NetJets, Wheels Up, Flexjet, and Vista Global’s XOJET lead the list of Biggest U.S. Private Jet Operators

Largest Private Jet Airlines

Despite consolidation, the 25 largest Part 135 and 91K operators account for only 25% of the U.S. private jet market

Why you won’t find Wheels Up when you look at lists of private aviation operators

Sizing the U.S. private jet market between Part 91, Part 91K fractional and Part 135 charter operators

8 of the 10 largest companies are led by the founder or family member

Here’s a big difference between the private jet market and the airlines. Just 10 airlines account for 90% of the domestic market for scheduled passenger traffic. Four companies – Delta Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines – are responsible for two-thirds of U.S. flights.

Despite consolidation, business aviation remains fragmented. An analysis by Private Jet Card Comparisons of various reports from Argus TRAQPak and other data shows the 25 largest operators of charter and fractional fleets together account for just 25% of all U.S. flying.

COVID-19 raises illegal charter concerns a year after Sala’s deadly plane crash

are private jets safe

As private jet travel attracts price-sensitive newcomers, illegal charters with unqualified pilots and aircraft are creating new dangers

“We’ve just got done with a case..The PIC (Pilot-in-Charge) was not typed in the aircraft and the SIC (Second Officer-in-Charge) was a student pilot with less than 50 hours. That’s one of the most unsafe things I’ve seen. This stuff goes on. It happens.”

– FAA Inspector

Back in 2016, I was visiting the headquarters of Jet Linx Aviation in Omaha, Nebraska. Walking with its CEO Jamie Walker between a series of meetings, he suggested I write about illegal charters. He said it was a subject he didn’t think was getting enough attention.

You might be running an illegal charter (and not know it)

Illegal charter

A $100 million lawsuit your insurance won’t cover could be one accident away

If you are successful enough to own your own private jet, it probably took long hours and lots of hard work.

Chances are, you bought your private jet – or turboprop – because it was a business tool, allowing you to go to multiple locations and out of the way places more efficiently.

Jet Aviation increases safety focus on managed fleet

Jet Aviation

Jet card and charter operator Jet Aviation has signed a long-term deal with GE Aviation for a safety and fleet modernization program covering the private jets it manages

During the National Business Aviation Association’s annual convention in Las Vegas, Jet Aviation and GE Aviation said they have signed a long-term agreement for a comprehensive safety and fleet modernization project including C-FOQA.

The program covers Jet Aviation’s global fleet of some 300 aircraft, including those from Airbus, Boeing BBJ, Bombardier, Dassault, and Gulfstream. The Jet Aviation managed fleet is split between Part 135 and Part 91.

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