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Stratos Jets Explains the Deceptive Business Practice of Phantom Aircraft Bidding

Tuesday, February 21st, 2012

A Lear 31A waits on the tarmac for its next charter flight.

A deceptive business practice, known as phantom aircraft bidding, has recently gained momentum with the increasingly-competitive atmosphere of the air charter market.  Phantom aircraft bidding occurs when a charter broker offers a firm quote on an aircraft that does not actually exist in the charter market.  These quotes, which are not based on actual aircraft avialability, are well-below fair market value.  This paints an inaccurate picture of the charter market and creates unreasonable pricing expectations in the minds of consumers.

What is phantom aircraft bidding?

         As we stated earlier, phantom aircraft bidding occurs when a charter jet broker offers a quote on a non-existent aircraft.  These charter brokers will typically try to lure you into a sale with a seemingly-great deal.  Once the charter broker has procured a contract with a client, he or she will attempt to find an aircraft operator willing to settle for the agreed price.  If the charter broker is unsuccessful in finding an aircraft, he or she will then tell the client that a mechanical, or some other unforeseen event, has occurred to prevent the flight.  The buyer is then left to find another aircraft at the last minute, usually at his or her own expense. 
 
How do you know if your charter broker is bidding on a phantom aircraft?   

     There are a few tell-tale signs that your broker is bidding on phantom aircraft.  If you have signed a contract with your broker, and he or she fails to provide you with the necessary details of the flight, such as departure times, FBOs, or tail number, that aircraft probably does not exist.  At the very least, your broker should disclose the operator of the aircraft you’ve chartered.

      You should also be wary of charter brokers who offer you the lowest-priced option, especially if the pricing is well-below other offers, as this is fair indicator of a phantom aircraft.  There are real costs associated with the constant upkeep and maintenance of a private aircraft, and these costs are reflected in the price of a charter flight.  A good rule of thumb is if a price seems too good to be true, then it probably is.  

       Another way you can arm yourself against phantom aircraft bidders is to refrain from “over-shopping” the market.  If you contact multiple charter brokers for the same charter flight, you will most likely cause a “bidding war.”  Due to the competitive nature of the air charter industry, some charter brokers will do anything to win a flight, even if it means bidding on a phantom aircraft.  We advise that you work with one to two charter brokers who you know to be honest, reliable and trust-worthy.  

  
Why might a charter broker bid on a phantom aircraft and what is the harm?  

       There are many reasons why a broker might in engage in phantom aircraft bidding.  Most of the time, the phantom bidder wants to “win the trip” by outbidding his or her competitors who are providing pricing on actual aircraft availability.  In other cases, a charter broker may simply seek to lock a client into a price that he or she honestly believes they can get from a charter operator. 

       Whatever the reason, phantom aircraft bidding is dishonest and puts the client’s safety at risk. A lot of times when a charter broker can’t find an available aircraft to fill the requirement, he or she may turn to an aircraft operator with poor safety ratings or even an unregistered aircraft that in privately-owned.  Even if the broker believes the aircraft to be safe, it may not have met minimum safety standards, have proper insurance levels, or be operated by a fully-certificated flight crew.  These standards are a vital part of ensuring your personal safety on a charter flight. 

How can you protect yourself against phantom aircraft bidders?

        As we mentioned in the last issue of The Getaway, the best way to avoid deceptive business practices, such as phantom aircraft bidding, is to commit yourself to only working with members of the Air Charter Association of North America (ACANA).  ACANA is a private collection of top industry professionals dedicated to promoting and upholding ethical business practices, safety, and consumer education.  ACANA members never engage in unethical business practices, like phantom aircraft bidding, which is a founding tenant of our organization.  

       The practice of phantom aircraft bidding has not escaped the notice of ACANA or Stratos Jets.  As a member of ACANA, Stratos Jets hopes to inform our clients about phantom aircraft bidding and help to remove this deceptive practice from the industry.  As a reminder, we will never engage in phantom aircraft bidding or any other deceptive business practice that puts our clients’ best interests at stake.  

       At Stratos Jets, our company culture compels us to be honest and transparent with our clients.  Our goal is to offer realistic pricing and remain faithful to our standards for safety.  We promise to consistently provide our clients with the finest jet charter service in the industry that will make us their number one choice for travel.

