Home/Guides/Federal Excise Tax and US Charter Pricing
Cost guide

Federal excise tax and
US charter pricing

Charter within the United States carries a federal tax that appears on most quotes. This guide explains what it is and how it shapes a US charter price.

Request a Charter QuoteTypical reply in under 60 min
The basics

What the tax applies to

Charter flights within the United States are generally subject to a federal excise tax on the air transportation charge, together with a per passenger segment fee for each leg. It is collected on the operator invoice and remitted to the authorities, so it is a pass through rather than operator margin.

Because the rate and the segment fees are set by regulation and can be adjusted, the current figures should be confirmed at the time of booking.

Trip type

How domestic and international differ

Wholly domestic flights are treated differently from international ones. A flight that begins or ends outside the country, or that touches defined zones near the border, can fall under a different regime, sometimes a fixed international arrival or departure charge rather than the percentage tax.

The detail depends on the routing, so the same aircraft can carry different tax on different trips.

What is in or out

Fuel, empty legs, and special cases

Certain charges and certain operations are treated separately under the rules, and some arrangements such as particular owner or fractional structures follow their own treatment. Empty repositioning legs and the way fuel tax interacts can also matter.

This is technical ground, so a quote that itemises tax clearly is the practical answer for most travellers.

In the quote

What to ask

Ask for tax to be shown as a separate line on your quote and confirm the current rate and any segment fees for your itinerary. If your trip crosses the border, ask how that changes the treatment.

Tell us your route and dates and we will return pricing with the tax itemised. This is general information and not tax advice, so confirm specifics with a qualified adviser.

Request a charter quote

Tell us your route and dates. A charter advisor will return a clear trip price with the relevant costs explained up front.

Private and reviewed by a human advisor.
The Flight Deck

Our newsletter for the discerning traveller. Aircraft notes, route intelligence, and honest guidance on cost. No noise.