Seventh freedom flights: why some jets can't fly your route
Every charter operator from outside the UK needs a UK permit for each flight, and can only fly the routes its country's air agreements allow. An EU operator can fly you between the UK and the EU, but between the UK and a country outside the EU, such as Switzerland, it would be flying a seventh freedom flight. In our experience that can't be done, so the cheaper quote may be for an aircraft that can't fly your trip.
What the freedoms of the air mean
International flying rights are described as freedoms of the air, defined by ICAO, the UN's aviation agency. Which ones an operator has depends on the country it is based in and the agreements that country has signed.
What the UK requires
- Every operator from outside the UK, including those from the EU, the wider EEA and Switzerland, needs a Foreign Carrier Permit from the Civil Aviation Authority before any commercial flight to, from or within the UK. For a one-off charter, it applies with the flight's dates and times.
- The UK–EU trade agreement lets EU airlines fly between the UK and the EU. It doesn't cover flights between the UK and countries outside the EU.
- For charters, the UK looks for reciprocity: whether UK airlines get similar opportunities in the other country. The Department for Transport sets the policy.
- In our experience, an operator from outside the UK can't fly a seventh freedom charter from the UK, so we don't offer one.
Why Switzerland catches people out
Switzerland is in Europe and in the Schengen area, but it isn't in the EU, so the UK–EU agreement doesn't cover it. An EU operator flying you from London to Geneva, Sion or Zurich would be flying a seventh freedom flight. The same applies to other countries outside the EU, such as Norway, Turkey or the UAE.
We once told a client that a UK to Switzerland flight could only be done on the aircraft we offered. They booked a cheaper EU-registered aircraft elsewhere, then were told it couldn't go: its UK permit didn't include Switzerland, and with under 48 hours to go there was no time to put that right.
Which aircraft can fly your route
- A UK operator, flying aircraft registered in the UK (their registrations start with G-), can fly from the UK to anywhere its own approvals allow.
- An operator based in the destination country is flying between its own country and the UK, which is not a seventh freedom flight; it still needs its UK permit.
- An EU operator can fly between the UK and EU countries, with its UK permit.
- So a quote that looks cheaper can be for an aircraft that isn't allowed to fly your route. We check the operator's country against every leg before we quote.
What you do
- When you compare quotes, ask who the operator is and which country it's based in.
- Be wary of a much cheaper quote between the UK and a country outside the EU.
- Book in good time: an operator's UK permit is applied for with the flight's dates and times.
What we handle
- Check the operator's country against every leg of your route before we quote.
- Only offer aircraft we know can fly your trip.
- Confirm the operator holds its UK permit for your flight.
- Explain why, when a cheaper option elsewhere can't legally fly it.
Questions
What is a seventh freedom flight?
A flight between two countries by an operator based in neither of them, such as a Maltese operator flying London to Geneva. From the UK, in our experience, that can't be done as a charter.
Can an EU-registered jet fly me from London to Geneva?
In our experience, no. Switzerland isn't in the EU, so the UK–EU agreement doesn't cover the flight. A UK operator, or a Swiss one with its UK permit, can fly it.
Can an EU operator fly me from London to Nice?
Yes. Flights between the UK and the EU are covered by the UK–EU agreement, and the operator needs a UK permit for the flight.
Can a foreign operator fly me within the UK?
A flight within the UK by an operator from outside the UK is cabotage, and it needs a permit from the Civil Aviation Authority like any other commercial flight within the UK. We check before we quote.
Related guides
Flying between the UK and Europe since Brexit
Passports, the EU's new border checks, ETIAS, the UK's ETA and customs allowances for private flights between the UK and Europe, from official sources.
LuggageLuggage on a private jet: how much fits and what you can bring
No fixed allowance: it depends on the aircraft's hold and weight. Typical baggage space by class, and the safety rules on batteries, vapes and alcohol.
FirearmsFlying with shotguns and rifles on a private jet
Guns can fly with you on a private jet if the operator agrees and they travel unloaded, out of reach. Certificates, export rules and ammunition limits.
Sources
- Foreign carrier permits: scheduled and charter flights (Civil Aviation Authority)
- UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement: summary, aviation (gov.uk)
- Manual on the Regulation of International Air Transport, Doc 9626, chapter 4.1: freedoms of the air (ICAO)
Checked against these sources on 20 October 2026. Rules change, and this is a guide, not legal or veterinary advice; we confirm the current rules for your flight.
