The jet card, invented by Sentient Jet in 1999, covers the vast gap between on-demand charter and full or fractional private jet ownership.
Sentient Jet is celebrating 25 years of jet cards, the product it invented back in 1999.
“Prior to the invention of the jet card, which provides fliers with unprecedented flexibility to purchase flight time in hourly increments, private aviation options were limited to whole aircraft ownership, fractional ownership, and on-demand charter,” the now unit of Flexjet, Inc. said in a press release.
The Boston-based seller of jet cards added, “Recognizing an abundance of excess capacity in the private aviation space, Sentient Jet seized the opportunity to offer a unique way to fly privately, which has since become a must-have product for travelers.”
It noted, “With the first ever jet card, Sentient Jet created an entirely new industry segment that offered then unheard-of flexibility and convenience for personal and business travel in private aircraft at all-inclusive fixed rates with guaranteed availability, seamless booking, and industry-leading value.”
‘Throughout my career, I have seen several developments and innovations in the private aviation industry, but Sentient Jet’s creation of the jet card ranks as one of the most important and revolutionary product developments. The jet card has created a market that previously did not exist and has exposed many new entrants and first-time buyers to our industry. Virtually every private aircraft provider uses some form of the product today.’
– Kenn Ricci, Chairman, Flexjet, Inc.
Sentient notes that in its quarter century, it has flown more than one million passengers to over 2,500 destinations worldwide, covering over 228 million miles.
It currently has nearly 6,700 active card owners.
Andrew Collins, co-CEO at Flexjet, Inc., who had led Sentient since it was bought by Ricci in 2012, said, “With several industry firsts—from the jet card to digitizing on-demand booking with text-to-book—Sentient Jet has been instrumental in shaping modern air travel. As we look ahead to the next 25 years and beyond, we remain committed to advancing our industry and providing our card owners with nothing short of extraordinary experiences and exceptional service.”
Among its innovations, in 2001, Sentient Jet co-invented TripCheq with ARGUS, a comprehensive safety assessment tool for private aviation trips, which became an industry standard.
In 2005, the jet card provider formed an Independent Safety Advisory Board and its proprietary Sentient Certified process, ensuring stringent safety standards are met on every trip.
An earlier innovator in digital bookings, it launched a mobile application in 2015, including instant booking and trip management, flight tracking, safety status updates, and 24/7 call center chats.
In 2021, it launched its emissions-neutral sustainability program, offsetting all flights by 300% at no additional cost to customers.
In 2022, it introduced an automated text-to-book feature, enabling members to quote or book flights via text within seconds. This transformed the booking process with user-authenticated, automated interaction and patent-pending electronic upgrades.
Last year, it started providing individual emissions offset calculations on invoices both digitally and in print for increased transparency.
Earlier this year, it published its 2024 Exclusive Benefits Guide, which provides members with approximately $225,000 in offers from an array of providers, including Flexjet Helicopters, Exclusive Resorts, Auberge Resorts, Human Longevity Wellness & Medical Testing, and PS, aka Private Suite.
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