Private Jets and Business Aircraft
With the well documented issues in commercial flying more and more people have found reasons to turn to private aircraft.
There are a variety of options to consider. The starting point is how often you want to fly privately.
If you only fly a few hours a year then on demand aircraft charter is probably the best way to go. As your number of hours of private flying increases look at charter cards and fractional cards.
Once you reach about 50 hours of flying a year then fractional aircraft ownership can start to make sense and above 300 or so hours per year whole ownership is worth looking into. Here is some core information to help you understand the options.
All of the major providers have expanded over the last few years. Many now offer a wide range of products and solutions to meet the needs of various clients. If you're looking at the different options and would like a good general overview then download our free Guide to Private Aviation, which includes details on charter, jet cards and fractional ownership. For detailed side by side comparisons of the leading jet card and fractional providers, a directory of charter operators, and our Aircraft Buying Guide then sign up for membership.
The latest news and research on private jets and aircraft is included below.
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- Written by Susan Kime
VistaJet, a global private aviation company, has partnered with leading brands in the wellbeing and longevity space to introduce the VistaJet Wellness program. This new offering aims to transform a private flight from a potentially tiring experience into an energizing one, integrating onboard wellness facilities and services, and offers unique experiences at destinations with a focus on wellbeing.
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- Written by Nick Copley
The latest data for the preowned business aircraft market shows inventory continues to offer increased choice for buyers while transaction activity trends back to historical norms.
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- Written by Nick Copley
The latest SherpaReport Aircraft Buying Guide has been published. This updated book provides comprehensive and user-friendly guidance on all aspects of purchasing a private aircraft. The new edition of this one-of-a-kind guide, geared towards individuals and businesses, offers brand new sections as well as updated costs and enhanced information.
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- Written by Nick Copley
Private aviation operator flyExclusive has taken delivery of its first three Citation CJ3+ jets which will go into its new fractional fleet. This brings the total fleet size to over 100 aircraft, comprised of mainly Cessna Citation jets.
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- Written by Susan Kime
XO, a major private aviation company, has introduced XO Firsts, a collection of once-in-a-lifetime member experiences. This includes access to some of the most in-demand sporting events, the most coveted cultural happenings, and desired destinations in the world. SherpaReport reached out to Leona Qi, President U.S. of parent company VistaJet.
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- Written by Nick Copley
Private aviation solutions provider Magellan Jets has launched a jet card program specifically aimed at corporate users and named Magellan Business. It offers hourly rate locks for up to three years, 10 hour callouts and a service guarantee, with a 100 hour minimum annual commitment.
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- Written by Nick Copley
Private aviation company Airshare has acquired the aircraft management business of Wheels Up. This agreement brings about 90 managed aircraft to Airshare, and significantly expands its fleet and locations.
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- Written by Nick Copley
Solairus, a private jet management company, has reopened Altitude by Solairus. The company refers to this as a “Private Jet Charter Club” and it offers jet card like fixed hourly rates on the Solairus fleet.
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- Written by Susan Kime
The transformative, disruptive and historic idea of the eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing ) aircraft has the potential to jolt both the commercial and private aviation industries into the future. With this idea, as with most disruptive technologies, there are associated challenges and issues on the (flight) path to a commercial reality.
A few weeks ago we looked at the leading eVTOL aircraft that are in development. They offer the potential to revolutionize urban transportation and reduce congestion and emissions. However, before eVTOLs can enter commercial service on a large scale, several key issues and challenges must be addressed, including:
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- Written by Nick Copley
Textron Aviation and NetJets have signed an agreement giving NetJets the option to purchase up to 1,500 additional Cessna Citation business jets over the next 15 years. The deal covers the upcoming Cessna Citation Ascend and the Citation Latitude and Citation Longitude aircraft and is valued at about $30bn.
NetJets currently operates hundreds of mid-size Latitudes and super-mid Longtitudes, with the Latitude being the largest single model in the NetJets fleet.
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- Written by Nick Copley
The large private aviation provider Flexjet just opened a new, purpose built $50m HQ and Global Operations Control Center. SherpaReport just toured the building and talked to multiple Flexjet staff to learn more about all aspects of their operations.
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- Written by Nick Copley
Wheels Up has announced George N. Mattson as its new Chief Executive Officer. Mattson brings 25 years of aviation experience to the role, as a strategic advisor, financier, business owner/operator and director.
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- Written by Susan Kime
The interest in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft continues to climb. There are numerous aircraft that are in development and testing, with billions of dollars being invested in their evolution - they will potentially have a huge impact on both commercial and private aviation. This article looks at the overall market and some of the leading contenders.
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- Written by Nick Copley
Looking at the hours flown by the largest part 135 charter operators, most providers have been holding steady or seen drops in the number of hours during the first half of 2023. There are a few exceptions where companies have increased their hours.
This fits with the trend of lower hours overall after the covid induced peaks in private aviation.
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Delta Air Lines joins travel and tourism investment firm Certares Management and deep value and turnaround investment firm Knighthead Capital Management in a non-binding agreement to co-lead a $500 million facility.
The lenders will receive newly issued Wheels Up common stock resulting in them owning approximately 95% of the equity of the company on a fully diluted basis. This new funding is expected to provide the company the stability to execute on its strategic vision over the long term. (Update: This funding deal closed on 20th September.)
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- Written by Nick Copley
The large private aviation operator Wheels Up has just received additional funding from Delta Air Lines - one of its largest shareholders.
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- Written by Nick Copley
Airshare has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to purchase Wheels Up's aircraft management business. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of 2023, subject to customary approvals and closing conditions.
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- Written by Nick Copley
One of the largest private aviation companies, Flexjet, has added Flying Colours Corp., a large aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) company, to the Flexjet family of companies. This deal expands the maintenance and product support network, with facilities in the United States, Canada and Europe supporting Flexjet’s rapidly growing fleet.
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- Written by Nick Copley
Private aviation company Volato has just announced plans to go public by combining with PROOF Acquisition Corp I (NYSE: PACI). Volato operates a floating fleet of private jets across the United States with programs including fractional ownership, jet card and deposit programs, aircraft management services, and on-demand charter.
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- Written by Nick Copley
Private aviation company Priester Aviation is expanding its footprint and service area by combining with Atlanta based Hill Private Aviation. The two companies offer aircraft management, charter and jet cards.
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- Written by Nick Copley
Fractional and jet card provider Airshare has just ordered up to 20 Challenger 3500 super-midsize jets. These aircraft will double the operators Challenger fleet.
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- Written by Nick Copley
Private aviation company Jet Linx is bringing in Brent Wouters, the former President & CEO of Cirrus Aircraft, to be the new CEO. Jamie Walker, who has been President and CEO since 2007, will become Chairman of the Board.
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