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Stratos Jets Analyzes Europe’s Move to Impose a Carbon Emissions Tax on Private Aviation

Friday, February 17th, 2012

EU-ETS could impose carbon emissions taxes on charter flights to Europe, which are common flights on the Global Express

Recently, the private aviation industry has been up in arms over the European Union’s new carbon emissions tax on air travel to, from and in its collective borders, which is part of the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS).  EU-ETS imposes a heavy tax on carbon emissions for the duration of any flight landing or departing from Europe, regardless of destination.  This tax program aims at reducing the carbon footprint of jet aircraft, but in reality could harm the air charter industry, while doing little to aid the environment. 

Thus far, EU-ETS has been met with strong opposition from all four corners of the aviation industry, from airliners and air charter operators, to jet charter brokers, and government agencies.  The U.S. House of Representatives recently signed a petition, formally announcing its opposition to EU-ETS.  According to the Nation Business Aviation Association (NBAA), even President Obama has expressed his concern over the implementation of EU-ETS, and its possible impact on US-EU trade, although he has not specifically mentioned the House’s measures.

At Stratos Jet Charters, we feel that it is our responsibility as both an American business and industry service provider, to educate our clients about the tax program.  We believe that government mandates on carbon emissions will have a net negative environmental impact because they would increase the cost of private aviation and in turn, shrink the pool of private jet flyers. This decreases the efficiency of the air charter market, while increasing the number of unoccupied flights in Europe. Our goal is to help spread awareness of the detrimental program, preventing a similar program from taking root on American soil.

If complied with by the U.S., the EU-ETS carbon emissions tax would increase the costs of private charter flights in and out of Europe, as air carriers would be forced to pass this tax on to their clients. Commercial airlines have already increased their airfare to account for the new tax. The problem is that air charter consumers would not be assured that their money was going to programs that directly benefited them or their environment. All funds collected by the carbon emission tax are speculative in their final destination and would become hostage to the political whims of the European Union.

EU-ETS proponents fail to understand the value that business aviation has, and its contributions as a driver of the U.S. economy. The convenience, services, and flexible scheduling of private aviation are tangible assets that all private jet flyers can directly benefit from. Private aviation contributes billions of dollars to the American economy each year. This number will only decrease if the cost of aviation is increased to the point that only a few can afford to benefit from it. To help improve our economy, our goal should be to expand access to private aviation. Mandating a tax on carbon emissions for U.S. air travel would only serve to put the benefits of private aviation further out of reach. 

Over the past few years, technological advancements have made it possible for air charter agencies, such as Stratos Jets, to identify transient aircraft positioning throughout the U.S, and better communicate real-time availability. As a result, pricing has come down, and we have expanded access to the benefits of private aviation to a group of businesses who otherwise couldn’t afford it.

These free market factors have transformed the air charter marketplace by offering point to point pricing on most charter flights throughout the United States; lowering the cost of private aviation.  This lower price point has enabled more clients to book one-way charter flights. As a result, the duration of unoccupied flights has decreased dramatically, improving the efficiency of each aircraft and minimizing the environmental impact of unoccupied aircraft repositioning. 

In addition to net positive impact of improving the efficiency of the air charter marketplace, companies like Stratos Jets have pioneered Carbon Off-Set programs for private jet travel.  Since 2007, Stratos Jets has offered our clients the opportunity to offset the carbon emissions of their private jet charter flight.  This opt-in approach allows our clients to choose to be a good stewards of the environment, without forcing entry-level clients out of the market.

While proponents of an emissions tax have good intentions, it is unclear just what benefit a carbon emissions tax could bring. What is far more likely is that the number of unoccupied flights will rise, decreasing the efficiency of the charter market, and possibly expanding the demand for illegal charter flights on much less safe and environmentally-sound aircraft.

For all these reasons Stratos Jet Charters opposes the carbon emission tax in Europe. As a staple of the Orlando-area economy, Stratos Jets has worked to increase awareness of and access to private aviation for individuals and business from different sectors of the economy.

We are proud to be an American small business and a member of the Air Charter Association of North America, the only industry-led organization to promote best practices and ethics. We believe that the greatest social and environmental safeguards are to be found in a free market and not in government-mandated taxes. We hope that air charter consumers will voice their displeasure to their lawmakers by contacting their local representative, who can be contacted through this website:

https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml.

Contact Stratos Jets:

1.888.478.7286

info@sttratosjets.com

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What Constitutes Unethical Business Practices in Private Aviation?

