The VIP Seat: Weekly Private Aviation News

Jessie Naor and Preston Holland | Experts in Private and Corporate Aviation
  • 4.4 (14)
  • AVIATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Join Jessie Naor and Preston Holland on The VIP Seat for the latest insights in private aviation, covering business aviation trends, private jet reviews, and more. We break down the biggest stories of the week in corporate aviation, from jet charter trends and Part 135 shenanigans to aviation safety news that the big players hope you'll miss. Expect hot takes, sharp analysis, and real talk with industry insiders, operators, and disruptors. Whether you’re flying private or an industry insider, buckle up and let's take off.

  1. 2D AGO

    Jet Fuel Price Shock, Priester’s Buying Spree, AirX Earnings and Supernal Cuts

    Recorded at Verticon 2026, Jessie Naor and Preston Holland break down rising aviation fuel costs linked to Iran tensions, what jet fuel surcharges mean for charter operators and consumers, Priester Aviation’s latest acquisitions, FlyHouse’s expansion strategy, AirX’s year-end results, American Airlines serving boxed wine in first class, and Supernal’s major layoffs in the eVTOL sector.

    36 min

  2. MAR 4

    From 43,000 FT: Starlink Cracks Down, FlyHouse’s $500M Valuation

    In this week’s episode of The VIP Seat, we take “live” to a whole new altitude — literally. Jessie and Preston record their first-ever in-person episode at 43,000 feet over Memphis aboard AB Jets’ brand-new Challenger 3500, while the flight crew spells “VIP SEAT” in the sky (yes, you can track it). We kick things off with a breakdown of the Praetor 500/600 “E” announcement — what actually changed, what didn’t, and why the hype may have outpaced the substance. Then we get into the big story that broke mid-flight: FlyHouse heading to market at a reported $500M valuation while targeting a major raise, plus what it means for two-sided marketplaces, industry positioning, and the “Uber for private jets” storyline. We also cover Middle East airspace disruption and what it means for business aviation ops and emergency lift, then pivot to the latest Starlink pricing and speed-based plan changes that have GA pilots heated — and why business aviation operators may quietly agree with the crackdown. To close, we dive into one of the most unsettling stories in aviation: the counterfeit parts scandal tied to the CFM56 supply chain — how it was uncovered, why traceability is still a mess, and why this is exactly the kind of problem aviation tech (and maybe AI) should be able to solve. Big thanks to AB Jets for sponsoring the episode — and for the wild idea to record the show at altitude. Buckle up. Subscribe for weekly business aviation news, real industry analysis, and the stories everyone’s talking about behind the scenes.

    30 min

  3. FEB 24

    What Wheels Up’s Adjusted EBITDA Actually Means and Why the FAA’s 135 List Problems Matter

    The conversation delves into the financial reporting of Wheels Up, the challenges of analyzing aviation news, and the errors in the FAA's list of part 135 operators. It also touches on the impact of social media on industry decisions and the upcoming event by Embraer Executive Jets. Takeaways Adjusted EBITDA reporting can be misleadingChallenges in vetting operators due to FAA errorsThe influence of social media on industry decisions Chapters 00:00 Wheels Up Earnings and Adjusted EBITDA05:34 Errors in FAA's List of Part 135 Operators13:15 Impact of Social Media on Industry Decisions30:05 Upcoming Event by Embraer Executive Jets

    29 min

  4. FEB 18

    VistaJet Fleet Strategy, Guinea Pilot Arrests & Hop-A-Jet Lawsuit

    VistaJet places a massive order for 40 Bombardier Challenger 3500s (with up to 120 options) following $1.3B in financing—what it means for fleet operators, delivery slots, and the super-mid market. We break down Bombardier’s global MRO expansion, bond financing strategy, and why the Challenger 300/3500 platform continues to dominate. Plus: two American Gulfstream pilots jailed in Guinea under severe conditions, the El Paso airspace shutdown and counter-drone confusion, Hop-A-Jet’s lawsuit following the crash, and a data-driven discussion on pilot hiring, DEI policies, and aviation safety statistics. We also cover Jeff Bezos’ Gulfstream 650ER listing and this week’s Mile High Madness. Business aviation news, fleet strategy, aviation safety, and industry analysis—all in one episode of The VIP Seat.

