What Stratos Jet Charters does

Stratos Jet Charters, Inc. is an Orlando, Florida-based private aviation company founded in 2007 that operates as an asset-light charter broker connecting clients with a network of 2,500+ FAA Part 135-certified aircraft operated by third-party carriers. The company does not own or operate aircraft; instead, it earns commissions by brokering on-demand charter flights priced between roughly $3,100/hour (turboprop) and $45,700/hour (Airbus A310) and by selling 12-month memberships (SOAR HIGHER at $8,500-$14,500, plus ClearSky) that lock in fixed hourly rates across five aircraft categories for subscribers. Its product stack is anchored by a proprietary FlightDeck platform with LiveQuote real-time quoting, integrated ARGUS CHEQ safety reporting, an iOS mobile app, and a FlightGuard program providing $50M in supplemental non-owned liability insurance.

The company serves a fragmented customer base spanning high-net-worth individuals, families, business executives, Fortune 500 corporate accounts needing supplemental lift, aircraft owners, and event-driven travelers (sports teams, entertainment groups, large groups, medical and cargo transport). Its go-to-market combines 24/7 phone-based sales with dedicated private flight advisors, digital marketing, referral programs, and event-driven campaigns around marquee events (The Masters, Super Bowl, NCAA Bowl Games, SXSW, PGA Championship). The retention profile is unusually strong for a transactional service: approximately 80% of charter flights are booked for repeat clients and their referrals, with a 4.9/5 average across 765 verified reviews.

In 2025, Stratos launched what it describes as the world's first private jet charter franchise program, extending its brand, proprietary technology, training, and operator network to third-party agency owners. The company holds ARGUS Certified Broker and Wyvern-approved designations, is BBB-accredited, an NBAA member, and partners with TerraPass and 4 Air for its Eco-Jet carbon offset program. Revenue model spans transaction-based brokerage commissions, recurring membership subscriptions, supplemental-lift managed services, and emerging franchise/licensing royalties. The company is privately held, founder-led by Joel Thomas, and operates with 11-50 employees without disclosed external funding.

Name

Stratos Jet Charters

Legal name

Stratos Jet Charters, Inc.

Website

https://stratosjets.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Stratos Jet Charters is an Orlando-based, asset-light private jet charter broker founded in 2007 that books 1,000+ annual flights through a 2,500+ aircraft network, serving high-net-worth individuals, corporate executives, and franchise operators via its FlightDeck platform and SOAR HIGHER membership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Jet Charter Brokerage

NAICS

Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation (481211)

SIC

Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)

akta.pro primary industry

Business Jet Charter (On-Demand) (THABAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Jet Card & Membership Programs (THABAFAB), Corporate & VIP Group Charter Operators (THABADAD)

Keywords

• Private jet charter
• Air charter brokerage
• Jet card membership
• Corporate aviation services
• Aircraft charter booking

Headquarters

HQ city

Orlando

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. On-Demand Charter Brokerage: Commission-based brokerage model brokering private jet charter flights between clients and air carriers. No ownership of aircraft; operates as agent for air charter services. Revenue derived from markups on hourly aircraft rates.
2. Private Jet Membership (SOAR HIGHER): 12-month membership programs ($8,500-$14,500 upfront) locking in fixed hourly rates across five aircraft categories. Members pay as they fly with no deposit required. Covers continental US, 220 miles of Canada/Mexico borders, and Bahamas.
3. Supplemental Lift Services: Services for aircraft owners needing additional flight capacity, providing supplemental lift without upfront fees, memberships, or commitments.
4. Franchise Program: Entrepreneurial franchise opportunity allowing individuals to build private jet charter agencies under the Stratos brand with proven business model, training, and technology access.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Stratos Jet Charters operates as a private jet charter broker connecting clients with an exclusive network of 2,500+ certified aircraft globally. Core services include on-demand charter booking, fixed-rate membership programs (SOAR HIGHER and ClearSky), FlightGuard supplemental insurance, and supporting offerings like cargo, medical, group, and empty-leg charter. The company does not own aircraft; it earns commissions on hourly rates and recurring membership fees.

