How are the aircraft sourced? [links]
See full version: Sentient Jet
How are the aircraft sourced? [links]
The company is based in Braintree, Massachusetts. Its service area for fixed one-way rates includes the Continental U.S., Caribbean and Mexico. In 2021, it launched fixed one-way rates to Europe, In Europe, it offers members fixed rate jet card pricing via an interchange arrangement with PrivateFly.
Who owns Sentient? here
Sister units in OneSky Flight, LLC, include fractional share operator Flexjet, helicopter operator Halo, charter brokers PrivateFly and FXAIR. Other holdings include jet re-manufacturer Nextant Aerospace and jet sales company Sojourn Aviation and Constant Aviation. More recently, it has become active in the helicopter space with a new brand Halo. (Review private jet membership company M&A activity with our PRIVATE AVIATION DEAL BOOK.).
It sells in increments of 25 hours and offers light jet, midsize jet, super-midsize, and large-cabin programs. Members can upgrade and downgrade the cabin category based on published rates on a trip-by-trip basis.
By Doug Gollan | July 14 2021
Earlier this year, it purchased a stake in WasteFuel, a start-up that will produce sustainable aviation fuel from refuse. SAF, as it’s referred to, cuts carbon emissions by as much as 85%. It is also the launch customer for FBO chain Signature Flight Support’s sustainable fuel program, helping put a marker down for the rest of the industry. To make it easy for customers to offset their CO2 footprint, it now includes the option to purchase carbon offsets in all proposals, allowing offsets to be bought for an entire flying program or just a specific flight. more
Like Icarus, JetSmarter flew too close to the sun. After raising hundreds of millions of dollars and attracting high-profile backers from Jay-Z to Saudi Arabian investment funds, from its 2013 launch, it claimed a billion-dollar valuation. That was long gone before it sold itself to Vista Global Holdings in 2019, amid a string of lawsuits. Still, the company and its founder, Sergey Petrossov, did a lot to pave the way for future by-the-seat and sharing models. Mostly, JetSmarter will be remembered for offering an all-you-can-fly buffet of seats on scheduled private flights for under $10,000 annually, less than a single traditional charter flight.
This story is part of AIN 's continuing coverage of the impact of the coronavirus on aviation.
Traditionally, those new entrants account for a third of Sentient’s business. But the demand was such in 2020 that they accounted for two-thirds of its business. “I think anybody in the industry that had an experience with the rise…in new entrants, the real focus they’re going to have to be in tune to is retaining this new user base in 2021 and beyond,” Collins noted. more
Looking ahead, Collins expects business travel will return in 2021, but at a measured rate. “I would tell you that 90 to 95 percent of the travel we saw in 2020 was really derivative of personal travel,” he said. “That trend continues into 2021. My guess is you’ll start to see a slow return to business travel at the beginning of the second quarter and it really will be smaller teams that are more transactional oriented, doing due diligence or consultants, and you really won’t see a return to robust business flying [until] deeper into this year if not into 2022.”
Nicholas Air Aircraft Management Services provides a turn-key program for those who want to enjoy the benefits of aircraft ownership without the complexities of daily flight operations. In addition, this program saves both time and money with reduced fuel, insurance and maintenance costs. [links]
Providing exceptional service like those in any exclusive private club has been key to Nicholas Air’s growth. Regardless of the program you choose, you can be assured an exceptional level of personal service, on the ground and in the air. Accessing over 9,000 airports across the U.S., and many more in their service area, you’ll arrive closer to your final destination. “The goal for everyone at Nicholas Air is to exceed our customers’ expectations on every flight,” says Correnti. “We’re proud of the reputation we’ve built.” [links]
The Sentient tagline, “A More Thoughtful Way to Fly,” is much more than just a marketing phrase. “The flexible ways that we’ve structured our programs are both sensible and intelligent,” says Collins. “Our programs deliver practical benefits like a 10-hour access guarantee, an ability to upgrade across our fleet and an account balance that never expires,” says Collins. “The ‘private’ part is also part of our business because we believe in exclusive, luxury service that few others provide.”
With each flight, our goal is to reach and often exceed the levels of service our clients expect. That is key to our culture.
Correnti also established the business as a private, members-only jet club, which he likens to being part of a family with access to one of the youngest fleets in business aviation. The model has certainly worked since 83% of new sales come from member referrals and 99% of members repurchase hours. [links]
Beyond their own programs, private aviation’s leaders have also increased their value propositions by partnering with travel, food and wine, clothing and other firms offering premium goods or services at substantial discounts. Using smarter programs and technology, these companies are moving business aviation in a new direction, one where the joys of flying privately are now more cost efficient, flexible and consumer friendly.