The VIP Seat: Private Aviation News

In this episode, Jessie Naor and Preston Holland discuss the latest happenings in the aviation industry, including the chaos caused by the capture of Maduro, the bankruptcy of Jet It, and the implications of the Garmin Autoland technology. They also touch on regulatory changes with the Rotor Act and the ongoing legal battle between Wheels Up and Fly Exclusive. The conversation highlights the challenges and innovations within the business aviation sector as they welcome the new year.

Join Jessie Naor and Preston Holland as they wrap up Season 2 with a special episode of "The VIP Seat." Dive into the top trends of 2025, biggest winners and losers, and bold predictions for 2026. Don't miss the engaging discussions and insights that have made this season unforgettable. Tune in for a finale packed with industry insights and a look ahead to the future!

SummaryIn this episode, Preston Holland and Al White discuss various topics in the aviation industry, including Boom Supersonic's recent funding, the viability of corporate flight departments, and the ongoing connectivity wars between Starlink and its competitors. They also touch on social media reactions in the Mile High Madness segment and provide updates on recent mergers and acquisitions, particularly Bond's fundraising efforts. The conversation highlights the challenges and trends within the aviation sector, offering insights into the future of business aviation.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction01:07 Boom Supersonic's $300 Million Fundraising<...

In this episode, Jessie Naor and Preston Holland discuss the latest trends in business aviation, including the emergence of new competitors in the market, particularly from China. They explore consumer preferences, the dynamics of the Challenger 300 market, and the implications of a recent lawsuit involving NetJets. The conversation also touches on the use of government jets for personal travel and concludes with insights on the newly delivered Global 8000 aircraft.Special thanks to Real Jet for sponsoring this episode! https://realjet.com/

On this week’s episode of The VIP Seat, Jessie and Preston take aim at some of the most viral – and most misleading – aviation headlines making the rounds right now. From a Disney heiress getting fact-checked on private jet traffic, to questions about solar flares and Airbus A320 flight control issues, to Amazon’s delivery drones tangling with power lines and cranes, this episode breaks down what’s real, what’s hype, and what actually matters for safety and consumers.​ A special thanks to our sponsor - REAL Jet! Check them out at www.realjet.comYou’ll he...

Welcome back to The VIP Seat: your top destination for private aviation and business aviation news.This week was HUGE for the industry: tariff relief for Pilatus aircraft, major airport shutdown fights in Boulder and Cleveland, Sky Harbour's expansion at PDK, Textron sunsetting the Baron & Bonanza in favor of the Denali, FAA'S ATC overhaul updates, and spicy corporate espionage accusations between Joby and Archer in the eVTOL world.Whether you're flying corporate jets, managing a flight department, working in private aviation, or just a business-aviation fanatic - this is the show for you.

The VIP Seat unpacks everything from hydrogen-powered helicopters to a Dulles people-mover slamming into a terminal. Jessie and Preston kick off the show addressing last week’s AI-generated newsletter chaos before diving into the newest NBAA Standard Operating Procedures and what standardized training could mean for Part 135 safety.Then it’s into Mile High Madness, where Jessie finally solves a lifelong mystery: what the Airbus PTU (“the barking dog”) actually looks like. From there, the conversation shifts to hydrogen propulsion breakthroughs, including Unither’s fuel-cell Robinson R44 and why hydrogen may beat batteries for real-world...

On this Veterans Day edition of The VIP Seat, Jessie Naor is joined by guest co-host Tyler Flagg, Air Force veteran and founder of Flying Company, for a high-altitude look at the week’s biggest aviation stories.From Archer Aviation’s bold $126M airport grab in Los Angeles to the FAA’s unprecedented private-jet restrictions during the government shutdown, Jessie and Tyler unpack what it all means for charter operators, pilots, and the future of eVTOL.They dive into a troubling ASAP retaliation case (Link), fuel-supply risks that have California importing jet fuel from Russia via In...

In one of the most candid conversations ever recorded on The VIP Seat, Flexjet’s Kenn Ricci joins Jessie Naor and Preston Holland to unpack the billion-dollar legal showdown with Honeywell — and what it means for every operator, owner, and investor in business aviation. From the origins of “power by the hour” engine programs to the hidden monopolies and financial risks they create, Ricci breaks down why he believes the system is broken and how Flexjet’s fight could rewrite the rules for the entire industry.

In this week’s episode of The VIP Seat, Jessie checks in from Haifa while Preston battles a rainy Tennessee morning as they unpack a major shake-up in Textron’s electric aviation division, the surprising grounding risks facing Hawker operators, and Sikorsky’s unveiling of an autonomous Black Hawk. From “ICE Barbie’s” $200 million Gulfstream controversy to Embraer’s record-breaking backlog, this episode dives deep into the stories shaping private and business aviation. Tune in for insights, headlines, and a few laughs from your favorite cockpit-side commentators.

Fresh from the NBAA-BACE show in Las Vegas, Jessie Naor and Preston Holland recap one of the most eventful weeks in private aviation — from Bill Papariella’s record-breaking $1.7B Bombardier order and the launch of a new KKR-backed fractional program to Verijet’s Chapter 7 filing and Van Allen’s acquisition of Essex Aviation. They dig into the latest market trends, rising fuel costs, and new Argus audit standards — all with their signature blend of sharp analysis and Mile High Madness humor. Whether you’re an operator, broker, or aviation enthusiast, this episode is your fast pass to everything shaping the business...

