Quick answer
An operator owns or manages the aircraft and holds the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) that lets it fly paying passengers. A broker finds and books aircraft from operators and earns a margin. Either can suit your trip, as long as you know who you contract with and who carries you.
| Broker | Operator | |
|---|---|---|
| Owns or manages the aircraft | No, sources aircraft from operators | Yes, owned, leased or managed |
| Holds an AOC | No, unless it is also an operator | Yes, for commercial flights |
| Legally responsible for the flight | No | Yes, as the operating carrier |
| Who you pay | The broker, under its terms | The operator directly |
| Aircraft choice | Across many operators | Its own fleet only |
| Price transparency | Margin is usually built in | Price is the carrier's own |
| Best when | You want options or have a tight window | You know the aircraft or base you want |
What does a private jet broker do?
A broker turns your trip brief into aircraft options. It asks several operators for availability, compares cabins and prices, then books the one you choose.
The broker does not fly the aircraft and usually earns a margin on the charter. You can compare firms in our private jet broker directory.
Four questions to ask a broker
- Are you acting as my agent or selling the charter as principal?
- Which operator will carry me, and what is its AOC number?
- Whose terms govern payment, refunds and cancellation?
- What happens if the aircraft becomes unavailable?
What does a private jet operator do?
An operator runs the flight. It owns, leases or manages the aircraft, employs the crew and makes the operational calls on safety and routing.
It sells charter directly or through brokers, and its price is its own. Browse UK carriers in our operator directory.
Broker or operator: which should you use?
Both routes can work well. The choice depends on how much searching you want done for you.
Use a broker if...
- You want several aircraft compared quickly
- Your dates or route are unusual
- You prefer one contact for changes
Go direct if...
- You already know the aircraft or base
- You fly the same route often
- You want the carrier's own price
How do you check a UK operator is licensed?
For UK commercial flights, the operating carrier must hold a UK AOC. Four checks take about ten minutes.
- 1
Open the CAA AOC holders list
Go to the UK CAA holders of Air Operator Certificates page and open the current published list.
- 2
Match the legal entity
Find the carrier's registered company name, not only its trading name or the broker's brand.
- 3
Match the AOC number
Check the certificate number on your quote against the list, and note the date the list was published.
- 4
Ask for the aircraft registration
Ask which registration will fly you, then confirm that aircraft type appears under that AOC.
16 of 17
operator listings in this directory carry a source row from the CAA AOC holders list dated 2 November 2026. Rows added from newer source dates are counted separately and not included here.
What do listed, claimed and verified mean here?
Each profile shows a status. They mean different things and are checked by different people.
| Status | Meaning | Who checked |
|---|---|---|
| Listed | A profile exists, built from an official source or a reviewed submission. | Our editors, against the named source |
| Claimed | Someone at the business has taken control of the profile. | Email check by the claim process only |
| Verified | A dated official register row matches this profile. | Our editors, against the regulator's list |
FAQ
Broker and operator questions
Short answers to what people ask next.
Sources
- 1. UK Civil Aviation Authority, Holders of Air Operator Certificates. List dated 2 November 2026, accessed 6 November 2026.
- 2. Private Jet Directory, Data methodology. Reviewed 5 November 2026.
Estimate before you ask for quotes
Use the cost calculator to see an indicative flying-time budget for your route.
PrivateJetDirectory.io is an independent directory and information service. We are not an aircraft operator, air carrier or charter broker, and we do not sell or arrange flights. Enquiries are shared with relevant third-party providers who deal with you directly.