Private Jet vs. Commercial Airline Safety Comparison

It’s smart to do your homework before scheduling a flight on a private jet. Is your company safe? Is the industry safe? How can you prove it? 

Safety is an important part of everything you need to know about private jet charters. The information we’ll share here can help you compare risks between private jet charters and commercial flights. 

Private Jet vs. Commercial Airline Safety: What the Data Shows 

Organizations like the National Transportation Safety Board and the National Safety Council keep detailed records about flight hours and accidents. Examining the data can help you understand the risks involved with each type of flight. 

This table summarizes the data, but we’ll go into much more detail later in the article.

operation type	category	2021 accident/fatal rate	notes
Part 121*	Scheduled Airlines	0.133/0	Safest category overall; highest FAA oversight and crew redundancy
Part 135*	On-Demand Charter	.76/.201	Very safe; mandatory pilot training and maintenance checks
Part 91**	Private/Corporate	0.26/0	Higher risk; less oversight and no crew duty limits
ARGUS-rated operators	Top-tier Charter Fleetes	Data not publicly available	Independent audits and best-practice safety systems; specific rates not disclosed.

Private Jet Safety Statistics 

The private jet class includes operators who hop on planes they own for their individual trips, as well as companies that charter private jets for their clients. This type of flight is exceptionally safe. 

The National Transportation Safety Board says there were about 0.26 accidents per 100,000 hours flown by executive/corporate jets in 2021, and the death rate was zero. 

Similarly, the National Safety Council says there were about 0.76 accidents per 100,000 hours of air time for on-demand air taxi flights, with a fatal accident rate of 0.2. 

An analysis of government data by CNN suggests that there were 300 deaths on on-demand flights, compared with 5,500 deaths in other aviation classes. Data like this indicates that private jets are incredibly safe. 

Commercial Airline Safety Statistics 

Commercial airlines are the safest form of flight. Tight regulations surrounding pilots, training, rest times, and airport operations mean fewer opportunities for accidents and injuries. 

According to the National Safety Council, there were 0.133 accidents per 100,000 hours of flight time for commercial airlines in 2021, with a fatal accident rate of zero. 

The numbers have improved since 2021. In 2023, there were no fatal accidents on commercial airlines in 2023, according to the National Safety Council. 

According to the International Air Transport Association, the all-accident rate in commercial airlines in 2023 was 0.8 per million, which is one of the lowest rates seen in a decade. 

Private Jet vs. Commercial Airlines: Regulatory Differences

The FAA regulates both private and commercial flights. However, the rules operators must follow change dramatically from one classification to another. 

FAA Part 91 covers private aircraft. People who follow these rules might be flying their own planes on short trips. They may also be flying planes for corporate clients. 

FAA Part 135 covers on-demand charters. People who follow these rules might be flying small or mid-size jets as part of a jet charter company. In air parlance, they may be taking an “air taxi.” 

FAA Part 121 covers commercial flight. People who follow these rules are typically working as pilots for large airline companies, such as Delta or United. 

This table summarizes the similarities and differences between the rules and regulations of these three types of rules: 

category	part 91 (private use)	part 135 (Charters)	part 121 (Commercial)
Purpose	Private, personal, or corporate flights	On-demand commercial charter flights	Scheduled commercial airline service
Who It Applies To	Jet owners, corporation, individuals	Charter companies, air taxi services	Major airlines (Delta, United)
FAA Oversight	Light to moderate	High	Very high
Pilot Certification	Private or commercial (ATP not required, but common)	Commercial or ATP (ATP often required for jets)	ATP required; extensive training pipeline
Pilot Duty & Rest Limits	None (no FAA-imposed limits)	Regulated; max duty and required rest per 14 CFR 135 Subpart F	Strictly regulated: FAR Part 117 governs flight and duty limits
Crew Medical Requirements	2nd class medical (or 1st for ATPs)	1st class for captains (2nd class may suffice for SIC in some ops)	1st class for all pilots
Training Requirements	No mandatory recurrent training	Recurrent every 12 months + often simulator for jets	Recurrent + simulator every 6-12 months (varies by role/type)
Aircraft Maintenance	Owner-managed; inspections at discretion	FAA-approved maintenance programs; inspections per use/type	Rigorous: FAA-mandated A, B, C, D checks and more
Safety Management System (SMS)	Optional	Encouraged; required for larger operators (per Part 5)	Required under 14 CFR Part 5
Flight Attendant Requirement	Not required	Required for aircraft with more than 19 seats	Required
Passenger Liability Insurane	Optional/minimal	Required to meet commercial standards	Required and regulated by DOT/FAA
Emergency Equipment	Minimal (based on aircraft and ops)	Required per 14 CFR 135 Subpart C	Required by regulation (life vests, oxygen, escape slides)
Third-Party Safety Audits	Not applicable	Common: ARGUS, Wyvern, IS-BAO	Regulated by FAA, ICAO, plus internal QA audits
Flight Plan Filing	Optional (VFR/IFR based on route)	Typically required (especially IFR, per route/airspace)	Mandatory IFR
Example Operator	Corporate jet owner flying to business meetings	Wheels Up, Jet Linx, Flexjet (charter flights)	American Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest

