Will Private Flights Chip Away at the First Class Market?

Driven by consumer desires for new experiences, innovative technologies and environmental impacts – travel is changing. Host Sarah Dandashy explores the technologies and logistics that power travel and the brands that build unforgettable experiences.

 

Flying private was once inaccessible to most, but the industry has changed, boasting flexibility and convenience for work and leisure. A veteran of the business, Rick Sitomer, CEO of Star Jets International, spoke with Say Yes to Travel host Sarah Dandashy about the changing environment.

Sitomer started the first private jet brokerage firm in 2001 after witnessing the inefficiency in the marketplace. He ran that business for 15 years before selling up but started back again in 2016. The company just announced its highest revenues to date in Q1 2021, which is the result of tremendous demand.

“In any disaster, aviation thrives. Many people were scared to fly commercial. The business did change when COVID hit. We made a few big trips for clients in the beginning with cargo jets moving over 14 million masks,” Sitomer said.

Sitomer noted that he thinks revenue gains will continue. He expects his business to reach $200-300 million in revenue a year. So, who are private jet clients?

“Flying first-class costs a fortune. You might as well fly private and get the convenience and flexibility that comes with it.” – Rick Sitomer

“It’s a lot of referrals. We look for clients that fly all the time for business or leisure. We do use marketing tactics like pay per click and are looking to do more TV ads to create brand awareness on business channels,” Sitomer added.

Experts agree that the private aviation industry is booming, with projections for it to hit $100 billion in five years. “The growth in the industry and business is exponential,” Sitomer said.

Now that countries are opening back up, Sitomer is witnessing a huge demand for luxury travel. It’s more convenient for travelers, and if they were going to fly first class, they might as well take a private jet.

Say Yes To Travel has a New Episode Every Thursday!

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @MarketScale
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

influencer partnerships
Moving Beyond Social Media Buzz: How Authentic Content & Long-Term Influencer Partnerships Can Drive Hotel ROI
July 30, 2025

Influencer marketing is rapidly changing, and many hotels are still figuring out how to tap into its full potential. As travelers demand more authentic and relatable content, the pressure is on for hotels to adapt their marketing strategies. But with skepticism around the true ROI of influencer partnerships, it’s more important than ever for brands…

Read More
workforce
Building a Future-Ready Workforce: With Traditional Training Models Failing, It’s Time for Employers and Educators to Build Solutions Together
July 30, 2025

In an era where the average job tenure in the U.S. hovers under four years and industries are evolving faster than academic curricula can keep up, the need for a new approach to workforce development has never been more urgent. Companies like Amazon and McDonald’s are responding by investing in “education as a benefit”…

Read More
belief
Learning Out Loud with Belief, Courage, and the Power of Yes
July 30, 2025

In a world where workplace disengagement is on the rise, with global employee engagement falling to just 21% in 2024, leaders and teams are increasingly seeking meaning, connection, and growth in their work. Amid this shift, professionals are asking deeper questions about purpose and fulfillment, both individually and collectively. That’s exactly where Paul Plamondon’s…

Read More
professional advancement
The Measured Mindset: How Mentorship, Curiosity, and Listening Drive Professional Advancement and Growth
July 29, 2025

Not every path into analytics starts with code and spreadsheets. For some, it begins with curiosity, adaptability, mentorship, and a willingness to learn something entirely new. That’s the case for Mayank Malviya, whose journey from a humanities education in India to a career in U.S.-based market research reveals how initiative and mentorship can accelerate…

Read More