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

By working with an ACANA member, you can trust that your air charter service provider is honest, reliable and fair.

In all ways, Stratos Jet Charters seeks to be open, honest and fair with our clients.  As a member of the prestigious Air Charter Association of North America (ACANA), we are committed to promoting higher standards of ethics, professionalism and integrity. We engage in fair business practices, such as honest and fair advertising and clear pricing.  A founding tenant of both our organization and ACANA is to provide our clients with the information they need to make informed buying decisions for each and every charter flight. 

Because of the recent entry of air charter brokering in the industry, it is not yet fully regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT).  This “free” environment has allowed for some air charter organizations to engage in unfair and dishonest business practices to undercut their legitimate competitors.  As both an ACANA member, and agent for our clients, Stratos Jets has a responsibility to offer our clients insight into these deceptive business tactics to help them make the best decisions for their individual jet charter needs.
  
What Constitutes Unethical Business Practices in Private Aviation?

As one ACANA member said, “unethical business practices are the evil twin of best practices.” Unethical business practices can take on many shadowy forms, and are not always easy to identify.  The best way to arm yourself against unethical brokers and operators is to commit yourself to only working with ACANA members. ACANA members play a key part in promoting best practices and professionalism and are barred from engaging in unethical business practices. However, if you should choose to work with a non-ACANA member, you need to be aware of the possibility of your charter broker engaging in dishonest and unfair business practices.

An example of a deceptive business practice that we have seen in the industry is “phantom aircraft bidding.”  This practice occurs when a charter brokerage offers a firm quote on an aircraft at a price point that is not available in the charter market.  After the charter broker “wins the trip” by procuring a contract with the client, he or she will try to “fill the requirement” by contacting several operators and using the client’s signature on the contract as leverage. If the broker can’t offer the aircraft they promised, they will then tell the client that a mechanical, or other event, has occurred to prevent the flight.  

Another example of a deceptive business practice occurs when a charter broker offers a “best price guarantee.” Charter brokers who offer this type of pricing do not offer clients an “apples-to-apples” choice; but instead rely on taking advantage of a client’s inexperience or lack of knowledge to offer an aircraft from an operator with a poor safety history. These brokers will provide an aircraft with an unacceptably low-level of insurance to operate the flight, or an aircraft that has not been approved for aircraft charter operations.

Other examples of unethical business practices that are currently prohibited by ACANA include: 

- Creating confusion in the consumer’s mind as to whether a service provider is an air carrier or a broker, such as creating marketing materials that imply a broker is an operator 
- Engaging in speculative pricing that is not based on actual aircraft availability in an effort to undercut the legitimate pricing of competitors 
- Engaging in behavior or other unlawful activity that results in enforcement action from the FAA or Department of Transportation 
- Transacting business with operators that are not properly certified (135 or ICAO equivalent) 

At Stratos Jets, we would never put profit over the safety and integrity of your charter flight experience. We understand the real costs of private aviation and relate these to our clients. Our air charter agents are among the most knowledgeable in the industry and are available 24 hours a day to answer and explain any questions you may have regarding your charter flight.

Stratos Jets only works with fully registered Part 135 and Part 121 Air Carriers, verified through independent agencies such as WYVERN and ARG/US. Stratos Jets’ In-house Safety Due Diligence program carefully screens all aircraft operators to ensure that every flight flown for our clients is on the safest, most well maintained aircraft under the command of two highly trained pilots. This ensures that your charter experience will be among the safest in the industry, as well as of the highest quality. 

As an ACANA member, Stratos Jets’ goal is to inform the public about the requirements and expectations of a safe, effectual charter experience. We believe that the more knowledgeable our clients are, the better our industry, regulations, and services will be. We hope to be a contributor in helping ACANA shape the regulatory landscape of FAA and DOT regulations to continually improve the charter marketplace for the benefit of our clients.

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Stratos Jet Charters Becomes BBB Accredited Agency

Thursday, December 15th, 2011

Stratos Jets was recently accredited with the Better Business Bureau

Stratos Jet Charters is one of the most reputable air charter agencies in the business aviation industry. As an industry leader, one of our main objectives is to engage in ethical operational and advertising practices that promote consumer confidence and better business. Since our inception, we have strived to perform honestly, and with integrity, to provide the highest level of air charter service in the industry. That’s why we are pleased to announce that we were recently accredited with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), a private, non-profit organization that promotes trustworthy businesses that engage in honest and fair advertising and selling practices.

