Safety and operator vetting.
Every flight Empty Leg Exclusive arranges is operated by a carrier holding a valid Air Operator Certificate in the UK or EU or an FAA Part 135 certificate in the United States. Before an aircraft is offered we confirm the certificate, the operator’s insurance and the aircraft registration, and the operating carrier is named on every quote. We do not operate aircraft.
| Page | Safety and operator vetting |
|---|---|
| Applies to | Every page and every flight arranged by Empty Leg Exclusive |
| Sections | What makes a charter legal, What we check before offering an aircraft, What a quote tells you, Voluntary audit programmes |
| Last updated | 2026-09-20 |
What makes a charter legal
A commercial operator certificate held by the company flying you.
In the United States on-demand charter is flown under 14 CFR Part 135 (Federal Aviation Administration, 2026); flights offered for compensation under Part 91 are illegal charter. In the UK the operator needs an Air Operator Certificate from the Civil Aviation Authority (UK Civil Aviation Authority, 2026); in the EU an AOC under Regulation (EU) 965/2012 issued by the national authority (European Union Aviation Safety Agency, 2026). The certificate belongs to the operator, not the broker, which is why the operator must be named.
What we check before offering an aircraft
Certificate, insurance, registration.
- The operator holds a current AOC or Part 135 certificate, checked against the issuing authority’s list.
- The operator carries passenger liability insurance appropriate to the aircraft and route.
- The aircraft registration matches the operator’s certificate.
- For empty legs, the leg is confirmed with the operator before it is offered as bookable; legs an operator marks as unconfirmed are not published.
What a quote tells you
The operator, the aircraft, the schedule and the price.
Every Empty Leg Exclusive quote names the operating carrier and the aircraft type and registration, sets out the schedule and the total price, and states what happens if the flight moves or is cancelled. If a quote you receive from anyone does not name the operator, ask why.
Voluntary audit programmes
ARGUS, Wyvern and IS-BAO ratings are useful signals, not substitutes for the certificate.
Some operators hold third-party audit ratings. We note them when an operator holds one, but the legal basis of every flight remains the operator’s certificate. See the guide to checking an operator is legal.
Frequently asked questions
Are empty leg flights safe?
Yes. They are flown by the same licensed operators, crews and aircraft as full-price charters, under the same regulations: FAA Part 135 in the United States and an Air Operator Certificate in the UK and EU. The discount reflects scheduling, not standards.
Does Empty Leg Exclusive operate the aircraft?
No. Empty Leg Exclusive is a charter broker. We act for you, not for the operator, and every quote names the certified operator that will fly you. Empty Leg Exclusive is an air charter broker, not an aircraft operator or direct air carrier. Empty Leg Exclusive arranges flights on behalf of its clients with independently certified operators, such as FAA Part 135 certificate holders and UK or EU Air Operator Certificate holders, who keep full operational control of every flight. The operating carrier is named on every quote.
Sources
- Federal Aviation Administration, 14 CFR Part 135, 2026 (accessed 2026-09-20). US operating rules for commuter and on-demand operations.
- UK Civil Aviation Authority, Air Operator Certificates, 2026 (accessed 2026-09-20). UK requirement for commercial air transport operators.
- European Union Aviation Safety Agency, Air Operations, 2026 (accessed 2026-09-20). EU air operations regulation (Regulation (EU) 965/2012).
Last reviewed 20 September 2026 by Empty Leg Exclusive Editorial Team.
Your next flight. Let’s find it.
Tell us where you want to go and when. We will check the empty legs that fit and reply the same day.
- Licensed operators only
- Same-day replies
- Whole-aircraft pricing, no seat fees