Plane Conversations

If improving the aviation system is disruptive, then call us revolutionaries.

We could say that Social Flights is disruptive to the commercial aviation system, except that we serve markets that the commercial aviation industry has rejected.

We could say that we compete with the airlines, except we provide services that would be impossible for the commercial aviation system to deliver efficiently.

We could say that we found a way to exploit an inefficient market, except that we actually make that market more efficient.

Social Flights is not an airline.

In simplest terms, Social Flights is a data platform for private aviation.  The Social Flights platform will “systemize” the operations of up to 15,000 private aircraft across up to 5000 North American Airports.  The beneficiaries will be travelers, aircraft operators, and the communities they support. We’ll even help the airlines do what they do better.

Where is the pain?

•  Airlines are pulling out of smaller markets effectively isolating millions of people
•  Smaller communities are cut off from the global economy
•  The “Real Cost” to travelers flying into and out of smaller communities is stifling.
•  The Private Aviation industry is manipulated by brokers; 40% of private flights are empty.
•  The Hub and Spoke system serves large airplanes, not people
•  Travelers have few other travel options; driving is difficult and trains are sparse.
•  Very low utilization of private jet assets vs. commercial jet assets

Where is the opportunity?

• Next Generation air traffic management/control will open thousands of airports to ATC
• A huge inventory of efficient short haul aircraft is available.
• Empty legs on existing private flights are available
• Favorable FAA and DOT regulatory environment in “Public Charter” classification
• Millions of people travel to their “Social Networks” not their hubs and spokes
• Communities are willing to participate in their own air-service destiny

What is the solution?

CASP: Community Air Service Program

Social Flights deploys turbine powered commuter aircraft to small communities to provide frequent direct service to the nearest major hub allowing access to the world.

Uniform Booking Platform

The Social Flights provides operators with a free online scheduling and automating quoting system that will save them thousands of dollars per actual flight.

Systemized inventory listing

Operators effectively list their inventory and the system matches the right aircraft with the right mission thereby improving yields.

Ride Sharing

National itinerary allows for the sale of private jet service on a “per seat” basis instead of a customer chartering a whole jet.

Corporate Travel Programs

Corporate and VIP owners can increase Yield and utilization of aircraft for greater profits without sacrificing benefits of ownership.

Community Organization

Social Flights helps communities to determine where they want to fly.  We provide aircraft, training, operations, consulting, and regulatory authority to operate community charter operations.  Then we integrate the system into our Nationwide platform.

How do we do it?

Social Flights provides a single platform that acts as a clearinghouse for community information about REAL ASSETS – not just demographics for sale to marketers.

The social flights data can be used to create opportunities with a new class of business methods and applications from scheduling air service, to organizing a group of friends for Spring Break.

Social Flights allows smaller communities to access hub airport quickly, directly, frequently and inexpensively so that they can have economic access to the world.

Social Flights allows corporations and VIP aircraft owners to maximize the return on their aircraft investment while retaining the flexibility of ownership.

Social Flights liberates millions of people from the weaknesses of the increasingly fragile and segmented commercial aviation system while retaining the strengths of the hub airport efficiency.

Social Flights improves aviation.

Branson Air, in cooperation with CFM aviation and Social Flights, is offering a special on air service between Branson Missouri and Nashville Tennessee. This limited time price may not last long since the route is filling fast – both of these cities are world recognized for their entertainment and cultural attributes.  Now Social Flights brings them together at an astonishing low price.

To put things in perspective, simply perform a search for airline pricing between these cities:

You’ll find that major airlines are willing to give you the privilege of paying 500 dollars and waiting 8 hours (including security and check in) to take the same trip.  These cities are only 435 miles apart – you can drive in less time than that.  Seriously, who is watching these numbers?

Social Flights will get you there in 1/3 the time and 1/3 the cost of flying commercial airlines.  When you fly Social Flights you can often avoid extra overnights, hotel fees, and days off work. You wouldn’t even need to carry all that extra baggage in the first place!

If you are wondering how you can spend all that extra time check out these two lists that we’ve compiled with our friends in each city.

