PrivateFly has launched its Aviator Membership, catering for an emerging customer base generated by the pandemic and offering additional benefits and greater flexibility to a growing number of frequent flyers.

The private jet flight provider, a member of the Directional Aviation family of companies, already offers a jet card programme giving clients access to a select range of aircraft in their chosen size category at fixed hourly rates. The Aviator Membership is designed for repeat clients with more varied flying requirements, something the company says it is seeing more of in the last 18 months.

The new membership will benefit those who combine short hops in Europe in light jets, with long-haul trips across continents in large cabin aircraft, all of which are sourced from a select network of accredited suppliers from the private charter market. Unlike standard on-demand private jet charter, Aviator Members will be able to enjoy this extended market flexibility along with additional benefits that are usually only offered by jet card or shared ownership programmes. Aviator Membership benefits include short notice cancellation terms and added value services, such as inclusive de-icing, luxury hotel benefits and a London helicopter transfer.

European MD of PrivateFly and Flexjet Marine Eugène comments: “Our repeat clients are clearly looking for a greater level of consistency and a premium experience. We already provide exceptional service to established, high-frequency private aviation users via our Flexjet shared ownership and premium programmes, and our PrivateFly jet card, which has proved highly successful since we launched it last year. However, in addition, we saw a growing number of repeat clients who want aspects of this elevated service, but with the ability to access a variety of different-sized aircraft types from the market or more varied routes including outside of Europe or the US.”

The launch of the Aviator Membership follows a period of sustained demand for PrivateFly's private charter services, particularly from existing and frequent private jet users.

Overall flight bookings year-to-date are now ahead of pre-pandemic levels and in July 86% were from existing clients versus a pre-pandemic average of 64 per cent.

This programme also reflects PrivateFly's closer alignment with sister company Flexjet, with the two companies now operating as a single unit in Europe under the leadership of industry veteran Marine Eugène.

Eugène goes on: “As travel starts to increase further, including for business, thinner airline offerings will struggle to meet the needs of busy, high-profile travellers who fly often, and on very tight schedules. There are also many who will prefer to minimise their exposure to crowds and touchpoints on an ongoing basis. The pandemic has led to a reappraisal of private aviation for many frequent travellers in Europe, and its benefit have never been clearer. With the addition of our new Aviator Membership, we are pleased to offer the only true full 360-degree product suite of private aviation solutions in the market.”