Million Air Winter 2023/24

elite traveler MAR/APR 2018 145

NEWS FROM THE SKIES

All you need to know about the latest in aviation news

Jets, making Delta, the airline, its largest shareholder. While Wheels Up hit founder Kenny Dichter’s early projections for the company — 10,000 members and over $1bn in sales in 10 years — losses mounted. A restructured program debuted in June, and Delta and partners now control 95% of Wheels Up, protecting the deposits of members who would have been unsecured creditors in a bankruptcy. At least for now, Wheels Up continues to o ff er its value-oriented long- fl ight discounts from the eastern US to and from Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada and Utah, along with Bozeman, Jackson Hole and Sun Valley. It also continues to o ff er its workhorse King Air turboprops that seat up to eight passengers and are well-suited for short hops. SHARING IS CARING: JSX If you want the private jet experience on the ground but only want to pay airline prices, JSX is your airline. The fl ight provider uses former regional jets recon fi gured with fewer seats, all leather; more legroom; free high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi; and even two complimentary checked bags, plus snacks and drinks.

OWNERSHIP BENEFITS: CITATION ASCEND Textron’s Cessna Citation Ascend (pictured above) is the next generation of the Excel XLS entry-level midsize jet. Its most noticeable innovation is the fl at- fl oor cabin, something that your four-legged buddies will particularly appreciate. With four passengers it has a range of 1,900 nautical miles, meaning New York to Salt Lake City or London to Ankara nonstop. (Including pilots, it has a capacity of up to 12.) There are also more fuel-e ffi cient engines and extra baggage capacity. With the industry still coping with maintenance backlogs and parts shortages, reducing the need for fuel stops translates to fewer maintenance interviews, resulting in cost savings for you. COMEBACK STORY: WHEELS UP With a new investment of $500m led by Delta Air Lines, Wheels Up enters what could be called its 3.0 phase. Founded in 2013 as a King Air membership program, in 2018, with private equity money, the company launched an acquisition spree. The fi rmalso bought a half dozen operators, including Delta Private

Its fl ights operate on a schedule, and you can buy seats via its website starting for under $200. The key bene fi t is on the ground, where JSX uses private terminals, meaning you only need to check in for domestic fl ights 20 minutes before departure. The company’s expanding network now includes Nashville; Taos, New Mexico; Marsh Harbour in the Bahamas; and Denver/Boulder and Gunnison/Crested Butte in Colorado. What’s more, JSX is pet-friendly, meaning you can always take o ff with your best friend. VistaJet sister XO and JSX are pushing growth in the by-the-seat private jet market. While you can crowdsource fl ights on its user-friendly app, you can also buy seats on fl ights it schedules between private terminals. After bulking its schedule between New York and South Florida to as many as six fl ightsper day, JSX announced fl ights from South Florida and New York to Aspen. While seat costs range from around $1,500 to over $4,000 for longer fl ights, you avoid long lines at crowded terminals and relax in comfort. The company’s dedicated jets have just 16 or 18 seats in a 1-by-1 con fi guration, so you always have a window seat with aisle access.