102 things to do in Branson          102 things to do in Nashville

You will find some of friendliest, hard working, and talented people in the United States in these two cities.  Now you can experience all the magic and none of the harassment for 1/3 rd the price.

A recipe for opportunity

Most importantly, there are many things that were never economically possible between these two cities,  but now are.  That is what opportunity is made of.

People who follow Social Flights know that our business model is hugely disruptive to the airlines.  They know that Social Flights opens new frontiers of opportunity.  They know that Social Flights liberates stranded communities from Airline Chess Masters.  With air service between Branson and Nashville for under 100 dollars – this is only the beginning.

Who knew that having fun could be such serious business?

Paraphrased from an excellent article in the Wichita Business Journal by Emily Behlmann:

With all the attention social media is getting these days, (the results) of a recent survey shows that 45 percent said social media was a low priority.  Deanna Harms, executive vice president at the Greteman Group , a Wichita branding agency who lists aviation brands to be a specialty, says business aviation companies, some of the most major brands in Wichita, have hung back on [Social Media] even more than other B2B firms.

Harms says she thinks one reason could be related to recent criticism of business jets as unnecessary luxuries. “Even in newsletters, it’s difficult to get aircraft owners to agree to being profiled,” Harms says. “You’ve heard the campaign ‘No plane. No gain.’ Aircraft owners, unfortunately, often think, ‘No ink. No criticism.’ The minute you start talking about your use of business aviation, the naysayers attack.”

Let’s rethink this:

Social Flights uses social media tools to fill empty legs and sell primary charter “by the seat”.  We also provide limited calendar air service (FAA Part 380 Public Charter).  In addition to marketing, we use these tools to aggregate private airplane operators and their inventory so we can “systemize” a large virtual fleet.

These innovations are a far cry from the domain of the demonized elitist corporate jet owner.  In fact, we are hearing from dozens of small communities who are functionally stranded without access to commercial aviation with very few other practical travel modes. Communities passionately ask us for air- service into a hub like Atlanta instead of bouncing around several regional airports and enduring a 3-hour drive to anywhere.  Millions of American need access to each other and global markets beyond their parochial economies.  People need opportunities – that’s what social media is all about.

You can’t Globalize until you Regionalize

Regionalization is where small communities want direct service to other small communities.  Social Flights is introducing air service between Branson MO, Nashville, Tri-cities TN,  Austin, and Milwaukee. It almost takes less time to drive between some of these places than to fly commercial. The same holds true for Wichita.

It Boils down to Supply and Demand

Meanwhile, hundreds of commuter jets are coming into the market.  Utilization of corporate jets is 1/20 of a commercial jet.  Corporations are looking for increased revenue from their jet assets.  Manufacturers can deliver white tails into a new air-service system to keep production lines steady. Airlines can off load volatility (overbooking and low yield flights) to private carriers, Next Gen air traffic control will open thousands of smaller airports to air service, ironically, this includes Wichita.

This boils down to huge inventory, huge need, greater efficiency, and nobody to serve the market.  Our prediction is that Social media is the glue that will hold this thing together.  People travel across their social graph (Facebook, linkedin, and g+ connections) not to the hub airports, period.  People want to work where they live and play, not just surviving in 1 of 28 U.S. hub cities. People want to go to where they are going.

There is profound opportunity in private aviation and Social Flights is the pioneer.

Social Flights is introducing air service between Nashville Tennessee, Austin Texas, Milwaukee Wisconsin and Branson Missouri beginning in May 2012.  The opportunities for travelers to access business opportunities, recreational experiences, family connections, and entertainment value has never been better.

Say Goodbye to the Hassle

The social experience of travel has finally been liberated from the boardrooms of the airlines and no longer subject to the fragile and abusive hub and spoke system.  No more long lines, luggage searches or irradiation machines.  Social Flights takes you where you want to go.

Visit all the Capitals

Nashville is the music capital of the world – without rival. For publishing, recording, and production Nashville has few peers.  Nashville is located in the population center of the United States and perfectly accessible to many locations of magnificent beauty, culture, and business opportunities.

