Is NetJets Part 135?

NetJets regulatory questions have gotten complicated with all the “what’s the actual difference for passengers between Part 91 and Part 135 flights” debates, the fractional ownership versus charter regulatory status comparisons, and “why does it matter which FAR Part governs a specific NetJets flight” conversations flying around. As someone who has spent years following business aviation regulations and the specific operational differences that FAR Part designations create for operators, crews, and passengers, I learned everything there is to know about how NetJets operates under FAA regulations. Today, I will share it all with you.

But is NetJets Part 135, really? In essence, the answer is that NetJets operates under both Part 135 and Part 91 depending on the specific flight — fractional ownership flights typically fall under Part 91 while on-demand charter operates under Part 135, and this dual-compliance structure is deliberate and significant rather than a regulatory technicality. But it’s much more than regulatory labels. For passengers evaluating fractional ownership versus charter and for pilots considering business aviation careers, understanding which FAR Part governs a specific operation determines the safety standards, crew qualifications, and operational requirements that apply to every flight.

NetJets Overview

NetJets, established in 1964, invented the concept of fractional jet ownership — allowing multiple owners to share proportional ownership of a specific aircraft, with access to that aircraft type guaranteed through the fleet. Today NetJets operates one of the world’s largest private aviation fleets, serving both fractional ownership clients and charter customers. Its acquisition by Berkshire Hathaway in 1998 brought the capital depth and operational stability that allowed significant fleet expansion. Don’t make my mistake of treating fractional ownership and charter as essentially the same product with different pricing — at least if you’re evaluating NetJets for personal or corporate use, because the regulatory, operational, and cost structures are genuinely different in ways that affect how you should evaluate the total value proposition.

Part 135 Explained

Part 135 regulates commuter and on-demand air transportation operations. Operators providing commercial air services for compensation must hold an Air Carrier Certificate from the FAA. Part 135 requirements include specific pilot qualification standards (ATP certificate requirement), maintenance programs with more frequent and comprehensive inspection cycles, operational control structures, and dispatch authorization systems. These requirements collectively produce a safety standard designed for commercial passenger transport where the operator bears responsibility for a flight that passengers have paid for.

Part 91 Explained

Part 91 covers general operating rules for all civil aircraft operations except those specifically covered by other regulations. Part 91 is less restrictive than Part 135 — it covers private operations where the aircraft owner or operator controls the flight for their own purposes rather than for compensation. Fractional ownership flights fall under Part 91 because the fractional owner is using their own aircraft (or an aircraft of equivalent type from the fractional fleet) for their own travel, not purchasing transportation services from a carrier. That’s what makes the fractional ownership model’s regulatory position endearing to operators and clients — Part 91 compliance provides operational flexibility in scheduling and procedures that Part 135’s more prescriptive requirements constrain.

NetJets’ Dual Compliance

NetJets holds both Part 91 and Part 135 operating authority. Fractional ownership flights — where a shareholder is using their proportional share of fleet time — operate under Part 91. Charter flights, where NetJets provides on-demand air transportation to customers who don’t own a share, operate under Part 135. This dual structure allows NetJets to serve both markets while applying the appropriate regulatory framework to each type of operation. First, you should verify which regulatory framework applies to a specific NetJets flight before comparing it to charter offerings from pure Part 135 operators — at least if you’re making a procurement decision where regulatory standard matters to your organization’s safety requirements, because the distinction affects which specific requirements govern crew qualifications and maintenance on the specific flights you’ll be using.

Pilot Requirements and Training

NetJets applies consistent high training standards across all operations. For Part 135 operations, the regulatory requirement is ATP certification with the specific aircraft type — standards that NetJets meets and typically exceeds through its own training programs. The company’s training investment in simulator recurrency and emergency procedure practice reflects the operational demands of a large fleet serving demanding schedules, not merely minimum regulatory compliance.

Safety and Operational Standards

Safety compliance at NetJets encompasses regular safety audits, comprehensive crew training, advanced flight simulation, and a safety management system that identifies and addresses risks proactively. The IS-BAO (International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations) certification that NetJets maintains provides third-party verification of safety management practices that goes beyond FAA minimum requirements for either Part 91 or Part 135 operations. This voluntary safety standard commitment reflects how serious business aviation operators position safety in their brand value proposition.

Additional Reading

• Federal Aviation Regulations
• NetJets Official Website
• National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)