Aero
Aero is a US-based semi-private jet airline offering by-the-seat scheduled flights, private charter, and AeroShare group services from private FBO terminals to affluent leisure and corporate travelers, using a fleet of ERJ-135, Legacy 600, and Gulfstream IV-SP aircraft.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Aero does
Aero (Aero Technologies, Inc., founded 2019) is a US-based semi-private jet airline that operates scheduled by-the-seat flights, on-demand private charter, and a group charter-splitting product called AeroShare. The company serves affluent leisure travelers, corporate groups, and event-driven travelers seeking an experience positioned between first-class commercial fares ($1,000-$3,000) and full private charter costs ($20,000-$30,000). Service runs from private FBO terminals — most prominently Van Nuys (VNY) in Los Angeles as the flagship hub — to leisure destinations including Aspen, New York City, Los Cabos, Maui, East Hampton, Miami, Napa Valley, Sun Valley, Palm Springs, Las Vegas, and Park City.
The fleet comprises custom-configured Embraer ERJ-135 aircraft (16 seats in a 1x1 layout with oversized Italian leather seats and dynamic mood lighting), Embraer Legacy 600 (up to 13 seats, club-style executive), and Gulfstream IV-SP long-range jets (12 seats with Starlink WiFi). The technology stack includes the Polaris Aero VOCUS safety management system, GE FOQA flight-operations analytics, IS-BAO and ARGUS Platinum safety certifications (top 5% of global operators), FAA Part 135 and Part 380 authorizations, and a specialty FAA-approved Aspen approach authorization. Aero does not develop proprietary AI or software platforms; its custom asset is the operational, hospitality, and regulatory combination rather than a technology product.
Aero makes money through a 55/45 split between by-the-seat scheduled revenue (transaction fees on individual seat sales across published routes) and private charter revenue (on-demand jet bookings outside the route map), supplemented by commission-based travel-advisor bookings, group-travel sales, and co-marketed luxury hotel travel packages with brands including Four Seasons, Waldorf Astoria, Aman, Faena, Fontainebleau, Hotel Jerome, Stein Eriksen, Auberge Resorts, and Inspirato. Distribution is hybrid: direct-to-consumer via aero.com and a 24/7 concierge team, channel partners (travel advisors earning commissions), and group/corporate sales. Per-seat pricing varies materially by route and fare class (Select, Latitude, non-refundable), with ancillary pet fees and cancellation-fee schedules as additional revenue levers. The company is privately held, venture-backed (Expa, AlbaCore Capital, Keyframe Capital, Capital One Ventures, Notable Capital, Cyrus Capital), and operates its flights through a wholly-owned FAA-certified subsidiary, USAC Airways 695 LLC.
Aero firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Aero
- Legal name
- Aero Technologies, Inc.
- Website
- https://aero.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Aero is a US-based semi-private jet airline offering by-the-seat scheduled flights, private charter, and AeroShare group services from private FBO terminals to affluent leisure and corporate travelers, using a fleet of ERJ-135, Legacy 600, and Gulfstream IV-SP aircraft.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Aero industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Semi-Private Aviation Services
- NAICS
- Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation (481211), Scheduled Air Transportation (48111), Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation (481219)
- SIC
- Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522), Air Transportation, Scheduled (4512)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Business Jet Charter (On-Demand) (THABAFAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- On-Demand Scheduled Commuter (Part 135/Small Aircraft Scheduled) (THABACAN), Private Jet Charter (Midsize/Super-Midsize/Heavy Jet) (TLAFABAB)
Keywords
Where Aero is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices12 records
Markets served
Aero business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- By-the-seat scheduled flights: Revenue from selling individual seats on scheduled semi-private routes between private terminals. Represents 55% of total revenue. Routes include LA-Aspen, LA-Los Cabos, LA-NYC, LA-Maui, and seasonal routes to East Hampton, Sun Valley, Napa, Palm Springs, and Miami.
- Private charter services: Revenue from on-demand private jet charters serving destinations outside scheduled routes. Represents 45% of total revenue. Charters available on Embraer ERJ-135, Legacy 600, and Gulfstream IV-SP aircraft.
- AeroShare: First-of-its-kind charter splitting service where organizers pre-finance jets and sell tickets to guests. Creates revenue from charter margins while enabling group travel experiences for corporate retreats, celebrations, and events.
- Travel packages with hotel partners: Bundled offerings combining Aero flights with luxury hotel stays at partner properties including Four Seasons, Waldorf Astoria, Aman, Faena, Fontainebleau, and others, creating additional revenue through hotel partnerships.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | LA to East Hampton summer route |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Miami routes launching Fall 2026 |
| Per seat | Pay-as-you-go | Aero Select Fare |
| Per seat | Pay-as-you-go | Aero Latitude Fare |
| Per seat | Pay-as-you-go | Non-Refundable Fare |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Cancellation policy - 21+ days |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Cancellation policy - 21-72 hours |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Cancellation policy - 72-12 hours |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pet travel - carrier pets |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels6 records
Aero product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Aero operates a semi-private jet airline that sells scheduled by-the-seat flights between private FBO terminals to leisure destinations such as Aspen, Los Cabos, NYC, Maui, and Miami, alongside on-demand private jet charter services and AeroShare group charter-splitting. The company bridges the gap between first-class commercial fares and full private jet charter by offering private terminal convenience, 20-minute check-in, custom-configured Embraer ERJ-135 and Gulfstream IV-SP aircraft, Starlink Wi-Fi, and curated in-flight hospitality.