Your way, not the highway

There are many great things to do in Nashville and dozens of websites that will help you find the getaway of your dreams.  Social Flights now makes these opportunities to a wider market of people than ever before.  Fly to Nashville today with Social Flights – lose the hassle. (list compiled by: 365Nashville.com)

1. Yazoo Brewery

2. The Pfunky Griddle

3. Belcourt Theatre

4. Bicentennial Mall

5. The Cocoa Tree

6. Hands On Nashville

7. The Melrose Spring Beer Tasting

8. Fat Tuesday in 5 Points

9. Glass Night at Flying Saucer

10. Train for the Country Music Marathon or 1/2 Marathon

11. Mulligan’s Pub and Restaurant

12. Frist Center For the Visual Arts

13. Radnor Lake

14. Art By the Glass

15. Arnold’s Meat & Three

16. NashVegas Casino Night at Cannery Ballroom

17. Nuvo Burrito

18. Bluebird Café

19. Warner Parks

20. Centennial Sportsplex

21. “8 off 8th” at Mercy Lounge

22. Two for Tuesdays

23. Climb Nashville

24. Nashville Lawn & Garden Show

25. Nashville Haunted Pub Crawl

26. First Saturday Art Crawl

27. Las Paletas

28. Dance Party at 5 Spot

29. The Billy Block Show from 12th and Porter

30. The Pie Wagon

31. Adventure Science Center

32. Belmont Mansion

33. Centennial Dog Park

34. Nashville Sports League

35. Jacks BBQ

36. Volunteer at 2nd Harvest Food Bank

37. St. Patrick’s Day

38. Disc Golf at Seven Oaks Park

39. Robert’s Western World

40. Zumi Sushi

41. Musica Sculpture

42. Bongo Java Roasting Company

43. The Station Inn

44. Percy Warner Golf Course

45. Crow’s Nest

46. Tennessee Flea Market

47. East Nashville Art Stroll

48. The Dog of Nashville

49. Hatch Show Print

50. Nashville Predators

51. Whiskey Kitchen

52. Love Circle

53. Dozen – A Nashville Sweet Shop

54. Laser Quest

55. Dragon Park

56. Martin’s BBQ Joint

57. Eco-Adventure Canopy Zip Tour

58. Loveless Café

59. Commodore Grille

60. Songwriters in the Park

61. Nashville Zoo

62. Brunch at the Copper Kettle

63. Sweet CeCe’s

64. All Fired Up

65. Downtown Nashville Home Tour

65. Rajin’ Cajun Crawfish Boil

66. Taco Mamacita

67. Nashville Sounds

68. Earth Day Festival

69. Arrington Vineyards

70. Pied Piper Creamery

71. Donut Den

72. Dove Awards

73. Clean Up Nashville

74. South Street

75. Country Music Hall of Fame

76. Marche Artisan Foods

77. Bobbie’s Dairy Dip

78. Dining Out For Life

79. Exit/In

80. Allium

81. Music City Duck Tours

82. Nashville Symphony

83. Southern Bred

84. Franklin Rodeo

85. Breon Salon Cut-a-Thon

86. Eat Out for Nashville

87. Tuesdays at the French Quarters

88. Music City Roots

89. Burger Up

90. We ART Nashville

91. Nashville Shores

92. Fido

93. Mike’s Ice Cream Fountain

94. Chihuly In Nashville

95. Brown Bag Lunch Concert Series

96. Tennessee Renaissance Festival

97. Sudekum Planetarium

98. Strawberry Jubilee

99. Grassmere Bicentennial Picnic Celebration

100. Memorial Day Blues Festival

101. Movies in the Park

102. Fly with Social Flights

Social Flights is excited to bring Branson Missouri right to your doorstep in Nashville, Austin, and Milwaukee.  Social Flights offeres the only non-stop air service to Branson from these cities.   Branson has established attracts over 6 million people per year due to it’s family friendly recreation, mild climate, and stunning geographic beauty.

Check our website and book your tickets today.

Many people may have never heard about Branson, so we have provided the following links to 102 things to do in Branson.  Of course there are many more, but spend a little time cruising these links and you’ll see a world of fun and excitement come alive.  Consider Branson for your next family vacation and let Social Flights take you their in comfort and style.