    37 min

  5. FEB 11

    AOPA CEO is Out, Skyryse’s $300M Raise, and Super Bowl Private Jet Surge

    This week on The VIP Seat, Jessie and Preston break down the AOPA leadership shakeup (and the remote-work subplot), dig into what Skyryse’s $300M raise and $1.15B valuation could mean for helicopter safety and “flying car” reality, and react to a surprise move in the latest funding bill that blocks FAA single-pilot research. Plus: Super Bowl jet traffic hits absurd levels, FBO event fees go vertical, and Mile High Madness delivers foam-system corrosion pain… and a Shark Tank “G6” moment that made aviation Twitter collectively spit out its coffee.

    31 min

  6. FEB 4

    Corporate Aviation Turbulence: Tariffs, FAA Shutdown, Global M&A

    Private aviation is navigating uncertainty—but capital is still moving. In this episode of The VIP Seat, Jessie Naor and Preston Holland (reporting from Corporate Jet Investor London) on tariff volatility, FAA furloughs, shifting European sentiment, sustainability pressure, safety reforms, and why record global M&A activity may signal strong tailwinds for business aviation despite the noise.

    35 min

  7. JAN 30 · BONUS

    Corporate Jets Brace For Bombardier Decertification Threat

    In a special breaking-news edition of The VIP Seat, Jessie Naor and Preston Holland unpack President Trump’s overnight Truth Social post threatening Bombardier decertification and 50% tariffs on Canadian aircraft over stalled Gulfstream certifications. We break down what’s actually happening behind the scenes, how aircraft certification reciprocity works between the FAA, EASA, and Transport Canada, and why this move—while dramatic—fits a familiar Trump negotiation playbook. From supply-chain exposure and fractional fleet risk to the broader geopolitical context involving Canada, China, and U.S. manufacturing, this episode separates real operational risk from headline panic and explains who should be paying attention—and who shouldn’t.

    20 min

  8. JAN 28

    Private Jet Deicing Challenges, Billion-Dollar Resolutions

    A tragic Challenger accident in Maine puts winter flying under the microscope on this week’s VIP Seat. Jessie Naor and Preston Holland break down what private aviation gets wrong about de-icing—and why Part 91 and 135 operations don’t have the same guardrails as the airlines. From holdover times and fluid limitations to the uncomfortable reality of passenger pressure in the cockpit, this episode explains why snow isn’t the real danger—human factors are. Jessie shares hard-earned insights on operational control, assertiveness, and why trusting your pilot sometimes means accepting an overnight delay. Then things pivot to Mile High Madness: jet-set Pilates, aviation influencer chaos, and some well-earned side-eye. The episode also covers major industry news, including the Flexjet–Honeywell settlement, FAA funding on the brink amid shutdown threats, Wheels Up’s latest layoffs and sale-leasebacks, and a jaw-dropping case of fake airline credentials used to score hundreds of free flights. Serious safety lessons, industry tea, and just enough humor to keep it real—welcome back to The VIP Seat.

    35 min
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4.4
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About

Join Jessie Naor and Preston Holland on The VIP Seat for the latest insights in private aviation, covering business aviation trends, private jet reviews, and more. We break down the biggest stories of the week in corporate aviation, from jet charter trends and Part 135 shenanigans to aviation safety news that the big players hope you'll miss. Expect hot takes, sharp analysis, and real talk with industry insiders, operators, and disruptors. Whether you’re flying private or an industry insider, buckle up and let's take off.

Information

  • Creator
    Jessie Naor and Preston Holland | Experts in Private and Corporate Aviation
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    72
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Jessie Naor and Preston Holland | Experts in Private and Corporate Aviation
  • Show Website
    The VIP Seat: Weekly Private Aviation News

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