“You can smoke on a private jet.”

Verdict: Legally, on many private flights, yes — the smoking bans that cover airlines generally apply to commercial passenger operations, not to an owner's own aircraft. In practice it depends on whose jet it is. Most charter operators and fractional programmes prohibit smoking outright because it damages the cabin and reduces resale value; many owners allow it; cigars in a Gulfstream are a genre. Vaping usually follows the same rules.

In the United States, the federal smoking ban applies to scheduled airline flights and, since 2000, to charter flights with 30 or more seats, which leaves most business jets outside its scope. The FAA still requires that the crew control smoking and that lavatories have detectors and disposal receptacles on certified aircraft. Europe is similar: the rules bind commercial air transport, and whether you may light up on a private aircraft is the operator's decision.

The operator's decision is usually no. Charter fleets are shared assets, and a smoke-scented cabin loses bookings and value; cleaning a cabin after a heavy cigar flight can cost thousands. Fractional programmes, by contract, forbid it. Some operators will accept smoking on a bespoke basis at a surcharge, and a handful market 'smoking-friendly' aircraft.

Where it is common is on wholly owned aircraft, particularly in the Middle East, Russia's former market and among cigar-loving executives. Bigger jets with dedicated lounges and good air-exchange systems cope best; the cabin air in a business jet is replaced every couple of minutes.

So the rumour is right about the law and unreliable about the reality: ask before boarding.

“You can smoke on a private jet.”

More hangar talk

“You can walk straight onto a private jet — there's no security at all.”

“On a private jet you can bring your dog in the cabin and as much luggage as you want.”

“Jet lag is much milder on a private jet.”

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