Charter flights: how to catch a deal, what about luggage, and what if something goes wrong?

Charter flights? So how are they different from a regular flight? It doesn’t work like buying a normal plane ticket. I’m sure many of you have wondered how it really works. That’s why I wrote this guide: short, clear and honest. I’ll show you where to find tickets, when it’s smart to hunt for last-minute deals, what to know about luggage and what to do if something goes wrong. Charter flights are a great way to save money on a holiday, but you need to know how to use them wisely.

Table of contents:

1. What are charter flights?
2. How do travel agencies organise charter flights?
3. Where and when to look for charter flight tickets
4. Pros and cons of charter flights
5. Charter flights and luggage — what you need to know
6. Charter flights last minute — when is it worth the risk?
7. What to do if your charter flight gets cancelled
8. Summary: are charter flights a good choice?
9. FAQ about charter flights

What are charter flights?

Charter flights, often simply called charters, are flights organised by travel agencies and tour operators. These companies work directly with airlines or with firms that lease aircraft.

For comparison:

• Scheduled flights fly all year according to the airline’s timetable. You buy a ticket directly from the airline or through an agency.
• Charter flights are rented by travel agencies. A tour operator books the whole plane or some seats and sells them to clients.
• Low-cost flights are budget airlines that work like scheduled flights. They are cheaper because they reduce onboard services. There’s no free food, checked luggage costs extra, comfort is basic and flights often depart from smaller airports.

How do travel agencies organise charter flights?

A travel agency signs a contract with a chosen airline, for example TUI Airways, SunExpress, Condor or Smartwings. The airline provides the tour operator with a whole aircraft or a specific number of seats for a certain route and date. In practice, it works like renting a plane for exclusive use.

The agency pays for this service in advance and then sells the seats as ready-made holiday packages — a charter flight plus hotel and often an airport transfer.

If they don’t sell all the packages, the remaining seats are offered to everyone. That’s when you can buy just a ticket for a charter flight without any extras. This way the agency recovers some costs and passengers get a chance to fly cheaper than with a regular airline.

Where and when to look for charter flight tickets

You can find charter flights in a few ways. First, check the websites of travel agencies. Then look at charter airlines, comparison sites and flight search engines. Many travel blogs (like mine) also share direct links to the best deals. Below you’ll find it all listed step by step — with links:

It’s best to start looking for charter flight tickets about 3–6 months before the summer season. This is when travel agencies plan their flights and the first good deals appear.

If you’re after a bargain, it’s also worth hunting for last-minute offers. Sometimes a week or two before departure, agencies sell the remaining seats cheaper to fill the plane.

Outside the peak season, for example in May or September, charter flights are often cheaper. There is less demand and it is easier to find a good deal.

Pros and cons of charter flights

Pros of charter flights	Cons of charter flights
Reach destinations without regular flights	Flights only on specific dates, often seasonal
Cheaper tickets compared to scheduled flights	Flight times may change last minute
Checked baggage usually included in the price	No online check-in, airport check-in required
Long-haul routes often use wide-body aircraft (more comfort)	Risk of no available seats for your chosen destination
Airport fees and travel insurance usually included	Often older or budget aircraft — less space, lower comfort
Easy booking process	No guaranteed meal, expensive onboard food
Transfer from the airport to the hotel and back included	Some charters land at smaller airports, extra travel needed
Direct connections without layovers	Dependence on the tour operator for changes and complaints

Charter flights and luggage — what you need to know

A charter flight ticket usually includes two pieces of luggage: hand luggage that you take on board and checked baggage that goes in the hold.

Charter flights last minute — when is it worth the risk?

Hunting for a last-minute deal is always a risk. It’s true that you can find charter flights for really crazy prices — often even half the usual cost. Travel agencies cut prices just before departure to fill empty seats.

The best last-minute deals usually pop up outside the peak season, in spring or in September. Then it’s easier to get a good price and find more available seats. The closer you get to departure, the cheaper it can be. But the risk is higher that tickets will suddenly sell out or only one seat will be left when you planned to travel as a couple or with family.