The BBB Code of Business Practices represents sound advertising, selling and customer service practices that build consumer trust and confidence in business. The Code of Business Practices is built on the “BBB Standards of Trust,” eight principles that summarize the key elements of creating and maintaining consumer trust. At Stratos Jets, we believe that the principles of the BBB Standards of Trust closely resemble that of our own. As a fully-accredited BBB agency, we pledge to uphold the principles of the “BBB Code of Business Practices,” which we have explained in more detail below.

The BBB Code of Business Practices:

Build Trust: Establish and maintain a positive track record in the marketplace.

Stratos Jets’ industry reputation is why we are consistently able to offer our clients the best jet charter service in the industry. Our established reputation for honesty and integrity has enabled us to build and maintain close relationships with the finest aircraft operators in the world. Most of these operators prefer to work with Stratos Jets, which has allowed us to gain access to a wider pool of discounted one-ways and empty leg charter flights. Stratos Jets’ proven track record for providing honest, reliable service is the principal reason that Stratos Jets’ President, Joel Thomas, was elected president of the Air Charter Association of North America (ACANA), an industry-led organization promoting ethics, best practices and professionalism.

Advertise Honestly: Adhere to established standards of advertising and selling.

Some charter brokerages take advantage of consumer trust and confidence by presenting quotes that are devoid of applicable FET taxes, airport, landing and repositioning fees. Stratos Jets promises to offer clear, “all-in pricing” on every charter flight that we book through our agency. Unlike some charter brokerages that offer false discounts and promotions, with Stratos Jets, you can be assured that the price you are paying does not include hidden fees or taxes.

Tell the Truth: Honestly represent products and services, including clear and adequate disclosures of all material terms.

Stratos Jets was invited to join ACANA because of our continued commitment to honesty, integrity and professionalism. As an ACANA member, we stand against any charter broker that seeks to take advantage of consumers by misrepresenting products or services. This means that we will never engage in “speculative pricing,” the controversial act of bidding on “phantom aircraft,” or aircraft that are not readily available in the charter market. All of the quotes that we provide are based on actual aircraft availability.

Be Transparent: Openly identify the nature, location, and ownership of the business, and clearly disclose all policies, guarantees and procedures that bear on a customer’s decision to buy.

Stratos Jets is a worldwide air charter agency, not a Part 135 air carrier. We will never falsely identify or advertise ourselves as an aircraft operator, which is a direct FAA and DOT violation. We work with other ACANA members to promote transparency on all levels to other air charter service providers. Stratos Jets’ air charter agents, who are among the most knowledgeable and educated in the industry, are available 24 hours a day to explain all FAA and DOT regulations. At Stratos Jets, we openly and honestly represent all industry regulations, and we ensure that all of our vendors to do the same through the Stratos Jets’ Approved Vendor Program.

Honor Promises: Abide by all written agreements and verbal representations.

At Stratos Jets, our goal is to build long-term relationships with our clients instead of one-time transactions. We strive to honor our client relationships through our honesty and integrity. Our clients are important to us as invaluable members of our family, and we will never misrepresent ourselves or willfully deceive them. Stratos Jets is dedicated to meeting the individual needs of our clients. That is our promise to our clients. We faithfully meet and execute those demands each and every day.

Be Responsive: Address marketplace disputes quickly, professionally, and in good faith.

Responsiveness has always been a top priority for Stratos Jets. As experts in the field of private aviation, Stratos Jets agents are extremely knowledgable about the private aviation industry and current charter market. Should a marketplace dispute occur, we will react quickly and efficiently to settle the dispute with as little injury to our clients as possible. As an ACANA member, Stratos Jets is in the unique position to help represent the industry to the FAA and help shape future requirements in a way that positively affects business.

Safeguard Privacy: Protect any data collected against mishandling and fraud, collect personal information only as needed, and respect the preferences of consumers regarding the use of their information.

Stratos Jets handles our clients personal information safely and securely. Your information will never be shared with other organizations or individuals.

Embody Integrity: Approach all business dealings, marketplace transactions and commitments with integrity.

Stratos Jets is dedicated to being the best in the industry, which means fair pricing, deep industry knowledge, and representing ourselves honestly to our customers. These are standards that we have sought since our inception and ones that we will continue to pursue. At Stratos Jets, we believe our clients deserve only the finest charter service, and we aim to provide it on each and every charter flight.