Product overview
Aero is a semi-private jet airline offering a three-tier service model: (1) By The Seat scheduled flights on Embraer ERJ-135, Legacy 600, and Gulfstream IV-SP aircraft between private terminals; (2) Private Charter for on-demand flights anywhere; and (3) AeroShare™ for group charter ticket sales. The company also offers add-on services including Travel Packages with luxury hotel partners (Faena, Waldorf Astoria, Aman, Four Seasons, etc.), Travel Advisor Partnerships with commission programs, and Group Travel services. Fleet consists of Embraer ERJ-135 (16 seats), Legacy 600 (up to 13 seats), and Gulfstream IV-SP (12 seats) aircraft, serving destinations including Aspen, Los Angeles, New York, Los Cabos, Sun Valley, Maui, Miami, Napa Valley, East Hampton, Las Vegas, and Palm Springs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- By The Seat Scheduled Semi-Private Flights Scheduled by-the-seat flights to leisure destinations including Aspen, Los Cabos, Sun Valley, Maui, Miami, New York, East Hampton, Napa Valley, Las Vegas, and Palm Springs. Passengers travel from private FBO terminals, check in 20 minutes before departure, and enjoy Italian leather seats, open bar, and in-flight dining featuring partners like Erewhon.
- Private Charter On-demand private jet charter service allowing customers to fly anywhere, anytime using Gulfstream IV-SP, Embraer Legacy 600, or Embraer ERJ-135 aircraft. Offers flexibility for company retreats, milestone celebrations, sporting events, music tours, and weddings.
- AeroShare™ First-of-its-kind solution allowing customers to pre-finance a charter and sell tickets to guests for milestone celebrations, corporate retreats, golf outings, and cultural events. Aero facilitates guest booking and provides concierge support.
- Travel Packages Combined flight and resort stay packages with exclusive perks. Partners include Faena New York, Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos, Aman New York, Hotel Jerome, Inspirato, Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, Fontainebleau Las Vegas, Meadowood, Solage, Stanly Ranch, Stein Eriksen Lodge, and Parker Palm Springs.
- Group Travel Group booking service with reduced fares and dedicated support for parties of 7+ guests traveling together. Aero handles logistics so groups can focus on destination, with private terminal access and complimentary amenities.
- Embraer ERJ-135 Aircraft Service
- Embraer Legacy 600 Aircraft Service
- Gulfstream IV-SP Aircraft Service
Quantifiable outcome
- Saves significant time through 20-minute check-in vs. 2+ hours at commercial terminals
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Aero
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Aero technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature5 records
Aero partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Four Seasons Resort Maui at WaileaflagshipExclusive partnership launching effortless semi-private travel experience between Los Angeles and Maui. Features preferred pricing on Aero flights and best available rates at the resort, targeting affluent travelers seeking seamless Hawaii vacations.
- Four Seasons Los Cabos at Costa PalmascoreExclusive jet service partnership providing seamless luxury travel to Los Cabos resort. Combines Aero flights with resort accommodations for complete vacation experience.
- Waldorf Astoria HotelscoreMultiple property partnerships including Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal (#1 Resort in Los Cabos per Travel + Leisure), Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, and Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos. Offers preferred pricing on Aero flights and hotel stays.
- Aman HotelscorePartnership with Aman New York providing travel packages to this discreet Manhattan oasis. Aero flights combined with Aman hospitality for NYC luxury stays.
- Faena HotelscorePartnership with Faena New York along Manhattan's High Line. Includes preferred Aero flight pricing, complimentary valet at Van Nuys, $100 credit toward Food, Beverage & Spa, and preferred hotel rates.
- Fontainebleau Las VegascoreTravel package partnership with Fontainebleau Las Vegas, newest resort on the Strip. Modern hospitality merged with timeless design and endless entertainment.
- InspiratocorePartnership with premier luxury travel club. Elevate journeys with exclusive travel perks for Inspirato members accessing Aero flights.
- Hotel JeromecoreTravel package partner - Aspen landmark and one of the first Michelin Key Recipients nationwide. Ski-in/ski-out access and luxury alpine hospitality.
- Meadowood Napa ValleycoreMichelin Three Key awarded property. Fixture of northern wine country community nestled in St. Helena woodlands. Complimentary Mercedes-Benz for vineyard touring.
- Solage (Auberge Resorts Collection)coreCrown jewel of Napa Valley's wellness scene. Wine country getaway with spa and culinary experiences.
- Stanly Ranch (Auberge Resorts Collection)coreNext-generation retreat in heart of Napa. Complimentary Mercedes-Benz for countryside touring of neighboring vineyards.
