Start with your flight documents
Before you commit, identify the carrier that will exercise operational control, its authority for the route, the contracting party, the aircraft arrangement, the full price and currency, payment instructions, cancellation and substitution rules, and the insurance disclosures relevant to the service. Keep a copy. Melion provides membership access and negotiation support; it is not the operating carrier.
United States: charter arrangements
US air-charter brokerage rules can require disclosures about the carrier, the broker’s role and broker insurance before a flight contract, with additional relationship and cost information available as required. Changes can trigger further disclosure and cancellation or refund duties. An advertised aircraft or quoted departure is not a confirmed arrangement without the necessary carrier commitment. The operating carrier issues the flight contract. For a charter request you wire the fare to Melion, and for an empty leg you pay Melion by card once the operator accepts; in both cases Melion pays the operator on your behalf, and the confirmation names the payment recipient; for an air-ambulance request the provider receives the fare directly. Any Melion compensation and relevant insurance arrangements must be disclosed before you commit. Ask for the actual carrier identity, authority, total price and insurance information.
United States: refunds, access and baggage
Refund, accessibility, assistance and baggage obligations depend on the carrier, the type of operation, the route, applicable law and the agreed contract. Rules written for scheduled airlines or public charters should not automatically be assumed to apply identically to a single-entity whole-aircraft charter. Ask the carrier for its applicable policies and a contact for assistance before travel. Do not accept a general website disclaimer as removing a right that the law protects.
Canada: check whether APPR applies
The Canadian Air Passenger Protection Regulations apply to flights within their legal scope. The Canadian Transportation Agency explains that charter applicability depends in particular on seats being purchased for resale to the public and the relevant Canadian itinerary conditions. A private whole-aircraft charter is not automatically treated like a scheduled airline ticket. The applicable carrier tariff, charter contract, other laws and any international convention may still create rights and obligations.
Canada: information and complaints
Ask the carrier for the tariff or conditions that apply, its complaint process and any legally required passenger notices. Where APPR applies, use the current Canadian Transportation Agency guidance for disruptions, treatment, refunds, compensation and baggage. Do not assume entitlement or non-entitlement from the aircraft size or membership label alone. For a dispute, raise the issue with the responsible carrier and use the regulator or other forum available for that issue.
US–Canada and international journeys
Carrier authority, international charter permits or reporting, border procedures, customs, immigration and applicable treaty rules can vary with the route and how the charter is sold. US and Canadian authority does not automatically authorise an otherwise prohibited domestic operation by a foreign carrier. Ask for route-specific confirmation. Identity verification by Melion does not replace passport, visa, entry, exit or carrier document checks.
Assistance, children, pets and restricted items
Tell the carrier and Melion support about an assistance requirement early through a suitable secure channel. Confirm arrangements for mobility devices, accessible transport, service animals, pets, child restraints, baggage and dangerous goods with the carrier. Do not put medical details in the general assistant. Required arrangements depend on the actual aircraft, carrier, airport and applicable accessibility rules, and must not be represented as confirmed until they are accepted.
Your pre-flight checklist
Review the named carrier and contact; route and local departure times; actual aircraft and capacity; passenger and document requirements; all-in cost and payment recipient; change, cancellation and refund terms; assistance arrangements; and relevant insurance information. If something material is missing or changes, request clarification before accepting it. Immediate emergencies belong with emergency services, airport personnel or the operating crew.
Official resources
These resources explain their own legal scope; they do not certify Melion’s compliance.
US air-charter brokerage ↗Canadian passenger-rights scope ↗Canadian international charter guide ↗A question about Melion’s role, your information or a flight offer? Ask the team before making a commitment.
Contact Melion ↗Aircraft choices and mixed itineraries
Choose aircraft preferences for each sector and combine empty legs with charter. Melion Intelligence consults suitable flight providers; you approve each final offer before booking. Melion’s service fee is 5% for an empty leg and 10% for charter, calculated on the original operator fare excluding government taxes. The full documented like-for-like operator discount becomes future-flight credit after completion and reconciliation; it does not reduce today’s payment. Each sector is separately confirmed and has its own cancellation and payment terms. Read the membership and service terms.