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Stratos Jets Certified as Wyvern Broker

Thursday, December 1st, 2011

Stratos Jets is a certified Wyvern Broker and can verify that charter flights are "Wyvern-Compliant"

What is the single most important factor in choosing your air charter service provider? Is it the safety and reputation of the air carrier, or is it the overall price and value of the charter flight? As an air charter consumer, you never have to choose between safety and service, provided that you make informed, educated decisions each time you fly. At Stratos Jet Charters, our job as air charter agents is to connect you to the safest, most reputable aircraft operators with the longest track record for providing excellent service at fair market price.

Stratos Jets recently became one of the few certified Wyvern Brokers in the Wyvern Pilot & Aircraft Safety Survey (PASS) program. Wyvern, Ltd. is the global leader in aviation safety auditing, consulting and information services. Wyvern specializes in performing on-site, safety audits on charter operators, and has conducted more than 1,700 safety audits worldwide, using the most experienced and highly-trained auditors in the industry.

During a Wyvern on-site safety audit, also known as a “safety evaluation,” Part 135 air charter operators are measured against “The Wyvern Standard” — a globally recognized seal of aviation safety. The Wyvern Standard is a set of safety measurement criterion that far exceed government regulations for safe flight operations and aircraft maintenance.

The information that is collected and analyzed during a Wyvern safety audit is compiled and maintained in a database that is accessible to Wyvern Brokers, like Stratos Jets, through the PASS Report program. For Stratos Jets, the PASS report system enables our agents to generate individual safety reports, called PASS reports, on both Wyvern-recommended and non-recommended aircraft operators.

Each PASS report contains invaluable safety information regarding the aircraft operator, aircraft and flight crew of individual charter flights. The pilot experience check, for example, verifies that the flight crew of any given charter flight is fully certified, properly type-rated, has met the necessary flight time requirements and has current medical and training records.

Stratos Jets has the ability to provide third party audits on all Part 135 Jet Charters, who are fully registered Part 135 and Part 121 carriers. Although any charter broker can access the PASS report system, only Wyvern Brokers like Stratos Jets, have the ability to run a PASS report on each and every charter flight, providing our clients with a greater sense of safety assurance.

Stratos Jets has long been a leader in promoting safety and best practices in the air charter industry. We developed the Stratos Jets’ Approved Vendor Program (AVP) to form an exclusive network of Part 135 aircraft operators that meet our safety standards, which are considered the strictest and most stringent standards in the industry. We have furthered these efforts by requiring all of our approved vendors to pass a Wyvern PASS Report or ARG/US third-party safety audit before induction into our program.

Additionally, Stratos Jets is a long-standing member of the prestigious Air Charter Association of North America (ACANA), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting best practices and professionalism to air charter service providers. Wyvern has pledged its full support to ACANA, as do we at Stratos Jets. Our goal is to help ACANA further its mission of educating air charter consumers about the benefits of working with reliable and ethical service providers like Wyvern Brokers.

At Stratos Jets, we are very proud of our recent certification as a Wyvern Broker. One of the major benefits of our Wyvern Broker certifcation is that it will make it easier for our air charter agency to verify that every charter flight meets our safety standards, along with those established by the Wyvern Standard. We hope that our Wyvern Broker certification serves as further proof of our commitment to safety, best practices and transparency.

Contact Stratos Jets:

1.888.478.7286

info@stratosjets.com

www.stratosjets.com

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Highlighting Stratos Jets’ Participation at the 2011 ACANA Panel Discussion 

Thursday, October 27th, 2011

ACANA President, Joel Thomas, Introduces ACANA Panel
“Leadership is intentional influence.” — Michael McKinney, 1980

What does it mean to be an industry leader? At Stratos Jet Charters, we believe that a leader should play an important part in establishing best business practices and fostering those ideals in the industrial community. Stratos Jets, a worldwide air charter agency, is a recognized leader in the air charter industry, having taken an active role in the Air Charter Association of North America (ACANA).

Stratos Jets was able to further spread these ideals through recent participation in ACANA’s panel discussion at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) conference in Las Vegas. The panel discussion was centered on educating the air charter community about best practices and safety concerns, and included discussions with industry professionals and members of the Department of Transportation.

