For “experience-driven” travelers who spend thousands of dollars a night on a vacation.

Luxury air travel provider Aero launched its inaugural flight between Los Angeles’s Van Nuys Airport and Aspen’s Pitkin County Airport on Thursday. Tickets are $ 990 each way through February. Aero is backed by Uber’s co-founder Garret Camp. Aerospace engineer veteran Uma Subramanian is CEO. The service offers flights without queues, private lounges for boarding, and in-flight social distancing with just 16 seats per aircraft. The start-up raised $ 20 million in Series A funding, TechCrunch reported.

Premium Semi-Private Jets All First Class

Aero uses state-of-the-art airplanes that are distinctively colored black.

Inside, you get handstitched Italian leather seats, custom suede walls, signature lighting, and leather piping through and through the aircraft. According to TripSavvy, for good measure, the aircraft boasts custom sound systems by Bongiovi Acoustic Lab.

To take luxury to a whole new level, Aero throws in a white glove luggage service, allowing three checked bags and one under-the-seat carry-on per ticket. You can book for a car service and enjoy specially curated snacks and drinks on board.

Subramanian sets out the philosophy of the company. “There is a set of people who want this,” she said. “Air travel used to be aspirational, something people got dressed up for. We want to bring back the magical part of the travel experience.”

Business outlook

Aero used the after-effects of the pandemic to buy up planes and other related assets on the cheap. Though business travel is still to recover, other travel is returning with a vengeance according to Subramanian.

She told TechCrunch that the fledgling airline sold a lot of seats during the summer, and best of all, turned gross margin positive in July and August.

As the pandemic ends, the pent-up demand for leisure travel will grow sharply. Private jet-like services such as Aero, which offers social distancing and thorough sanitation on its jets, will be in demand.

“We are really focusing on the curated customer,” Subramanian told TripSavvy. “We’re aiming to deliver a better premium leisure travel experience with a focus on customer service and extensive attention to detail to set us apart.”

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