Lithuanian private jet operator KlasJet recently hosted an exclusive gathering in Paris. The event brought together France’s leading sports teams and premium travel professionals for networking and strategic discussions, while showcasing the advantages of VIP air travel solutions.

The event began with a presentation from Ernestas Lukosevicius, VIP charter flight business development manager at KlasJet. He guided the crowd of 30 industry professionals through the many reasons why sports charters are more than just journeys from point A to point B. With KlasJet, VIP service begins with the initial customer inquiry and extends through onboard service delivery to managing complex aviation operations, maintaining flexibility throughout.

With elite athletes and business professionals working under intense schedules, flexibility and comfort are critical. During the event, Lukosevicius illustrated this with real-world examples of top European basketball, football and rugby teams that have flown with KlasJet’s specially configured Boeing 737 aircraft, which offers suitable conditions for quality rest and onboard service.

As Lukosevicius explains: “At KlasJet we are focused on providing the most efficient, convenient, flexible and reliable service possible. Each offering is designed to remove the complexity from organising team transport. This touches on everything from ensuring that all scheduling is calibrated precisely to providing ample leg room and seat spacing. For athletes, having the chance to walk around and stretch aids muscle recovery, while our crew is trained to take all the hassle out of the flight experience, something that’s more than essential for professionals concentrating on their next game or match.”

It is well documented in research literature that travel fatigue can be detrimental to a team’s performance. A 2025 study by the Grafo Research group of the Autonomous University of Barcelona found that teams perform significantly worse in away games. Similarly, a 2018 study published in the journal Sports showed that even short-haul flights had a negative effect on American Basketball Association players’ performance. KlasJet aims to minimise the impact flights may have through highly optimised travel solutions.

Expanding on the subject of performance during the event was Gauthier Dewas, renowned combat pilot and public speaker, whose talk on how winning teams work was especially well received. Following the presentations, the guests were then invited to test the KlasJet experience firsthand with a VIP afternoon flight around Paris. 

“The purpose of this event was not only to unite the sports and travel community, but also to educate participants on how VIP travel can help enhance their teams’ performance,” continues Lukosevicius. “We also wanted to give them a flavour of the service itself. More than that, as the leading charter provider in France, we are committed to forging closer ties between the French travel and sporting sectors. By inviting thought leaders like Gauthier to share their views on such future challenges and opportunities, we aim to create greater value and a brighter tomorrow for both industries. Our clients have complex logistical tasks to solve on the tightest of deadlines, and we want to show them how KlasJet can deliver reliable long-term solutions.”

KlasJet operates a fleet of 12 aircraft, including one BBJ and five Boeing 737-300 aircraft used for VIP charter services. The company also operates six Boeing 737-800 jets from the Next-Generation series as part of its ACMI fleet, each seating between 186 and 189 passengers.