People assume that private jet travel is the domain of high-net-worth individuals and celebrities, but the truth is much more pragmatic. Sure, media was rife that pop phenom Taylor Swift took one of Thomas Flohr’s iconic silver and red jets when she had to rush from a concert in Tokyo to watch her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, win the Super Bowl, but the truth is most private jet charter passengers are executives who want a comfortable business environment as they fly to meet clients and partners around the world. And that means creating an environment that delivers consistent, high-quality services — something Thomas Flohr’s VistaJet does exceedingly well.
Flohr is someone people listen to when it comes to private aviation. VistaJet, which he founded in 2004, has emerged as an industry leader in the past two decades. The company offers business travelers access to a jet fleet on a subscription-model basis — an approach that gives them the use of a jet at any time, anywhere, without the cost of buying and maintaining an aircraft.
VistaJet also has a well-earned reputation for providing the highest level of onboard services. Thomas Flohr makes the importance of this clear in his statement on the VistaJet site, that writing the company offers “an unparalleled cabin experience flying into and out of the hardest-to-reach destinations. Simple, efficient, reliable, global: This is what we stand for, and what we do best.”
It’s a strategy that’s worked. Vista, the parent company of VistaJet, recently announced a record number of flight hours and double-digit growth across all markets in 2023.
In a statement about the year’s successes, Thomas Flohr said the company has become “a truly global and recognizable brand all around the world, thanks to the 20 years in which we have delivered an unmatched service to our clients.
“We are well placed to further increase our market share over the next two decades,” Flohr added. “Our long tenure in this industry means we can anticipate and understand what global business leaders want when it comes to global travel.”
Yet, even as Thomas Flohr pilots VistaJet to new heights, he navigates through unexpected headwinds. A notable challenge has emerged from a legal dispute presented in the London High Court, where Flohr has raised concerns against a rival company and a financier. He claims they’ve improperly shared confidential information, complicating the landscape of private aviation. This situation, while distinctive, underscores the complexities and competitive nature inherent to the industry.
VistaJet Offers a Consistent Experience for Business Travelers
Thomas Flohr frequently emphasizes consistency and quality when talking about VistaJet. This includes everything from the understated exterior of the silver and red aircraft to the cabin layout and level of service provided.
In the early Numbers, Flohr learned about the inconsistency of service in the private jet charter business while using these services. He founded VistaJet with the intention of addressing this issue in an interview with Forbes.
“What really struck me was the inconsistency of what you’re getting when you arrive at the airport, and you don’t even know what you get because you booked a plane and then one that shows up doesn’t look like what was in the pictures,” Flohr said.
“If you compare this to any other experience in that price category, there are global brands, there is consistency, there is customer expectation, and it seems to be that in this industry, it’s whatever’s there — and it doesn’t always match what you were promised.”
Thomas Flohr wanted VistaJet to change that. He focused on giving clients a financially attractive alternative to jet ownership, as well as a global brand with consistent service. He also wanted to offer amenities above and beyond his competitors.
Business Services Clients Can Expect from VistaJet
Asked by the Times about celebrity travel on VistaJet, Thomas Flohr said, “That is an absolute smallest fraction of our business.” Although celebrities such as Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Mariah Carey, Angelina Jolie, and most recently, Taylor Swift have reportedly flown on VistaJet — something the company will not confirm, owing to its tight privacy and security policy — he said businesses make up the bulk of the company’s clients, as face-to-face meetings remain critical to success in a global marketplace.
Flohr said VistaJet not only “accelerates a company’s decision to get rid of that private jet,” which is a costly venture, but also makes use of one of a company’s biggest assets. “The time of the executives is the most valuable thing big corporations have,” Thomas Flohr told The Times.
VistaJet strives to maximize that time while in the air. VistaJet planes are equipped with cabins that function as mobile business suites, providing privacy and flexibility to be configured into various work layouts for different scenarios. Executives have access to the fastest Wi-Fi available for jet aircraft.
VistaJet also offers private dining for business travelers and their guests. Chefs from around the world created the menu, which changes on a regular basis and can be customized ahead of time for specific tastes and dietary needs.
Another distinguishing characteristic of VistaJet is the cabin team. Recruited from more than 60 different nations, they provide the attention and care that allow business travelers to focus on the work at hand. The cabin hosts have all been trained by the British Butler Institute, Norland College, and Wine & Spirit Education Trust. MedAire trains them in pet first aid, a first in the industry.
Luxury Services Offered by Thomas Flohr and VistaJet
Beyond the business services and cabin team, VistaJet also offers luxury services for corporate travelers. In addition to the private dining that features a seasonal menu, travelers also can enjoy a wine list comprising bottles selected based on how the vino tastes at high altitudes.
VistaJet also offers a book library in each of its aircraft created by experts at Heywood Hill a Royal Warrant boutique bookshop in Mayfair, London. Readers consider a variety of tastes and time frames for each aircraft when choosing books.
While these might come as a surprise for business travelers unaccustomed to such a level of service, Thomas Flohr said the investment in these services is central to creating a good business environment. It’s also a strategy that has won the company accolades, including earning the Best of the Best in the aviation category for 2023 from Robb Report Hong Kong and Best AOC Charter Operator from the Asian Business Aviation Association for the fifth year in a row.
That doesn’t come as a surprise to people who have paid attention to Thomas Flohr and VistaJet. As a person who has worked closely with Flohr told Forbes, “Thomas is the smartest person in the room. He’s operating a dozen steps ahead of other people, and he doesn’t necessarily show his cards. The model he created with VistaJet is truly disruptive.”
