Advertise on podcast: The VIP Seat: Weekly Private Aviation News

A tragedy deserves an investigation, not an internet verdict. This week, Jessie and Preston address the fatal Learjet 60 crash and the wave of speculation that followed, from pilot-age criticism to sweeping claims about the aircraft. They discuss why waiting for the NTSB matters, the challenge of responding to viral misinformation, and the broader safety conversations worth having without drawing conclusions about the cause. Then, the Wheels Up debate continues: do six factory-new Phenom 300Es, improving operating metrics, and another round of Delta support point to a turnaround or a longer road to becoming Delta Private Jets all over again? Plus, Jeppesen’s paper-chart farewell, retired jet engines finding a second life powering AI data centers, a tribute to Ed Bolen as he announces his retirement, and the Fly Alliance restructuring that has the hosts asking whether they can unring the M&A gong. Thank you to our sponsors AB Jets and REAL Jet and Wingform for sponsoring Mile High Madness.

The aircraft is real. The deal is real. The wire instructions? That’s where things get expensive. This week on The VIP Seat, Andrew from Wingform joins us to unpack how fraudsters infiltrate aircraft transactions, monitor email threads, and wait for the closing-day rush to redirect the money. We get into spoofed emails, AI voice cloning, sensitive documents shared a little too casually, and why “the escrow company handles that” deserves a closer look. Plus, what aviation’s just culture could teach the transaction side about sharing fraud stories before someone else becomes the next one. A multimillion-dollar transaction shouldn’t run on trust alone. Thank you to our sponsors AB Jets and REAL Jet for making this show possible!

What should private flyers know before putting money into a jet card—and what does it take to build a brand they can trust? Preston Holland and Jessie close out this week’s Beyond the Booth series at NBAA-BACE 2026 with Kenny and Robert of RealJet, recorded onboard the very bus that hosted the conversations. The discussion tackles customer trust, prepaid jet cards, and why the team believes financial backing, transparency, and leadership track records matter more than celebrity endorsements or splashy advertising. Kenny and Robert share their perspectives on matching customers with the right aviation solution, recognizing offers that sound too good to be true, and maintaining strong operator relationships as costs rise. They also explore REAL Jet's broader vision for an experience-driven lifestyle brand and why they believe more artificial intelligence creates an even greater need for human intelligence. From visiting operators and connecting with clients on the road to supporting charitable initiatives, they explain how the REAL Jet bus brings that relationship-first approach to life. Plus, their take on the show floor, eVTOL economics, and what’s ahead for private aviation. Thank you to Leviate Air Group, the presenting sponsor of The VIP Seat’s Beyond the Booth series from NBAA-BACE 2026, for making these conversations possible, and to REAL Jet for providing our home on the road! Explore Leviate’s aircraft charter, sales, management, and advisory services at leviateair.com.

How do you make the economics of light jets work? Preston Holland sits down with Matt Wild and Joe Crivello of Jet OUT at NBAA-BACE 2026 to explore the company’s answer: a single-type fleet, a network of local bases, and a day-based co-ownership model built around how customers actually use their aircraft. With its CJ4 Gen2 fleet order complete, Jet OUT shares how it approaches aircraft selection, manufacturer relationships, and growth in an environment shaped by supply-chain constraints and rising capital costs. Matt and Joe explain what separates their Part 135 co-ownership and co-lease programs from traditional fractional ownership and how returning aircraft to base, integrating maintenance, and keeping pilots home most nights supports their operating model. The conversation also digs into wholesale charter, customer incentives, and why Jet OUT prices access around days rather than just flight hours. Plus, they discuss introducing airline travelers to private aviation and where they’re seeing new wealth enter the customer pipeline. Thank you to Leviate Air Group, the presenting sponsor of The VIP Seat’s Beyond the Booth series from NBAA-BACE 2026, for making these conversations possible. Explore their aircraft charter, sales, management, and advisory services at leviateair.com.