Last-minute bookings only make sense if you can take time off work at short notice and don’t mind that the flight might be tomorrow. Sometimes the flight leaves right in the middle of your planned holiday — that’s another downside.

Would I take the risk? Yes, if my time off is flexible and I can pack in one day. No, if I have a tight schedule — then I prefer to plan ahead and sleep well.

What to do if your charter flight gets cancelled

It’s good to know that under EU regulations, passenger rights also apply to charter flights. In short: if there’s a problem, you’re entitled to care (meals, drinks, a hotel), the option to change your flight or get a refund, and often compensation too.

But the most important thing is what to do at the airport when something unexpected happens.

1. Act fast
First, find the airport information desk or the counter of the travel agency that organised your charter flight. If it’s closed, go to the general airport info desk and ask for a written confirmation of the delay or cancellation. It can be an email, a text message or a printed note. Also, take photos of the departure board and your flight number with the new time. This is your proof. It’s smart to write down when you arrived at the airport, when they announced the change and when you actually took off.

4. Make a claim
After you get back home, prepare your claim. Write it to the airline or the travel agency. Attach your ticket, boarding pass, photos and receipts. Describe everything clearly and briefly: what happened, what you lost and what costs you had to pay.

Summary: are charter flights a good choice?

Dreaming of a budget holiday and a quick, spontaneous trip? Charter flights are a great way to spend less and have everything organised for you. The ticket, hotel, transfer and luggage are often included in the price. That’s why it’s an option worth considering.

But if you have fixed holiday dates, a detailed plan and a dream destination in mind, a charter flight might not be the best for you. In that case, it’s better to buy a ticket in advance and plan everything yourself.

There’s no perfect solution. It all depends on what you want to see, where you want to go and when. My advice? Check the table with pros and cons again. Think if charter flights fit your travel style.

FAQ about charter flights

1. What is the difference between charter flights and scheduled flights?
   Scheduled flights are available all year and fly according to the airline’s timetable. You can buy tickets directly from the airline or through an agency that sells them. Charter flights are organised or leased by travel agencies. They operate during specific periods and mainly go to holiday destinations. They are usually sold as a package with a hotel, but you can also buy a charter flight ticket only.
2. Can I buy just a charter flight ticket without a hotel?
   Yes! Many travel agencies sell free seats on the plane without the holiday package. So you pay only for the flight and arrange your own accommodation.
3. Can I cancel a charter flight ticket?
   Usually not. Charter tickets are cheaper but less flexible. If you don’t fly, you rarely get a full refund. That’s why it’s a good idea to buy cancellation insurance.
4. Is there food on a charter flight?
   Sometimes short charter flights do not include a meal, so you buy snacks and drinks on board. On long-haul flights, a meal is often included. It depends on the airline and the fare.
5. What should I do if my luggage goes missing on a charter flight?
   Report it immediately at the Lost & Found desk at the airport. You will get a PIR report. Then contact the airline and the travel agency. Both can help you find your luggage and get compensation.
6. Are charter flights safe?
   Yes! Charter planes meet the same safety standards as scheduled flights. Airlines must have valid certificates and pilots hold the same licences and training.
7. What are the most popular destinations for charter flights?
   Mostly holiday hits like Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Spain, the Canary Islands, Tunisia or Croatia. From Poland, you can also fly charters to Zanzibar, the Maldives and the Dominican Republic.
8. What baggage allowance do charter flights have?
   Usually the ticket includes two pieces of luggage: hand luggage and checked baggage. However, always check the exact limits on the airline’s website. They can vary depending on the airline and the route.
9. How early should I be at the airport for a charter flight?
   It’s recommended to be at the airport at least 2–3 hours before departure. Online check-in is often not available, so you must go to the check-in desk.

If you liked this topic, make sure to check out my other posts in the “Flying Unveiled” section:

• Overbooking: What You Need to Know and How to Protect Your Rights

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