What is in a fully inclusive helicopter charter quote?

Key points

• A fully inclusive quote prices the whole flight you described, not just the hours in the air.
• It includes the aircraft and crew, fuel, insurance, the flights to position the helicopter and landing and parking charges.
• It normally leaves out items outside the flight, such as ground cars, catering and tickets.
• Check what is assumed: passenger weights, waiting time, landing sites and the date the quote holds.
• We do not publish prices because each depends on the route and date. See Helicopter Hire Prices for general guidance.

What does fully inclusive mean?

Fully inclusive means the quote covers the costs of carrying out the flight as you described it. You should not receive a separate bill for fuel, landing fees or positioning afterwards. It is the opposite of a low headline rate plus extras.

The word applies to the flight as described. If you change the route, add a stop, increase the party or extend the waiting time, the quote changes, and we tell you before it affects the price. The companion article on what can change a helicopter charter quote lists the common causes.

What is usually included?

• The aircraft and crew. The helicopter, its type-rated pilots and the company's approvals, on a UK CAA or EASA approved Air Operator's Certificate.
• Fuel. For the flight and the legal reserves.
• Insurance. The helicopters are fully insured.
• Positioning. The flights to bring the helicopter to your start point and back to base. This often surprises people: the helicopter does not start where you are.
• Landing, parking and handling charges at the sites on the plan.
• Permissions. Landing permission and PPR requests, where granted.
• Planning and our own service. Route planning, weather checks and a 24-hour phone line.

What is usually not included?

Items outside the flight itself are normally separate. These include chauffeur cars at either end, catering and hospitality, event tickets, hotel stays, an overnight stay for the crew if the plan requires it and anything you add on the day. Where VAT applies, the quote shows it clearly; check how the quote states it.

We can add ground transport and plan around your event. For cars, our sister service Executive Global Travel provides quotes in the same way. If your trip includes a pet, see flying with pets by helicopter.

What assumptions sit behind the quote?

Every quote rests on assumptions, and good ones are stated. Look for these:

• The passenger count and weights.
• The luggage allowance.
• The landing sites at each end and their permissions.
• The departure and arrival times.
• Waiting time at each stop.
• The date until which the quote holds.

If any of these is wrong, tell us. A quote built on a wrong weight or a missing waiting period is not an accurate quote. See our quote checklist for the details to send.

How do I compare two quotes?

Compare like with like. Ask both parties for the same flight, with the same times, party and landing sites. Then check three things: is it fully inclusive, who holds the Air Operator's Certificate, and what happens if the flight is cancelled because of the weather. Our wording is: if the flight is cancelled because of the weather, you pay nothing.

A lower price can hide a smaller aircraft, a longer positioning, an unconfirmed landing site or extra charges to come. A clear quote names the aircraft, the route and the inclusions. If in doubt, ask. See also how helicopter charter works.

Why do some quotes look cheaper?

A fully inclusive helicopter charter quote can look more expensive than a headline hourly rate, but the rate usually leaves out positioning, landing fees, parking, fuel or waiting time. Once those are added the totals converge, and a cheap-looking quote can end up higher. Ask each supplier for the total for the same flight, in writing.

Other things that make quotes look cheaper: a smaller aircraft than you need, a site that has not been confirmed, an assumption that nobody weighs much or that nobody brings luggage, or a validity period that is very short. None of these is dishonest in itself, but each can change the final figure. We prefer to quote realistically and hold the price. The article on what can change a quote lists the traps.

If you want a general sense of how pricing works, Helicopter Hire Prices explains the factors, and our fleet page shows the aircraft behind the quote.

What does a good quote look like on paper?

A good quote is short and specific. It names the route and the date, the aircraft type, the number of passengers and the luggage it assumes, the landing sites and the waiting time, and the total. It says what the total covers and what it does not, shows how VAT is treated and gives a date until which it holds. It should be easy to read in a minute and easy to check against your own plan.

If a quote is vague about any of those things, ask. A reputable company answers without fuss. We follow these rules in our own quotes, and if you would like us to explain any line, we do. For a plain view of how other factors affect a price, see the business case for helicopter charter.

How do I get one?

Request a quote with your route, date, passengers and weights, or call us on the line that is open 24 hours. We reply with a fully inclusive quote for the flight you describe, and we explain any line you want explained.