Offering fixed-price scheduled flights from private airports, Aero is attempting to revive the ‘golden age’ of travel with shared charter trips aboard 16-seat business jets. Jenny Southan reports

Founded in 2019, Aero is quietly disrupting the aviation industry by bridging the gap between private and commercial flights with semi-private flights aboard luxury business jets.

(The idea is that instead of chartering a private jet for yourself, you travel with strangers in the same way you would on a commercial airline – and subsequently split the cost.)

Aero says: “This sharedcharter model offers the benefits of private aviation for a fraction of the cost and access to a curated list of coveted destinations.AeroAs part of its European expansion plan, Aero is starting to schedule flights from Farnborough airport near London to Geneva and Milan. It is also offering its first winter services to Nice.

Flights to Nice and Geneva started in December 2021. Milan will begin in March 2022. Seats all cost a fixed rate of £1,200 one-way.

Uma Subramanian, CEO of Aero, says: “As both luxury leisure travel continues to rebound and people continue to work with more flexibility, Aero’s new winter flights will cater to many guests travelling to their second homes and those travelling for European holidays.”AeroIn 2021, Aero doubled its routes to indemand destinations both in Europe and the US. The company’s continued expansion in Europe follows its successful flights between Ibiza and Mykonos, London and Nice, and London and Ibiza in previous summer seasons.AeroIn addition to its European routes, this year Aero launched routes from its private terminal in Los Angeles (Van Nuys Airport) to Aspen, Jackson Hole, Napa Valley, Sun Valley, Las Vegas and Los Cabos in Mexico.

Aero’s marquee aircraft are EMB135 Regional Jets and Legacy 600 Business Jets, customdesigned to passenger configurations that feature fewer seats with luxury accommodations.

Aero

The EMB135 aircraft feature meticulously crafted interiors, including hand Frenchstitched Italian leather seats, debossed suede walls, custom leather ceiling detailing, and stateoftheart art lighting and sound systems.

Aero says its luxury aircraft coupled with direct connections via private terminals create a “truly seamless experience for discerning travellers”.

The airline also provides dedicated concierge, while host teams offer personalised services for guests from booking ground transportation, arranging luggage needs, contactless checkin, inflight requests and providing access to bespoke destination experiences.

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