OpenAir
OpenAir is a Maryland-based private air charter operator providing on-demand Cirrus SR22 regional charter, flight training, aircraft sales, management, and emergency transport, primarily serving business and leisure travelers within a 500-mile radius across the United States.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersGaithersburg, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What OpenAir does
OpenAir (legal name: Fly OpenAir) is a private air charter operator and flight training provider headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland, with a secondary training facility in Leesburg, Virginia. The company's core offering is on-demand regional private air charter using a fleet of Cirrus SR22 GTS aircraft (2015 or newer), targeting business and leisure travelers seeking an alternative to commercial regional flights within a 500-mile radius. OpenAir positions itself as a mid-market charter alternative, emphasizing no federal excise taxes on SR22 charters, no fuel surcharges, and access to more than 3,000 US public airports. Prepaid block-time packages (Premier at $15,000 for 5% off; Elite at $30,000 for 10% off) overlay a $675 per flight hour list rate and can be shared across family or company employees.
The fleet is standardized on the Cirrus SR22 GTS platform, which seats up to three passengers plus a pilot and is equipped with the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS), satellite weather, terrain and traffic awareness, anti-ice systems, and a leather interior with AC outlets. OpenAir states it hires only FAA commercial pilots with over 1,200 flight hours. Distribution is sales-led via 24/7 phone dispatch and a JetInsight-powered online booking embed, with marketing executed through the company website, Facebook, X, and email. The company is a Cirrus Platinum Partner, an NBAA member, and a 2018 AOPA Flight Training Experience Award recipient.
Beyond charter, OpenAir operates several ancillary revenue lines: flight training programs (Private through CFI certifications across two locations), aircraft sales and acquisition advisory, fleet management for corporate or individual owners, door-to-door ground transportation via Enterprise Rent-a-Car and private limousine partners, and emergency medical and cargo transport supported by FAA-certified hazardous-materials handling. The company holds a rare authorization to operate into Reagan National Airport (DCA), originally secured in 2015 following collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security, giving DC-area clients direct access to the US Capitol, White House, Pentagon, and K Street. OpenAir is independently owned, with no disclosed parent company, institutional investors, or venture backing.
OpenAir firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- OpenAir
- Legal name
- Fly OpenAir
- Website
- https://flyopenair.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- OpenAir is a Maryland-based private air charter operator providing on-demand Cirrus SR22 regional charter, flight training, aircraft sales, management, and emergency transport, primarily serving business and leisure travelers within a 500-mile radius across the United States.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
OpenAir industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Private Air Charter Services
- NAICS
- Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation (481211), Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation (481212), Nonscheduled Air Transportation (4812), Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation (481219), Flight Training (611512)
- SIC
- Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Business Jet Charter (On-Demand) (THABAFAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Emergency, Evacuation & Repatriation Charter Operators (THABADAH), Air Medical Transport (Helicopter/Fixed-Wing) (HLAFANAD)
Keywords
Where OpenAir is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Gaithersburg
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
OpenAir business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Block Time Charter Packages: Prepaid block time packages (Premier at $15,000 and Elite at $30,000) providing discounted hourly rates with 5-10% savings. Customers purchase flight hours upfront and use as needed.
- Hourly Charter Rates: Standard hourly charter rate of $675 per flight hour for Cirrus SR22 aircraft. No federal excise taxes apply.
- Flight Training Services: Comprehensive flight training programs including Private, Instrument, Tailwheel, Acrobatic, Commercial Pilot, and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certifications. Programs available at Leesburg VA and Gaithersburg MD locations.
- Aircraft Sales and Acquisition: Full-service aircraft sales team assisting buyers with new and pre-owned aircraft selection, market analysis, legal acquisition process, financing advice, and pre-purchase inspections.
- Aircraft Management Services: Comprehensive aircraft management for corporations and individuals including administrative, regulatory, and operational management of corporate fleets or owned aircraft.
