August 12, 2024
Year Founded
2004
Headquarters
Luqa, Malta
Leadership
Thomas Flohr
Chairman & Founder
Ian Moore
Chief Commercial Officer
Nick van der Meer
Chief Operating Officer
Meaghan Wells
Chief Investment Officer
Tobias Schramm
Chief Legal Officer
Kenneth Bonnici
Chief Projects Officer
Matteo Atti
Group Executive Vice President of Marketing
Leona Qi
President, Americas & Asia
Related Companies
Vista Global Holding (Parent), Jet Edge, Air Hamburg, Red Wing Aviation, Talon Air, XOJET Aviation, XO Global, JetSmarter, Apollo Jets, Camber, Rhone Capital (investor)
VistaJet was founded in 2004 in Europe by Swiss entrepreneur Thomas Flohr.
In 2012, it made the largest order of private jets in history to manufacturer Bombardier.
The original order was for 25 Global 5000s, 25 Global 6000s, and six Global 8000s (later converted to the Global 7500.
The list price was estimated at $3.1 billion.
VistaJet first came to the U.S. in 2013 via a sales agreement with Wheels Up.
Jet Aviation and Priester Aviation initially operated its U.S. registered aircraft. Today, its aircraft are flown by operators in which it has an ownership interest.
VistaJet is now part of the Vista Global Holding group based in Dubai, which was formed in 2018.
The company is privately held.
Since then, Vista Global has made multiple acquisitions of private jet operators, brokers, and technology platforms.
Acquisitions include XOJet, JetSmarter, Red Wing Aero, Apollo Jets, Talon Air, Jet Edge, Air Hamburg, and Camber.
In 2021, VistaJet announced that it will be carbon neutral by 2025.
There is an operational center headquarters in Malta with global offices in London, New York, Fort Lauderdale, and Hong Kong.
Vista Global’s consumer brands are VistaJet and XO.
Under VistaJet it sells guaranteed availability and rate jet cards targeting global private jet flyers.
It positions its programs as filling the gap between one-by-one charter flights and fractional or full ownership of large cabins and ultra-long-range jets.
VistaJet also sells on-demand charter.
XO sells dynamic pricing membership in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East.
It also offers on-demand charter with instant online booking as well as jet-sharing options.
Also, see our XO hub page.
VistaJet and XO customers have access to over 250 leased, owned, and managed aircraft in what is called the Vista Members Fleet.
VistaJet and Flohr formed a holding company, Dubai-based Vista Global Holding, as part of an M&A acquisition strategy to consolidate global private jet flight providers and booking technology.
In September 2018, Vista Global acquired the top 10 U.S. private jet operator XoJet, spinning off the operator (in which it holds a minority stake) and the private jet charter brokerage and renaming it XO.
Vista Global owns 100% of XO.
In April 2019, Vista Global announced plans to acquire broker and jet-sharing platform JetSmarter to boost its technology.
In that same month, JetSmarter settled a class-action lawsuit from members unhappy about access to free and discounted flights.
(Review private jet membership company M&A activity with our PRIVATE AVIATION DEAL BOOK.)
In 2020, VistaJet launched its first dedicated program targeting corporate accounts and expanded its Private World collaborations with luxury travel advisors.
In November 2020, it acquired light jet operator Red Wing Aero, another top 20 U.S. operator.
VistaJet said it will add up to 12 Bombardier Global 7500s and 10 Challenger 350s to its fleet by 2022.
In April 2021, it acquired broker Apollo Jets and operator Talon Air.
In the same month, the private jet flight provider bought jet-sharing platform JetSmarter.
Vista Global acquires Jet Edge, a top-ten U.S. operator, and Air Hamburg, a leading European private jet operator and management company.
VistaJet parent Vista Global acquires online broker Camber.
The company said it spent over $100 million on fleet refurbishments and upgrades in 2023.
Vista Global rebranded its U.S. operators under the Vista America banner.
In May 2023, the Financial Times published an article titled, “Private jet disrupter: the debt-fuelled ascent of Thomas Flohr’s VistaJet.”
VistaJet and Flohr responded to the article on CNBC.
In April 2024, Vista Global and VistaJet sued private jet operator AirX and several of its executives in Malta.
The lawsuit alleges its smaller competitor was distributing confidential information about the company to the media and stakeholders. AirX has denied any of its actions were illegal.
READ: Here’s what you need to know about VistaJet before you buy
| Aircraft | Aircraft Size |
|---|---|
| Bombardier Challenger 350 | Super Midsize |
| Large | |
| Large | |
| Bombardier Global 5000 | Ultra Long Range |
| Bombardier Global 6000 | Ultra Long Range |
| Bombardier Global 7500 | Ultra Long Range |
2004
Vista Global is privately held. Thomas Flohr is the majority owner.
VistaJet had 910 Program jet card customers at the end of 2022.
Vista Global has $2.49 billion in 2022.
Thomas Flohr
VistaJet uses the Vista Members Fleet of owned, leased, and managed private jets, and third-party charter operators for its Program jet card customers.
Vistajet’s VJ25 jet card starts at 25 hours per year and requires a three-year commitment. For a Challenger 350 program, rates start at around $15,000 per hour. Global options range from $18,000 to $25,000 per hour. VistaJet customizes contracts based on specific flyer needs, including long-flight discounts and payment schedules, which impact final pricing.
Vistjet offers fixed-hourly rates.
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