I was wondering if anyone can clear something up for me. I am particularly looking at flights from the US to the Caribbean and Mexico booked through tour operators like Funjet, Apple, Pleasant Holidays, Go Go and Vacation Express.Is there a way to tell whether you are on a charter flight or on scheduled air? Is it just a matter of looking at their schedule to see if you flight number is listed? Obviously, If you are on Ryan International, Omni International, North American..., you are on a charter flight but what about Alaska, Frontier...? I know a lot of tour operators offer both scheduled air and charter options. Or, is it possible for a tour operator to buy a certain amount of seats on a scheduled flight so that some passengers are on a charter while others may be on scheduled air? Or, do airlines like Frontier and Alaska actually have designated charter flights?Really, I'm just curious as to how these situations work.

Well, I dunno about the US charter market, but here in Germany the tour operator buys a amount of seats in a sheduled flight or they buy the whole flight as charter. Maybe in the US it´s made in another way. I hope this helps you a bit.

When I flew for CoEx (now express jet) charter flights were a numbered flight. So if you looked up the flight # it would give you typical flight info. There was no way to tell the flight was special besides it not being on a standard schedule/route map. While working for my current employer we landed in trail of a Air Canada flight a few years back and followed it to the FBO. They were chartering the Bruins for a game the next day and used the standard call sign and had an assigned flight #. Many of the airlines will offer charters if the money is right. I have personally seen the Colorado Avalanche leave on Frontier and United aircraft. One time boarding at the FBO and the second they were bussed to the aircraft by Terminal A. As for tour operators, normally they have contracts with the airlines. If they have X number of pax they go on X scheduled flight. If they book enough pax they will get their own aircraft and flight #. It all has to do with money.

Thanks. That's about what I thought. Looking closer at Funjet's website, they have charter fares, bulk fares and published fares from all sorts of airlines and they have different fare types for the same airline.

While working for my current employer we landed in trail of a Air Canada flight a few years back and followed it to the FBO. They were chartering the Bruins for a game the next day and used the standard call sign and had an assigned flight #.

Whatever came of the complaints from the US carriers about Air Canada doing this sort of thing. Ie moving a US sports team from one US destination to another?

Whatever came of the complaints from the US carriers about Air Canada doing this sort of thing. Ie moving a US sports team from one US destination to another?

Nothing, they reached an agreement that would allow Air Canada to continue. ACA has to send monthly carriage reports and subject the players to new security measures including metal detector and Xray of carry-on.

What, the Bruins don't have their own plane? Shameful for an original 6 team.http://www.flickr.com/photos/wee_in_yyc/1814476535/

When I flew for CoEx (now express jet) charter flights were a numbered flight. So if you looked up the flight # it would give you typical flight info. There was no way to tell the flight was special besides it not being on a standard schedule/route map. While working for my current employer we landed in trail of a Air Canada flight a few years back and followed it to the FBO. They were chartering the Bruins for a game the next day and used the standard call sign and had an assigned flight #. Many of the airlines will offer charters if the money is right. I have personally seen the Colorado Avalanche leave on Frontier and United aircraft. One time boarding at the FBO and the second they were bussed to the aircraft by Terminal A. As for tour operators, normally they have contracts with the airlines. If they have X number of pax they go on X scheduled flight. If they book enough pax they will get their own aircraft and flight #. It all has to do with money.

What, the Bruins don't have their own plane? Shameful for an original 6 team.http://www.flickr.co...yyc/1814476535/

LOL. Thank god they got rid of the Little Caesars guy from the tail. I still remember their old BAC. Most teams use airline charters or have leased aircraft with their logo. Phoenix is a prime example, their 727 use to be the Stars aircraft. Wings are fortunate since they are owned by the Ilitch's. As for non-Aviation, lets hope the Wings get healthy and quick. ;)