Product overview

Stratos Jet Charters operates as a private jet charter broker offering a unified platform combining on-demand charter services with membership programs. The core offering is the On-Demand Jet Charter service, complemented by SOAR HIGHER and ClearSky membership programs that lock in fixed rates. The proprietary FlightDeck with LiveQuote™ platform delivers real-time quoting and booking capabilities. Additional services include aircraft fleet network access (2,500+ jets), FlightGuard™ insurance coverage, Eco-Jet carbon offset program, and business solutions including aircraft management, acquisition, sales, and financing. The company also offers a franchise opportunity for entrepreneurial ownership. Services are delivered through a proprietary technological platform with mobile app access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• On-Demand Jet Charter Flexible private jet charter service with no long-term contracts or pre-fly deposits required, available with as little as four hours' notice for business and individual travelers.
• SOAR HIGHER Membership 12-month membership program locking in fixed hourly rates across five aircraft categories (light, super-light, midsize, super-midsize, heavy jets) with no upfront deposit, flexible cancellations, and guaranteed aircraft availability. Coverage includes continental US, 220 miles of Canada/Mexico borders, and Bahamas.
• ClearSky Membership Private jet membership program offering predictable costs and supplemental lift for corporate aircraft needs with fixed-rate pricing structure.
• Large Group Charter Charter services for groups requiring larger aircraft capacity, including charter airliner category aircraft for sports teams, entertainment groups, and large coordinated travel.
• Cargo Charter Private jet charter services for cargo transportation, providing urgent and time-sensitive delivery options beyond commercial shipping capabilities.
• Medical Air Transport Emergency and non-emergency medical flight transportation services with specialized coordination for medical transport, evacuation, and critical care during flights.
• Empty Leg Charter Discounted one-way private jet flights when aircraft need to reposition, offering savings for travelers with flexible itineraries.
• Supplemental Lift Flexible on-demand charter flights for aircraft owners needing additional capacity without membership commitments, upfront fees, or long-term obligations.
• FlightGuard Risk-managed private aviation coverage providing $50 million non-owned liability insurance and mechanical recovery guarantees at no cost to clients.
• Aircraft Management Management services for private jet owners covering operational, maintenance, and administrative aspects of aircraft ownership.
• Aircraft Acquisition & Sales Brokerage services for buying and selling private aircraft, supporting clients through acquisition and disposition transactions.
• Aircraft Financing Financing solutions for aircraft purchases, supporting clients in funding private aircraft acquisitions.
• Stratos Jets Franchise Franchise opportunity enabling entrepreneurs to own a private jet charter agency with access to the company's booking platform, training, support, and established brand.
• Aircraft Fleet Network Access to a worldwide network of over 2,500 private jets across nine categories: turboprop, very light, light, super-light, mid-sized, super-midsize, heavy, ultra long-range, and charter airliner aircraft.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% of charter flights booked for repeat clients and their referrals
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.

• TerraPasscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2007Partnership initiated in spring 2007 to develop Eco-Jet program and carbon offset campaign. TerraPass provides comprehensive carbon reduction strategy enabling Stratos to offer the first carbon neutral private flights in the industry.
• 4 AircoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAviation-centric carbon offset partner offering more comprehensive experience for environmentally conscious flyers. Replaced/supplemented TerraPass partnership for enhanced sustainability offerings.
• ARGUS InternationalcoreTechnology or IntegrationARGUS CHEQ reporting integration for pre-flight safety verification of air carriers. Certification process includes commitment to best industry practices and safety regulations.
• WyverncoreTechnology or IntegrationSafety rating and approval process for air carrier network. Wyvern-approved status enhances credibility and safety assurance for clients.
• FranchiseesstrategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEntrepreneurial franchise partners building private jet charter agencies under Stratos brand. First franchise launched in 2025. Franchisees gain access to proprietary technology, training, and business model.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• FlyExclusive: US-based private jet operator and broker offering fractional, jet card, and on-demand charter. Comparable mix of membership and brokered charter, but with growing owned fleet versus Stratos' pure asset-light model.
• Jettly: Digital-first private jet charter marketplace with instant online booking. Comparable asset-light model but with more self-service product emphasis and less enterprise focus than Stratos.

Broad incumbents

• NetJets: Largest fractional jet ownership and jet card provider. Competes for the same HNW and corporate customers with deeper capital and owned fleet, but does not match Stratos' on-demand brokerage focus.
• VistaJet: Global business aviation company operating a uniform fleet with membership-based programs. Targets the same HNW/corporate segment but with owned silver-and-red fleet rather than broker model.
• Wheels Up: Membership-based private aviation company combining owned/leased fleet with brokered flights. Overlaps on jet card/membership products but operates a much larger vertically integrated platform.

Direct peers

• PrivateFly: Global on-demand private jet charter broker offering real-time online quoting and 24/7 flight advisors. Highly comparable asset-light brokerage model with similar enterprise and HNW customer focus.
• Chapman Freeborn: Global aircraft charter broker with private jet, group charter, and cargo capabilities serving corporate, sports, and government clients. Directly comparable broker model, scale, and customer mix.
• Paramount Business Jets: US-based private jet charter broker offering on-demand quoting, jet cards, and empty legs. Closely comparable asset-light brokerage model targeting similar corporate and leisure customers.
• Sentient Jet: Jet card membership program brokering private jet flights with fixed hourly rates and guaranteed availability. Direct overlap with Stratos' SOAR HIGHER/ClearSky membership offerings.
• Air Charter Service: Worldwide charter broker arranging private jets, group charters, and cargo across corporate and HNW segments. Closest direct peer in scope of services (charter, group, cargo) and asset-light broker model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/StratosJets
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Stratosjets
• Facebookfacebook.com/stratosjetcharters
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stratos-jets
• Instagraminstagram.com/stratosjets

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Stratos Jet Charters