Many travelers are under the impression that there are only two ways to fly: on a scheduled commercial airliner or on a private jet. However, recently, a new form of flying has emerged. This type of flying, which is considered flying semi-privately, combines the benefits of both commercial flying and flying privately. This option includes scheduled flights and affordable pricing of commercial flights with the luxury and efficiency of flying privately.
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One of the companies that has recently entered this space is Aero. This company, which is based in Los Angeles, California, is run by its Chief Executive Officer, Ben Klein. In a recent discussion with Klein, Aero was described as "a premium book-by-the-seat jet service connecting travelers in Los Angeles to Aspen, Sun Valley, and Los Cabos." Let's take a closer look at the unique experience that Aero offers on the West Coast of the United States.
Specifically, Aero has been constantly evolving to meet the ever-changing transportation industry. The company has noticed a decline in customer experience with many commercial airlines. Aero has worked to solve this issue by improving the customer experience with the scheduled flight process. Speaking about the increase in popularity of semi-private flying, Klein stated,
"Aero is able to offer what the airlines have lost or simply cannot because of their size and scale: fewer passengers, private terminals with no lines or crowds, and a five-star service program that prioritizes our guest’s comfort and experience. Designer lounges and cabin interiors, luxury amenities, and a deep and company-wide commitment to service are Aero’s key differentiators in the growing semi-private flight sector."
The ever-changing travel industry has shifted towards benefiting the customer recently. The demand for luxury travel as a whole has been growing rapidly. Previous customers of private charters have been turning to the more affordable semi-private industry. Commercial airline customers have been turning to the semi-private industry due to the improved customer experience as well as the ease of flying from private terminals.
Aero has identified several demographics that are responsible for growing this industry. These groups are:
These groups have grown the luxury travel industry due to varying reasons. However, Aero still faces competition from both the commercial airline industry and the private charter industry. Klein identified commercial airlines as the most direct form of competition. This is mostly due to the frequency of flights that commercial airlines offer. However, Klein also mentioned that the customer experience is not in the same realm as what Aero offers. Aero's guest experience mirrors what a traveler would experience when flying on a chartered private jet. The only difference is more travelers on the specific aircraft.
The customer experience with Aero begins as the traveler arrives at the airport. Those flying on an Aero jet can arrive just 20 minutes before their flight is scheduled to depart. Aero operates out of Van Nuys Airport (VNY). The company has a private lounge in Van Nuys where travelers can enjoy complimentary champagne, fresh juice, and light bites prior to the boarding process beginning. Once travelers begin to board, they are escorted by the host team to the aircraft. Each flight is run by an experienced flight attendant crew.
Van Nuys Airport is located within the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
Aero operates two types of aircraft. For semi-private flights, customers can expect to fly onboard a converted Embraer ERJ135. This regional airliner typically holds 37 passengers. However, Aero has converted its fleet of aircraft to hold 16 passengers in a luxury seating experience. Aero has maximized the personal space for each passenger. Each passenger area features two feet of legroom with oversized Italian leather seats that decline 150 degrees. The Los Angeles-based company also offers private jet charters. These flights are operated by one of the company's Embraer Legacy 600s.
During the flight, the flight attendant crew provides elegant food and beverage options. The jets are also equipped with ultra-fast Starlink WiFi. After arriving, passengers are given their luggage within ten minutes and can depart directly from a private terminal.
Klein also mentioned that Aero has plans to continue to evolve with the changing industry. He mentioned upgrading the interiors of existing aircraft, aiming to continue improving the customer experience while flying. Klein stated,
"Aero continually evaluates our interior configurations to ensure they meet the highest standards of luxury and comfort. Plans are underway to upgrade and enhance onboard amenities. These updates aim to provide an even more personalized and premium travel experience."
Aero also has plans to continue expanding its route network. Currently, from its main hub at Van Nuys Airport, Aero offers scheduled services to:
Klein mentioned that Aero will continue focusing on expanding its service from Van Nuys. However, based on the changing demand, Aero will also consider establishing similar hubs in other large metropolitan areas, similar to the established Van Nuys hub.
Aero also has plans to continue expanding its existing fleet. These new planes will be used to accommodate the growing demand. The company will also look to utilize its aircraft for longer-range routes in the future. Specifically, Aero is considering acquiring more Embraer aircraft due to their reliability and suitability for Aero operations.
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