Reflecting industry trends that business jet travel has fully returned to pre-pandemic levels, Planet Nine, (Planet 9) the US private charter operator and aircraft management company, is pleased to add two high-specification Gulfstream IVs (N1904W and N305PB) to its Part 135 AOC. The latest arrivals boost the number of Gulfstream family aircraft models in its fleet to seven. Planet 9 has also taken on eight additional Gulfstream GIV pilots.
Both aircraft will be based out of Planet 9’s Van Nuys, California home, each offering a non-stop flying time of nine hours, with a 4,200nm / 7,815km range and featuring comfortable, elegant cabins, configured for 13 passengers in a versatile layout to work, dine and relax. Up to six passengers can be accommodated in lie flat sleeping. Onboard Wi-Fi is by Gogo. Both aircraft have generous galleys for food preparation, plus two lavatories.
Demand for North America charter
“We are pleased to be expanding with this popular fleet type. This long-range aircraft is especially good to service domestic travel requirements within the US,” commented Planet 9 Cofounder and Director Matt Walter.
This Easter and into the summer, Planet 9 is seeing more demand for North America, for example – with a lot of requests for charter flights to Hawaii, Mexico, Florida and the Caribbean. “Europe has notably dropped off a little and that was a trend we were hearing at last week’s Schedulers and Dispatchers gathering,” he acknowledged.
Matt Walter and James Seagrim, Director of Operations are pleased with how the business has advanced in aircraft management as it approaches its fourth anniversary. “Our team has worked admirably to build our reputation for reliability, focusing on customer care and service and we are proud to be attracting new owners as a boutique provider in the ultra long-haul business jet market. The referrals we get are usually word of mouth – from existing owners, or client endorsement. Our floating fleet business model is popular with clients and owners, equally, meaning we can respond to international charter demand more swiftly.”
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