November 12, 2026

Holiday Private Jet Travel: An FBO Planning Checklist

Between Thanksgiving and New Year's, private and business aviation gets busy. Ramps fill up, catering orders stack up, and rental cars go fast. If you're a passenger, a pilot, or an operator, the smoothest holiday trips usually get planned well before wheels-up. That planning starts with the FBO at each end of the trip.

Confirm these items with your FBO before a holiday private jet trip, and keep safety in mind at every step. Aero Centers can help at DeKalb-Peachtree (PDK) in Atlanta, Wilmington International (ILM), and Lakeland Linder International (LAL West and LAL East).

1. Reserve your FBO stop early

Aircraft parking can be challenging, particularly during major sporting events, holidays, and peak travel seasons. Submit an FBO reservation as soon as you know your tail number and timing. The Aero Centers reservation form asks for expected arrival and departure dates and times and lets you flag the services you'll need: fuel, ramp parking, hangar space, overnight parking, catering, maintenance, crew car, rental car, and hotel reservation.

Checklist:

Tail number, arrival and departure dates and times
Services needed (check every box that applies)
Contact cell number for the crew and the lead passenger

2. Confirm fuel and fuel quality

Aero Centers locations at PDK, ILM, LAL West, and LAL East offer 100LL and Jet A service with into-plane fueling, plus Fuel System Icing Inhibitor (Prist). Fueling follows strict quality control procedures and industry best practices, and fuel quality assurance is handled by trained line service professionals.

Checklist:

Fuel type and estimated uplift
Whether you need Prist
Quick-turn or scheduled fueling time
Fuel card. Bring your fuel card, and request current pricing through the fuel-price form instead of assuming a rate.

3. Lock in hangar or parking

Holiday weather can mean wind, rain, or cold. Hangar space protects aircraft from the weather and adds security, depending on aircraft size and availability. All four locations offer overnight parking, long-term aircraft parking, a transient hangar, and 24-hour surveillance.

Checklist:

Hangar or ramp, and for how many nights
Aircraft dimensions, so the FBO can check fit and availability
De-icing needs. Deicing is available at select locations, so call the specific FBO to confirm.

4. Schedule ground support

Line service at Aero Centers covers marshaling, towing, chocking, tie-downs, GPU support, engine start assistance, and baggage assistance. These services follow established operating procedures, with safety as the highest priority. Ground support varies by location: ILM and both Lakeland FBOs offer Air Start, GPU KVA/VDC, airstairs, and a belt loader, and PDK offers GPU/VDC and tie-downs. All four provide potable water and lavatory service.

Checklist:

GPU or air start requirements
Lavatory and potable water service
Extra baggage for gifts or holiday gear (ask about baggage assistance)

5. Order catering early

Gourmet catering and catering refrigeration are available at PDK, ILM, and both Lakeland FBOs. At PDK, the caterers include Galley Gourmet and Tastefully Yours. At Lakeland, they include Waco Kitchen and Air Culinaire Worldwide. At ILM, catering is available; call the FBO for details. Holiday orders book up, so place yours early and include any allergy information.

6. Arrange ground transportation and hotels

All four locations offer complimentary crew cars plus Enterprise, Go Rentals, and Hertz rental cars. Concierge services include Flightbridge hotel booking, limousine service, and taxi reservations. The team can also help with nearby hotels. Ramp-side vehicle access is available at each of these locations, which simplifies loading.

7. Plan for crew rest

Pilot and crew lounges, conference rooms, and computer workstations are available at PDK, ILM, and both Lakeland FBOs, and weather planning service is available at ILM and both Lakeland FBOs. PDK has a sleep or "snooze" room and showers, and ILM and both Lakeland FBOs have showers. Rested crews matter for safety on long holiday duty days, so plan those rest stops on purpose.

8. Know the hours

PDK is open 24 hours. ILM, LAL West, and LAL East are open 06:00 to 22:00 daily. ILM and LAL West have after-hours numbers, and fees may apply. Plan late holiday arrivals around these hours.

9. International legs

US Customs is available at PDK, ILM, LAL West, and LAL East. ILM and both Lakeland FBOs also offer Customs Quick Turns. If your holiday trip includes an international leg, call the FBO well ahead to coordinate.