The discussion was introduced by Stratos Jets and ACANA President Joel Thomas. It was intended to meet ACANA’s goals for greater transparency and best practices within the jet charter community. At Stratos Jets, we believe that when air charter consumers are made more knowledgeable about the requirements and assurances of their charter experience, that they will make informed decisions about their air charter service provider.

This policy has been a hallmark of Stratos Jets since our inception in 2007. Stratos Jets agents are among the most knowledgable in the industry regarding aircraft and FAA regulations, and it is our policy to openly discuss these matters with our clients.

The panel discussion also explored business practices performed by charter brokers and Part 135 and 121 operators. The highlight of this discussion was the value that such organizations continue to grant to the air charter industry. The discussion helped to further clarify contractual language for customers as well as the latest news regarding the HR5900 legislative action.

In addition, ACANA members were pleased to be a part of industry-changing discussions that included private and government interests. The issues discussed are particularly relevant to day-to-day professionals in the air charter industry. Having a voice in these talks has helped ACANA and its members to solidify themselves as leaders within the air charter industry.

By working with the DOT, ACANA hopes to continue to raise the bar for both new companies and established charter firms. It is the shared belief of all ACANA members that the best governance for an industry is the industry itself, and in this light, ACANA is committed to raising the standard for all air charter organizations.

Stratos Jets is proud to be a leading member of ACANA and to take part in these important discussions that will help build the future of our industry. As an ACANA member, Stratos Jets hopes to encourage other organizations to adopt ACANA’s best practices and standards for excellence. Stratos Jets continues to help further ACANA’s mission of educating air charter consumers.

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Stratos Jet Charters: Who We Are, What We Do, and Why We are Different

Wednesday, September 14th, 2011

As we approach a brand-new Fall season at Stratos Jet Charters, we have some very exciting news to share with you about our company. Over the next few months, we plan on revitalizing our website; bringing a whole new look and feel to the Stratos Jets’ brand. In addition, we have streamlined our monthly newsletter, making it easier for you to learn more about our company. These changes reflect our growth as a company, from a charter organization that simply raised the bar, to an air charter agency that sets the standard for excellence for business aviation. Even with all of these changes, we want our clients to know that Stratos Jets is still a boutique air charter agency that is dedicated to servicing our clients’ air charter needs. We invite you to take part in reading the first edition of our redesigned newsletter, which we have dedicated to explaining who we are, what we do, and why we are different. We look forward to the launch of our new website, which highlights our constant pursuit of excellence.

Who We Are: 

          Stratos Jet Charters, Inc. is a worldwide air charter agency based in Orlando, Florida. We specialize in arranging on-demand charter flights on a wide selection of private jet aircraft, ranging from turboprop to large-cabin, ultra long-range jets. As a company, our goal is to build long-term relationships with our clients by providing exceptional service, in-depth industry knowledge, and meticulous attention to detail. We offer a unique alternative to fractional and jet card companies. At Stratos Jets, we do not require any upfront acquisition costs, monthly management fees or long-term contractual obligations. Instead, our on-demand charter service allows us to provide our clients with convenience and flexibility, without the inherent complications of fractional and whole aircraft ownership. 


What We Do:

           As an on-demand charter agency, we act on behalf of our clients to arrange charter flights on the safest, most well-maintained aircraft, under the command of a highly-experienced flight crew. Our air charter agents can provide access to approximately 2,500 aircraft that have been pre-screened through the Stratos Jets’ Approved Vendor Program, the industry’s first air carrier due-diligence program. All of the aircraft in the Stratos Jets’ Approved Vendor Program have met with our stringent safety standards, in addition to the rigorous requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Transportation.  Because we do not own or operate any of these aircraft, we are able to source the best-positioned aircraft that can meet the individual demands of our clients’ itineraries.  By analyzing the demands of the charter market, we can readily identify the location of multiple aircraft that can accommodate the specific needs of our clients. Our expert air charter agents can find the right aircraft for our clients, whether they need to travel on a tight schedule, acquire the most comfort, or simply obtain the best, available price.

How We Are Different:

         Stratos Jets’ company culture is what separates us from our industry peers. At the core of our company lies the fundamental belief that we were created for a purpose.  We believe that in order to achieve our purpose, we must live for something greater than ourselves.  As a Christian-based company, we seek to honor God through our relationships with our clients, vendors, and peers.  At Stratos Jets, we do what is right, simply because it is right, and this guiding principle has shaped all aspects of our company. 