What happens when Honda partners with an established private jet operator to build a fractional ownership program? Preston Holland and Jessie Naor sit down with Curtis Edenfield of Thrive Aviation at NBAA-BACE 2026 to unpack the partnership and why it’s about more than adding HondaJets to the fleet. Curtis shares how Honda approached Thrive, what went into the extensive due diligence process, and how the companies are building a new fractional offering around the HondaJet and Challenger 3500. He explains why Thrive plans to start with a regional, West Coast operation, prioritize operational efficiency, and grow deliberately rather than chase nationwide scale from day one. The conversation also explores the economics of light jets, the pressures of high aircraft utilization, and how Thrive’s fractional, core charter, and managed fleets fit into its long-term strategy. Plus, Curtis weighs in on industry consolidation, improving supply chains, and the customer requests that keep private aviation interesting, from elaborate fast-food orders to the price of smoking onboard. Thank you to Leviate Air Group, the presenting sponsor of The VIP Seat’s Beyond the Booth series from NBAA-BACE 2026, for making these conversations possible. Explore their aircraft charter, sales, management, and advisory services at leviateair.com.

Preston Holland sits down with Luis Barros and Randall Mize of Leviate Air Group for a candid conversation about buying, selling, managing, and growing in today’s private aviation market. Recorded at NBAA-BACE 2026 for The VIP Seat’s Beyond the Booth series, this episode explores how Leviate connects charter, aircraft sales, management, and advisory services under one roof—and what it takes to make that ecosystem work.[ppl-ai-file-upload.s3.amazonaws] Luis and Randall discuss younger buyers entering the ultra-long-range market, the relationships behind off-market aircraft deals, and why consolidating charter operators is harder than it looks. They also preview a planned expansion into Boeing 767 operations, share their perspectives on AI and next-generation aircraft, and explain why engine and parts shortages remain a serious concern for aircraft owners and operators. Thank you to Leviate Air Group, the presenting sponsor of The VIP Seat’s Beyond the Booth series from NBAA-BACE 2026, for making these conversations possible. Learn more about their aircraft charter, sales, management, and advisory services at leviateair.com.

SyberJet brought the lasers. Operators brought their frustrations with FBO fees. And we came home from NBAA-BACE 2026 with a few questions that didn’t get answered onstage. This week on The VIP Seat, Jessie and Preston unpack Trevor Milton’s SyberJet relaunch, from the mock-up and ambitious avionics plans to the reaction when Preston questioned the presentation online. We’re here for innovation. That doesn’t mean we’re skipping the questions about execution. Then, we get into the FBO special event fee debate: why unpredictable charges leave operators and brokers explaining bills they didn’t set, and why better transparency matters as much as the price. Also on the agenda: STA Jets’ acquisition of International Jet and the push for scale in charterGoodwin’s Stack Aero acquisition and the questions it raises about customer data, sourcing and AIPratt & Whitney’s PT9: where could a more powerful turboprop fit?Bombardier’s U.S. investment plans and its response to political pressureMile High Madness: private jet saunas and the operator-versus-broker rivalryPlus, look out for our Beyond the Booth interviews with business aviation leaders coming out as bonus content this week, presented by Leviate Air Group. CHAPTERS 00:00 Bombardier’s political punching bag 00:22 Welcome back from NBAA-BACE 00:51 SyberJet’s relaunch and Trevor Milton’s response to criticism 07:19 FBO special event fees: the predictability problem 10:52 A thank-you to AB Jets 11:35 Mile High Madness: jet saunas and brokers vs. operators 15:22 M&A Gong: STA Jets, International Jet and Stack Aero 19:47 Who owns the customer data? 21:27 Pratt & Whitney’s PT9 and the next turboprop opportunity 25:12 RealJet and finding the right charter partner 25:58 Bombardier, Trump and U.S. investment 28:41 Beyond the Booth interviews and what’s next The VIP Seat is presented by AB Jets. Thank you to our segment sponsors Wingform and Oshman Aviation, and toRealJet for supporting our NBAA coverage. Subscribe for weekly business aviation news, analysis and the conversations behind the headlines. Get the newsletter at thevipseat.com. #TheVIPSeat #BusinessAviation #NBAA #SyberJet #PrivateAviation

