April 23, 2024
Leading fractional ownership private jet operator Flexjet is opening a worldwide training academy for cabin servers later this month.
Flexjet is launching The Red Label Academy at Farnborough Airport in Hampshire, England, outside London.
The training center for its global cabin servers opens later this month.
According to a press release, it will provide finishing school-style training.
“Red Label is Flexjet’s exceptional and unique service and hospitality ethos and includes several differentiators in experience for its aircraft owners. In addition to unrivaled cabin service, this includes its boutique hotel-style LXi cabin interiors, crew dedicated to each individual aircraft, and a range of invitations to curated private and VIP events,” the company said.
Flexjet has flight attendants on all flights in Europe. In the U.S., flight attendants are part of its large cabin program, which includes the Embraer Praetor 600, Gulfstream G450, and G650.
The new training center will be used by both its U.S. and European cabin servers.
Flexjet requires prior private aviation experience for its cabin servers, and the new Flexjet Red Label Academy is designed to add “a level of service mastery and a polish that is unrivaled in the industry.”
The second-largest private jet flight provider will have its existing team of over 130 cabin servers undertake advanced training focused on refinement.
New recruits take a longer course that also covers the key fundamentals.
The curriculum is led by Vice President of Customer Experience Francesco Vanerio.
He brings his extensive five-star hotel experience to the private aviation sector, including from Villa d’Este in Lake Como, Italy.
Dedicated experts in other fields will deliver masterclasses in specific skills such as mixology, wine serving, floristry, and sushi presentation, alongside scenario-based service training and how to prepare and style the cabin to meet Flexjet’s standards.
“Our fantastic cabin servers embody our unique Red Label ethos and are the frontline of our aircraft owners’ experience of Flexjet,” said Megan Wolf, Chief Experience Officer at Flexjet.
She added, “We are proud and delighted to open this world-class training facility and program, which sets us apart in the industry in terms of refinement and attention to detail. The new standards in cabin experience have now been elevated to match that of a top European five-star hotel.”
Part of the program will be delivered by The Dorchester Collection Academy, regarded as one of the world’s top five-star hotel groups.
During their training, the students will enjoy an afternoon tea and a night’s stay at The Dorchester in London.
Training modules included how to make passengers feel special and cared for via highly personalized attention to detail, assessing their needs on any given occasion using body language and behavior, and observing cultural differences.
There is specific skills training to serve children and pets onboard flights.
The academy incorporates individual workspaces cabin and galley mock-ups, meaning cabin servers can be conveniently trained to work in Flexjet’s different aircraft types.
“Our company continues to grow considerably, with over 270 fixed-wing aircraft now in our global fleet and many more to be added next year and beyond. As we expand our global team of cabin servers, this impressive new facility will ensure that we continue to deliver and refine the extraordinary cabin experience that Flexjet owners enjoy and expect,” said Flexjet, Inc. Co-CEO Mike Silvestro.
The company recently opened a new state-of-the-art headquarters outside of Cleveland, Ohio.
It also extended its last-mile helicopter strategy from London, New York, and South Florida to the Bahamas.
Fractional owners can interchange their fixed-wing contract hours to Flexjet Helicopter at a fixed ratio.
