Key Takeaway:
- JetSmarter was a mobile app for booking private jet flights, founded in 2012 by Sergey Petrossov.
- It no longer operates as its own brand. Vista Global bought it in 2019 and combined it with XOJET under the name XO.
- Today, jetsmarter.com leads to XO's private jet marketplace.
JetSmarter is a name many travelers still search for, but the company it describes no longer exists in its original form. This page explains what JetSmarter was, how it worked, what happened to it, and what the name points to today.
Definition of JetSmarter
JetSmarter was a corporation and mobile app for private jet users, headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The app connected members to available aircraft and routes in the United States, Europe and the Middle East. It was often described in the press as an "Uber for private jets."
Background and History of JetSmarter
- 2012. Sergey Petrossov founded JetSmarter. A beta version was tested with a closed group of private aviation users in August 2012.
- March 2013. The app launched to the public on iOS and Android.
- 2015 to 2016. JetSmarter announced a European headquarters in Zurich in June 2015 and launched flights within Europe in early 2016.
- 2016. Petrossov was named to Forbes' "30 Under 30" list.
- May 2018. The company said it had eliminated free shuttles and, for new members, free flights under three hours.
- January 2019. CNBC aired an investigative report saying JetSmarter faced lawsuits and losses.
- April 2019. Vista Global, the Dubai-based parent of VistaJet and XOJET, agreed to acquire JetSmarter.
- June 2019. Vista Global combined JetSmarter with XOJET and rebranded the combined business as XO, powered by JetSmarter technology.
What is JetSmarter?
Today, the short answer is that JetSmarter is a former brand. The jetsmarter.com address now serves XO, which describes itself as a private jet marketplace. XO's site states that XO Global LLC is an air charter broker that does not own or operate aircraft, and that its flights are operated by licensed carriers.
When people talk about JetSmarter, they usually mean the membership app as it ran from 2013 to 2019.
How JetSmarter Works
The app let members search and book private flights from a phone. JetSmarter did not fly the aircraft itself. It partnered with charter operators across the industry, and in 2018 it said a fleet of JetSmarter-branded aircraft would be managed and operated by Jet Edge, a Part 135 operator.
JetSmarter Features and Services
According to the company's own claims at the time, members had access to 3,000 private jets and about 2,000 free empty-leg flights per month. JetSmarter also offered flight sharing, so members could take seats on a flight rather than charter the whole aircraft, and it added helicopter transfers in select cities.
Pricing and Costs
JetSmarter sold access through paid membership, and its terms changed over time. The 2018 changes removed some of the free flying that early members had. Because the brand has been folded into XO, past JetSmarter membership prices do not describe anything you can buy today. Check current pricing directly with whichever provider you are considering.
JetSmarter vs helicopter-based services: understanding the difference
JetSmarter was built around jets and longer trips. In a dense city like New York, the slowest part of many journeys is the ground transfer, not the flight. BLADE focuses on that problem: scheduled helicopter flights between Manhattan and JFK or Newark take about 5 minutes and start from $195 per seat. BLADE is an air charter broker, and every US flight it arranges is operated by a DOT/FAA licensed direct air carrier.
Review and User Experience
JetSmarter drew both strong interest and criticism. Its growth and funding made headlines, and so did problems. In 2017, The Verge reported that JetSmarter's management offered reporters free flights if an article was published within five days. In 2019, CNBC's investigation focused on lawsuits and losses. Any first-hand reviews of the app describe a service that ended with the 2019 merger.
Market Position and Funding
According to Business Insider and TechCrunch, JetSmarter raised $20 million from investors including the Saudi royal family, Jay-Z, entrepreneur Wayne Chang and Goldman Sachs Alternatives. In December 2016, it announced a further $105 million at a $1.6 billion valuation. In 2017, it was valued at $1.5 billion, with backing from Clearlake Capital and Jefferies Financial Group.
After the acquisition, Petrossov served as President of XO and Chief Growth & Digital Officer of Vista Global.
FAQs about What Is Jetsmarter
What is JetSmarter?
JetSmarter was a mobile app for booking private jet flights, founded in 2012 and based in Fort Lauderdale. It became part of XO after Vista Global acquired it in 2019.
Does JetSmarter still exist?
Not as its own brand. Vista Global combined JetSmarter with XOJET in June 2019 and renamed the business XO. The jetsmarter.com address now leads to XO.
Who is Sergey Petrossov?
He is the entrepreneur who founded JetSmarter. Wikipedia reports that he was inspired after his first private flight in 2009, when he found the booking process difficult and outdated. He later held executive roles at XO and Vista Global.
How was JetSmarter funded?
Through venture rounds, including $20 million from investors such as the Saudi royal family and Jay-Z, and a $105 million round in December 2016 at a $1.6 billion valuation.
When did the JetSmarter app launch?
In March 2013, on iOS and Android, after a closed beta in August 2012.