Which Airlines Also Hold Part 135 Certificates? A 2026 Registry Analysis

Two Certificates, One Operator: How Airlines Enter Charter

The Federal Aviation Administration issues Part 121 certificates to scheduled airlines and Part 135 certificates to on-demand charter operators. These are separate regulatory frameworks with different maintenance standards, crew duty rules, dispatch requirements, and passenger briefing obligations. Most airlines operate exclusively under Part 121. Most charter companies operate exclusively under Part 135. But a surprising number of carriers hold both certificates simultaneously, operating scheduled service under Part 121 and charter or ad hoc service under Part 135.

As of early 2026, at least 14 U.S. airlines maintain active Part 135 certificates alongside their Part 121 operations. The reasons vary: some use Part 135 authority for wet-lease arrangements, others for government contracts, and several for ad hoc charter of aircraft types that fall outside their scheduled service fleet. Understanding which airlines hold Part 135 authority reveals how the boundary between scheduled aviation and on-demand charter has blurred over the past decade.

Airlines with Active Part 135 Certificates

Delta Private Jets is the most prominent example of an airline-backed Part 135 operation. Delta Air Lines launched the subsidiary to offer whole-aircraft charter, jet card programs, and aircraft management services, directly competing with NetJets, Flexjet, and independent charter operators. Delta Private Jets operates a fleet of light, midsize, and heavy business jets under its own Part 135 certificate, entirely separate from Delta's Part 121 mainline operations.

JSX represents the most unusual case. The company operates Embraer ERJ-135 and ERJ-145 regional jets on scheduled routes between secondary airports (Burbank, Dallas Love Field, Oakland) using Part 135 authority. This allows JSX to bypass TSA screening requirements that apply to Part 121 carriers, offering a 'semi-private' experience: private terminal, no security lines, 30-seat cabin. The DOT and FAA have debated whether JSX's scheduled-route model should require Part 121 certification, a regulatory question that remains unresolved.

Why Airlines Maintain Dual Certification

Government and Military Contracts

The Department of Defense's Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) program and various government agency transportation contracts sometimes require Part 135 authority. Omni Air International, Atlas Air, and Swift Air derive significant revenue from government and military passenger transport using widebody aircraft under Part 135. These contracts often involve non-scheduled routes to bases, forward operating locations, or emergency response zones that do not fit Part 121's scheduled service framework.

Sports Team Charter

Professional sports leagues generate substantial charter demand. NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL teams charter aircraft for the entire season, typically 737-class or larger aircraft configured for team use. Sun Country Airlines, Miami Air International, and Allegiant have built dedicated charter divisions to serve this market. Part 135 authority allows these carriers to operate charter flights with aircraft and crew configurations that differ from their scheduled service standards.

Fleet Flexibility

Some airlines maintain Part 135 certificates to operate aircraft types outside their Part 121 fleet. A carrier certificated to fly Boeing 737s under Part 121 cannot simply add a Gulfstream G550 to its operating certificate without extensive additional certification. Maintaining a separate Part 135 certificate allows the carrier to operate business jets, turboprops, or specialty aircraft without modifying the Part 121 certificate. This flexibility enables airlines to offer corporate shuttle services, executive transport, or ad hoc charter without regulatory complexity.

Regulatory Differences: Part 121 vs Part 135

The regulatory differences between Part 121 and Part 135 are substantial in maintenance, dispatch, and passenger screening. Part 121's Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Program (CAMP) requires more frequent inspections, redundant maintenance tracking systems, and dedicated quality assurance departments. Part 135 maintenance standards are rigorous but less administratively complex, allowing smaller operators to maintain compliance without the infrastructure required for Part 121.

The TSA screening exemption for Part 135 operations with fewer than 61 seats is the regulatory provision that enables JSX's business model and makes private charter attractive to corporate travelers. This exemption has been challenged by airline industry groups who argue it creates an unfair competitive advantage, particularly for operators like JSX that fly scheduled routes at prices comparable to first-class airline tickets.

The Part 135 Landscape Beyond Airlines

The 14+ airlines with Part 135 certificates represent a fraction of the total Part 135 operator population. As of 2026, the FAA has issued approximately 2,400 active Part 135 certificates to operators ranging from single-aircraft air taxi services to large charter companies operating 100+ aircraft. The Part 135 fleet exceeds 12,000 aircraft, including business jets, turboprops, piston aircraft, and helicopters.

• NetJets holds one of the largest Part 135 fleets: approximately 800 aircraft under its Part 135 certificate
• Flexjet operates approximately 250 aircraft under Part 135 authority
• Wheels Up, post-restructuring, maintains Part 135 authority for its remaining fleet operations
• Approximately 60% of Part 135 certificate holders operate 5 or fewer aircraft
• The top 50 Part 135 operators control approximately 40% of all Part 135 aircraft

For charter clients, the distinction between an airline-backed Part 135 operation and an independent Part 135 operator is largely invisible. Both operate under the same regulatory framework, the same safety standards, and the same FAA oversight. The practical difference is scale: airline-backed operations may have access to larger aircraft types and ground infrastructure, while independent operators often offer more personalized service and flexible scheduling.