Do Private Planes Go Through Security?

Most of us are familiar with the frustrations common to flying commercial. We are navigating airport traffic, waiting in long crowded security lines, and sharing an aircraft with 200 other passengers. However, a trip flown on a private jet will eliminate those frustrations and result in an enjoyable, relaxing, comfortable, and efficient experience.

If you have never used a private plane before, you may be wondering do private planes have to go through the security process? Opposed to what you may have heard, every passenger, flight crew, and pilot needs to go through some level of security screening process before boarding a private airplane.

However, the security screening process is often different from what you experience when traveling on a commercial airplane. You can skip the long lines and do not need to go through security screening with crowds in most cases. You will often receive your private security screening just before boarding your airplane when you fly private.

If you are interested in flying private but aren’t sure if it’s worth it, consider the unique benefits you get with this mode of transportation. You are in control of nearly every aspect of your flying experience, including when you leave, what you pack, how you spend your flight time, who you fly with, and more.

We have provided a helpful manual to help you better understand what to expect from the private plane security process when flying on a private airplane. Follow along so that we can prepare you for your next private flight.

Security Lines

If your schedule changes often, you won’t have to worry about that when you fly privately. You will never miss your flight because a meeting went long or traffic on the freeway was terrible. Unlike commercial airlines, a private plane flies on your schedule, so you won’t have to worry if you are running behind. If you wish to exit earlier, you can often change with little notice as long as the plane is available.

It is likely one of the most disagreeable parts of traveling, as it is barely predictable. Instead of running to the airport, deal with the problem of airport security and battle your way through crowds of individuals; when you fly on a private plane charter, you can show up at the airport when you need and leave at a time that accommodates your timetable.

Before boarding your aircraft, many private charters conduct private plane security screening right on the tarmac. It means you are only undergoing screening with those boarding the same flight as you, so there are no long lines or crowded areas.

And the best part? You do not need to remove your shoes, remove items from your pockets, place your luggage on the conveyor belt through the X-ray machines, and pass through metal detectors or body screeners when you pass through the security check for your private aircraft.

Since you and your guests (friends, family, coworkers, etc.) are the only ones other than your flight crew on the airplane, you don’t have to bother about the probable security risks of others on the airplane.

Security lines are not required as you will usually be taking off from a different facility than commercial flight passengers. This facility is called an FBO (fixed-base operator), and it is typically small and remarkably uncrowded.

Identification Procedure

As part of the private plane security, every passenger, including children, needs to prove identification. The security personnel will ask you to provide a valid form of identification. If you are traveling with a baby, you need to provide a birth certificate.

Passengers need to go through the same procedure while flying privately to an international destination. The security personnel will ask you to provide a valid passport or specific travel details such as a travel visa. Overall, flying private offers a quick and smooth boarding process.

Luggage Scanning

Before getting on your private plane, the flight crew may run your luggage through X-ray scanning. The crew also keeps the right to inspect your luggage. One advantage of flying private is that you don’t have to stick to the fluid limitations. There is no need to stress packing travel-sized water bottles, moisturizers, shampoos, conditioners, or restricting the number of cosmetics you need to bring on board.

The amount of luggage depends on the size of the aircraft and the number of passengers. If you are bored of worrying about what you pack, how much your bag will weigh, and how much it will cost to check your luggage to your final destination, then you will love flying a private airplane charter. All bags are stored on the aircraft free of cost.

Airplane Access

One more component of going through security screening that is different when you fly privately is that you often get selective admittance to the runway. Sometimes, you don’t even need to go to the airport terminal because many private airports permit you to drive straight up to your private plane.

Since you don’t have to go through the terminal or line up with the crowd, you can show up at your airplane at the time of takeoff instead of hours in advance. Fly as soon as you and your flight crew are ready.

Customs

Since flying private doesn’t mean you can skip customs while arriving at an international destination. All international rules still apply to private jet travelers, from limitations on what you may bring into the country to prerequisites for proper identification proof, visas, and passports.

The only difference is that you may have access to a private customs area, which permits you to avoid lining up with many travelers. You will still meet with customs authorities, yet it will be a significantly more facilitated process than if you were flying commercial.

The flight crew is not exempt from these requirements as their travel documents and luggage are inspected. And although security and customs measures are still required, a private charter is a better option for speed and convenience when traveling domestically and internationally.