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