101 Things To Do In Branson

1. Silver Dollar City
2. Swim at White Water
3. Ride The Ducks
4. Shop at Branson Landing
5. Watch the fountain show at the Landing
6. Ride the trolley downtown
7. Zip lining
8. See The Legend of Kung Fu
9. Watch the planes come in at the Branson Airport flight deck
10. Watch the Liverpool Legends
11. Watch an IMAX movie
12. Ride the Go Karts
13. Watch SIX
14. Visit the Titanic
15. Take pictures at the Wax Museum
16. Feed the fish at Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery
17. Visit the dam
18. Swim at Moonshine Beach
19. Watch the Cat’s Pajamas
20. Watch Jim Stafford
21. Visit Shepherd of the Hills
22. Rent a boat at State Park Marina
23. Go fishing!
24. See Kirby Van Burch
25. Go parasailing
26. Get stuffed at the Dixie Stampede
27. Golf-professional or mini!
28. Tour the wineries
29. Visit the Butterfly Palace
30. Tour the Auto Museum
31. Watch Todd Oliver’s talking dogs
32. Watch the Acrobats of China
33. Laugh with Paul Harris and The Cleverly’s
34. Laugh your Yakov with Yakov Smirnoff
35. Ride the Showboat Branson Belle
36. See the largest performing family, the Hughes Brothers
37. Watch the Baldknobbers
38. Ride the train at Branson Scenic Railway
39. Take an Old Time Photo
40. Visit the Shrine of the Holy Spirit
41. Visit the Veterans Memorial Museum
42. Visit the Worlds Largest Toy Museum
43. Tour and shop historic downtown Branson
44. Tour College of the Ozarks
45. Experience the Branson Ballknockers
46. Take a cave tour at Talking Rocks Cavern
47. Rent a canoe or kayak on Lake Taneycomo
48. Get scared at the Castle of Chaos
49. Go horseback riding in the Ozarks and at Shepherd of the Hills
50. Ride a segway
52. Take a ride up Inspiration Tower
53. Take a dam tour
54. Watch the stars at Legends in Concert
55. Eat Branson’s largest banana split at the Starlite Diner
56. Have the time of your life at Bill Medley’s show
57. Walk the red carpet to see Horray for Hollywood
58. See the brotherly love with the Rankin Brothers
59. Hear the smooth sounds of the Texas Tenors
60. Enjoy savings at the Outlet Malls
61. Go crafting
62. Start Your Christmas List early by shopping at the Grand Village Shops
63. Get your fix with the 3 Redneck Tenors
64. See the only dueling piano show in Branson at Ernie Biggs Piano Bar and Restaurant
65. Learn about Table Rock lake at the Dewey Short Visitor Center
66. Visit Shoji Tabuchi’s Theatre to see his world famous bathrooms
67. Learn something new at Ripley’s Believe It or Not
68. Eat at the Candlestick Inn
69. Take a helicopter tour
70. Eat at the Hard Luck Diner—the only diner where the waiters sing!
71. Mountain Bike and Cabin Rentals at Park Trails
72. Eat at Lamberts-home of the thrown rolls
73. Go to Bass Pro Shop for the fish feeding
74. Take a  hydro-limo ride on Table Rock Lake
75. Visit Chateau on the Lake
76. Visit Big Cedar
77. Cakes and Cream
78. Take a carriage ride downtown
79. Dinosaur Museum
80. Eat ice cream at Andy’s Frozen Custard
81. Go Rock Climbing
82. Ride the Bumper Boats
83. Experience the thrill of the Ejection Seat
84. Pull the Rip Cord at The Tracks
85. Camp at Table Rock State Park
86. View the Trail of Lights November through January
87. Visit the spa at Chateau on the Lake
88. Enjoy the atmosphere at Level 2 Steakhouse
89. Eat on the lake front patios at the Landing
90. Build a car at Ridemakerz
91. Make a new friend at Build-a-bear
92. Learn about Our Body- The Universe Within
93. Go to the circus with Yakov’s Dinner Adventure
94. Get lost at Hannah’s Maze of Mirrors
95. Visit Grand Country Square for laser tag, mini golf, and of course the worlds largest banjo!
96. Eat at the Keeter Center
97. Eat Dino’s 24 Karrot Cake
98. Go souvenir shopping !
99. Walk the famous 76 strip
100. Take pictures at the scenic overlooks
101. Learn to scuba dive in Table Rock Lake

