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.

Vista Global’s U.S. flying rebounds to 85% of pre-COVID-19 levels

VistaJet

The news from VistaJet, XOJET chairman Thomas Flohr follows continued positive reports from Argus and WingX

71% of incoming requests are from customers who had no or little previous private jet flying experience

The news continues to be good for the business aviation sector. Last week WingX and Argus reported U.S. private jet travel was approaching 70% of pre-COVID-19 coronavirus levels.

XO (formerly XOJET)

xo jet pricing

XO (formerly XOJET and JetSmarter) Overview

Year Founded2006
LeadershipThomas Flohr, Chairman of parent Vista Global Holding
Beth Stebenne, Chief of Staff
Raja Khurana, Chief Commercial Officer
Lezlea List, Chief Services Officer
Lynn Fischer, Chief Marketing Officer
Sergey Petrossov, Chief Digital Officer (Vista Global)
HeadquartersFt. Lauderdale, Florida
Jet Card Hourly RatesDynamic Pricing only
Related ProductsOn-demand ChartersEmpty Legs, By-the-Seat
Related CompaniesVista Global Holding (parent), Air Hambug, Apollo Jets, Jet Edge, Red Wing Aviation, Talon Air, VistaJet, XOJET Aviation

XO traces its routes to 2006 when it was founded as XOJet Aviation based in Northern California.

TPG Capital and Aabar PJS, two large private capital investors, sold the company to Dubai-based Vista Global Holding in 2018. 

It is a sister company of VistaJet. Prior to the sale of XOJet it had built an on-fleet and off-fleet model with over $100 million in brokerage sales.

In June 2019, its brokerage was merged with JetSmarter, another Vista Global acquisition. The new brand was named XO Global LLC, and the website URL was changed to FlyXO.com.

XO had offered a wide spectrum of programs, from fixed-rated offerings on its fleet of super-midsize private jets (Citation X and Challenger 300) and off-fleet on light and midsize jets. In July 2021, it suspended its fixed-rate Elite Access membership.

XOJET
XO is the combination of XOJET’s brokerage and JetSmarter following the acquisition of both by Vista Global Holdings in 2018 and 2019.

It also offers dynamically priced memberships, shared flights, and the ability to buy single seats on private jets. It has been a leader in jet-sharing flights, pushing the democratization of private aviation.

Recently its parent Vista Global acquired a minority interest in Red Wing Aero, with plans to build its fleet of light jets. It also acquired Apollo Jets, a larger private jet charter broker, which is now a subsidiary of XO Global.

With the Apollo acquisition, Vista Global gained a minority interest in Talon Air, a top 20 Part 135 charter operator. XOJET, Red Wing, and Talon Air-operated aircraft are used in XO programs.

Additionally, it uses third-party charter operators.

As a foreign entity, Vista Global is barred from holding a majority stake in U.S. airlines, including charter carriers. However, it owns both the XO charter and jet card brokerage and aircraft in the XOJet and Red Wing fleets. Talon Air is a mix of owned and managed private jets.

XO is included in Private Jet Card Comparisons’ database of over 50 jet card providers, enabling you to compare programs in minutes.

When was it founded?

XOJET was founded in 2006, and became XO Global LLC after merging with JetSmarter in 2019. XOJet Aviation is a separate company that operates aircraft owned by Vista Global Holding, including the former XOJet fleet.

Who owns it?

Vista Global Holding based in Dubai

Who is the CEO?

Thomas Flohr is chairman of parent Vista Global

How are aircraft sourced?

XO uses XOJet Aviation to operate its owned fleet of Challenger 300 and Citation X private jets. Additional aircraft are sourced through its preferred network of charter operators. It also sources aircraft from related charter operators Red Wing Aviation and Talon Air.

What are the initiation and membership fees?

Memberships start at $995 per year.

What is the entry-level program?

XO Membership requires a $100,000 deposit.

Do they provide guaranteed availability?

Yes

Is the hourly rate guaranteed?

No, dyanmic pricing

What is the company website?

www.flyxo.com

Where is their headquarters?

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Contact a Sales Executive at XO

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