Fractional share and jet card provider Flexjet will increase pilot ranks by 25% this year.
Directional Aviation’s Flexjet LLC, a leading provider of fractional jet ownership, leases and jet cards, announced today “substantial salary increases” for Red Label pilots, making them, according to the company, the highest paid in the industry. Red Label pilots’ total compensation is greater than that of competitors by 25% or more, Flexjet said in a press release received by Private Jet Card Comparisons. Red Label by Flexjet is the carrier’s premium offering.
“For more than 25 years, Flexjet has challenged the status quo of fractional private jet travel,” said Michael Silvestro, Chief Executive Officer of Flexjet. “We are proud to announce additional investment in our pilots that will further enhance our industry-leading approach. One of our core fundamental principles is that employees are the foundation of a service organization. We feel strongly that our pilots are key to our business success. Proof of that commitment is offering compensation unmatched by any other fractional provider in the industry.”
First-year Flexjet pilots using the preferential bid schedule can expect to make $80,000 per year; a fifth-year Challenger 350 pilot could earn as much as $176,000 a year and a third-year Red Label chief aircraft commander flying a Gulfstream G650 could earn $205,000 annually.
Other pilot benefits the company says include: Over 80 domiciles to choose from and the ability to change as the pilot wishes; Company-paid travel to and from domiciles; Every pilot is trained to PIC FAR Part 135 standards, making each pilot eligible as a Captain; 24/7 support from Flexjet’s state-of-the-art operations control center; Medical plans to cover families for less than $200 a month; Company-paid short and long-term disability, life insurance, loss of license insurance; and highest per diem in the industry, dramatically improving the day-to-day experience on the road.
One of Red Label’s most distinctive features is dedicated crewing, meaning the flight crew flies the same aircraft staying with it from trip to trip. This feature provides pilots with a sense of ownership and familiarity with their assigned aircraft and teams. This also enhances the travel experience for Red Label Owners. Red Label pilots enjoy very competitive quarterly bonus incentives based on performance.
In response to Flexjet’s unprecedented business growth and flight demand, the company intends to grow its fleet by 14 percent, which will require growth in pilot ranks by 25 percent this year. Flexjet currently has just two jet card programs but recently introduced a Corporate Solutions program bridging the gap between fractional ownership and leases and jet cards. Executive AirShare earlier this year announced it was increasing pilot salaries by 30% against a background of increased demand.
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