Sentient Jet is seeing new and existing members turn to private aviation as a trusted utility as the COVID-19 lockdown unwinds and travellers seek to fly private.

Of the more than 5,000 private jet hours the company sold since the beginning of April, over 50 per cent came from new customers. These numbers reflect recent data released by management consultancy McKinsey, which indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic will drive demand for private aviation from first-time users who want to avoid the touchpoints associated with commercial flying. This demand from new customers purchasing jet cards indicates the trend that travellers are making a serious commitment to flying private in the long-term as opposed to using private aviation as a one-time solution or lifestyle amenity.

Over the past six weeks, Sentient has seen its flight volume dramatically rise with the transit of over 2,500 passengers throughout the country. Meanwhile, inquiries for flight quotes have risen by 241 per cent since the March low point. Inspired by the readiness of new clients to commit to private aviation as a trusted resource and utility in this new travel landscape, Sentient Jet has launched a campaign titled ‘Be Ready’. The campaign is a direct response to the new ways people are travelling amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. People are avoiding crowded locations and are wary of high-touch TSA checkpoints and commercial aircraft. At the same time, many are faced with a need to travel for business, to reconnect with family or change locations.

“The encouraging demand for private aviation from new customers, and in particular for jet cards that provide flight time for multiple trips, indicates that travellers are making a long-term commitment to flying private and using it as a utility rather than a lifestyle amenity,” says Andrew Collins, CEO. “Recent statistics released by McKinsey show that over 90 per cent of people who can afford to travel private don't. We are now seeing this change as outreach from new customers has increased and many of them are coming off the sidelines and turning to private aviation as a trusted travel solution.”

Sentient Jet offers a SJ25+ jet card for customers to access Sentient certified jets in mid, super-mid, and large cabin categories at competitive, all-inclusive rates with Wi-Fi access guaranteed. The company also offers a SJ25 jet card which provides access to Sentient certified light aircraft at fixed, all-inclusive rates.