Private flying: Customers of VistaJet and Wheels Up will fly in a Global Bombardier 6000.
Big news for private jet-setters: VistaJet, a global business aviation company, and Wheels Up, a membership-based private aviation company, are joining forces to offer VistaJet’s Flight Solutions Program in the United States. Service for FSP customers is scheduled to begin in March 2014, on a U.S.-based fleet operated and managed by Jet Aviation Flight Services, a certified U.S. air carrier. The U.S.-based fleet is expected to grow to 12 all new Bombardier Global jets. The total value of the aircraft fleet commitment is $600 million.
VistaJet perks include guaranteed availability and guaranteed price-per-hour, and customers are only charged for occupied hours. Wheels Up, a new membership-based private aviation company that offers access to an exclusive fleet of planes, will be VistaJet’s exclusive general sales agent to market and sell VistaJet FSP to customers in the U.S. VistaJet will act as agent for these new FSP customers to arrange flights that will be operated by Jet Aviation within the U.S.
Kenny Dichter, CEO of Wheels Up, projects a membership base for its own program of 10,000 to 15,000 individuals and corporations, flying an average of 20 to 30 hours annually on flights arranged by Wheels Up as the member’s agent.
Luxury travel advisors can reach out to Nick Mathews (nicholas.mathews@vistajet.com; 011-44-207-0605-700), vice president, on-demand sales.