Blade, Wheels Up, Magellan Jets Launch New Private Jet Programs

31.10.2023 - 13:57 / forbes.com / Hudson River

Remember back in 2021 as Covid-led demand surged and many jet card providers offering fixed rates and guaranteed availability were closing off their programs to new members? Sentient Jet, Jets.com, Jet Linx, Airshare and Flexjet were among those that cranked the faucet shut with immediate effect. NetJets also stopped renewing existing members.

XO moved to strictly dynamic pricing so it wouldn’t get burned by having to pay more to source flights than the contracted rates clients were paying. Its parent, Vista Global, spent over a billion to add airplanes, snapping up Jet Edge and Air Hamburg and increasing deliveries from Bombardier.

Some providers that suspended programs (Priester Aviation, Solairus) only recently restarted them. Others like Jet Aviation and Executive Jet Management still haven’t restarted their guaranteed rate products.

However, there’s no question supply is less of an issue – most of the time. Still, the lingering restrictions and higher prices with hourly rates up 24% since the end of 2020, have created opportunities. Three flight providers are hoping to take advantage of the turbulent market by rolling out new jet card offerings, each targeting a different segment.

For Blade Urban Air Mobility, its JetPass marks the first time it has offered a fixed-rate, guaranteed availability jet card.

Better known for its helicopter and medical flight services, Blade was already selling on-demand charters on fixed-wing aircraft. However, those flights were priced dynamically trip-to-trip.

Its new offering targets one of the most popular seasonal routes in the country – UHNWs shuttling between New York and South Florida.

JetPass gives a fixed route price of $18,000, plus 7.5% Federal Excise Tax, on a midsize jet with at least six seats, all of which are yours to use. Best of all, pets are accepted, something that isn’t universal with jet card programs, and there are no extra fees unless they cause damage.

You can upgrade as available to a super-midsize jet for $7,000 or a large cabin jet for $12,000.

There is a one-time seasonal membership (running through April 2, 2024) of $20,000, and then you book flights and pay-as-you-go. You can book via its app or a Blade flight concierge.

The minimum notice period is 72 hours, except for 22 peak days requiring seven days' notice.

CEO Rob Wiesenthal says in addition to a low price, members don't have to deposit funds and lose interest on their money.

To use JetPass, you need to fly from Teterboro Airport, across the Hudson River from Manhattan, to either Palm Beach, Boca Raton or Miami’s Opa Locka Executive Airport.

You can also fly from Westchester County Airport or Fort Lauderdale International for an extra $2,500, plus FET.

Even amortizing the joining