Part 135 Regulation

Topic

FAA rules governing commuter and on-demand operations, requiring fewer flight hours for pilots compared to commercial airlines.


First Mentioned

2/21/2026, 5:55:41 AM

Last Updated

2/21/2026, 5:59:34 AM

Research Retrieved

2/21/2026, 5:59:34 AM

Summary

Part 135 Regulation is a specific section of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), codified under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), which establishes the operating requirements for commuter and on-demand aviation operations in the United States. Managed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), it serves as the legal framework for non-scheduled air charter carriers and air taxis to operate for hire, balancing safety standards with operational flexibility. The regulation has recently become a subject of intense debate regarding "regulatory capture," with legacy carriers such as American Airlines and Southwest Airlines lobbying the FAA to tighten its application. These airlines contend that private charter operators like JSX utilize Part 135 to circumvent the more rigorous pilot qualifications required under Part 121 and to allow passengers to bypass standard TSA security protocols.

Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
  • Regulator

    Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

  • Key Components

    Certification, maintenance, inspections, safety procedures, and insurance

  • Official Title

    14 CFR Part 135 - Operating Requirements: Commuter and On Demand Operations

  • Legal Framework

    Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR)

  • Safety Standards

    Higher than Part 91 (private), lower than Part 121 (scheduled airlines)

  • Primary Application

    Non-scheduled air charter carriers and air taxis

Timeline
  • General aviation safety data indicates an accident rate of 1.049 per 100,000 flight hours, informing ongoing FAA refinements to Part 135 safety standards. (Source: Web Search: ParaFlight)

    2020-01-01

  • Podcast E148 highlights legacy airlines lobbying the FAA to shut down JSX by challenging its use of Part 135 Regulation as a form of regulatory capture. (Source: Document 0c408fae-3516-4cfd-b67f-0e6ab624be7d)

    2023-10-04

Federal Aviation Regulations

The Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) are rules prescribed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) governing all aviation activities in the United States. The FARs comprise Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). A wide variety of activities are regulated, such as aircraft design and maintenance, typical airline flights, pilot training activities, hot-air ballooning, lighter-than-air aircraft, human-made structure heights, obstruction lighting and marking, model rocket launches, commercial space operations, model aircraft operations, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and kite flying. The rules are designed to promote safe aviation, protecting pilots, flight attendants, passengers and the general public from unnecessary risk.

Web Search Results
  • 14 CFR Part 135 -- Operating Requirements

    | | | | | --- | Part 135 | Operating Requirements: Commuter and on Demand Operations and Rules Governing Persons on Board Such Aircraft | 135.1 – 135.621 | | | | | | --- | Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 50-2 Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 50-2 | | | | Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 71 Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 71 | | | | Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 89 Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 89 | | | | Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 97 Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 97 | | | | Subpart A | General | 135.1 – 135.43 | | | | | | --- | § 135.1 | Applicability. | | | § 135.2 | Compliance schedule for operators that transition to part 121 of this chapter; certain new entrant operators. | | | § 135.3 | Rules [...] | | | | | --- | Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 50-2 Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 50-2 | | | | Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 71 Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 71 | | | | Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 89 Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 89 | | | | Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 97 Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 97 | | | | Subpart A | General | 135.1 – 135.43 | | | | | | --- | § 135.1 | Applicability. | | | § 135.2 | Compliance schedule for operators that transition to part 121 of this chapter; certain new entrant operators. | | | § 135.3 | Rules applicable to operations subject to this part. | | | § 135.4 | Applicability of rules for eligible on-demand operations. | | | § 135.7 | Applicability of rules [...] | | | | | --- | Subchapter G | Air Carriers and Operators for Compensation or Hire: Certification and Operations | 110 – 139 | | | | | | --- | Part 135 | Operating Requirements: Commuter and on Demand Operations and Rules Governing Persons on Board Such Aircraft | 135.1 – 135.621 | | | | | | --- | Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 50-2 Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 50-2 | | | | Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 71 Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 71 | | | | Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 89 Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 89 | | | | Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 97 Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 97 | | | | Subpart A | General | 135.1 – 135.43 | | | | | | --- | § 135.1 | Applicability. | | | § 135.2 |

  • What You Need to Know About Part 135 | Stratos Jet Charters

    To better understand the main differences between these and Part 135, we’ve highlighted some of the key concepts of all three regulations. Part 135 is for aircraft like private jet charter service or air taxi. The training requirements for Part 135 are less strict than Part 121 but more detailed than Part 91. These regulations are focused on unscheduled air transportation. [...] So why is it important to know about Part 135? It’s the permission slip that all private air carriers need to fly for hire. Below, we highlight the basics of Part 135 with a regulations cheat sheet, plus the details you need to know to understand the differences between Part 135, Part 91, and Part 121. ## What Are the Basics of Part 135? At its core, FAA Part 135 is a certificate required by the Federal Aviation Administration for a company to operate as a non-scheduled air charter carrier. It’s designed to set boundaries and establish safety procedures for jet charters and other types of commercial aviation operations that fly on demand. [...] Part 135’s requirements are for operators, pilots, and the specific aircraft used during operation. With Part 135 certification, operators are required to follow rules and regulations to operate the aircraft legally. Operators who neglect to follow Part 135 requirements are subject to certification removal. With Part 135, pilots and aircraft owners are given a strong set of rules that include: Certification requirements Needs for aircraft maintenance and inspections Operational procedures and safety requirements Minimum equipment requirements Insurance requirements for operators ### Certification requirements To be considered for Part 135 certification, owners and operators are required to display:

