S
airline industry.
In March, the National Air Carriers
Association (NACA) petitioned the DOT to limit the ability of
foreign airlines to offer charter flights between the U.S. and third
countries. According to NACA figures, foreign carriers have operated
more than 7,500 round-trip charter flights originating in the U.S
with the majority being "fifth freedom" flights. NACA estimates that
the lost business has cost U.S. airlines more than $500 million
since 1999.
Investigate a charter
You can call
the DOT Public Charter Licensing Division (202-366-2396) to make
sure the charter operator has properly filed paperwork to operate
flights from the departure city to the specified destination.
Charter packages cannot be sold until the charter filing is approved
by the DOT.
Real Traveler again recommends that you pay by
credit card since it provides more consumer protection. If you must
pay by check or money order, make it payable to an escrow account
(required by federal law for charters), and call the bank handling
the escrow account to confirm its validity. Be sure to put down the
return date of the trip on the check because the bank won't release
the funds until after your trip has been completed. Lastly, be wary
of charter operators who are reluctant to provide escrow bank
information.
Real Traveler thoughts
My flights
on USA 3000 (the charter airline of Apple Vacations) were quite
amusing, to say the least. Nevertheless, I could have not flown
nonstop from Pittsburgh to Punta Cana on any scheduled carrier. If I
had, it would have taken over 10 hours with connections instead of
the four I flew.
One thing to keep in mind is that public
charters handle mostly vacationers; therefore, it's normal to expect
more people in "party" mode. While the flight down was boisterous,
the flight home was serene. It was quite clear everyone was
exhausted from having a good time.
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