Is NBAA-BACE still an airplane-buying show, or has it become a B2B convention with a static display? And is charter demand really growing, or are bots just getting better at requesting quotes? Ahead of NBAA-BACE 2026 in Las Vegas, Jessie and Preston trace the show’s roots from a small group of corporate aircraft operators to business aviation’s biggest annual gathering. We discuss how the event has evolved, why OEM participation keeps shifting, and whether manufacturers are overlooking the people who actually influence aircraft purchases: brokers, management companies, pilots and maintenance professionals. Then we unpack Avinode’s reported 27% increase in U.S. charter demand and why more requests don’t necessarily mean more flights. From AI-powered sourcing to quote-to-booking ratios, we discuss what operators should watch before celebrating a busier inbox. Plus, the FAA is seeking an ownership stake in Air Space Intelligence, a contractor supplying AI-powered traffic-management technology. Should taxpayers share in the upside, or should the government stick to being the customer? We debate the proposal and lawmakers’ push to pause the SMART rollout. In Mile High Madness: Bombardier’s influencer strategy gets our attention, and a corporate flight attendant’s viral post offers a lesson in the difference between engagement and employability. In this episode: NBAA’s founding and the evolution of NBAA-BACEStatic aircraft displays, OEM economics and the value of industry accessWhy charter quote requests aren’t the same as booked tripsAI bots, charter sourcing automation and protecting your sales team’s timeThe FAA’s proposed stake in Air Space IntelligenceAviation influencer marketing: what works and what really doesn’tFind us at NBAA-BACE and come say hello. Subscribe to The VIP Seat and get the newsletter at www.thevipseat.com. Thank you to AB Jetsand RealJetfor sponsoring this week’s episode. #BusinessAviation #NBAABACE #PrivateJets #AirTrafficControl #AviationPodcast

521 kilos of crystal meth on a 1986 Learjet 55B, a rise in rogue pilot incidents on the flight deck, and Fortune taking another swing at business aviation. This week Jessie and Preston break down the Meth Jet bust in Laos, what the flydubai attack says about pilot mental health and cockpit security, and why bonus depreciation is no more a private jet loophole than it is a bulldozer loophole. We also look at IADA's tougher Certified Aircraft Broker program and the latest expedition hoping to find Amelia Earhart's Electra on Nikumaroro. Chapters 00:00 Welcome to The VIP Seat 00:12 Meth Jet: 521 kg on an N-registered Learjet in Laos 07:04 Mile High Madness, presented by Wingform 09:42 Get your hat for NBAA-BACE 10:20 Rogue pilots and the threat on the flight deck 15:04 Fortune gets bizav wrong again 23:06 IADA raises the bar for aircraft brokers 27:50 The search for Amelia Earhart's Electra 30:58 See you at NBAA-BACE Thanks to our sponsors AB Jets: Argus Platinum-rated charter with a fleet of Challenger 3500s and Learjet 60s Wingform: presenting sponsor of Mile High Madness RealJet: aircraft brokerage built on real people and real conversations Shop the hats: thevipseat.shop More episodes: www.thevipseat.com See us at NBAA-BACE next week. Say hi, grab a selfie and tag us on LinkedIn or Instagram. #BusinessAviation #PrivateJets #NBAA #BizAv #AviationPodcast

What do private jets and catheters have in common? Apparently, a publicly traded parent company. This week on The VIP Seat, Jessie Naor and Preston Holland unpack Catheter Precision’s rebrand as Flyte Aviation, trading under VJET on the NYSE American—and the unusual combination of private aviation and cardiac technology. Then, they tackle Kissimmee’s proposed camera-based landing-fee system, the legal fight over delivery drones, and Global Jet Capital’s forecast for $247 billion in business-jet transactions through 2030. In this episode: Flyte Aviation, formerly Flewber, and its public-market pivot.Airport cameras, ADS-B restrictions and the landing-fee debate.Fifteen states and Harris County challenge the FAA’s drone-delivery environmental review.Why heavier jets are expected to lead transaction growth.AOPA’s announcement that it was leaving X—and the online reaction.A helicopter, a limousine and a very questionable stunt.Confirmed information about the tragic Bermuda-to-Boston air ambulance accident, without speculation about its cause.Update: After this episode was recorded, AOPA reversed its decision to leave X and said it would keep its account active. Thank you to AB Jets and RealJet for sponsoring this episode. Subscribe to The VIP Seat for business aviation news, industry analysis and candid conversations. Share this episode with someone in aviation, and leave a review wherever you listen. #BusinessAviation #PrivateJets #TheVIPSeat

