Boarding like a star: Inside the world of celebrity private charters

Time of India

11 hours ago

Diljit Dosanjh was seen relishing a spread of gourmet Indian food on a private jet, used during his Dil-Illuminati tour and Kareena Kapoor Khan took private charter for an award event.
In 2009, Abhishek Bachchan broke a Guinness World Record by racing to five cities in twelve hours to promote Delhi-6. Years later, in 2016, Priyanka Chopra was juggling shoots for Bajirao Mastani (2015) in Mumbai and Quantico in Los Angeles.
How do the A-list celebrities do it all? One answer: private charters. No long security queues. No baggage belts. No waiting for boarding announcements or getting mobbed at terminals. Just a curb-to-cabin glide that turns a 180-minute airport ordeal into a mere 15-minute pit stop.
'Post-pandemic, we've seen a significant surge in celebrity clientele, especially across India, the Middle East and Europe,' says Raaghav Belavadi, founder of private jet operator Hype Luxury.
'Celebrities are leveraging private jets for everything from spontaneous business trips and wellness escapes to quick weekend retreats,' he adds.
Sachit Wadhwa, co-founder of Book My Charters, agrees. 'There was a time pre-COVID when one could count on fingers the celebrities that chartered… today, even younger actors, musicians, DJs and influencers fly private.'
From bespoke biryani on board to Gulfstream G700s fitted with sleek aesthetics, the skies have never been more exclusive nor more crowded with famous names.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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Here's a front-row seat to the rarefied world of celebrity air travel, where time, privacy, and personalisation rule the flight plan.
Amitabh, Jaya and Abhishek Bachchan travelled together in a private jet when Big B was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award
'In a private jet, they can choose the travel time'
Charter operators say private flights offer unmatched ease and privacy – 'you can take off and land whenever you want, there's no crowds. It's seamless, flexible and contactless travel."
The only requirement? A minimum of three hours' notice. 'We at least need a 3‑hour heads up to arrange for the pilots, the crew, engineers and fueling the aircraft,' Maria explains.
In Mumbai, general aviation (private charters) is unavailable during 8–10 am and 5–7:30 pm due to peak commercial traffic.
Once aboard, celebrities avoid delays and distractions. 'The car is out and ready on the tarmac. The talent gets out of the jet, gets into the car, and the car is going to the hotel,' says Maria.
Saved hours translate into productivity or rest. 'Celebs are using their time on board very productively.
Even two hours saved adds up. They conduct meetings, read scripts, or just catch up on rest while flying,' adds Sachit Wadhwa of Book My Charters.
There is a proper mirror and lav in the aircraft for the celebrities to get ready
Maria Charles, Skyline Charters
'The pet also reaches comfortably'
For vacations, celebrities often prefer to bring their pets, and with private charters, animals fly freely in the cabin, not locked away in cargo. 'There are some certifications that need to be done before getting the pet onboard. Usually, the pet is carried in a cage until it reaches the aircraft.
Once the aircraft takes off, we release the pet and they can enjoy the flight,' shares Akash Nale of Flyyo. This shift reflects a global trend: flying pets in the cabin significantly reduces stress compared to cargo or cramped carriers under seats.
All these jets can be customised with plush leather seats, lie-flat beds, bespoke lighting, entertainment systems, and custom monogramming
'Some want food from their favourite Delhi restaurant'
"Food and beverage," says Sachit, "is a big part of the experience." Many celebrities — particularly on Delhi–Hyderabad routes — request signature dishes from favourite restaurants mid-air.
One client, despite spending over Rs 50 lakh on a Delhi-Goa return flight, requested poha and Haldiram bhujia instead of a gourmet English breakfast - a surprising but welcome request, says Akash Nale of Flyyo.
For early flights, the norm is plant-based or South Indian breakfasts, while lunch usually consists of light options like hummus or a tikka platter.
Some are gluten-free, some want coffee from a specific café; on a Mumbai-Delhi run they'll ask us to serve food from their favourite restaurant for the return leg
Sachit Wadhwa, BookMyCharters
'Staff bring the luggage early'
When fans see paparazzi photos of Bollywood celebrities breezing through Mumbai's Kalina airport, they often wonder how stars manage to travel without luggage.
"Staff bring the luggage hours earlier because screening takes time. The celebrity just walks through the terminal straight to the aircraft,' Sachit explains. Still, Maria adds, 'Security check is compulsory for everyone travelling, even at private terminals.
'
The cost of flying private
A round trip from Delhi to Mumbai and back onboard a Legacy 650 charter typically costs between Rs 15 lakh and Rs 30 lakh, the range depends on customisation, timing, and additional services involved.
For events, shoots, or promotions, travel costs are often covered by production houses or event organisers.
None of the Bollywood celebrities owns a private jet, confirms Maria and Sachit. All reports about A-list actors owning charter aircraft are false. There is only one South Indian celebrity who owns an aircraft. Ajay Devgn, during an interview with BookMyShow Unscripted, debunked the rumours of owning an aircraft, "No, not at all.
I was planning to buy it and had secured one deal too. But it didn't go through. So, it is not true.
'
(L) Priyanka Chopra with Nick Jonas' parents. (R) While promoting Selfiee Akshay Kumar entertained everyone in the private jet with his singing.
'Privacy & discretion define our business'
Celebrities avoid commercial flights because they crave privacy away from the public glare. 'Bollywood is an area of interest for almost everyone… Everyone wants to see what a star is eating, how he behaves when the cameras are not rolling,' explains Sachit, adding, 'Privacy and being discreet are the most important aspects of our business.
They need time to switch off. Our job is to provide that.'
For celebs who fly private, discretion is built in. As Maria says, 'The crew is trained in a way that they will never ask for a selfie or autograph.' Some operators even require crew to sign NDAs. Raaghav adds, 'Each movement is orchestrated by operations teams in partnership with airport authorities and private security firms, ensuring zero exposure and complete peace of mind for our clients.'
Private jet travel in India also means dedicated terminals – Kalina in Mumbai and the General Aviation terminal in Delhi – where celebrities can arrive just 10–15 minutes before departure. 'With these terminals, celebrity travel is more discreet,' says Sachit.
Teams vet aircraft safety first
Celebrity entourages also vet aircraft safety before flying. 'Even before the unfortunate Ahmedabad crash, people would enquire about the safety, 'When was the maintenance done…' Charter aircraft are regularly serviced and engineered, taken care of just like any commercial aircraft,' says Maria Charles of Skyline Charters.
'Of course, they ask about the safety, and we provide properly maintained aircraft.
We have a maintenance agency, and they are taken care of.' Akash adds, 'There are certified engineers who do the necessary checks after every flight. If a minister is flying, the engineer has to be onboard for safety measures.'
'Celebs prefer first-class for flying international, take private jets for shorter hops'
For long-haul international routes, especially US-bound, celebrities typically opt for first-class commercial flights, reserving private charters for domestic legs or short-haul travel.
As Sachit Wadhwa of Book My Charters explains, 'If someone wants to travel from New York to Miami, they would use a charter plane because commercial flights often have luggage restrictions. So, we manage those travels too.
'
Many operators offer seamless India–London service, often with a single refuel stop. 'We have aircraft that can fly non-stop from India to London and we even do trips to the USA with one stop. That stop is never more than 45 minutes. You just refuel, get fresh food on board, and then take off. Sometimes celebrities don't even realise there's a stop because they sleep through it. They stay onboard during refuelling,' adds Sachit.