LAS VEGAS, April 21, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- A cadre of senior management from airlines that changed the rules in commercial aviation are now expecting to change the way people own and operate private jets. Through JetSuite, private jet owners can fly their planes whenever they want and yet still receive $25,000 per month in return for allowing the company to charter the aircraft out to others during any downtime.
JetSuite was founded by Alex Wilcox, one of the founding team members at JetBlue Airways. The company has agreed to purchase 50 Embraer Phenom 100 very light jets on firm order and an additional 50 Phenom aircraft family options. With the 100 jet aircraft order, JetSuite is both the largest U.S. customer for the Embraer jet and the only operator currently planning to serve the West Coast with it once it obtains the necessary government approvals.
The Phenom 100 offers spacious comfort, superb performance and the latest technology. The jet's interior, designed by BMW Group DesignWorksUSA, boasts the largest cabin, windows and baggage compartment in its class. With a range of up to 1,160 nm, short runway capabilities, speeds up to 380 knots and a cruising altitude of 41,000 ft., the Phenom 100's performance is best-in-class.
"We're taking the hassle, expense and surprises out of private jet ownership," said JetSuite President Alex Wilcox. "By looking after owners' regulatory requirements, aircraft maintenance, hangar facilities, and even hiring and training their pilots, their aircraft is prepared for flight whenever they want it -- but it also generates a guaranteed positive cash flow of $25,000 for them each month even if they don't use it themselves. What's more, with the Phenom, you get all the comfort with less than half the fuel burn of the most popular charter aircraft."
Mr. Wilcox was a founding member of JetBlue Airways from 1998 to 2004 and then founding President and COO of Kingfisher Airlines (India) from 2004 to 2005. Prior to that, he held various positions at Virgin Atlantic Airways, Southwest Airlines, and Piedmont Airlines.
He's joined by several former JetBlue founding colleagues, including Usto Schulz, JetSuite's Vice President Certification and Safety, who was Vice President, Safety for JetBlue and was with the Federal Aviation Administration for 17 years, and Amy Curtis-McIntyre, former Vice President of Marketing at JetBlue who is consulting on JetSuite's brand and product. Also, Ken Burnham, former Fleet Captain for the DC-10 at United Airlines, has joined JetSuite as Vice President, Flight Operations.
For more information, please visit www.jetsuite.com, or call (866) 779-7770.