The FAA has ended the single-pilot exemption pathway for several legacy Cessna Citation models, creating an immediate operational and economic issue for affected aircraft owners, contract pilots and charter operators. In this episode of The VIP Seat, Jessie Naor and Preston Holland break down what the FAA’s move actually means for Citation II, Bravo, V, Ultra, Encore and Encore+ operators and why the CE-525 CitationJet family is not affected. They discuss the agency’s safety rationale, allegations of noncompliance in the exemption ecosystem, the impact on staffing and operating costs, and the possible implications for aircraft values. Also in this episode: FAA proposes a $260,868 civil penalty against ExcelAire over alleged unauthorized charter operations.OneFlight faces growing scrutiny and multiple lawsuits, raising bigger questions about jet cards, prepaid charter funds, escrow and customer due diligence.FAA mechanic certificate issuance reaches a record level, while aviation maintenance employers still confront a long-term talent pipeline challenge.FAA proposes changes to high-altitude oxygen-mask rules for Part 91 and Part 135 operations.The Pilatus PC-12 PRO receives FAA and EASA approval for Garmin Safety Autoland.Mile High Madness: private-aviation social media, FBO confusion and the week’s strangest aviation moments.The big takeaway: whether you are buying a jet card, booking charter, owning a legacy Citation, hiring a contract pilot or evaluating an operator, due diligence matters more than ever. Subscribe to The VIP Seat for weekly conversations on private aviation, business jets, aircraft ownership, safety, charter, fractional aviation and the business behind flying private.

Are Steve Varsano's viral phone calls real or staged? We finally asked. In part two of our conversation, recorded live from the A319 cabin mockup at The Jet Business in London, Flexjet Chairman Kenn Ricci and Steve Varsano go through the deal from the buyer's side. They cover who pitched it (over lunch, of course), why Kenn calls it 80% acqui-hire, how Flexjet plans to move 30–50 pre-owned aircraft a year, and Kenn's three types of M&A deals, including the two he never wants to do again. First, the news. Canada joins the bonus depreciation club with PM Carney's Productivity Mega Deduction, covering both new and pre-owned aircraft. The HondaJet Echelon slips again, with first flight in 2028 and deliveries in 2031, and we ask whether it's the engines. We also ring the M&A gong for Derek Johnson and Mach One Aviation joining Citadel Aviation. Plus Mile High Madness: a social media aviation-investment pitch that earns a hat, and a helicopter giving birth. Thanks to our sponsors: AB Jets, RealJet, and Wingform Subscribe to the newsletter at https://www.thevipseat.com for the weekly Mile High Madness links and more.

Is private aviation really one industry anymore? In this special edition of The VIP Seat, Kenn Ricci argues that the interests of charter operators, aircraft manufacturers and FBOs are increasingly pulling in different directions — while the organizations lobbying Washington have traditionally tried to represent them all. Kenn gets into why airlines have access to a robust market for PMA replacement parts while business aviation operators face far fewer options, including manufacturers’ reluctance to provide the technical data needed to develop alternatives. He also takes aim at soaring FBO landing, handling and special-event fees — costs that ultimately hit operators and their customers. For large companies, those pressures may be manageable. For smaller charter operators, Ken argues they’re making an already difficult business even harder to compete in. His bigger question: when manufacturers, FBOs and operators have competing economic interests, who is actually standing up solely for the operator?