Stratos Jets is engaged in a constant pursuit of excellence.  Our core focus of building long-lasting relationships with our clients has allowed us to set the benchmark of excellence in business aviation. It is this practice that has enabled us to excel at what we do best: providing honest answers, fair market evaluations and superior service. 

Stratos Jets is also actively involved in the Air Charter Association of North America (ACANA), an organization dedicated to promoting best practices and professionalism to its members and the industry as a whole.  It is our involvement with organizations such as ACANA that has helped establish our reputation for excellence within the air charter community.  As a recognized and trusted leader in the air charter industry, we will continue to raise the bar for excellence in private aviation.  

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Stratos Jet Charters Relocates Office to Support Company Expansion

Monday, August 29th, 2011

Stratos Jet Charters is pleased to announce that we have relocated from the Orlando Executive Airport (KORL) to a larger office in the heart of Orlando, Florida. The move to the new office supports our decision to expand our company amid the increasing demand for our jet charter service.

Stratos Jets’ move to the new office follows a period of consistent growth and expansion for our company. Our company was founded in 2007 as a small, boutique agency, but has since then grown to become one of the finest and most widely-recognized air charter agencies in the industry.

Since our inception, we have experienced consistent growth, year over year. We attribute this growth and success to our dedication to honoring our relationships by providing the assurance of safe, reliable charter flights. Stratos Jets is deeply-rooted in Christian values and principles, which has helped differentiate our company as the leader in best practices and ethics.

In addition, we attribute our success to our strong, client and vendor relationships, exceptional air charter service, and in-depth industry knowledge and expertise. Stratos Jets’ involvement with the Air Charter Association of North America (ACANA), a prestigious organization that promotes best practices and ethics, has also helped solidify our role as a leader among other organizations.

Our growth will allow us to maintain close, personal relationships with our clients and enable us to continue to provide the close attention to detail that we are known for.

With the larger office space, we have been able to bring on several, new air charter agents to meet the increasing demand for air charter flights. These new agents will be focused on providing exceptional customer service, and are being expertly-trained in sourcing the best-positioned aircraft that meets the individual needs of their clients. In addition, Stratos Jets is expanding its flight following division, which ensures the safe and proper execution of each charter flight.

On a more personal note, we want our clients and vendors to know that we were sad to to leave our office at the Orlando Executive Airport. Many clients and vendor relationships were developed during our time at the airport, which made it difficult to leave behind.

While it was a difficult decision to leave the airport, we know we have made the right decision for our clients, vendors and peers. By expanding our company through the new office, we will be better able to provide better service to our clients, and grow stronger relationships with our vendors, which have always been our top priorities.

Contact Stratos Jets:

1.888.478.7286

info@stratosjets.com

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Shouldn’t Your Jet Charter Agent Be an ACANA member?

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011

As a consumer of private aviation, you have a choice when it comes to selecting an air charter service provider. Having confidence in the jet charter agent you choose to do business with is an important part of this decision. In recent years, the air charter industry has expanded to include many, new charter brokerages. At Stratos Jet Charters, we have become increasingly aware of charter brokers who are more interested in making a one-time profit than in providing an honest, reliable charter service. These charter brokers offer rock-bottom prices for services that are likewise at the bottom. Consumers who fly with these brokers are not likely to fly privately again, and thus miss out on the benefits afforded by private aviation.

With these concerns in mind, Stratos Jets has taken an active leadership role in the Air Charter Association of North America (ACANA). ACANA, the industry’s first and only self-regulatory organization, is comprised of the finest and most reputable charter brokerages in North America. ACANA members work together to promote best practices and ethics to the growing number of charter brokers emerging throughout the industry. Stratos Jets, along with other ACANA members, adhere to the highest standards of integrity, ethics and professionalism, thereby setting the benchmark for excellence in the air charter industry. With that said, shouldn’t your jet charter agent be an ACANA member? In the following article, we will endeavor to explain the benefits of working with an ACANA professional.

Commitment to Best Practices and Professionalism

ACANA membership is exclusive: Only the finest and most well-established charter brokerages in North America are invited to join ACANA. ACANA members are specifically chosen for their excellent business structure, emphasis on consumer education, and most importantly, commitment to best practices and ethics. The stringent membership criteria of ACANA ensures that each member adheres to ACANA’s best practices and rules for professionalism. By working with an ACANA member, you can rest assured that your jet charter agency is among the finest in the industry.

