NetJets hopes to add 20 supersonic planes to private jet fleet
Zach Honig is Editor-at-Large at TPG, with contributions ranging from articles digging deep on loyalty programs and credit cards to delivery flight coverage to drone photography and much more.
March 05, 2021
•
2 min read
NetJets hopes to add 20 supersonic planes to private jet fleet
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While plenty of private jet flyers are fortunate enough to travel the world in their own planes, that certainly isn't the case for everyone. Instead, many high-flyers either charter planes on demand or participate in fractional ownership programs like NetJets, making it possible to experience the convenience of private jet travel without the astronomical cost.
NetJets' fleet could soon be getting a big upgrade, too. The company just signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Aerion, a U.S. company working to develop supersonic business jets. NetJets could purchase as many as 20 Aerion AS2 aircraft, which are expected to begin rolling down the company's Melbourne, Florida, assembly line beginning in 2023.
While skeptics may view the financial implications of COVID-19 as a setback for commercial supersonic travel, led by companies like Boom, the private jet industry has the potential to rebound more quickly.
Throughout the pandemic, some former airline flyers have shifted their focus to private jets, hoping to minimize their exposure to other people and avoid pandemic-related disruptions. Once global travel becomes possible again, I wouldn't be surprised to see demand for private jet travel continue to grow among travelers with the means to pull it off.
In this case, the bigger unknown is whether or not Aerion can deliver on its 2023 production-line promise — and, once the aircraft is ready to enter NetJets' fleet, whether enough customers can cough up the funds required for private supersonic travel.
Featured rendering courtesy of Aerion.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
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Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees