The VIP Seat: Private Aviation News

From Gogo’s latest ATG whiplash to the world’s first piloted hydrogen‑electric helicopter circuit, this week’s VIP Seat is packed with the stories insiders are actually talking about. In this episode, Jessie Naor and Preston Holland break down the most important—and the strangest—moves in business aviation right now, with their usual mix of data, operator reality, and memes.We start with Gogo’s 5G saga and the surprise six‑month reprieve for legacy ATG users. After years of delays, chip and software issues, and shifting launch timelines, Gogo’s next‑gen network is suppo...

Spirit Airlines’ big yellow buses have officially been parked for good, and this week we unpack what its bankruptcy and shutdown really mean for fares, competition, and consumers in key markets like Fort Lauderdale, Newark, and beyond. Jessie and Preston wrestle with the bailout question, government intervention in failed mergers, and whether killing the Frontier and JetBlue deals helped set Spirit up for failure. They also share their own very mixed experiences on Spirit’s “big front seat” and what the loss of an ultra-low-cost carrier does to ticket prices on the majors.From there, the conv...

In this episode of The VIP Seat, Jessie Naor and Preston Holland sit down with Barry Ellis, CEO of Hop-A-Jet, for an important and deeply candid conversation following the release of the NTSB final report on the February 2024 Challenger 604 accident in Naples, Florida.Barry reflects on the loss of pilots Ed Murphy and Ian Hoffman, the extraordinary actions of the flight attendant and passengers who survived, and the difficult realities of leading an aviation company through an accident response.The conversation also examines the NTSB’s findings, including corrosion in both en...

This week on The VIP Seat, Jessie and Preston break down Bond’s growing Bombardier order book, fresh Vista IPO chatter, Wheels Up’s latest reverse stock split, and what EBACE’s cancellation says about the state of business aviation events. They also dig into JetNet IQ’s shake-up, the FAA’s smart air traffic control modernization push, and a Mile High Madness segment on cheap old jets and social-media storytelling in private aviation.

In this episode of The VIP Seat, Avfuel president C.R. Sincock pulls back the curtain on how jet fuel really moves from wellhead to wing, why pipeline access and storage are the true competitive moats, and how a family-owned company scaled into a multi‑billion‑dollar “downstream aviation energy” powerhouse without selling out to private equity. We dig into the Strait of Hormuz crisis, war premiums, airline hedging, and what sustained volatility means for FBO margins, charter rates, and operators trying to budget fuel in 2026 and beyond. C.R. also shares the Avfuel origin story, the generational handoff from his...

In this episode of The VIP Seat, AvFuel president C.R. Sincock pulls back the curtain on how jet fuel really moves from wellhead to wing, why pipeline access and storage are the true competitive moats, and how a family-owned company scaled into a multi‑billion‑dollar “downstream aviation energy” powerhouse without selling out to private equity. We dig into the Strait of Hormuz crisis, war premiums, airline hedging, and what sustained volatility means for FBO margins, charter rates, and operators trying to budget fuel in 2026 and beyond. C.R. also shares the AvFuel origin story, the generational handoff from his...

On this episode of The VIP Seat, Jessie Naor and Preston Holland discuss the alleged Nepal medevac insurance fraud scheme involving Everest trekkers, guides, doctors, and helicopter operators, and why the story matters beyond just the trekking world.They also break down Atlantic Aviation’s reported $10 billion transaction, the FAA-industry focus on circling approach safety at airports like Teterboro and Van Nuys, the repeal of Washington state’s proposed aircraft luxury tax, and NOAA’s upgraded domestic aviation weather forecasting system.This episode is sponsored by AB Jets.

Private jet summer is almost here, and the market is already getting interesting.This week, we bring on Greg Sydor from Guardian Jet after his viral post on the G650 market to explain why these aircraft are holding value far better than expected — and in some cases appreciating. Then we dig into a fake Delta Private Jets website, FlyExclusive’s free FMS rollout, TSA funding issues, Sam Graves’ retirement, and what operators should be watching as the Masters and World Cup put major pressure on the system.Thanks to AB Jets<...

This week on The VIP Seat, Jessie and Preston break down the long-awaited Falcon 10X as Dassault’s new flagship finally moves toward test flight. They dig into what makes the aircraft stand out, where it falls short against competitors, and what Dassault’s delivery struggles may signal about priorities inside a company balancing business jets and defense.Then they turn to the continuing AOPA leadership drama, unpacking the timeline behind the CEO exit, the board fallout, proxy backlash, and what the controversy says about trust, governance, and the future of advo...

Business aviation has quietly become one of the most investable sectors in aerospace—but how does Wall Street actually see it?This week on The VIP Seat, Jessie and Preston sit down with Nick Fazioli, Managing Director and Global Head of Aerospace & Aviation Investment Banking at Jefferies to break down the capital markets behind business aviation.From the evolution of BizAv from a “cottage industry” to an institutional investment category, to the surge in private equity, charter consolidation, and infrastructure plays, this episode dives into the forces shaping the industry’s next dec...

