Volato has launched its offering with a custom HondaJet Elite S fleet. The company has already sold shares of its first jet, which was delivered earlier this month. Volato has ordered multiple aircraft from the Honda Aircraft Company, with the remaining units scheduled to arrive in Q4 and 2022. Volato already has a HondaJet in its fleet and three smaller Cirrus aircraft. The new jets will be delivered to the company's home base located at the Peachtree DeKalb Airport in Atlanta, Georgia and then distributed to its own bases throughout the US southeast.

The new HondaJet Elite S features several upgrades that expand operational capability. Customers can now fly up to 120 nm further than the previous model or take an additional passenger during their typical mission. “The HondaJet is the perfect equipment choice for our mission focus, which is one to four passengers travelling sub-three hour flights,” says Matt Liotta, co-founder and CEO at Volato. Volato is the only fleet operator of the HondaJet to fully upgrade the cabins, including a full galley, executive leather chairs, inbuilt surround sound system and more.

Volato manages furnishings, maintenance, fees and flight operations; owners schedule flights through the Volato app, show up and relax. Onboard amenities include a fresh-brew coffee system, a dual divided ice drawer and generous storage for catering, snacks and beverages. In the jet's lavatory there is a brightly lit vanity mirror, dual mini skylights, a vessel sink with running water, a leather appointed seat lid and roomy cabinets for personal hygiene items.

“As existing jet-share owners, we are familiar with the decision owners have to make before each flight regarding whether they use their own aircraft or fly commercial,” says Volato co-founder Nicholas Cooper. “Our team is transforming the industry with an innovative business model that detaches ownership from usage, making it more practical and financially efficient for owners to use a private plane on more of their flights without compromising on safety, luxury or experience.”

Volato jet shares allow owners to take full advantage of all the benefits of owning a private plane without the stress of managing the upkeep and logistics. Shares can be purchased at 1/16, 1/8, 1⁄4, 1⁄2 or a whole aircraft of one of the HondaJet Elite S fleet; shares represent a five-year programme term.

Depending on an owner's personal financial situation, additional incentives for purchasing Volato jet shares include accelerated depreciation benefits on the jet share acquisition cost. Additionally, owners that qualify may optionally leverage additional tax benefits with deferred capital gains and depreciation along with a step up in basis at the end of the programme. For qualified customers, the overall tax benefits exceed what is offered by other fleet programmes.