October 3, 2024
Surf Air’s European operation, which launched earlier this summer with flights from London’s Luton Airport to Ibiza, Cannes and now Zurich, is offering free flights to top-tier frequent fliers in the programs of other European airlines.
According to an email from the sent by Surf Air the operator is making the offer to top-tier frequent flier cardholders in Europe. To apply, send proof of your status and you are “entitled to a free one-way test flight on Surf Air’s European network subject to availability.”
The current schedule includes Monday, Wednesday and Friday roundtrips between Luton and Zurich, plus Tuesday and Friday roundtrips between London and Ibiza. The company is currently flying Embraer Phenom 300s with plans to add the Pilatus PC-12 which is the backbone of its U.S. operation.
It’s current Prime All-You-Can Fly Membership 3,150 GBP per month and enables to fly European and U.S. routes. The U.S. network increased before the summer when Surf Air purchased Texas-based RISE. The European arm, headed by former top British Airways executive Simon Talling-Smith is expected to add routes to Munich, Milan and Luxembourg in the coming months.
SurfAir customers benefitting from bypassing the commercial airline terminals saving as much as 2-3 hours when taking into consideration the time spent going through the airport both on departure and arrival as well as the ability to get away or get to the terminal in minutes. For short hops, travelers can cut total travel time in half. That said, both the PC-12 and Phenom are small jets, so don’t expect to be able to stand up in the cabin and you probably won’t want to use the lav. Most people do that in the private jet terminal (FBO) before or after.
U.S.-based JetSmarter which charges between $5,000 and $50,000 annually for membership runs shuttles for members similar to the Surf Air concept. Depending on your membership level, you will have to pay a surcharge for shuttles. Members also get access to empty legs and JetSmarter also sells on-demand charter.
The model of scheduled flights from private aviation facilities seems to be getting traction. JetSuiteX next month it will start flights between Burbank and Oakland using 30-seat Embraer E135s with fares starting at $129. It started Burbank-San Jose flights in August and also serves Las Vegas and Concord.
The Surf Air offer may have more appeal to European fliers with British Airways and others cutting back on the already cramped seating in their business class cabins, moving rows of seats closer together and installing new, thinner seats that provide less support.
To apply for the Surf Air free flight email infoeurope@surfair.com
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