Charter Chatter with Katie Gallimore

Katie, can you tell us about your role at Air Charter Service?

I head up the Commercial Jets team here in London. We’re about 15 people – brokers and sales support – and my job is to make sure we deliver a charter experience that genuinely surprises people (in a good way, not a ‘your flight is cancelled’ way). I focus on growth, service, and creating an environment where the whole team can thrive.

What made you choose a career in aviation?

Honestly I fell into it – and then refused to climb back out. I did work experience at an airline in Bournemouth, loved it, deferred university, and went straight into a charter admin role. From there I moved into operations planning, and realised aviation was absolutely my thing.

There have been a few plot twists along the way, but every time the industry threw a curve ball, something else opened up. Eventually ACS came along. It was a baptism of fire – I’d never dealt with outbound broking before – but sixteen years later, here I am, working with the best team in the industry, so I suppose it worked out!

Are there particular industries you specialise in?

Sports mainly – teams always need to get to fixtures, and fans always find the budget to follow them. But I’ve chartered for just about everything – charities, religious groups, conferences, weddings, orchestras… if there’s a group of people who need to be somewhere, I’ve probably helped put them on an aircraft at some point.

Do you have a favourite charter you’ve worked on?

One of my long-standing favourite accounts is a national sports team Marianne and I work with. It’s hands-on – we travel with them for every flight – but they’re such a lovely group that it doesn’t always feel like work. We manage everything from airport coordination to carnet handling.

Why should someone use a charter consultant instead of going directly to an airline?

Because brokers are experts. We know the market, the aircraft, the operators, the pitfalls, and the shortcuts. We negotiate contracts, arrange fuel, catering, handling – basically all the things people don’t often realise matter until they go wrong.

Think of it like hiring a project manager for building work – if they’re good, they save you more than they cost. Plus, brokers are available when airlines aren’t – weekends, evenings, holidays. Aviation is a relationship-driven industry, and a good broker is worth their weight in gold.

What sets ACS apart from its competitors?

Our global footprint is a huge advantage – we can procure locally almost anywhere. The ACS name carries weight, which means better availability and greater buying power. Our flight services team are also a real differentiator; for bespoke flights – birthdays, weddings, special events – they elevate the whole experience from ‘premium’ to ‘unforgettable’.

What would you say to someone chartering for the first time?

Chartering is as much about people as it is about planes. You need to feel confident that your broker is someone you can trust – and someone who’ll pick up the phone at 10pm on a Sunday if needed.

Many of my clients are people I’ve worked with for years. You build rapport, you learn their preferences, and each series of flights becomes smoother. My advice – trust your broker, be open about your expectations, and it might just be the beginning of a long-term partnership.

Finally, just for fun, what’s your favourite aircraft to charter?

Right now, the Airbus A321neo VIP. It’s modern, efficient, beautifully-designed, and packed with clever engineering. In short – it does everything you want it to, and does it with style.

Planning or organising an event?

From sports tours to once-in-a-lifetime celebrations, the right aircraft can transform the experience. Katie and our charter experts specialise in making that happen. Share your plans with us, and we’ll take it from there.

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