Financial Stability and Health

ACANA was founded on the idea that every charter consumer deserves to have confidence in their charter service provider. For this reason, ACANA requires all prospective and current ACANA members to provide certified documentation that proves their financial stability and health as a company. As an ACANA member, we believe that the financial history and standing of your charter agent matters, both in terms of the assurances that you will receive what you have paid for and in the overall performance and quality of services you receive.

Adherence to FAA and DOT regulations

Unfortunately, low-cost charter brokers can offer greatly reduced prices by ignoring critical safety and maintenance regulations required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT). By working with an ACANA member, you are afforded the assurance that such illegal and dangerous practices will never occur. In addition to FAA and DOT pilot training and aircraft maintenance requirements, many ACANA brokers, including Stratos Jets, enforce their own enhanced safety and professional standards. As the industry’s only self-regulatory organization, ACANA provides key information to the DOT to help craft future air charter safety regulations for the industry.

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Stratos Jets is proud to be a leading member of ACANA, and to represent the best of what the industry has to offer. The philosophy of building close, long-term relationships with our clients has been a hallmark of our business since its foundation, and we are glad to see more charter agencies joining the ranks of ACANA. We will continue to set the benchmark for professionalism and excellence in business aviation and encourage more charter brokers to adopt the standards of ACANA. The goal of this article has been to teach you of the value and importance of ACANA, so that you can make wise decisions for private jet charter. Moving forward, we hope that you will put every charter broker to the test by asking if they are apart of our prestigious organization.

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Stratos Jet Charters Works With ACANA to Promote Best Practices and Professionalism to Air Charter Service Providers

Friday, June 17th, 2011

With the economic downturn still in effect, many air charter consumers are looking for low-cost options for private jet charter. In recent weeks, we at Stratos Jet Charters, have endeavored to warn private jet travelers about charter brokerages who engage in dishonest, deceptive business practices to offer reduced pricing for charter flights.

At Stratos Jet Charters, we have taken a stand against charter brokers who actively solicit illegal charter operators or employ unregistered aircraft to sell charter flights. As a member of the prestigious Air Charter Association of North America (ACANA), we feel it is our responsibility as an industry leader to educate consumers about the value of working with ACANA members.

ACANA, a non-profit organization, was founded by several, leading air charter service providers, who recognized the need for self-regulation in the air charter industry. ACANA’s mission is to enhance and foster the air charter industry by promoting best practices and professionalism, representing ACANA members’ collective regulatory interests, and educating consumers about the benefits of private aviation.

Stratos Jets is a long-standing member of ACANA, and has been intimately involved in the organization’s efforts to promote best practices and professionalism to other air charter service providers. Like Stratos Jets, ACANA places an emphasis on consumer education, and seeks to become the leading source of information on air charter safety.

One of our goals at Stratos Jets is to help our clients understand why it is so important to work with ACANA members. In addition, we want our clients to be able to identify the warning signs of a deceptive charter broker who may present aircraft that are not qualified to fly passengers under the FAR Part 135 regulations.

It is our belief that the need for a self-regulatory organization, like ACANA, is more important than ever, considering the increasing number of charter brokers who are engaging in unfair business practices to undercut legitimate air carriers.

Charter brokers who engage in deceptive business practices do so at great risk to consumer safety. These charter brokers often skirt FAA regulations and ACANA best practices to lower the price of charter flights for consumers. The problem is that these regulations and best practices were established to ensure your personal safety.

ACANA members, on the other hand, take every precaution to ensure the safety and legality of every charter flight, regardless of any additional expense.

When you decide to work with a non-reputable charter broker, there is no guarantee that your aircraft is properly maintained or that the pilots have the necessary training and experience to conduct your flight. Nor do you have the necessary liability coverage in place. Not only does this pose a significant risk to safety, it harms the industry as a whole by fostering an environment where unsafe, unregulated charter brokerages can succeed.

As ACANA continues to grow, Stratos Jets aims to be a model of ACANA standards for other charter brokerages in the industry. In addition to persuading other charter brokerages and operators to adopt ACANA best practices, we impose these standards on each and every flight. As other brokers and operators continue to adopt ACANA standards, we believe that both the future of the industry and the safety of consumers will improve.

Contact Stratos Jets:

1.888.478.7286

info@stratosjets.com

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