Vaunt, a US platform for connecting travellers to private flights, has launched its mobile app to the public. Vaunt is a proprietary platform and mobile application built to serve a network of travellers who are willing to sign up for a chance to enjoy the private jet experience and bring along their friends and family. Vaunt members pay an annual subscription to access empty leg private flights and have the chance to fly at no additional cost when a flight is available.

Vaunt is an offshoot of HondaJet operator Volato, and president Nicholas Cooper says: “There’s a tremendous market opportunity for pairing aspirational private jet flyers with the industry’s empty-leg flights. We believe our model is different to what the industry has tried in the past, to solve this problem. Our approach is also expanding the market to be accessible to those who traditionally have not flown private. In our beta phase we have had more than a thousand downloads with Vaunt members flying for both business and leisure, many experiencing flying private for the first time. As private aviation increases during the seasonally strong fourth quarter, we look forward to connecting our members with the substantial number of available flights.”

Approximately 30 per cent of private flights industrywide have no passengers when an aircraft needs to be repositioned from one location to another, creating significant under-utilised capacity. The confluence of digital nomads, younger generations prioritising experiences and ballooning retiree numbers in the US are creating a new market for experiencing spontaneous private aviation at a low cost. The new Vaunt app makes this accessible to a wider audience not traditionally targeted or serviced by the private aviation industry.

After subscribing for Vaunt, members can view available flights in the Vaunt mobile app and express interest to be added to the waitlist. When the waitlist for a flight closes, the Vaunt member in the number one position reserves the entire plane. Users can choose up to three friends or family members to travel along, for a total of at least four passengers. There is no additional cost to the member or their guests to take their flight.

Trips are one way, and members can choose to book a return trip at their option through either a commercial airline or other transportation alternative.

Vaunt is currently available for download through the Apple App Store and Google Play.