Key differences to note about these regulations include the following:

• FAA oversight is light for private use, but it’s extensive for commercial airlines. 
• Pilots working for charter operations may get an ATP pilot certification, but they’ll need one for commercial flights. 
• Rest limits are not required for private use, but they’re strictly regulated for commercial airlines. 
• Training requirements aren’t required for private use, but they’re mandatory for the other classes.

Pilot & Crew Training Requirements

Flying an airplane is complex, and it takes years of study to perfect the associated tasks. Most pilots spend years learning about the craft, and they obtain plenty of certifications and ratings that prove they know what they’re doing. 

Pilots working privately have no FAA minimum flight hours to clock, and they’re not required to go through simulator training. Charter pilots need at least 1,200 total flight hours, and they must complete simulator training every 6 months. Airline pilots need to do even more. 

This chart can help you understand the key differences between training requirements by type:

category	part 91 (private)	part 135 (Charter)	part 121 (airlines)
Pilot License Required	Commercial or ATP	ATP (or Commercial for SIC, depending on aircraft)	ATP required for all pilots
Minimum Flight Hours	No FAA minimum (owner’s discretion)	Typically 1,200+ total hours (including turbine time)	Minimum 1,500+ hours (by FAA regulation)
Simulator Training	Not required by the FAA	Required every 6 months for captains	Full-motion simulator every 6-12 months
Recurrent Training	At the owner’s discretion	Required every 6 months (Part 135.293 checks)	FAA-mandated recurrent and proficient checks
Crew Rest & Duty Limits	No formal limits	Duty max: 14 hrs Required rest: 10hrs	Strict FAA duty/rest regulations
Second in Command (SIC)	Optional	Required for larger aircraft or IFR flights	Always required
Flight Attendants	Not required	Required for aircraft with 10+ seats	Required for most flights
Emergency Procedures Training	No required	Required annually for all crew	Mandatory and standardized
Medical Certification	2nd class or 1st class for PIC (ATP)	1st class for captains; 2nd or 1st for SICs	1st class medicals required for all pilots
Crew Resource Management (CRM)	Not required	Mandatory for flight crews	Mandatory FAA requirement
Background Checks	Not regulated	Required by TSA for commercial operators	Required
Typical Experience Profile	Varies widely; often corporate or owner-pilots	Former military or airline pilots; highly experienced	Career airline professionals; structured training paths

Maintenance Standards 

All aircraft require upkeep to remain safe while in the air. Standards ensure that owners keep their equipment in good working condition and have the documents to prove it. 

Aircraft maintenance and safety certifications are complex, but there are some key points to know as a consumer. 

Private jet owners must follow a manufacturer’s recommended schedule for maintenance, but charter companies and commercial airlines must follow a schedule that’s approved by the FAA. 

Private owners are required to complete annual inspections, but other types of aircraft need even more exams, including some performed every 100 hours of flight time.

Safety Benefits of Flying Private 

Private flight is incredibly safe, especially when you’re working with a partner that’s committed to a regular schedule of inspections and maintenance. In many ways, a private flight is even safer than choosing a commercial airline. 

Benefits of flying private include the following:

• Less infection exposure: Since you’re not visiting crowded airport terminals, you have a lower risk of germs from other travelers. 
• More attention: A small crew can mean quicker help when you have a medical emergency during the flight. 
• More protection: A smaller flight is a smaller risk of terrorist attacks, especially when compared to large commercial flights. 
• Better allergy protections: Your risk of cross-contamination from passenger foods is lower when you’re on your own flight. 
• Clear communication: On a private flight, you can speak directly with the crew often. It’s more difficult on a commercial flight.

Tips for Choosing a Safe Private Jet Charter Operator 

As a consumer, you have a key role to play in making your flight as safe as possible. Part of your booking process should involve asking safety-related questions. 

Good things to ask your potential partner include the following:

• Can you show me third-party safety audits from ARGUS, Wyvern, or IS-BAO?
• Can you share proof of your pilot testing program?
• Can you share the details of your insurance coverage?

A reputable operator will be willing to share these critical details with you. 

Looking for a Private Jet Charter Partner You Can Rely On? 

Element Aviation is an experienced jet charter operator. We’ve helped hundreds of people just like you get to their destinations in style. 

We have staff members available around the clock to schedule your flight. Contact us to find out more about our jet charter services. We can get you set up for your next flight today.