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Flexjet
Flexjet first entered the fractional jet ownership market in 1995. Flexjet offers fractional jet ownership and leasing. Flexjet’s fractional aircraft program...
Flexjet
Flexjet first entered the fractional jet ownership market in 1995. Flexjet offers fractional jet ownership and leasing. Flexjet’s fractional aircraft program is the first in the world to be recognized as achieving the Air Charter Safety Foundation’s Industry Audit Standard, is the first and only company to be honored with 21 FAA Diamond Awards for Excellence, upholds an ARG/US Platinum Safety Rating and is IS-BAO compliant at Level 2. Flexjet’s fractional program fields an exclusive array of business aircraft—some of the youngest in the fractional jet industry, with an average age of approximately six years. In 2015, Flexjet introduced Red Label by Flexjet, which features the youngest fleet in the industry, flight crews dedicated to a single aircraft and the LXi Cabin Collection of interiors. To date there are more than 40 different interior designs across its fleet, which includes the Embraer Phenom 300, Challenger 350, the Embraer Legacy 450 and Praetor 500, Global Express, the Gulfstream G450, G500, G650 and G700, and the Aerion AS2 supersonic business jets. Flexjet is a member of the Directional Aviation family of companies. For more details on innovative programs and flexible offerings, visit www.flexjet.com or follow us on Twitter @Flexjet and on Instagram @FlexjetLLC.
General information
Firm type
null
Year founded
1995
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Cleveland
Corporate office
Cleveland, OH, United States
Additional offices
Scottsdale, AZ, United States · Farnborough, United Kingdom · London, United Kingdom · Milan, Italy
Principals
Kenn Ricci
Chairman
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Flexjet?
Flexjet is chaired by Kenn Ricci, who founded the predecessor company Corporate Wings and has overseen all major acquisitions and aircraft orders. The firm operates under Directional Aviation, Ricci's investment vehicle focused solely on private aviation. Strategic equity decisions are now shared with the consortium led by L Catterton, KSL Capital Partners, and the J. Safra Group (per the firm, February 2025).
How does Flexjet source proprietary deal flow?
Flexjet sources deal flow through its vertical integration: it identifies and acquires complementary aviation businesses such as maintenance providers Constant Aviation and Flying Colours Corp, and European operators PrivateFly, FlairJet, and SIRIO. Chairman Kenn Ricci has direct relationships with aircraft OEMs like Embraer, Bombardier, and Gulfstream, resulting in large-scale fleet orders.
Is Flexjet structured as a family office or does it operate more like a private equity-backed company?
Flexjet operates as a private aviation company owned by Directional Aviation, an investment firm founded by Kenn Ricci. It is not a family office. In February 2025, a consortium including L Catterton (an LVMH affiliate), KSL Capital Partners, and the J. Safra Group led an $800 million equity investment, marking the largest such infusion in private aviation history.
What investment stages does Flexjet typically target?
Flexjet does not make external investment allocations — it is an operating company that deploys capital into aircraft fleet orders, MRO facilities, and private terminal infrastructure. Recent commitments include a $7 billion order for Embraer aircraft and the construction of exclusive terminals in Scottsdale and Farnborough.
Which sectors does Flexjet explicitly avoid?
Flexjet explicitly avoids sectors outside of private aviation — it has no exposure to real estate development outside its own terminals, no healthcare or technology investments, and no financial services other than aviation leasing. The firm concentrates solely on fractional ownership, leasing, jet cards, charter, and MRO.
Does Flexjet maintain philanthropic structures, and how are they separated?
Flexjet does not publicly disclose a separate philanthropic foundation. The firm has historically supported employee-led initiatives such as Project Lift (ferrying crew during COVID-19) but no standalone charitable arm is listed on its website or regulatory filings.
What is Flexjet's known posture on co-investments alongside external GPs?
Flexjet does not participate in co-investments alongside external GPs — it is a vertically-integrated operator, not a fund manager. Its capital is deployed directly into aircraft, facilities, and acquisitions within the private aviation sector.
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