This week on The VIP Seat, we unpack who is gaining control across business aviation—from airport policy and FBO economics to charter platforms, premium terminals, and cockpit safety culture. Chris Rocheleau is leaving NBAA to lead Airports Council International–North America, putting a former FAA leader at the helm of the organization representing airport operators across the U.S. and Canada. We look at why that move matters for airport access, infrastructure, FBO power, fees, and the future relationship between airports and business aviation. Rocheleau is set to become ACI-NA president and CEO on October 5, succeeding longtime leader Kevin Burke. We also break down Priester Aviation’s “One Priester” rebrand and what it really says about the company’s acquisition strategy. With Mayo Aviation, Hill Private Aviation, Omni Air Transport, Elite Jets, and MaxAir now inside the broader platform, is this simply a brand consolidation—or a push to own more of the client journey from jet card to charter to aircraft management? Then, OneFlight’s story gets more complicated. We discuss reports of financial and operational pressure, questions around operator payments, the company’s aggressive growth and marketing strategy, its short-lived surcharge, and why a jet-card company’s ability to deliver promised lift is ultimately a balance-sheet question. We were also on site at Farnborough for Flexjet’s new $34 million private terminal—the company’s first dedicated facility outside North America. More than a lounge, it is a statement about global fractional growth, customer experience, training, maintenance, and who controls the private-aviation journey on the ground. Finally, we examine the Nicholas Air whistleblower case and what AIR21 protections actually mean for pilots and other aviation workers. When a crewmember raises a reasonable safety concern, where does legal protection begin—and where are its limits? In this episode: Chris Rocheleau’s move from NBAA to ACI-NAAirport influence, FBO consolidation, fees, leases, and accessPriester Aviation’s rebrand and completed acquisition roll-upOneFlight’s financial and operational questionsFlexjet’s Farnborough terminal and global fractional strategyWhy pilots receive whistleblower protections under AIR21The difference between a safety culture statement and a safety culture in practice Thank you to our sponsors AB Jets, REAL Jet, and Wingform for making this show possible as well as Wingform

Trump is taking aim at Bombardier again—threatening to stop the Canadian manufacturer from selling aircraft in the United States unless it builds more of them on U.S. soil. But is this a real policy move, another tariff negotiating tactic, or both? And what could it mean for Global and Challenger buyers, fractional operators, delivery customers, and the wider business-aviation supply chain? This week on The VIP Seat, Jessie and Preston break down: Trump’s latest Bombardier threat and why calling it an enacted “tariff” may be prematureBombardier’s U.S. manufacturing footprint, including Global 7500 wing production in TexasGrant Cardone’s $80 million, “no tariffs” Global 7500 sales pitchHonda Aircraft subsidiary Arulean Air’s minority investment in Thrive AviationThrive’s new fractional program featuring HondaJet HA-420s and Challenger 3500sWhether a disciplined VLJ fractional model can actually work—and why the charter/fractional balance mattersBernie Ecclestone reportedly being detained in Portugal after a shotgun was found aboard his private jetThe international-trip lesson: firearms, permits, customs, crew coordination, and why “last-minute” does not mean “skip the paperwork”Treasury declining senators’ request to change SIFL valuation rules for personal use of employer-provided aircraftWhy politicians can potentially be subject to SIFL too—but campaign flights, government flights, and personal fringe-benefit flights are not the same thingL.A. County’s push to assess property taxes on aircraft tied to celebrities, billionaires, and high-net-worth ownersWhat aircraft situs-tax enforcement could mean for owners, management companies, and privacy Private aviation remains an easy political target, but the real-world issues are more complicated: U.S. manufacturing jobs, cross-border supply chains, fleet planning, tax compliance, aircraft location records, and the practical need for private aviation as a business tool. This episode is commentary, not legal, tax, customs, firearms, or operational advice. Consult qualified advisers, your operator, and trip-support professionals for guidance on a specific transaction or trip. Thanks to this week’s sponsors: AB Jets — for Starlink-equipped Challenger 3500 charter and supplemental lift. RealJet — for experienced, human-led international trip support and operational coordination. Subscribe to The VIP Seat, leave us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and sign up for the newsletter at The VIP Seat. #PrivateAviation #BusinessAviation #Bombardier #TrumpTariffs #HondaJet #Challenger3500 #FractionalOwnership #SIFL #PrivateJetTax #AviationNews