102. Fly Social Flights direct from Nashville, Austin, and Milwaukee!!!

I first discovered Keith Johnson’s blog, PlannerWire.net  starting with his article 13 Event Industry Blogs and Sites That You Should Check Out. Last July he updated the list to 44 event industry blogs that are important.  It it just too hard to resist not publishing the list he compiled.  Below (after a few of my comments) please find the best event planner blogs on the Internet, by Keith Johnson.

Why is an aviation company like Social Flights interested in event planners?

Nobody ever suggests that UAL or Alaska Airlines would ever ask anyone who intends to stay on the ground that day what their opinion is regarding airline service.  Airlines are too busy to worry about what happens before and after their clients board their planes.   The airlines are in the business of filling seats so why would they care about the communities whose collective posteriors occupy the spaces in between the lines on their balance sheets?

Maybe that’s the problem with airlines.

Social Flights has every intention to understand the needs of the travelers for whom we provide air service.  We exist because the communities we serve tell us to exist.  Communities of travelers tell us where to fly and when to fly.  They tell us how many people they need to arrive at any geographic point in North America and how many people to depart from any point.  Without event planners, there is no reason to travel.  Think about that for a moment.

If we can’t hear our customers, it’s not because they don’t exist.  Social Flights understands that we live only because our travelers, operators, hospitality partners, and community entrepreneurs want us to exist.

Where silence was once golden, it is now dangerous.

Airlines have been learning the value of community with several recent social media campaigns -  but that is not the same as harnessing the power of the community.

Airlines still fail to understand that there will be consequences when they just pull service out of a community leaving tens of thousands of people functionally stranded; “because continued service would not be in the best interest of our valued shareholders”.    

The Power of Community

In response, communities have put high speed rail (HSR) back on the political ping pong table.  So the airlines complain that HSR will destroy aviation citing so many examples in other countries; “..and that would not be in the best interest of our valued shareholders”.    

The community response to overstressed hubs is government regulation that doubles fines for failure to meet minimum standards of service.  Again, the airlines complaint, “it’s not our fault, the other guys did it…increased regulations would not be in the best interest of our valued shareholders”.    

The community response to new service charges, lack of service, and overall traveler discontent is outlined in one of our recent blog posts “Forgiving is Not Forgetting” suggesting that up to 20% of all public social media communications are apologies “…because un-silenced customer would not be in the best interest of our valued shareholders”.    

Under New Management

The power of social media is the ability for communities to organize in their own best interest.  Now more than ever, Wall Street priorities are being driven by social priorities – not the other way around.  The implications for airlines are vast; perhaps completely redefining who the true shareholder actually is.

The Customer Tells Us What to Do

Standing on the front lines growing this phenomenon that we call “Social Flights”, it is completely obvious that we exist as a response to the new power of diverse communities to be self-deterministic.  Communities tell us what they want – they are joining around a strategy of self-ownership, self-destiny, and self-management.

Travelers, operators, hospitality partners, and community entrepreneurs are organizing around a new economic paradigm called “regionalization of travel services” – this means that small towns want to connect directly with each other and avoid the hubs altogether – as well as the airlines and their valued shareholders.

Nothing else changes except the community – nothing else has to.

Social Flights offers an array of services from private jet “code sharing” to public charter air service, to leasing/operating air service exclusively for a community under their direction.  When people start discovering the amount of time wasted and calculating the value of that loss, the benefit private air service becomes more and more attractive.

Keep talking, we’re listening

Social media is such an amazing tool – what was once just a shiny new soapbox for marketing to the masses, has now evolved into an entirely different way for people to coordinate, organize, and produce the things that society needs. And, when the economy slows down, people don’t sit around waiting for Wall Street to bail them out, they come up with the great ideas that change the world forever.

