Smoking on board is at the operator’s discretion, and in Mexico as elsewhere the aircraft that permit it are a small subset of the fleet. Where it matters to a client we search on that basis from the start.
A Smaller Pool of Aircraft
Most operators do not permit smoking on board. Making it a requirement narrows the available aircraft considerably, and on a peak-season date into Cancun or Los Cabos it can decide whether the trip flies on your preferred schedule. Tell us at the first call, not at contract.
Cigars and Cabin Arrangements
Cigar smoking is the most common version of this request, and it carries its own considerations for cabin air handling and for the aircraft’s condition afterwards. Some operators permit it with a cleaning charge, some not at all. We confirm the terms in writing before the booking is placed.
Ground Rules at Both Ends
What is permitted in the air is separate from what is permitted at the airport, and the fixed base operator sets its own rules on the ramp and in the terminal. Where this matters we check the arrangement at both ends of the trip rather than only on board.
Vetting Behind Every Trip
Every operator, aircraft, and crew goes through our internal due diligence before we present any options. Our internal standards meet or exceed what the FAA requires:
- FAR Part 135 charter operators for traditional private aircraft, or FAR Part 121 for airliner-size and group trips (or the foreign equivalent on international legs)
- Operator subscription to Wyvern and ARGUS reviewed where the operator participates; reports may be provided on request.
- Pilot experience and operator incident history reviewed before we recommend an aircraft.
- Fewer than 60 brokers worldwide hold Premium Wyvern Broker Member status, and Air Charter Advisors is one of them.
Mexico Patterns We Plan Around
Two things shape almost every Mexico charter regardless of the reason for the trip. The first is lead time. Landing and customs permits are applied for after a trip has been secured on the aircraft schedule, and the timeline is sometimes set by the local airport authorities, so the earlier you book, the more room we have to work with. The second is elevation. Toluca, the main Mexico City private jet gateway, sits at 8,460 feet, and on a warm afternoon its density altitude can pass 11,000 feet, which changes what an aircraft can lift. Felipe Ángeles at 7,369 feet is the less congested alternative. Your advisor will walk you through what your trip needs before you book.
Contact
For a quote on smoking-permitted charter in or out of Mexico, call +1 (888) 987-5387 or use our contact page. Our safety page sets out the vetting behind every trip, and the aircraft directory covers the fleet by category. The National Business Aviation Association sets the broader operating standards we work within.