Recorded at Verticon 2026, Jessie Naor and Preston Holland break down rising aviation fuel costs linked to Iran tensions, what jet fuel surcharges mean for charter operators and consumers, Priester Aviation’s latest acquisitions, FlyHouse’s expansion strategy, AirX’s year-end results, American Airlines serving boxed wine in first class, and Supernal’s major layoffs in the eVTOL sector.

In this week’s episode of The VIP Seat, we take “live” to a whole new altitude — literally. Jessie and Preston record their first-ever in-person episode at 43,000 feet over Memphis aboard AB Jets’ brand-new Challenger 3500, while the flight crew spells “VIP SEAT” in the sky (yes, you can track it).We kick things off with a breakdown of the Praetor 500/600 “E” announcement — what actually changed, what didn’t, and why the hype may have outpaced the substance. Then we get into the big story that broke mid-flight: FlyHouse heading to market at a reported $500M valuation while target...

The conversation delves into the financial reporting of Wheels Up, the challenges of analyzing aviation news, and the errors in the FAA's list of part 135 operators. It also touches on the impact of social media on industry decisions and the upcoming event by Embraer Executive Jets.TakeawaysAdjusted EBITDA reporting can be misleadingChallenges in vetting operators due to FAA errorsThe influence of social media on industry decisionsChapters00:00 Wheels Up Earnings and Adjusted EBITDA05:34 Errors in FAA's List of Part 135 Operators13:15 Impact of Social Media on Industry Decisions30:05 Upcoming Event...

VistaJet places a massive order for 40 Bombardier Challenger 3500s (with up to 120 options) following $1.3B in financing—what it means for fleet operators, delivery slots, and the super-mid market. We break down Bombardier’s global MRO expansion, bond financing strategy, and why the Challenger 300/3500 platform continues to dominate.Plus: two American Gulfstream pilots jailed in Guinea under severe conditions, the El Paso airspace shutdown and counter-drone confusion, Hop-A-Jet’s lawsuit following the crash, and a data-driven discussion on pilot hiring, DEI policies, and aviation safety statistics.We also cover Jeff Bezos’ Gulfstre...

This week on The VIP Seat, Jessie and Preston break down the AOPA leadership shakeup (and the remote-work subplot), dig into what Skyryse’s $300M raise and $1.15B valuation could mean for helicopter safety and “flying car” reality, and react to a surprise move in the latest funding bill that blocks FAA single-pilot research. Plus: Super Bowl jet traffic hits absurd levels, FBO event fees go vertical, and Mile High Madness delivers foam-system corrosion pain… and a Shark Tank “G6” moment that made aviation Twitter collectively spit out its coffee.

Private aviation is navigating uncertainty—but capital is still moving. In this episode of The VIP Seat, Jessie Naor and Preston Holland (reporting from Corporate Jet Investor London) on tariff volatility, FAA furloughs, shifting European sentiment, sustainability pressure, safety reforms, and why record global M&A activity may signal strong tailwinds for business aviation despite the noise.

In a special breaking-news edition of The VIP Seat, Jessie Naor and Preston Holland unpack President Trump’s overnight Truth Social post threatening Bombardier decertification and 50% tariffs on Canadian aircraft over stalled Gulfstream certifications. We break down what’s actually happening behind the scenes, how aircraft certification reciprocity works between the FAA, EASA, and Transport Canada, and why this move—while dramatic—fits a familiar Trump negotiation playbook. From supply-chain exposure and fractional fleet risk to the broader geopolitical context involving Canada, China, and U.S. manufacturing, this episode separates real operational risk from headline panic and explains who should b...

A tragic Challenger accident in Maine puts winter flying under the microscope on this week’s VIP Seat. Jessie Naor and Preston Holland break down what private aviation gets wrong about de-icing—and why Part 91 and 135 operations don’t have the same guardrails as the airlines.From holdover times and fluid limitations to the uncomfortable reality of passenger pressure in the cockpit, this episode explains why snow isn’t the real danger—human factors are. Jessie shares hard-earned insights on operational control, assertiveness, and why trusting your pilot sometimes means accepting an overnight delay.T...

This week on The VIP Seat, the internet declared aviation doom—and Jessie Naor and Preston Holland went digging for the receipts.First up: the SACI/Southern Aircraft Consultancy frenzy. Over 600 aircraft registrations were revoked, emergency town halls popped up overnight, and owners started calling brokers asking if their trust was about to “blow up.” Jessie and Preston unpack what foreign ownership trusts actually are, why the FAA’s rules feel like they were written in 1950 (because… they kind of were), and why this story sounded bigger than it really was...

The conversation covers the expansion and major moves in the private aviation industry, including Bond's acquisition of a 135 charter certificate and its fractional ownership strategy. It also delves into controversial job posts, stock claims, and NASA's employee perks, shedding light on the challenges and developments in the industry. The conversation covers a range of topics including space travel, NTSB's address of stall testing issues, Monarch Air Group's lawsuit against Blade Urban Air Mobility, a record year for business jet departures, and challenges in the business aviation maintenance industry.TakeawaysPrivate aviation industry expansionChallenges in...