- Door-to-Door Transportation: Arrangement of private limousine service and car rentals (via Enterprise) for ground transportation to and from flights.
- Emergency Medical and Cargo Transport: Emergency cargo and medical transport services, including hazardous material transport capability, available 24/7 with rapid response (airborne within one hour of call).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Premier Package - 5% discount |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Elite Package - 10% discount |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Hourly Rate |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
OpenAir product offering
Product offeringCore offering
OpenAir is a private air carrier operating under the brand Fly OpenAir that sells on-demand regional air charter service using a fleet of Cirrus SR-22 GTS aircraft, providing point-to-point flights to more than 3,000 U.S. public airports within a typical 500-mile radius. The company complements charter flights with prepaid block time packages, door-to-door ground transportation coordination, aircraft sales and acquisition advisory, aircraft management for owners, FAA-certified hazardous material and emergency medical/cargo transport, and certified flight training at locations in Gaithersburg, MD and Leesburg, VA.
Product overview
OpenAir is an air carrier operating under the Fly Open Air brand that offers personal air service as an alternative to conventional airlines and traditional charter. The core offering consists of on-demand private charter flights using a fleet of Cirrus SR-22 GTS aircraft (2015 or newer), with add-on Block Time Packages that provide discounted hourly rates and priority access. Supporting services include Door-to-Door ground transportation coordination, Aircraft Sales and Acquisitions advisory, Aircraft Management Solutions for owners, Emergency Medical and Cargo Transport (including FAA-certified hazardous material transport), and Flight Training Programs at two locations. The company primarily serves business and leisure travelers within a 500-mile regional radius across the United States, and also holds authorization to operate into Reagan National Airport (DCA) under special security arrangements.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- OpenAir Charter Service On-demand private air charter using Cirrus SR22 GTS aircraft, providing point-to-point regional travel typically within a 500-mile radius across more than 3,000 U.S. public airports. Targets business and leisure travelers seeking convenience, pet-friendly accommodations, no security lines, and quick turnaround (15 minutes from parking to takeoff). Bookable via 24/7 phone dispatch and JetInsight online platform.
- Aircraft Sales and Acquisition Full-service aircraft buying and selling advisory for corporations and individuals, covering market analysis, legal process management, financing guidance, pre-purchase inspections, and documentation audits for new and pre-owned aircraft.
- Aircraft Management Solutions Customized aircraft management covering administrative, regulatory, and operational complexities for corporate fleets and individual aircraft owners, with optional charter revenue generation through OpenAir's client network when the aircraft is idle.
- Emergency Medical and Cargo Transport 24/7 emergency air transport for medical supplies, organs, urgent cargo, and hazardous materials, with FAA-certified hazmat capability and rapid airborne response (within approximately one hour of request) for time-sensitive shipments in the DC region.
- Flight Training Programs Comprehensive FAA flight training at Leesburg, VA and Gaithersburg, MD covering Private Pilot, Instrument, Tailwheel, Acrobatic, Commercial Pilot, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), and career-pathway programs, using Cirrus SR22 and Super Decathlon aircraft, recognized with a 2018 AOPA Flight Training Experience Award.
Quantifiable outcome
- Saves 6 hours per round trip compared to regional airline travel
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use OpenAir
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
OpenAir technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
OpenAir partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Department of Homeland SecuritycoreFollowing months of collaboration with Department of Homeland Security, OpenAir received authorization to conduct flights into and out of Reagan National Airport (DCA). This rare authorization enables private charter service minutes from US Capitol, White House, Pentagon, and K Street offices.
- Cirrus AircraftcoreCirrus Platinum Partner status. OpenAir operates a fleet of Cirrus SR22 GTS aircraft and provides Cirrus Approach flight training. The partnership provides access to newest Cirrus aircraft with advanced technology including CAPS safety system.
- NBAA (National Business Aviation Association)coreOpenAir is a member of NBAA, demonstrating compliance with industry standards and best practices for business aviation operations.