Fresh from the NBAA-BACE show in Las Vegas, Jessie Naor and Preston Holland unpack one of the biggest weeks in private aviation — from Bill Papariella’s $1.7 billion Bombardier order and the rise of a new KKR-backed fractional program to Verijet’s Chapter 7 filing and Van Allen’s acquisition of Essex Aviation. They break down market trends, fuel prices, and the latest Argus audit changes, with a dose of Mile High Madness humor and insider insights. Whether you’re an operator, broker, or aviation geek, this episode will get you up to speed on everything shaping the biz-av industry right now. 

This week on The VIP Seat, hosts Jessie Naor and Preston Holland dive into a packed lineup shaping the future of business aviation. From SyberJet’s surprise relaunch of the stretched SJ36 light jet to Hop-A-Jet’s lawsuit against GE and Bombardier following last year’s Challenger 604 accident, the team breaks down what these moves mean for operators and manufacturers alike. Plus, Jessie and Preston react to Gulfstream’s long-awaited G300 reveal, the Leviate-Vault Aviation acquisition, and the latest FAA NextGen audit showing how the program has missed the mark, to say the least.Whether...

In this episode of The VIP Seat, Jessie Naor and Preston Holland dissect the biggest stories impacting private aviation today. We cover Flexjet's bold 300-aircraft order of Otto Aviation's innovative Phantom 3500 and explore Mexico's new regulations affecting charter flights. Additionally, we’ll discuss the recent shake-ups at the FAA under the DOT headquarters and how these changes may affect business aviation operations. Tune in for exclusive insights on illegal charter enforcement, new brokerage developments, and enjoy our fun segment, Mile High Madness, where we chat about the lighter side of aviation. Don't miss this essential listening for anyone involved in...

Jessie returns from Vienna (yes, strudel and opera made the highlight reel) as she and Preston dive into Flyhouse’s takeover of ESPN’s College GameDay/Monday Night Countdown sponsorship from Wheels Up, questioning whether splashy sports tie-ins drive real customers or just help close big deals. They cover a major legal win for buy-the-seat operators like JSX at Westchester, unpack Freakonomics’ deep dive on ATC privatization and the industry’s shaky talking points, and spotlight Epic Aircraft hitting 100 deliveries of the E1000—now a serious contender in the single-engine turboprop market. The pair also discuss Vista’s sale of Red Wing...

In this episode, co-hosts Jessie Naor and Preston Holland, plus special guest Joseph LaRousso, discuss the recent developments in aviation connectivity, particularly the competition between Starlink and traditional providers like GoGo. They also delve into the critical issue of mental health in aviation, highlighting the passage of the Mental Health and Aviation Act and its implications for pilots seeking treatment. The conversation emphasizes the need for legislative support and public education on mental health issues within the aviation industry.

In this episode of the VIP Seat, hosts Jessie Naor and Preston Holland discuss the latest developments in business aviation, including M&A news, the impact of sustainable aviation fuel projects, and innovative safety measures like the EMAS system. They also explore the launch of AeroVenture's new marketplace for business jets and highlight pilot safety initiatives. The conversation is filled with humor and insights into the aviation industry, making it a must-listen for aviation professionals and enthusiasts alike.

SummaryIn this episode of the VIP Seat, hosts Jessie Naor and Preston Holland welcome Kyle Patel, founder and CEO of Bitlux, to discuss the intersection of aviation and cryptocurrency. The conversation covers recent innovations in safety training for aviation, the implications of the Genius Act on stable coins, and the potential for crypto transactions in the aviation industry. The hosts also engage in a light-hearted segment called Mile High Madness, where they critique social media influencers in the aviation space. The episode emphasizes the importance of education in adopting new technologies and the need for operators...

SummaryIn this episode, Jessie Naor and Preston Holland discuss the latest developments in private aviation, including mergers and acquisitions, strategic moves by companies like Wheels Up, and the implications of Homeland Security's decision to acquire its own aircraft. They also explore innovative drone delivery services and advancements in AI for aviation maintenance, while paying tribute to industry figures like Kirk Hawkins.Jessie’s Links:Private Aviation Safety Alliance:www.FlyingPrivate.org LinkedIn:   / jessienaor  Preston’s Links:Prestige Aircraft Finance:https://prestigefinance.com/Private Jet Insider (Newsletter):https://prestonholland.com LinkedIn:   / prestonholland  X (Formerly Kn...

SummaryIn this episode, Jessie Naor and Preston Holland discuss various aspects of aviation, including the differences between private and commercial flying, the rise of eVTOL technology, the role of automation in aviation, and recent incidents involving pilot safety. They also touch on celebrity culture in private aviation and the challenges of solar-powered flight, concluding with a discussion on global aviation safety trends and the need for vigilance in the industry.Chapters00:00 Flying Private vs. Commercial Airlines05:19 FAA's Automation Framework Announcement10:14 Pilot Intoxication Incidents15:31...