Linear Air files a fourth complaint with U.S. DOT

Private jet charter broker Linear Air has filed a complaint with the government about a fourth private jet flight provider.

The latest missive targets Jet AI, which was formerly known as Jet Token.

Las Vegas-based Jet AI sells fractional shares on a fleet managed by Cirrus Aviation Services hybrid on-fleet and off-fleet jet cards and ad hoc charter flights.

The latest complaint to the U.S. Transportation Department states, “It has come to our attention that Jet.ai has introduced a tool offering pricing on commercial air charter without including taxes, in possible violation of 14 CFR Part 295 and other regulations.”

The complaint relates to Jet AI’s CharterGPT app.

Linear Air’s complaint states, “Texting the Jet.ai CharterGPT app generated this response (screenshot below), showing prices that ‘do not include taxes.'”

Jet AI Executive Chairman Mike Winston tells Private Jet Card Comparisons, “For the avoidance of doubt, the body text appearing with the prices explicitly states that the prices are estimates only and do not include tax.”

Winston declined further comment.

Last year, Linear Air filed separate and similar complaints against Jettly, Surf Air, and OneFlight International, also known as BAJIT.

Jettly and OneFlight said they would comply with any DOT outreach regarding the complaints.

Surf Air did not respond when asked to comment on Linear Air’s complaint.

The DOT did not respond to a request for comment about the previous complaints.

Are Linear Air’s complaints valid?

Regarding the initial complaints, Vedder Price aviation attorney David Hernandez, a former DOT and FAA lawyer who reviewed the complaints, said, “You have to be transparent, and it has to show the full price consistent with the DOT’s unfair advertising rules,” he says.

Hernandez says the alleged violations would likely be under 14 CFR Part 399.84 instead of 14 CFR Part 295.

They would also be subject to the DOT’s discretion.