JetSmarter is a members-only mobile community for shared and private flights. The company is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Using proprietary mobile algorithms, the JetSmarter app connects members to more than 3,000 aircraft and existing routes across three continents - the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. Plus, members have the ability to create flights virtually anywhere on the globe and share them with other members or book all the seats to make it private.
Launched in 2013, the app saw more than 300,000 downloads by 2014 . Membership starts at $4,950 annually and according to the company, all members get access to seats on existing flights across the globe as well as the ability to create shared and private flights on-demand.The app uses data science, advanced mobile technology, and a members-only approach to connect people in business, sports, entertainment, and culture with socially powered travel. JetSmarter lets its members reserve seats on existing flights, create on-demand shared and private flights to anywhere on the planet, book seats on last-minute empty-leg deals, enjoy luxury lifestyle benefits, and network with like-minded travelers.
The last-minute empty-leg deals offer seats on private jets that would otherwise be traveling empty to pick up customers or return home. Through its app JetSmarter connects its 14,000 members to a network of 3,200 aircraft. The app has over 670,000 registered users.
Video JetSmarter
History
JetSmarter was founded in 2012 by entrepreneur Sergey Petrossov, whose idea made him one of Forbes' "30 Under 30" business leaders of 2016. In August 2012, the beta version was launched and tested among a closed group of private aviation users. After testing proved successful, Petrossov sought and received substantial venture funding to expand JetSmarter's scope. In March 2013, the JetSmarter app was launched and made available to the general public on both iOS and Android devices.
In June 2015, JetSmarter announced its new European Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. In early 2016, it launched flights within Europe. JetSmarter has offices in Zurich, London, Moscow, Dubai, Riyadh, and Fort Lauderdale.
Maps JetSmarter
Funding
According to Business Insider and TechCrunch, JetSmarter has raised $20 million from the Saudi Royal Family, American rapper Jay-Z, American serial entrepreneur and investor Wayne Chang, and investment bank Goldman Sachs Capital Partners.
In December 2016, JetSmarter announced it had raised an additional $105 million at a $1.6 billion valuation. The company said this will fuel international expansion and add at least 80 more routes to its existing 50 routes.
In August 2017, JetSmarter said it raised an undisclosed amount of institutional capital from Clearlake Capital Group, LP, Leucadia National Corporation and existing investors. It said it would use the money to expand services, including routes and flight frequency.
Services
JetSmarter flight services include a mix of shared and private flights:
- Seats on existing flights starting around the same price as commercial.
- On-demand shared flights for a fraction of the cost of traditional charters; members specify how many seats they need, and then earn flight credit by allowing JetSmarter to sell empty seats to other members.
- On-demand private flights backed by a low-price guarantee
- Helicopter tranfers in select cities
- Empty-leg flight deals, or repositioning flights. The JetSmarter app allows passengers to search for and set up alerts for empty leg flights leaving their chosen cities.
JetSmarter has 3,000 private jets and 2,000 free empty legs per month. In January 2016, Chicago Tribune reported JetSmarter has launched app-based private charter service in Chicago, using Midway International Airport as its access point. Adding to its services, the company offers helicopter transfers in select cities. The fastest growing profession of JetSmarter customers is Self-Employed individuals (56%), including personal trainers, fashion stylists, designers, chefs, image consultants and event planners. That fact is supported by the apps reviews and customer assessment.
- Membership -- $4,950/year membership fee offering unlimited ability to book seats on existing flights as well as create shared or private flights across the globe
In May 2018, JetSmarter announced it would have a fleet of 20 JetSmarter branded aircraft by the end of the year. The aircraft will be managed and operated by JetEdge, a Part 135 operator. It also said it had eliminated free shuttles and for new members, it had eliminated free flights under three hours. The company also said it was providing integration via SAP Concur to attract more corporate travel business.
Partnership
JetSmarter partners with various air carriers that span the range of the private charter industry. JetSmarter has also teamed up with XOJET, for an annual membership fee and one-time initiation fee. Members of JetSmarter will get unlimited access to flights in North America, Europe and the Middle East through the partnership with XOJET JetSmarter has teamed up with several organizations across different fields in order to provide and expand its services. Some of the partnered companies include Talent Resources , Prodiguer Brands, Vertis Aviation , and SportStar Relocation . All of these partnerships lead the service aspect of JetSmarter where the company looks to utilize its travel offerings for different markets. The company has also partnered with Delta Private Jets, Jet Linx, Jet Edge, and Air Hamburg in order to cater to its private jet customers.
Corporate affairs
The company was named as the subject of a Class Action lawsuit from a former employee for unpaid overtime filed on June 20.
In 2017, The Verge reported that management of JetSmarter offered free flights to its reporters if an article was posted within five days of the flight. According to the reporter if the story did not appear within that timeline, the reporter's credit card would be charged $2,000.
References
External links
- Official website
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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