  • FAA Part 135 Explained - ParaFlight

    ## Conclusion Understanding FAA Part 135 is essential for private charter clients seeking safe, reliable, and professional aviation services. The regulation establishes comprehensive safety standards that significantly exceed those for private aircraft operations, providing clients with enhanced protection and peace of mind. While Part 135 operations may cost more than private aircraft alternatives, the value proposition includes superior safety standards, professional service, regulatory oversight, and operational reliability. For clients prioritizing safety and service quality, choosing a Part 135 operator represents a sound investment in their aviation transportation needs. [...] ### Regulatory Compliance ParaFlight partners exclusively with FAA-certified operators, ensuring all flights meet the highest safety standards. All private jet providers in the US must be certified by the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA). Part 91 and 135 of the Code of Federal Regulations apply to private and chartered private jet services, respectively. The code regulates everything from aircraft to crew to maintenance. ### Safety Performance Data Recent data reveals that the accident rate for private jets is 1.049 per 100,000 flight hours, with fatal accidents being a small fraction of this number. In 2020, out of 1,085 general aviation accidents, only 205 were fatal, translating to around 0.198 fatal accidents per 100,000 flight hours. [...] ## The Future of Part 135 Operations ### Technological Advances Part 135 operations are evolving with technology: Advanced Avionics: Enhanced navigation and safety systems Predictive Maintenance: Data analytics for maintenance optimization Digital Documentation: Electronic record-keeping and compliance tracking Weather Technology: Improved weather detection and avoidance systems ### Regulatory Evolution The FAA continues to refine Part 135 regulations: Safety Management Systems: Enhanced focus on proactive safety management Training Standards: Evolving training requirements incorporating new technologies Operational Flexibility: Balancing safety with operational efficiency Environmental Considerations: Increasing focus on environmental impact and sustainability

  • What is faa part 135

    It’s worth noting that Part 135 regulations establish a minimum standard for safety. Companies like Stratos Jet Charters take this a step further. In addition to holding Part 135, we require our partner charter operators to undergo further certification with independent auditing companies such as ARGUS and Wyvern. As a result, this ensures our clients fly with the most reputable vendors available. Our jet charter agents are available 24/7 to provide you with multiple private jet quotes for your on-demand air charter flight. ## Are you ready to book your best charter flight yet? Our friendly, expert private flight advisors are here to answer questions or start your quote today. Don`t wait, call right now and we can get you on your way to the destination of your choice! [...] Search our Airport Directory for both domestic and international airfields. The confidence you need when traveling to a high profile event. home home F # FAA Part 135 slot restrictions for charter flights slot restrictions for charter flights ## What is the Difference Between Part 91 and 135? Part 135 is a certificate required by the Federal Aviation Administration for a company to operate as a non-scheduled air charter carrier. It encompasses a section of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) that establishes safe operating procedures and policies for on-demand jet charters. FAA Part 135 regulations establish protocols for a series of air charter safety criteria, including: ## What is the Difference Between Part 91 and 135? [...] ## What is the Difference Between Part 91 and 135? Compared to flights conducted for personal travel—which fall under Part 91 regulations—charter flights flown under FAA Part 135 are conducted by companies who provide air charter service for a profit. What is a Part 135 operator? These operators can offer their services directly to the end user. It’s also common for a jet charter broker to coordinate on-demand jet charters on behalf of the client. In this instance, the broker does all of the legwork to arrange the charter flight. After that, it’s the air carrier’s duty to provide the actual service.

  • [PDF] Starting a Part 135 Operation

    valuable to the applicant to review. Operations Inspector Guidance From FSIMS Order 8900.1: CHAPTER 2 THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS-FEDERAL AVIATION REGULATIONS PART 135 • AIR CARRIER CERTIFICATION JOB AID AND SCHEDULE OF EVENTS • SECTION 01. PREAPPLICATION PHASE • SECTION 02. FORMAL APPLICATION PHASE • SECTION 03. DOCUMENT COMPLIANCE PHASE DESIGN ASSESSMENT • SECTION 04. DEMONSTRATION AND INSPECTION PHASE • SECTION 05. CERTIFICATION PHASE This section provides potential FAR 135 operators with some insight into what manuals are going to be needed to allow main-tenance personal to carry out their assigned duties and responsibilities in accordance with company policies and FAA regula-tions. It would be very valuable for the applicant to review this information. Maintenance Inspector Guidance [...] ............................................................................................................................................................5 Introduction Those who wish to fly passengers for compensation or hire are expected to demonstrate their ability to operate to the high-est level of safety. Operators who wish to fly passengers on-demand, rather than on a scheduled basis, must demonstrate this ability by complying with the regulations in 14 CFR 119, which applies to the certification of air carriers and commercial operators, and 14 CFR 135, which contains the operating requirements for commuter and on demand operations. The process of applying for a 135 operating certificate can be daunting to those who have never been through it. “Start-ing a Part 135 Operation” is