Curated, Affordable Private Flights Appealing to Experience-forward Gen Z

Newsweek

7 days ago

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Flyblack has a very modern tech startup story. Its success today as one of the country's leading private aviation companies can be traced back a decade to when CEO Sami Belbase started the company out of a WeWork with a phone and an idea.
"Within a year, we had over 30 brokers working under our roof, many of them twice my age and from Wall Street. From an office in the heart of SoHo to speaking at Forbes Under 30 and hosting charity events on Richard Branson's island, the journey has been anything but typical," Belbase told Newsweek.
What also makes Flyblack unique is its approach to private aviation. Belbase saw major inefficiencies in the business model and looked to change that with Flyback. "I saw a huge gap: traditional private aviation was stuck in the past. Manual bookings, inaccessible pricing, and a system that left thousands of jets flying empty every day. Flyblack was built to re-engineer that system - to create a digital-first platform that finally makes flying private more efficient, sustainable, and accessible to a broader market," he said.
Typically, when a customer wanted to book a private jet, they would have to call a broker and schedule a trip. Yet, if they wanted to book a yacht, villa or top-tier travel experience, they could use an app that worked like a concierge service.
Flyblack App displayed on an iPhone.
Flyblack App displayed on an iPhone.
Flyblack
"That disconnect drove us to build a platform that matched today's digital expectations. Launching our Shuttle by-the-seat flights and One Way Deals was game-changing — finally offering curated, affordable private flight options for high-spending Millennials and Gen Z who value experiences over ownership," Belbase explained.
Flyblack has access to 3,000 private aircraft worldwide, with the ability to use technology to fill seats rather than require clients to rent an entire aircraft for use. The company's Shuttle service can cost as little as a first-class ticket would on a commercial flight, but without the hassle of having to experience the surroundings of a commercial airport.
Its One Way Deals option helps to sell seats on planes that would otherwise be deadheaded to their next destination.
Members can book flights from months in advance to same-day travel. If there's a seat, you can book and fly within 15 minutes, about the same style of operation as a traditional commercial flight.
Artificial intelligence (AI) helps the company operate. "We use AI and data modeling to predict demand around events, seasons, and trends. We have compiled years of big data focused around private jet flights and corresponding demand and fulfillment. From Coachella to Aspen ski season, we can pre-position jets and crews ahead of time. Operators also benefit. Our tools help them reduce waste and boost fleet efficiency. It's luxury powered by tech- smarter for flyers, and better for business," the CEO said.
Flyblack sells seats on six different types of planes: turboprop, entry-level, light, mid-size, super mid-size and heavy. When browsing flight options, the type of plane you're booking (for example, a Citation X or Learjet 45XR) is shown prior to committing to the booking.
The company is the new kid on the block, but Flyblack is seeing quick success. In the first few weeks of 2025, the Flyblack app, "had thousands of downloads and hundreds of applications within weeks, all before our public release. Our sold-out shuttles to events like St. Barths and Coachella validated that we were solving a real problem: people wanted private flight access without the full buy-in," Belbase said.
Those users are tech-savvy and after luxe experiences that go beyond traditional travel, a trend that extends to yachts, villas and on-the-ground cultural immersions. "Younger travelers aren't just looking for exclusivity, they want smart luxury, value-driven experiences, and sustainability baked in. Flyblack hits all those notes. They're not booking just for status; they're booking because we offer shared jet seats to Aspen with Erewhon catering and caviar-topped In-N-Out burgers - a vibe they actually relate to," he said.
"This is the next evolution of status travel: access without ownership, community without compromise. And with memberships unlocking flights at up to 75 percent off standard pricing, it becomes more about lifestyle alignment than a show of wealth."
Flyblack first launched in Los Angeles and has a waitlist that is "already thousands deep." Next, the company plans to expand to New York and South Florida, followed by Europe in 2026.
A private plane that is part of the Flyblack fleet.
A private plane that is part of the Flyblack fleet.
Flyblack
"We're demand-driven, if enough members want a new route, we can launch and test new routes. We listen to our audience, and this will always give us insight on growth opportunities. Our vision is clear: give members the ability to fly major routes without ever entering a commercial terminal," the CEO said.
What comes after that? "Ultimately, we will launch the world's first full-fledged, private jet airline," he divulged.