- Enterprise Rent-a-CarminorSpecial pricing arrangements for car rentals to complement OpenAir's door-to-door transportation services. Customers can access Enterprise discounts for ground transportation needs.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
OpenAir competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Linear Air: On-demand air taxi operator using Cirrus aircraft for regional point-to-point flights; closely mirrors OpenAir's SR22-based charter model and customer value proposition of avoiding commercial airline hassles.
- Hopscotch Air: Northeast US air taxi operating Cirrus SR22 aircraft for on-demand regional charter; near-identical fleet profile and customer use cases to OpenAir and a direct competitor for regional private aviation customers.
- Surf Air: Membership-based private air travel service offering unlimited flights for a monthly fee; serves a similar small-aircraft, regional traveler base with a subscription commercial model paralleling OpenAir's block time packages.
- Set Jet: Subscription-based private jet service offering members access to light jets for scheduled routes; competes with OpenAir for price-sensitive private travelers seeking alternatives to commercial flights.
- PlaneSense: Fractional ownership and charter program operating Pilatus PC-12 and PC-24 aircraft; comparable on-demand private aviation model with shared-usage programs analogous to OpenAir's block time packages.
Broad incumbents
- NetJets: Largest fractional ownership operator globally, owned by Berkshire Hathaway; offers shared ownership and on-demand charter across a wide aircraft range; represents the high-end incumbent OpenAir's premium customers may otherwise consider.
- Wheels Up: Large private aviation membership and charter company offering fleet access across multiple aircraft types; broader portfolio with significantly more capital and fleet scale than OpenAir but overlapping customer base.
- XOJET / Vista America: Part of Vista Global, offering on-demand private jet charter and membership programs across light, midsize, and super-midsize jets; competes with OpenAir in the on-demand charter segment but at a larger fleet and price-point scale.
Emerging players
- JSX: Semi-private air service operating Embraer regional jets on scheduled point-to-point routes; competes for the same regional business and leisure traveler seeking commercial-airline alternatives with greater convenience.
- Blade: Technology-driven urban air mobility and private charter platform offering on-demand and scheduled flights; competes for premium leisure and business travelers prioritizing convenience and digital booking experiences.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
OpenAir social profiles
Digital presenceOpenAir financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
OpenAir leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
OpenAir funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
OpenAir 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 OpenAir
What does OpenAir do?
OpenAir is a private air carrier operating under the brand Fly OpenAir that sells on-demand regional air charter service using a fleet of Cirrus SR-22 GTS aircraft, providing point-to-point flights to more than 3,000 U.S. public airports within a typical 500-mile radius. The company complements charter flights with prepaid block time packages, door-to-door ground transportation coordination, aircraft sales and acquisition advisory, aircraft management for owners, FAA-certified hazardous material and emergency medical/cargo transport, and certified flight training at locations in Gaithersburg, MD and Leesburg, VA.
Is OpenAir a public or private company?
OpenAir is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was OpenAir founded?
OpenAir was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is OpenAir based?
OpenAir is headquartered in Gaithersburg, United States, in the North America region.
How does OpenAir make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Block Time Charter Packages are the primary driver. The others are hourly Charter Rates, flight Training Services, aircraft Sales and Acquisition, aircraft Management Services, door-to-Door Transportation and emergency Medical and Cargo Transport.
Who are OpenAir's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Linear Air, Hopscotch Air, Surf Air, Set Jet and PlaneSense. Broad incumbents are NetJets, Wheels Up and XOJET / Vista America. Emerging players are JSX and Blade.
Does OpenAir have an API?
No public API is recorded for OpenAir.
What industry is OpenAir in?
OpenAir's product category is Private Air Charter Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THABAFAA, Business Jet Charter (On-Demand), with a secondary code of THABADAH, Emergency, Evacuation & Repatriation Charter Operators. Its NAICS code is 481211 and its SIC code is 4522.