A New Class of Entrepreneur

Cassandra Harris is the CEO of Black Diamond Sanctuary, a boutique travel company that caters specifically to exclusive ladies leisure and recreation. From their Website:

“The Black Diamond Sanctuary specializes in fostering friendship and sisterhood through luxury retreat excursions. Our retreats are especially designed to give you a rich cultural travel experience that is sure to be tantalizing to all of your senses. We provide an environment where you can relax and revive, all while indulging in social enjoyment with others like yourself.”

Black Diamond Sanctuary has offered vacation packages to such places as the Caribbean, Antigua, South Africa, Dominican Republic, and Grenada.  Domestic packages have landed in Santa Barbara, Niagara Falls, New York City, etc.  Next year, Black Diamond is planning excursions to Abu Dhabi and Oman, among several other locales.

Keep in mind, these are not typical tourist traps, Black Diamond locations appeal to the adventurous, curious, educated, and even the politically intrigued. Once at the destination, the activities that Black Diamond Sanctuary plans include everything from casual relaxation to serious high-wired adventure.

At Social Flights, we see our partnership with Black Diamond Sanctuary as a natural fit with our business model.  Currently, Black Diamond clients fly in on commercial airlines from all over the states.  Social Flights can offer point-to-point service allowing Cassandra to focus on plugging into pre-existing social networks and seasonal opportunities.

Then the Magic Started

As I continued to speak with Cassandra, something magic started to happen – it was as if I could hear her brain jump into overdrive.  She started rattling off all sorts of new business opportunities could be accomplished with her expertise combined with our national network of private air service operations.

We jumped all over each other’s thoughts, even finished each other’s sentences discussing weekend getaways, special events, and serial events where one group would fly in while the other group flies out.  All of these scenarios would either be impossible with the dysfunctional commercial airlines or truly competitive in price, time, luxury, and convenience – yet superlative in the experience  using our vast network of private jet service.

A Cast of Thousands

Soon I learned that Cassandra has a diverse background in many entertainment and hospitality verticals. It dawned on me that there must be hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs like Cassandra who have no intention of depending on anyone for their success and prosperity.  I imagine legions of smart and motivated people like Cassandra Harris who can look at the data and see “supply = demand” where the rest of the world sees “recession = depression”.

Cassandra Harris is the New Class of Entrepreneur.  We are proud to be a part of the her emerging revolution in social capitalism.

CHICAGO – March 12, 2012 – N-Jet, one of Chicago’s premier private jet operators, launched Private Air Reserve, an online market that allows college basketball fans to buy and trade options for highly discounted private jet reservations to the NCAA championship in New Orleans.  For $1,995, a Private Air Reserve can be purchased for a favorite NCAA team.  If that team qualifies for the April 2 championship, the buyer has the right to charter a luxury private jet to and from the game at a 75% discount.

“When the two winners for the final championship emerge, it usually sets off a mad scramble for travel reservations among passionate fans,” said Howard Seedorf, CEO and founder of N-Jet. “If your team makes it to the championship, a Private Air Reserve is like an insurance plan.  It takes away the pain and worry of finding reservations, and removes the headaches of commercial travel.”

Eight people chartering a luxury mid-cabin private jet from Chicago to New Orleans would normally cost about $20,000.  Although seats cannot be sold separately, the Private Air Reserve cost of $4,995 is less than $700 per person, and is comparable to traditional full-fare coach rates.

“Instead of enduring a back-of-the-bus middle seat, Private Air Reserve lets you fly at your preferred time in the luxury of a private jet, accompanied by seven of your friends without the delays, inexplicable last-minute cancellations, long lines, and other hassles,” adds Seedorf.

In order to become active, a “tipping point” of 15 Private Air Reserves must be met.  Fans may then begin bidding and trading at different prices depending on the likelihood of a certain team qualifying.   Unless the tipping point of 15 is not reached, Private Air Reserves are non-refundable.  However, if the selected team does not qualify, N-Jet converts the $1,995 reserve into a $2,000 Jet Card for use on future travel (minimum purchase of $25,000).

