MemberJets has announced SEATS, a programme aimed at benefitting Part 135 operators. SEATS has been designed as an affordable white label flight and booking management platform that legally allows operators the ability to hold out directly to the public on a per seat basis. Ty Carter, MemberJets CEO says: “Our new software platform provides a seamless and low-cost entry point into the world of 14CFR380. Obtaining DOT 380 credentials and certification can be a costly and daunting process, and we have removed that burden and expense to empower operators to fill the void that exists between commercial airlines and private travel. In the wake of COVID-19, consumers will be looking for new travel alternatives and our software enables a turn-key solution into the world of shuttle flights, shared charters, empty legs and special events, all on a per-seat basis creating a higher margin per flight hour.”

The wake and fallout from COVID-19, Carter believes, will result in lasting and devastating changes to the current business model for commercial aviation. He says that wading through a sea of people and moving through tightly-packed lines several times to get to the airplane door has been daunting in the best of times. “The never popular centre seat now becomes outright threatening in the new age of social distancing,” he says.

If you are a Part 135 operator or charter broker, the ability to place aircraft on major commercial trunk routes right now provides consumers the choice of a cleaner and faster method of flying. For passengers, the advantages are not having to show up at the terminal 90 minutes in advance to be exposed to thousands of fellow travellers and then sitting with 120 other people in a cabin that gets cleaned weekly. Industry pundits are saying that in the post-COVID world, passengers might have to get to the airport four hours in advance of a commercial flight.

SEATS is branded with the name, logo and colours of the operator, hosts its guaranteed and crowdsourced flights, and allows the public to select and purchase individual seats on those flights. Included are back office functions and DOT documentation. Carter adds: “SEATS is the direct-to-consumer booking platform that complements our B2B version used primarily by brokers.”

Part 380 is available to any Part 135 operator that wishes to engage in single seat sales with its charter aircraft, and MemberJets provides complete and affordable back office services for Part 380 compliance.