What is the difference between cost-sharing and a commercial flight?

These are two very different things. Cost-sharing is a private pilot sharing a flight's costs with the passengers, without making any money. A commercial flight, or an empty leg, is paid air transport operated by a professional company.

Cost-sharing: sharing, not selling

A private pilot who was going to fly anyway offers the free seats on board. Each occupant, including the pilot, pays their share of the flight's direct costs: fuel, charges, and the aircraft's hourly cost. The pilot pays their own share and makes no profit. This is the very heart of the exception.

Commercial flights: a regulated profession

Commercial flights and empty legs fall under air transport for remuneration. They are reserved for operators holding an air operator certificate (AOC). A private pilot, even a verified one, is not allowed to offer them.

How to tell them apart on Volara

Every listing states its type. Cost-sharing flights are operated by verified private pilots. Commercial flights and empty legs only appear if the operator holds a valid AOC.