If the selected team qualifies but the holder chooses not to exercise the reservation, N-Jet will provide a $5,000 Jet Card credit toward a future N-Jet private charter (minimum purchase of $50,000).  If the winner decides to exercise the reservation but is suddenly unable to travel, N-Jet will provide a $10,000 Jet Card credit toward a future N-Jet private charter (minimum purchase of $50,000).

The Private Air Reserve market is built on a market-proven technology platform by TTR, Inc. The platform deploys Forward Markets in which fans conditionally reserve and buy/sell after-market reservations for high-demand tickets and services.  TTR’s patented technology is the basis for Major League Baseball’s successful “Postseason Ticket Reservations” and TeamTix Reservations for numerous high-profile college football games, including the BCS National Championship Game.

(Disclosure: N-Jet is an esteemed partner air service operator of Social Flights)

About N-Jet

N-Jet is an aircraft management company and FAR-part-135 certified on-demand air carrier with more than 33 years of experience in air transportation.  All aircraft are owned by individuals or corporations and managed by N-Jet.  With access to an alliance of luxury private jet operators, the company can secure access to the right aircraft to any destination around the world on a moment’s notice.  For more information, visit www.n-jet.com or www.privateairreserve.com.

About TTR

TTR, Inc., the exclusive provider of technology and services to enable Forward Markets, connects passionate fans and consumers with the events, products, and content they seek through an open and transparent Forward Marketplace residing within the digital domain of the actual Rights Holder and in certain instances in the domains of their media partners and sponsors.  The company is based in Lake Forest, Ill. For more information, visit www.ticketreserve.com.

NCAA is a registered trademark of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Carol Pucci from Seattle Times recently wrote this article about her experience with airlines that code-share:

“With more airlines marketing each other’s flights as code shares, it’s getting harder to figure out who’s actually doing the flying. It also makes it a bit harder to find the best price.  Code shares are marketing alliances that allow airlines to sell seats under their own name for flights operated by a partner airline. The airlines share in the revenues and passengers can earn and use their frequent-flier miles on either carrier.”

The irony is that on-line travel agents started a price war that has eliminated the incentive for airlines to distinguish themselves on “service” or even distance. This relieved them of the responsibility to excel. The underlying assumption imposed on the passenger is that all airlines are equal and all flights are the same – until they are not.  For example: Air France and Delta are code share partners:

Carol further writes: “Air France was selling a Seattle/Zagreb (Croatia) round trip, with a connection through Paris, for $1,214 versus $1,408 on Delta for the same flights, a savings of $194″.  

The law of one price

The problem with code sharing is not that you fly on the other partner’s aircraft, the problem is that the price is does not correlate with the exact same product, rather, it varies by whom you buy the ticket – that, by any definition, is broker’s world.

Private air service carriers and charter operators currently suffer from an extreme form of broker’s world that not only prevents carriers from code sharing, they also keep prices unpublished so the customer has no idea what they are paying for.

Of Brokers and Fixers

Imagine if Air France and Delta and United all had to operate different planes and there was no way for travelers to compare compare prices. Instead, a group of brokers could manipulate supply and demand to maximize their own profits. So for example, if the airplanes fly 1/2 empty, then brokers could charge double the airfare.  Obviously, this is an extremely inefficient way to operate an air service industry.

Fly Social in more ways than one

Social Flights is a platform that accommodates code sharing among many partner air service operators while also standardizing the cost of flying on a per-mile / per-time basis.  Social Flights performs the same yield management operations for a diverse inventory of private jets as the commercial carriers perform for their shared fleets.

The Social Flights platform permits the private air service operators to sell charter lift on a per-seat, per-leg basis.  Instead of generating dead heads (empty legs) operators can code share such that every flight is a primary leg.  Operators who are closest to the passenger will inherently be lower cost since a “re-positioning” fee would not be needed. This alone may cut the price of private travel by 50% (half the cost without dead/reposition fee) while also increasing operator revenue by 50% (by doubling the size of the market).

You can call it a code-share or you can call it a ride-share, but Social Flights calls it a breakthrough in air service efficiency.