- Stein Eriksen LodgecoreBest Ski Hotel 2024 by World Ski Awards. Luxurious alpine resort with European charm in Park City.
- Parker Palm SpringscoreTravel package partner - Channel Hollywood stars of yesteryear at this storied desert oasis in Greater Palm Springs area.
- BLADEminorPartnership for jetside transfer via BLADE from NYC to East Hampton. Combined single-ticket service replacing need for separately booked commercial flights, helicopters, or car rides.
- Polaris AerocorePartnership utilizing Polaris Aero's VOCUS platform - one of the industry's most innovative and robust Safety Management Systems. Powers Aero's organization-wide approach to identifying and proactively managing potential risks.
- General ElectriccorePartnership for Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA). GE tracks, analyzes, and trends key operational and safety metrics for all flights, with data wirelessly downloaded moments after landing.
- British Butler InstitutecoreStaff training partner for host and in-flight teams. Delivers world-class hospitality training throughout the journey for charter and AeroShare experiences.
- FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)coreRegulatory oversight. Aero operates under Part 135 and Part 380 regulations. FAA-approved Aspen training program. One of few carriers authorized for special Aspen approach.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Aero competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- JSX: Closest direct competitor operating by-the-seat scheduled semi-private flights between private terminals using small regional jets (ERJ-135/145). Same target affluent customer, similar D2C + travel advisor model, parallel FBO-based experience—true head-to-head competitor in the semi-private segment.
- Surf Air: Membership/subscription-based semi-private airline serving West Coast and select regional routes with per-flight pricing. Directly competes for the same by-the-seat semi-private customer base, especially in California where both companies have historically overlapped.
- BLADE: Tech-enabled private aviation platform offering by-the-seat scheduled flights, charter, and urban helicopter services. Aero's partner for East Hampton jetside transfer but also competes for private aviation customers in shared/charter segment, particularly on East Coast and urban routes.
- FlyExclusive: Private jet operator running a fractional/share model and growing into scheduled semi-private service with proprietary fleet and Part 135 operations. Increasingly direct competitor to Aero on shared-flight scheduled routes in select markets.
Broad incumbents
- Wheels Up: Membership-based private aviation company offering shared flights, charter, aircraft management, and jet cards. Broader portfolio than Aero's semi-private focus but overlapping affluent customer base; industry bellwether for shared private aviation (post-Chapter 11 emergence in 2023).
- NetJets: Berkshire Hathaway-owned leader in fractional jet ownership, the largest player in private aviation. Competes for ultra-high-net-worth customers with much broader fleet and deeper capital base; relevant scale benchmark for Aero's aspirational customer.
- Flexjet: Fractional jet ownership provider serving affluent flyers with shared and whole-aircraft options across multiple fleet types. Comparable customer profile to Aero's private aviation market with broader service portfolio.
- VistaJet: Global private aviation company offering subscription-style Programs with guaranteed access to mid/large jets for international and domestic corporate and HNW travel. Competes for the highest-end charter customers and provides a global benchmark.
- XO (Vista Global): Tech-enabled private aviation company offering shared seats, on-demand charter, and jet cards under the Vista Global umbrella. Direct overlap with Aero's on-demand charter and shared-flight offerings, especially in tech-savvy affluent segments.
Emerging players
- Set Jet: Membership-based semi-private airline offering scheduled routes between secondary cities and underserved leisure destinations. Smaller scale but addresses same semi-private market gap with overlapping customer profile to Aero's luxury leisure traveler.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Aero social profiles
Digital presenceAero compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance8 records
Aero financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Aero leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Aero subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Aero funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds6 records
Investors6 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Aero M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Aero
What does Aero do?
Aero operates a semi-private jet airline that sells scheduled by-the-seat flights between private FBO terminals to leisure destinations such as Aspen, Los Cabos, NYC, Maui, and Miami, alongside on-demand private jet charter services and AeroShare group charter-splitting. The company bridges the gap between first-class commercial fares and full private jet charter by offering private terminal convenience, 20-minute check-in, custom-configured Embraer ERJ-135 and Gulfstream IV-SP aircraft, Starlink Wi-Fi, and curated in-flight hospitality.
Is Aero a public or private company?
Aero is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Aero founded?
Aero was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Aero based?
Aero is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Aero make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. By-the-seat scheduled flights are the primary driver. The others are private charter services, aeroShare and travel packages with hotel partners.
Who are Aero's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are JSX, Surf Air, BLADE and FlyExclusive. Broad incumbents are Wheels Up, NetJets, Flexjet, VistaJet and XO (Vista Global). Set Jet is listed as an emerging player.
Does Aero have an API?
No public API is recorded for Aero.
What industry is Aero in?
Aero's product category is Semi-Private Aviation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THABAFAA, Business Jet Charter (On-Demand), with a secondary code of THABACAN, On-Demand Scheduled Commuter (Part 135/Small Aircraft Scheduled). Its NAICS code is 481211 and its SIC code is 4522.