As VistaJet continues to grow, two key differentiators driving that expansion are the company’s global reach and the flexibility of its business model. Thomas Flohr, who founded the company in 2004, developed VistaJet to fill what he saw as a big need in business aviation: the ability to fly anywhere in the world without having to take on the cost of private jet ownership, fractional or otherwise. 

The Swiss-born businessman’s adherence to that plan has led to the creation of what VistaJet calls the “world’s first and only global aviation company.” The company has flown to more than 2,400 airports in 96% of the world’s countries.

Flohr continues to believe in that model’s potential going forward. He recently invested in the Bombardier Global 7500, currently the largest and longest-range business jet on the planet. These aircraft have further cemented VistaJet’s position as a global company.

According to Forbes, Thomas Flohr called the purchase of the Global 7500 aircraft a “most significant milestone” for VistaJet and a “testimony to our successful strategy that focuses on global coverage. Our customers need to fly point-to-point across the globe and in many instances, at short notice.

“Whether it’s a direct flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai, from London to Luanda or from Kinshasa to Ulaanbaatar, we are seamlessly connecting our customers to every corner of the world in unrivaled levels of style and safety.”

Thomas Flohr founded VistaJet to provide businesses an alternative

Thomas Flohr studied business and political science at Ludwig-Maximilian University in Munich. He eventually established a successful career in asset management in the tech industry.

Flohr’s name may also ring a bell for motorsport enthusiasts. As a race car driver, he’s competed in the East African Safari Rally and participated multiple times in the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans. It’s fitting that VistaJet, the company he founded, is an official partner of Ferrari, the legendary Italian luxury sports car manufacturer.

His entry into the private jet industry was inspired by his experience using chartered flights during his work in asset finance. Observing that companies were caught between dealing with the inadequacies of the private aviation industry or deciding to take on the financial burden of aircraft ownership, Flohr opted to disrupt the status quo.

He told Barron’s that he saw inefficiency in private aviation. “When I see waste, I become ambitious,” Flohr said. “The average utilization of a business jet is 250 hours per year — talk about waste and corporate waste. Commercial planes are used around 4,000 hours a year, so I thought, ‘What are these airplanes doing?’ I love to challenge the system. If something doesn’t make sense, it’s a natural inclination to challenge it.”

While he started the Malta-based VistaJet with flights that served Europe and the Middle East, his aspirations quickly became global.

A subscription model and a global fleet

A key component of VistaJet’s success is its innovative subscription-based model, which allows clients to access a global jet fleet without the asset risks and financial responsibilities of aircraft ownership. Members sign a three-year contract and pay only for the hours they fly, with guaranteed availability and a pre-agreed fixed hourly rate. 

This approach has attracted a clientele that wants private jet travel convenience without long-term commitments. Thomas Flohr designed the process to offer transparency and simplicity. 

“It has been hugely successful and hugely popular around the world. And it’s a simple three-to-five-page contract which says you have an obligation to pay and we have an obligation to fly,” Flohr told CNBC. “And it’s guaranteed availability, anywhere, anytime. Whether you’re in Japan, in southeast Asia, in the Middle East, in America, South America — you have guaranteed availability around the globe.”

That global infrastructure is another key to VistaJet’s success. The company has invested in establishing a network of seven dedicated maintenance hubs across the U.S. and Europe. This supports VistaJet’s ability to offer clients reliable and flexible travel options, regardless of their location.

The international nature of the company also mitigates geopolitical and economic risks. With a presence in multiple regions, VistaJet can adapt to changing market conditions and regulatory environments. And behind the scenes, VistaJet’s operations team manages the company’s complex, global business. The operations control center manages day-to-day operations and scheduling, while the Vista flight support team handles logistics and flight preparation.

Thomas Flohr is focused on the future of VistaJet

In the past two years, VistaJet has continued to expand its global footprint. Some of the highlights include establishing a dedicated fleet of Global 7500 jets in the U.S., expanding operations in East and Southern Africa, and increasing the number of aircraft serving Asia and the Middle East. This growth led Forbes to call Thomas Flohr a “power player” in the private aviation industry.

In 2023 alone, VistaJet operated about 87,000 flights, an 18% year-over-year increase. More than 50% of VistaJet’s flight hours originated outside the U.S., underscoring its global reach.

Flohr said in a news release that he expects the subscription model and global infrastructure that VistaJet has established to drive further growth. He said membership numbers continue to increase and that more clients are “remaining loyal to Vista” than ever before. He added:

“Our long tenure in this industry means we can anticipate and understand what global business leaders want when it comes to global travel.”

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