How does flight sharing work?
A complete guide to cost-sharing aviation: what it is, who it's for, and why it's perfectly legal in Europe.
Cost-sharing flying is one of the best-kept secrets in aviation. It's been legal in Europe for over a decade, yet most people have never heard of it.
What is cost-sharing flying?
A private pilot plans a flight from Paris to Lyon. The aircraft rental, fuel, and landing fees will cost €400 in total. There are 4 seats in the aircraft. Under EASA rules, the pilot can share those costs with up to 3 passengers, so each person (including the pilot) pays €100.
That's it. The pilot files a flight plan, the passengers show up at the airport, and everyone flies for a fraction of what a charter would cost.
Is it legal?
Yes. EU Regulation 965/2012 explicitly permits private pilots to share the direct costs of a flight with passengers, provided:
- The pilot has a genuine reason to make the flight (they can't fly purely for passengers)
- Costs are divided equally among all occupants including the pilot
- The pilot never receives more than their pro-rata share
- The aircraft is not complex (no jet-powered, large aircraft)
Similar rules exist in the UK (UK CAA guidance) and the US (FAR 61.113(c)).
How does AvioSharing enforce this?
AvioSharing calculates the legal maximum price per seat automatically. When a pilot creates a listing, they enter the total direct costs. The platform divides this by the total number of occupants (including the pilot) and sets that as the price per seat. Pilots cannot charge more.
What can I expect as a passenger?
You'll fly from a small general aviation airport, usually closer to city centres than major commercial airports. The aircraft will typically be a 4-seat single-engine piston plane (Cessna 172, Piper Archer, etc.).
The experience is completely different from commercial flying. You're in a small cockpit, you can hear the pilot talking to ATC, and the views are spectacular at low altitude. Many passengers describe it as one of the most memorable experiences of their lives.
How does AvioSharing work?
1. Search flights by route, date, and aircraft type
2. Review the pilot's profile: licence type, hours, reviews
3. Send a booking request (no payment yet)
4. Pilot approves or declines within 24 hours
5. Once approved, pay securely
6. Fly, then leave a review
Simple, transparent, EASA-compliant.
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