Private Jet Card Comparisons - Know Before You Buy
Compare over 250 private jet card membership programs by 65 variables in 1 place
Following last week’s bankruptcy of Swiss airline SkyWork, JetClass announced it is starting by-the-seat private jet flights from Bern, Switzerland. JetClass said it has put in place a new on-demand service, accessible through www.jetclass.com/bern, that utilizes the company’s AI-powered software to match passengers with the next available scheduled shared private jet flight.
JetSmarter, which recently changed its pricing strategy, is offering a short-term promotion it is terming “Christmas in July.” Under the offer, non-members can books seats on its scheduled private jet shuttles for the same rates as members. A quick search of flights between New York and Florida found one-way rates ranging from $1,250 to $2,500.
After nine months of seemingly being stuck in neutral, it turns out Surf Air Europe is going to significantly expand its flying there. In terms of keeping track of what’s happening, it has been a winding road for us. A few weeks ago we heard that Surf Air had laid off some of their sales, marketing and support team. Operations, which are contracted out to Flexjet Ltd., were apparently not impacted, however, it did cause us to take a step back and wonder what was going on.
After nine months of minimal growth, including reducing or restructuring staff recently, Surf Air in Europe may finally be ready to spread its wings. Then again, maybe not. From what it looks like somebody has been updating its website with possible routes that may be in the offing. On the home page of Surf Air, a headline reads, “Now serving 10 cities with more to follow.”
Here it comes. Add Fly BLADE to JetSmarter, JetSuite, Stellar.aero, Victor, VistaJet and Wheels Up – the list of private jet card, online charter and by the seat private aviation companies that have raised over $500 million over the past 18 months. According to a press release, BLADE added “approximately $38 million” to its coffers via Series B Financing led by Colony NorthStar and Lerer Hippeau along with Airbus Helicopters and LionTree Ventures.
Perusing Google search results I came across a first page May 2015 article from AFAR titled “6 Jet Startups That Will Get You Flying Private.” JetSmarter, Victor and Surf Air are still alive and kicking. BlackJet and Beacon are out of business, and I hadn’t heard or seen anything from ClipperJet in years. However, when I went to their website, it was still up and running and in fact, there was a full page outlining its three membership options. In the press section, there was no coverage since the aforementioned piece and something from Conde Nast Traveler from April 2015. Wondering what was going on, I called the number on the website and it was answered by Paul Sanchez, one of the founders and an executive vice president.
Seat sharing, where travelers buy single seats on private aircraft, either via memberships or on individual flights, is considered a growth area for business aviation getting plenty of play in consumer media. The major benefit is saving time at airports by using private aviation facilities while paying prices at or near what the commercial airlines charge. For short hops, it can cut total travel time significantly. However, the model may be in trouble once again. Two sources tell Private Jet Card Comparisons that upstart Surf Air Europe has recently pared back its marketing and sales team there.
