Draft:Aero (California airline)

  • Comment: This draft has a title that either has been disambiguated, or will need disambiguation to be accepted.
    If this draft is accepted, a disambiguation page will need to be created. (Review of the existing article or articles with the principal name indicates that a disambiguation page should be crated in place of the use of hatnotes alone.)
    The disambiguation page should be Aero (disambiguation). Robert McClenon (talk) 04:02, 14 June 2024 (UTC)

Aero

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Aero Logo

Aero (also known as Aero Technologies Inc.) is an American air carrier based in Los Angeles, CA. Aero operates nonstop flights between and within California, Colorado, Nevada, and Idaho in the United States and Baja California Sur in Mexico.[1]

The company is a public charter operator that does not directly operate aircraft. It charters jets operated by its wholly owned subsidiary, USAC Airways 695 LLC, dba Aero, and sells seats on those aircraft to the public under DOT Part 380.[2]

As of May 2024, the company website shows scheduled flights operate to Aspen (ASE), Sun Valley (SUN), and San José del Cabo (SJD) departing from their private terminal in Van Nuys Airport (VNY). In addition to its scheduled service, a charter service is also available.

The company holds an AR/GUS Gold Certification, and is a member of the Flight Safety Foundation (FSF) and Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF).

History

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Aero was founded by Uber’s co-founder, Garrett Camp.[3] The company initially started as a software platform to book private jets, taking advantage of empty legs and aircraft spare capacity, aiming to become the “Uber for jets.”[4]

In 2019, Aero changed its business model to offer semi-private flights between the European islands of Ibiza and Mykonos.[5] Routes between London to Ibiza, Mykonos and Nice soon followed, with Aero eventually serving Geneva and Sion. Routes to Milan, Naples and Malaga were also tested.

Aero launched its first North American scheduled operation, connecting Los Angeles to Aspen, Colorado in 2021.[6] Followed by year-round and seasonal flights to San José del Cabo and Sun Valley, and along with seasonal routes and flights to Jackson Hole, Las Vegas, Napa Valley, Dallas, and San Francisco.[7]

As of September 2023, Aero jets have Starlink Wi-Fi installed on their aircraft.[8]

Aero has offered flights to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl, and Thermal Airport in Indio, California for the Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals. The company has announced plans for additional event flights.[9]

Private Terminals

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Aero flights depart from private jet terminals, commonly referred to as FBOs, which are separate from the passenger terminals used by Part 121 and some Part 135 carriers.[10]

Aero’s flagship private terminal is located at the Van Nuys Airport.

In other destinations, Aero uses existing FBO facilities operated by Signature Aviation, Atlantic Aviation, and PrimeSky.

Fleet

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Aero operates a fleet of four Embraer ERJ-135 that have been retrofitted with 16 seats in a 1x1 configuration, 150-degree recline, and a 43-inch seat pitch.[11]

For charter operations, Aero utilizes its Embraer Legacy 600 business jet, which has seating for up to 13 guests with both single and bench seating.

Partnerships

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In 2022, Aero signed the Los Angeles-based grocer Erewhon Market as its in-flight dining partner, and Wally’s, the Los Angeles-based wine and spirits shop, to curate its in-flight beverage offerings.

In 2023, Aero launched a travel package with Mexico’s Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal.[12]

In 2024, Aero added Hotel Jerome of in Aspen to its list of resort partners.[13]

  1. ^ "Book by the seat | The Private Jet Experience | Aero™". Aero. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  2. ^ "US DOT List of Public Charters 2024". 2024-05-09. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  3. ^ Siebenmark, Jerry. "Aero Raises $65M for Expansion | AIN". Aviation International News. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  4. ^ Ha, Anthony (2019-10-01). "Backed by Expa, Aero is a premium air travel startup with $16M in funding". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  5. ^ Ha, Anthony (2019-10-01). "Backed by Expa, Aero is a premium air travel startup with $16M in funding". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  6. ^ Gorant, J. George (2021-01-27). "Blending Private Flying and First-Class Seating, Aero Launches Flights From LA to Aspen". Robb Report. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  7. ^ "This Semi-private Jet Company Is Launching Flights Across Europe — Here's Where They're Headed". Yahoo Life. 2021-12-02. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  8. ^ Aero. "Aero Launches In-Flight Wi-Fi Network, Powered by Starlink". www.prweb.com. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  9. ^ "Aero offers private jet flights to Coachella for under $1K". 2024-04-15. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  10. ^ "How to Get a Deal on a Private or Semi-private Jet Flight, According to Aviation Experts". Travel + Leisure. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  11. ^ "This Semi-private Airline Flies From U.S. Cities to Resort Destinations — and Passengers Never Have to Set Foot in a Commercial Airport". Travel + Leisure. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  12. ^ Aero. "Aero and Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal Collaborate to Offer an Exclusive Travel Package Uniting Private Aviation and Legendary Hospitality". www.prweb.com. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  13. ^ Hensley, Becca (2024-02-13). "Best Luxe Amenities at Hotels Around the World". Travel Curator. Retrieved 2024-05-24.