NetJets : airline

NetJets is an American airline founded in 1964. The company specialises in chartering luxury private jets for business travel. However, it also shares ownership of business jets between several owners. This enables it to offer a wide range of aircraft with different deliveries. We tell you all about this airline, from its history to its actions.

Key dates for NetJets airline

• 1964: NetJets is founded in Ohio (its original name was EJA for Executive Jet Aviation). This American company is based in Columbus. It was created by several people, including the CEO, Dick Lassister, who came from the Air Force. He was joined by three US Air Force employees: Curtis LeMay and Paul Tibbets, both generals, and a former pilot, Bruce Sundlun, who had become a lawyer. Also associated as founders were well-known personalities such as James Stewart and Arthur Godfrey.
  Once the company was created, it was one of the first to welcome aircraft and to operate on the management of private aircraft.
• 1984: the company adopts the definitive name of NetJets following the takeover by Richard Santulli. It was at this point that the company became a pioneer in shared ownership in the aviation market.
• 1995: Warren Buffet invests in some of the company’s aircraft. Fascinated by NetJets’ concept and activities, he bought the entire company in 1998. CEO Richard Santulli remained in his post until 2009.
• 2009 saw a change of CEO, with David Sokol taking over from Santulli. His mission was clear: to help Netjets recover, as it had lost a great deal of value as a result of the economic crisis.
• 2011: Director D. Sokol precipitates his departure and leaves his position at the subsidiary. He is replaced by Jordan Hansell, who was vice-president of NetJets.

NetJets, the airline in a few figures.

If the figures speak for themselves, let us give you a few facts and figures about NetJets as an airline.

• 44,4000: that’s the number of passengers the American airline carries every year.
• 5,000: this is the number of airports around the world that you can access if you travel on board the company’s private jets.
• 200: this is the number of territories and countries to which NetJets has access. Immediate boarding to a multitude of destinations in their business jets.
• 143 million: NetJets has flown 143 million statute miles since it was founded! That’s an incredible number of flight hours. As an indication, one statute mile represents 1.6 km.

What is shared ownership?

Unlike traditional airlines, NetJets has been innovative. Not least thanks to the creation of the following principle: sharing a private jet or business aircraft between several owners. The idea is simple. Allow individuals or companies to own part of a business jet (like a 1/16, for example). So you buy part of the aircraft. And that gives you a number of flying hours to use for the coming year. In general, this is between 50 and 400 hours.

NetJets promises many advantages with this shared ownership programme. You get your own private jet that you can charter whenever you want. You can even make a request within 4 hours of your departure. However, your aircraft may not be available (perhaps another owner is using it). In that case, NetJets will offer you another equivalent or higher category business jet for your journey. The company’s reach is such that a solution can be found for you every time.

NetJets offers other benefits too. As the owner of shares in a private jet, you don’t have to worry about managing and maintaining the aircraft. You don’t have to think about the crew or maintenance. Everything is managed by the company. Service and safety, that’s what NetJets promises all its private aviation owners.

Netjets, the forerunner of shared ownership in business aviation:

NetJets, a US company, specialises in private aircraft leasing and shared aircraft ownership. It offers private air travel services to customers all over the world.

NetJets is considered the pioneer of the shared aircraft ownership concept. It allows individuals and businesses to purchase a share of a private aircraft, giving them flexible and convenient access to a fleet of premium aircraft.

The advantage of NetJets is that customers do not have to worry about the constraints of owning a private aircraft. They benefit from the advantages of a private aircraft, such as :

• flexible flight times
• personalised on-board services
• tailor-made itineraries
• without having to manage the logistical and operational aspects.

The different services offered by Netjets:

NetJets offers different membership options depending on the needs and preferences of each customer. It is possible to choose between shared ownership, where the customer owns a share of the aircraft. Alternatively, you can opt for on-demand rental. The customer rents an aircraft for a specific period. The company has a diversified fleet comprising aircraft of different sizes and capacities.

In addition to private aircraft hire, NetJets also offers a range of complementary services. These include aircraft management,aircraft purchase assistance, travel planning and ground services coordination.

NetJets’ reputation is built on its commitment to safety, reliability and quality service. The company is known for maintaining high standards in aircraft maintenance, pilot training and customer satisfaction.

In short, NetJets offers flexible, high-end private jet travel services. This is achieved through private aircraft rental and shared ownership. It offers a practical and luxurious alternative to commercial travel. In fact, it guarantees a personalised, hassle-free travel experience for its customers.

The NetJets fleet

The American airline offers several types of aircraft. Its fleet is made up of almost 760 private jets. They come from a range of aircraft manufacturers, including Dassault, which specialises in business jets. This represents the largest fleet of private jets in the business aviation sector. It comprises 6 different models. This enables it to respond as effectively as possible to all types of flight requests. Both in terms of range from short-haul to long-haul, and in terms of the passengers on board.

The light private jet

With their Embraer Phenom 300 model, you can charter this aircraft for 6 people. With a flight time of 4 hours and a cruising speed of 797 km/h, this aircraft is ideal for short-haul journeys, landing and taking off as comfortably as flights within Europe. In a few words, it’s like a fast, comfortable and safe air taxi ride. Finally, with a cargo hold of 2.09 m3, you can fit, for example: 4 golf bags and 5 small suitcases/bags.

Intermediate private jets

The Cessna Citation XLS and Citation Latitude complete the NetJets fleet. Both aircraft can accommodate up to 7 passengers. The Citation XLS has a range of 4 hours 15 minutes, while the Citation Latitude can fly for 7 hours, making it ideal for longer flights and greater distances. The baggage compartment is a little roomier than the Embraer model, so you can fit a few more small suitcases in there.

Similarly, you can board a Bombardier Challenger 350 private jet with 9 passengers for a medium-haul trip. It’s ideal if you want to change continents, like for a Dubai-Nice flight, for example, because this business jet can fly non-stop for 7 hours 45 minutes with exemplary comfort and flight performance. Its 3 m3 of cargo space can accommodate 5 suitcases, 2 small bags and 2 golf bags.

Long-haul private jets

Take a long-haul trip with the Falcon 2000EX. Its comfortable, luxurious and silent cabin seats 10 passengers. With a range of 8 hours 45 minutes and a cruising speed of 850 km/h, you can fly to destinations a long way from your point of departure. Finally, in the hold you can stow 7 suitcases, 2 golf bags and 2 small bags. It’s a far cry from the classic airliner, but it’s still more spacious.

The Bombardier Global 6000 is the latest addition to the NetJets fleet. This state-of-the-art business jet seats up to 13 passengers and has a flight time of 13.5 hours. Travel wherever you want, because the range of this business jet is one of the widest in business aviation. Finally, thanks to its exceptional capacity, with over 5.5 m3 of cargo space, you can carry 11 suitcases, 2 golf bags and 2 small bags.

The NetJets loyalty card

The airline offers a “private jet card” for those who need to travel less than 50 hours, but also for those who do not wish to buy a share of the jet and opt for shared ownership. Choose the type of business jet you wish to use for your journeys, then purchase a block of 25 flight hours. This is a no-commitment card, so you can use these hours as you wish within the Netjets airline fleet. This is a good solution offered by the company to complement shared ownership of business jets.

Do you have a question about renting a business jet? AEROAFFAIRES can answer them on +33 (0)1 44 09 91 82. Complete our online quote form for all private jet flight requests.